Trade show season is in full swing, and whether your company has one or 100 employees, trade shows and local events offer excellent opportunities for branding and sales. Yet, while most attendees only participate in one trade show per year, many vendors invest relatively little time in planning for that valuable opportunity — often leading to disappointing results.
Don’t be one of them! Careful planning can make a world of difference. Here are some key investments you should make well in advance:
Signs and Banners
Make your booth visible from a distance. Whether attendees are specifically looking for your business or just browsing, strong signage and environmental graphics ensure you’re easy to find. Design bright, eye-catching graphics — but keep it simple. Your banners should be legible from across the show floor.
Booth Wraps
Just like selling a house, your booth needs curb appeal. Unless someone is seeking you out, they’ll be strolling past dozens of booths, quickly deciding which are worth their time. Make sure the design of your booth stands out and draws them in.
Displays
Once attendees enter your booth, what will they see? Most visitors are there to discover new products and services, so present yours professionally. Make it easy for them to browse and explore. Neatly display printed brochures and flyers so visitors can take them home.
Freebies
Everyone loves free stuff! Many attendees will stop by your booth just to see what you’re giving away. Have attractive branded merch, apparel, and giveaways ready to help drive traffic and leave a lasting impression.
Advance Promotion
While most businesses promote their trade show presence through social media and email, you can stand out by adding direct mail to the mix. Studies consistently show that people pay more attention to direct mail than digital advertising — use that to your advantage.
Trade show marketing involves many moving parts, but it’s a worthwhile investment. Need help? That’s what we’re here for. Contact a GV account representative today and let’s create a winning marketing plan together.
