Trade Show Items

To start out the New Year, we gave thanks for the people we love, the things we enjoy and made the obligatory resolutions for the New Year.

Now, let’s get practical and give thanks to the people who make our industry function, make us look good and help us make money.

1. We thank the Show Sponsor who has the marketing vision and takes the financial risk to put on the event. Without both the will and the way, there would be fewer successful shows.

According to a survey by market research firm Exhibit Surveys Inc., trade shows are critical to marketing-oriented companies. Trade shows attract decision-makers, influence purchasing decisions, provide a point of contact for new customers, and make a lasting impression.

Think of your trade show display as the grand launch of your most valued new product or business service. Give customer prospects your best look and greet them with your most competent sales staff.

A trade show is an ideal way of showcasing your products and services to a large number of prospects all at the one location and at the same time. Thoroughly planned marketing is the key to success at your next industry related exhibition.

The following are six of the most important marketing rules that exhibitors need to undertake to ensure their next trade show is a success.

I was about seven or eight years old when I learned the value of promotional items at trade shows. I just didn’t know it yet. I was at a home show with my parents. As we walked through the hall it was held in, I noticed people walking around with yardsticks. I really had no need for a yardstick, but seeing them made me want one. So, to make me happy, my parents kept an eye out for the booth passing out the yardsticks. I got my yardstick, and my dad got a deck from the contractor who was passing them out. I use that example to paint a picture that promotional items can and do work at trade shows- although the target audience usually isn’t a third-grader with a $10/week allowance!

Peek a Boo - We See You

Does your company have a description for a full-time job that says “Stand in the booth and hand out brochures.”?

Doubt it.

“Working the booth” often falls to the person closest to the show site, or part of a sales team. So, staffing for trade shows might be haphazard, considered a reward for sales performance, or based on corporate marketing criteria.

Display graphics are graphic images used for illustration or “display” purposes. Display Graphics are usually printed on paper, vinyl or fabric using a “large format” printing device. Normally display graphics are over-sized graphics printed on paper or some other material, and then mounted or hung on a graphic display unit of some sort in a conspicuous place.