5 Things To Consider When Visiting A Trade Show. Trade shows are a great way to network and showcase your business. They are also excellent for keeping ahead of industry trends and finding new partners to collaborate with. But how do you prepare for a fantastic trade show? Discover five things you should consider when visiting an exhibition or conference.
Prepare Your Materials
If you’ve got your spot or stand in the trade show, it’s essential to prepare your materials. If you’re attending multiple exhibitions, consider buying a tube display for any event. Tube displays tend to be lightweight and easy to assemble, and high-quality marketing can make your business stand out.
You should also invest in print materials such as business cards, flyers, and brochures to give to customers, as well as banners to display. You can source banners for trade shows from a company offering professional banner printing in Fairfax, VA (or a similar company in your local area). Ensure that any print materials that you take are glossy and up to date in order to positively reflect your business.
Decide What You Want Out Of The Experience
Set clear objectives for what you want from the trade show to make the most of the day and ensure you meet the right people.
You might be:
- Looking to meet up with existing contacts
- Trying to expand your industry connections
- Searching for new clients or partners
- Attending talks about new industry trends
- Wanting to source new suppliers
Be clear on which ones out of the above you are looking to do. Research the attendees beforehand and reach out to acquaintances ahead of the event to set up a time to meet. Being clear on your goals and setting up meetings beforehand makes it more likely your trade show will be a success.
Prepare An Introductory Overview
It can be good to prepare a brief thirty-second elevator pitch for your prospective clients, partners, or contacts. Practice delivering this with confidence and a smile so on the day, you’re able to combat any nerves and best represent your company. How your initial meetings go will often dictate how future meetings or business relationships will progress.
Think About What You Can Do
The most successful individuals at trade shows are the ones that can show how they can help a particular partner. If you think only about what someone can do for you, it can be off-putting to a potential customer or partner. Research people and their companies before meetings and consider where you would be value-added to their business.
Come With The Right Questions
Trade shows are the second biggest lead generators after company websites, so it’s important to ask the right questions. Preparing some questions can keep the conversation moving, but also help you establish whether you are the right match with a particular business. Ask probing questions to try and uncover new opportunities for sales or collaborations.
Final Thoughts
Trade shows are great opportunities to generate leads, network, and collaborate. Preparing your marketing materials, your stand, your elevator pitch, and your questions can help you make the most out of the event. However, there are additional steps that will give you the edge over potential competition. Take the time to think about how you can add value to a particular business, and carefully research companies and their owners ahead of time to make a positive impact.
