Targeted plastics trade show marketing yields the best return on your investment of time and money spent on the event. The primary goal for exhibiting at a trade show is to sell your products or services. Secondary goals may include networking with other professionals in the plastics industry and learning what your competition is doing. A clear understanding of what group or groups you want to sell your product or service to paves the way for your targeted plastics trade show marketing.

Plastics trade shows draw representatives from the entire the plastics industry, such as chemical and dye suppliers, machine, tool and die manufacturers, injection mold technologists, fabricators, computer hardware and CAD/CAM software and regulatory agency reps who inspect and certify products and manufacturing facilities for regulatory compliance.

1. Bring in experienced professionals to develop and implement your plastics tradeshow marketing plan.

2. Attract the most plastics trade show traffic with targeted plastics tradeshow marketing.

3. Invest in plastics tradeshows promotions and giveaways.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Team up with an experienced public relations firm to handle the plastics trade show marketing

Put your money to its best use and let marketing experts guide your marketing plan. Let their creative teams construct a plan to help your company stand out among your peers and rise above the competition at the trade show.

I recommend: Gibbs & Soell is an industrial and technological public relations firm with a strategic approach that extends throughout all phases of the trade show, including marketing, sales and communications. Ascot Media Group offers direct marketing, strategic planning, promotions and web development to those in the plastics industry.

Target your plastics trade show marketing

Find the shows that yield the most plastics trade show sales for the highest return on your plastics tradeshow advertising investment. Advertise in well-known industry magazines to get your name out there and to let potential clients know when you'll be at specific trade shows.

I recommend: Plan to exhibit at the International Plastics Showcase, the premiere, annual international plastics industry trade show featuring manufacturers and distributors, designers and artists from every corner of the international plastics industry. Subscribe to and advertise in the Plastics News for industry exposure and information about upcoming trade shows.

Include plastics trade shows promotions and giveaways in your marketing strategy

Use plastics tradeshow giveaways and plastics tradeshow promotions as part of your marketing strategy to keep your name in front of your target audience long after the trade show is over.

I recommend: Give away a subscription to Plastics News International or a gift certificate to IDES' The Plastics Store, which has the plastics industry's largest selection of books. Apex Show Marketing manufactures and supplies plastics trade show giveaways and promotional items to drive traffic to your booth.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you research your trade show venue thoroughly before you finalize your choice of plastics trade show promotions, a booth and booth accessories. Most venues have a maximum booth size you must comply with, and some venues, such as the Las Vegas Convention Center, have strict booth lighting restrictions. Know the permissible exhibition parameters of your venue before you waste time and money on exhibits that aren't allowed on the floor.