A trade show exhibit is a practical tool for expanding product recognition, brand awareness, and reaching new customers. In order for a business to capitalize on the investment and stand out from the masses of other trade show exhibits, it necessary to provide exactly what trade show attendees desire.

There are several things common in trade shows that will assist a business in deciding the main factors that drive people to and from a trade show exhibit. While coming up with a marketing plan for a trade show exhibit, businesses should jump into the shoes of the attendees instead of executing an exhibit that works only for the business. Trade shows are loud, huge, and even exhausting. It is not always easy for a trade show exhibit to get attention.

Keep Your Information Short and Snappy

The enormous scale of trade show exhibits often leads to data overload for trade show attendees. When only given a millisecond to make a point, producing visually attractive information that is short, snappy, and gets to the point can mean getting read versus getting tossed.

If an attendee reads your information, you are more likely to have a positive follow up reaction and may even turn that prospect into a customer.

Give Gifts and Prizes

Who doesn't love getting a prize? Giveaways are a wonderful way to drive attendees to your trade show exhibit. An enticing giveaway, which will lead attendees to want to learn more about your company, is usually something simple and considerate. For example, a sturdy canvas bag (with your business logo) is a helpful and considerate way for you to assist attendees in carrying around all of the information they collect during the trade show. A small, battery operated fan is a thoughtful gift for tired and hot attendees. A cute toy is a helpful gift for parents lugging around cranky children.

Make sure you brand your giveaway items with your business logo and contact information, especially your website. By branding your giveaways, you strengthen your brand, and you receive free advertising every time attendees use your giveaways.

Prizes always draw a good crowd. Prizes will generate a buzz of excitement and suspense around your trade show exhibit. The opportunity to win a great prize will drive attendees to you and will bring them back at the time of the prize drawing.

Prizes ultimately provide multiple contact opportunities with attendees, including before, during, and after the trade show. During these opportunities, businesses should include product or service selling points. For instance, an e-mail about the trade show exhibit prize before the show can also include information about the products or services showcase during the trade show.

Offer Complimentary Food and Drinks

Trudging around a huge trade show, exhibit to exhibit, can make a person famished. Consider providing attendees with a small complimentary food or drink. Good examples include mini bottles of water or small bags of pretzels (including your logo, of course). Your welcome gift will produce good feelings and possibly even lead attendees to take a moment to stay at your trade show exhibit for a presentation.

Offer Seating

An often overlooked technique for attracting visitors to your trade show exhibit is to offer a place to sit down. It sounds too simple, but providing seating for tired attendees to rest a moment will attract people. Consider offering simple seating like small benches or office chairs, or go bigger and offer larger comfortable chairs or even extravagant sofas.

A seating area gives your booth sales staff a place to sit down and talk business. Having a spot to get away from the crowd for a business discussion with a prospect brings about a relaxed sale.

Christine OKelly is an author for Jonathan Edelman, trade show marketing consultant. Jonathan is the founder of Ideas 4 Now, a trade show marketing company offering products such as the Blizzard of Dollars Cash Cube Money Machine for trade show booths. Edelman is also the founder of the premier trade show vendors directory Trade Show Vendors.com.

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