Public relations trade show marketing is a productive, low-cost way for businesses to showcase their products and services to new and existing consumers. At a trade show, your business has the chance to grab attention, gauge the desires of consumers, and introduce new products, services, or marketing strategies in a somewhat controlled environment.

Through the use of engaging exhibit booths and speaker presentations your business message will reach a variety of interested consumers. Using promotional giveaways allows consumers to take a reminder of your business home with them and may even spread the message of your business further. To gain a better understanding of how your business can benefit from public relations trade show marketing, consider the following:

1. Enlist the services of a trade show management or business promotions company to ensure all aspects of your public relations tradeshow marketing are taken care of.

2. Design and purchase attractive signs and exhibit displays to grab consumer attention.

3. Customize and purchase promotional giveaways to remain in the minds of consumers long after the trade show is over.

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

Ask for help with public relations tradeshow marketing

To ensure that all facets of public relations trade show marketing are covered, hire an experienced company that specializes in trade show management and business promotion. Their first-hand knowledge of public relations trade shows advertising that will benefit your promotional goals.

I recommend: Take a look at the demo available at EventMingle, a configurable event based online social networking web application that provides members with information and tools to take any PR trade show to the next level. Also consider the demo at GES Worldwide, a company that provides exhibition and event services specializing in every detail: before, during, and after trade shows. Join the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) to network with other PR professionals to get the word out about your trade show or trade show exhibit, and to take advantage of their services to help you market your tradeshow, like publications and conferences. Visit Expo for stats on the best ways to market for tradeshows.

Use attention-catching displays to meet your public relations tradeshows advertising objectives

Enlist the services of marketing display specialists to garner consumer and stakeholder attention and maximize returns on public relations tradeshow promotions. Whether it's through simple signs, banners, booths, or visual graphics, your company must leave an impression on consumers and stakeholders alike.

I recommend: View a list of marketing and sales companies that focus on trade show displays before choosing which is right for your business and trade show venue. Look at a directory of companies at StartupNation. Your business may also benefit from the services of Flexi Display Marketing, a full-service trade show display and marketing company.

Increase public relations trade show traffic through use of public relations trade show giveaways

Secure public relations tradeshow follow-up with the use of public relations tradeshow giveaways. Use promotional products with your business name and/or logo to ensure that consumers have a solid reminder of your business and services. These products are the ultimate tool in meeting your business' public relations trade show promotions goals.

I recommend: Provide a variety of promotional giveaways for consumer perusal to ensure every customer and stakeholder can find a product that suites their needs and guarantee public relations trade show sales. Browse trade show giveaways for the PR industry at ePromos, a promotional products distributor. Purchase PR giveaways from Motivators, a company that specializes in promotional products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before your business begins to plan for a trade show, lay out a few promotional and feed-back goals so that everyone involved knows what is expected out of the event. This will also make your return on investment easier to calculate.