- Increase your market share among existing customers.
- Successfully launch new products and services.
- Introduce your business to a new market.
- Strengthen relationships with existing suppliers and vendors.
- Forge relationships with new suppliers and vendors.
- Improve brand awareness.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Know your goals
Before you start searching, think about your trade show goals. Are you trying to reach new customers? Find new suppliers? Your objectives will dictate which trade shows will meet your needs.I recommend: Find a list of trade show goals at the SBA and view research on various trade show objectives at the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. The "Tradeshow Coach" Susan Friedmann offers 30 tips for visiting a trade show to make sure you achieve your objectives.
Explore a directory of trade show events
Not sure where to begin? Start with a directory of trade show events. Once you've narrowed your choices, dig deeper and gather specific event information, such as targeted audience, attendance, number of vendors and keynote and breakout session speakers.I recommend: Visit online directories of trade shows and conferences, such as EventsEye, TSNN or TradeshowWeek.com and explore events specific to your industry. TechWeb.com lets you search for IT-related trade shows by date, location or industry. Find international trade shows at Trade Show Center.
Read trade journals
Trade journals cover and advertise shows extensively. Spend time exploring advertisements about upcoming trade shows, listings of industry-specific events and reviews of past shows to determine which shows are best for you.I recommend: Find a list of trade journals in dozens of industries at Yahoo!. Tradeshow Week, the trade show industry's trade journal, can keep you up-to-date on news and reviews about shows around the country.
Ask trade association colleagues
Industry colleagues can tell you about their experiences at shows. Many trade associations hold regional networking meetings that provide you the opportunity to talk with colleagues, and many also have online discussion boards and listservs where you can post questions about trade shows.I recommend: Yahoo! provides a list of trade associations, or you can purchase a Directory of Trade Associations.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Factor in transportation, hotels, meals, exhibitor fees, shipping charges, booth set-up and tear-down, carpeting, plants, ashtrays, janitorial services, and time spent away from the office and other customers to determine the possible return on your investment.
- Recognize that your absence from a show may be detrimental with respect to image in the industry.
- Consider trade show numbers cautiously. Show organizers have been known to persuade tourists not truly interested in the show's focus to venture through the door with freebies and giveaways.
- Inquire about speaking opportunities at the show to offset the cost of attending a show or as an opportunity to get more visibility at a show.
- Be selective in your choices. Use your trade show budget wisely.
- Beware of trade show burn out. Tired toes may dampen the sales spirit.
- People buy from people. Focus on the relationship even in big corporate settings.
Event Planning Information Resources
Agency specializing in event marketing throughout the USA & beyond. Events are our specialty. See all the event media available to you at one source.
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Agency specializing in event marketing throughout the USA & beyond. Events are our specialty. See all the event media available to you at one source.
www.emcoutdoor.com
Branson Convention Center
World-class convention facility in Branson, Missouri with 220,000 square feet of high-tech meeting space. Book your space online today!
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World-class convention facility in Branson, Missouri with 220,000 square feet of high-tech meeting space. Book your space online today!
www.bransonconvention.com
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Event Marketing Resources
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