Sporting goods trade show marketing is more than just an opportunity to makes sales contacts. It is a way to differentiate your company from the crowd of exhibitors using sporting goods trade show advertising. An effective trade show can vault your company visibility to a completely new level if you complete proper prep and training. A major part of this effort is sporting goods trade show promotions and marketing.

Each sporting goods trade show marketing effort is different in that the audience will differ depending on the location and type of trade show. For instance, in the southern US, the trade show marketing may be more focused on hunting and football. Conversely, the marketing at a coastal trade show may have a higher concentration on golf and fishing. Whatever the tact you choose to use for sporting good trade show promotion there are few items to consider prior to finalizing marketing plan:

1. Formulate the sporting goods tradeshow promotions program.

2. Determine the sporting goods trade show traffic demographic at each event.

3. Contact a sporting goods trade show marketing sales consultant.

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

Map out a sporting goods tradeshow marketing plan

An effective marketing plan is the most effective way to make sure your event is a success. Going to an event without an overall plan of what products, you want to promote and which customers you want to reach, is a recipe for failure. Having a coherent plan prior to the trade show gives the process focus and efficiency. Too many times companies will just show up with their products without a plan to market them to buying public.

I recommend: Contact the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Tradeshow for help with compilation of sporting goods trade shows advertising information. Use the sporting goods trade show advertising and marketing data from the International Sportsmen's Expositions to formulate a plan.

Establish the sporting goods trade show marketing demographic

If you market and promote products that are outside of the demographic at the trade show, your sales pitch will invariably fall on deaf ears. Makings sales contacts will customers are much easier if your product marketing has a greater chance of appealing and thereby generating more sales lead.

I recommend: Purchase a sports and demographic report from Marketresearch.com to help target your marketing efforts. Join the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association to take advantage of their sporting good marketing experience. Contact the National Sporting Goods Association for information on sporting goods trade show advertising and marketing.

Utilize sporting goods tradeshows advertising and marketing associations and kits

Should you be unsure and not have the proper experience with trade show marketing, it is a good idea to hire a consultant. These specialists can help formulate your plan and assist you during the entire process. Then after you feel confident, the marketing plan will be something you can accomplish without any assistance.

I recommend: Join the Eastern Outdoor Reps Association to attain their help in marketing your trade show exhibit. Use the exhibitor service kit available at Team Sports Show to market your sporting goods trade show to customers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The process does not stop at the end of the trade show. The sporting goods tradeshow follow-up is as important if not more important than the in-show marketing. The purpose of the event is to make sporting goods trade show sales contacts but without proper follow-up the entire procedure with be for naught.