Ensure your trade show event by insuring it with special event insurance; because you just never know. If you are overlooking all the booths or the area which you rented out at the latest trade show and a fire breaks out you’d better hope that you got all the papers signed, sealed and delivered that had anything to do with that event insurance you purchased before the trade show. You did purchase event insurance did you not?
Plan On a Successful Exhibit
What steps can you take to ensure a successful trade show? You know how when you walk into a store you’re immediately attacked by salespeople? Don’t be that person. Try selling less and sharing more. Take the opportunity to get an education about your consumers. Ask questions. Do you want to make that big deal and then have them forget about you or do you want to set up a relationship that could last for decades after one small purchase? Of course before you sell them anything you have to get their attention. Don’t be loud, don’t be obnoxious; concentrate on creating a welcoming environment with an attractive presentation. Be informative, concise and clear in your presentation. Have a plan. For goodness sake don’t make it up as you go. And whereas brochures are nice and explanatory, fun give-always such as rulers, post-it notes, coffee mugs, Frisbees, hats and pens are less likely to end up in the trash bin before your consumers even leave the premises.
Make Your Area All Your Own
The following should be included in your ‘area’: warm and comfortable floor covering such as carpet; personal name tags; affordable freebies that are eye-catching and utilitarian; free product samples where applicable; brochures just in case they want one; have a drawing and be sure to have little forms for people to fill out—the prize winner can be announced at the end of the day—people do not need to be present to win; business cards; podium; a full size banner; long table with display. And if there’s something that people can touch and play with on that table, you will be able to hold people’s attention. Be sure not to rush people when they’re looking at your wares, going through the freebies (one of which by the way could be an inexpensive shopping bag for them to carry all the rest of their stuff in with your logo on the side); or playing with the display on your table.
Know your clientele; be aware what it is that they like, want and expect. Be sure that before you set up a booth at any type of show or expo that the event organizer has purchased special event insurance. Acting quickly and purchasing your booth before the other participants do can land you a prime piece of real estate, a larger area and sometimes even a better deal (such as money off for booking early).