Planning Tips for Your Upcoming Trade Show
Trade shows are a lot of fun, but they’re also expensive, and they’re a vital part of your business marketing strategy. They put your goods and services as well as your company brand front and center for hundreds or even thousands of potential new customers. Of course, since it’s such a massive investment of time and effort, you want to make sure it’s not wasted.
A trade show is an investment, and getting the best results from your trade show requires careful planning and taking all the right steps. Learn some important trade show planning tips for your upcoming event to reduce stress, maximize enjoyment, and get the most ROI out of your experience.
Trade Show Planning Tips
At any trade show it’s vital to do things right from the start to ensure that you get the greatest benefit from participating in the event. You need to follow some important trade show planning tips. First, establish goals for the show. Then, research the proper shows. Create a detailed plan of action for the show. Finally, make it happen and track your results.
Establish Goals for the Show
Set goals for the show. What exactly is it you want to accomplish there? Make sure your goals are specific and achievable as well as measurable. You need to know who exactly will be responsible for each goal, and be realistic about what you can achieve. In addition, set times for the goals. Know when they can be reached as well as how.
Research Shows
Just because a show is nominally within your wheelhouse, that doesn’t make it a good show for your needs. It’s essential that you select the right shows for attendance. Contact local, regional and national organizations and get recommendations. Do research online to see what the biggest and best shows are, and don’t discount regional shows. Overall, choose a show that meets your specific needs and goals.
Create a Detailed Plan of Action
After you’ve selected a show and set your objectives, sit down and write a plan of action. Make a road map you can follow to reach your end destination. It should cover budgetary issues, planning, a complete timeline, display requirements, logistics, marketing, and follow-up. The more detailed, the better.
Make It Happen and Track It
Finally, make it happen! Stick to your plan of action, and implement. Make sure you’ve got metrics in place which allow you to follow up after the show and measure how successful you were, as well as correcting missteps in the future. Every show should be a learning process as much as it is a road to success.
Make It an Experience
Of course, you’ll want to make your booth a true experience to have the maximum effect. Creating the perfect trade show exhibit booth is essential to getting your plan in place. If you’d like help planning and implementing the perfect convention exhibit space, there’s only one place to turn and that’s Xibit Solutions. Check out our Trade Show & Booth Design services, and get in touch for more information today.
