Trade show is a vital business tool, not a social event. Every moment spent on the floor should yield measurable results that inform your marketing strategy for the next year.
Refine your schedule by focusing on the most important trade show and reducing the number of staff attending. This will streamline your efforts and cut costs. Meet with the associations hosting your key shows to secure concessions. Ensure the trade show floor is well-attended and negotiate pricing adjustments if it’s not.
Shift your focus away from flashy gimmicks, emphasizing reliability, durability, safety, and performance. Introduce new products that address current consumer needs and focus your advertising on superior price performance rather than corporate image.
It’s better to cut regional trade shows and maintain a strong presence at major ones. Use the opportunity to schedule appointments for your sales team with clients, saving on travel costs. Optimize your booth by downsizing your space or securing discounts. Feature one or two key products, offer a lounge area with refreshments, and provide a private meeting space. Play your company video on a plasma screen to engage visitors.
Conduct customer research on the floor. Use your booth staff—including salespeople, customer service reps, R&D staff, and top management—to reconnect with clients. Hold focus groups to understand customer perceptions and needs. Pay close attention to your target audience’s reactions and changing habits, especially during economic downturns. Use this intelligence to outsmart competitors and adapt your tactics to increase market share.
By adopting these strategies, you can ensure that your trade show participation is both efficient and impactful, helping to drive your company’s success.
