Posted on 24, March, 2020
Last Modified on 24, March, 2020
Is Your Company Trade Show Ready?
Before you attend any trade show or even begin the planning stages, you should have a checklist of the essentials needed for every trade show. If you don’t have everything from the basics to the fine details planned out or on the list to be, you might not be ready to exhibit.
Budget: The first thing you should be planning is your budget. From buying your displays and banners to travel details, staffing, and literature and materials, how much you spend on each will make or break your trade show success. The point of exhibiting at trade shows is to create new customers and business. If you don’t budget to earn a return on your investment, attending a trade show hurts you more than helps your business.
Objectives: If you don’t have a list of goals you want to achieve at a trade show, then how can you tell it was a success? It’s important to have tangible numbers that you can see after the show is over so you can see if you can get a return on your investment.
Staffing and staff training: Have an objective and a plan? Now you have to make sure you have the adequate numbers of workers for your booth to help carry out that plan. You also have to train them on the strategy for the show. Set your team up for success by implementing a dress code. Should everyone be in suits and dress clothes or khakis and company branded polos? Dress to impress and a cohesive dress code can help that in a big way.
Shipping your materials: Don’t leave drayage until the last minute. The longer you wait to find out how you’re going to ship your displays, the more expensive it gets.
Travel accommodations: Have a plan for plane tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, or transportation. Once you’re there, you’re going to want to have a plan for getting around.
Presentations: Do you have your demos, PowerPoints, samples and speeches planned out? Rehearse them and make sure the whole staff knows how they are supposed to run.
Swag: Do you have enough giveaway items, big or small? Big ticket giveaways or small items with your logo can go a long way.
Post-show plans: You might be trying to check off things that you need to plan for during the show but after the show is just important. You can’t go into a trade show and not have a follow up plan ready to convert leads into sales.