I’m handling our trade show schedule, what do I do?

Jumping into trade shows and events can be stressful when you first enter the industry. There are industry related terms that you have to learn, production schedules that have to be followed, and the show length is usually 2 to 3 days to interact with potential customers. If you’ve recently taken over your organization’s trade show schedule and need help, check out the rest of our blog as we detail where to start and what to focus on.

Where do I start?

1. Reach out to your exhibit house to see if they have resources they can provide you.
2. Schedule a meeting with your accounting department to see what was spent the past couple of years so that you understand your budget.
3. Research the latest industry terms.
4. If your company attends multiple shows, see if you have a trade show schedule to understand what shows you’re attending and why.
5. Attending 1 to 2 major shows in your industry? Try to start planning 9 months before the show. This will allow for more time to focus on what needs to be done.
6. Meet with your team that worked the booth last year to see what worked and what didn’t work.

You have a starting point, now let’s focus on the show.

Now that you’ve identified your starting point, you can shift your focus on the next show your organization will be attending.

1. Identify what your exhibit space will be. Have a 20×20 space? See if you have photos posted of what your company did in the past to see if you are happy with the current set up of your exhibit.
2. How will you communicate with booth visitors? Use a handout to walk attendees through your sales pitch. Create an elaborate video explaining the services and products your organization provides. Communicating with attendees depends on the show and the products/services you have.
3. Will you have giveaways? Attendees traveled to the show, make sure the giveaway you bring is easy to pack into a suitcase and safe for traveling.
4. How will you stand out? If you have a larger booth space, you might want to focus on big graphics, large structures and hanging signs for attendees to see you. If you have a smaller booth space, focus on the message your brand tells to bring traffic to your exhibit. Check out our blog “What’s Your Exhibit Feature?” to get ideas for your booth.

What if I need help with my exhibit?

If you are looking for a new exhibit builder to help with the design, build, and install of your trade show exhibit, fill out our contact form here. We’ve helped our clients for over 50 years with their exhibits from our office in Chicago.