Restaurant trade shows are great places to meet new clients and collect leads to build a stronger client base. A restaurant trade show guide can help to put your name in front of potential new business as well as provide an opportunity for you to give customers deals. With enough restaurant trade show information you can offer show specials and other time-sensitive incentives to help build your business.

Use restaurant trade show services to make a memorable experience for attendees. Hand out imprinted restaurant tradeshow promotional items and company brochures. Work with a restaurant tradeshow expert or build your own exciting booth with interactive games or activities to draw guests to your booth. Utilize restaurant trade show services in a number of ways to get your company recognized at the restaurant tradeshow.

1. Get noticed at the important restaurant tradeshows

2. Take advantage of a restaurant trade show directory

3. Register early for the restaurant trade show guide

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

Stand out at restaurant trade shows

By getting a restaurant trade show exhibit booth at a niche trade show that is not necessarily only for your industry, you can stand out with your products and services that can be used by a number of businesses. Among your peers, you need to utilize creativity and imagination to stand out in the crowd of exhibits. Look for interactive restaurant tradeshow activities such as wheel games or putting greens and hand out unique promotional items at the big shows.

I recommend: The National Restaurant Association tradeshow is by far one of the biggest in the country that you should try to make when you can. Another very large and well-attended tradeshow is the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show.

Use restaurant trade show advice

In addition to putting a booth at an industry tradeshow, you can purchase additional advertising in the restaurant trade show directory to get additional traction out of the event. Nonprofit associations and groups that put on restaurant tradeshows also look for sponsorships to pay the convention bills. Consider taking a sponsorship spot in the show to ride even higher above the fray.

I recommend: The International Restaurant Show has plenty of opportunities to showcase your business. The Nightclub & Bar Convention & Trade Show is a popular event for restaurant industry leaders who also serve up entertainment with their meals.

Check for all restaurant trade show information

Restaurant tradeshows are organized at least a year in advance, often longer. By becoming involved in an association tradeshow committee or registering early for a convention, you often can get your choice of where you set up your restaurant trade show booth. Getting settled near an entrance or beside a speaker platform can add an extra boost to your exhibit attendance.

I recommend: Meet many of the business professionals in the industry at the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals trade show and convention. Each state has its own state restaurant association that holds tradeshows and events. Find your chapter and get involved in national events through the Council of State Restaurant Associations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure that your company name and contact information is imprinted on everything you hand out at your restaurant trade show booth. Guests often go through their bags after a show to remind them of important contacts they've made.