Trade Show Ideas

Successful exhibitors are constantly on the look out for new, creative trade show ideas that differentiate their booth display from the exhibition hall competition, impressively attract attendees, and enhance brand image and awareness.

Take time to attend some events within and outside of your industry. Canvas the exhibition hall and observe what other exhibitors are doing with their display areas and what methods they are using to attract booth visitors.

Note the promotional concepts that are creating the most attention. When you notice booths that are drawing consistent crowds, talk with staff when they are free about their techniques to attract prospects and close sales. If appropriate, also talk with attendees and ask what compels them to stop by one booth versus another.

Trade show display companies can also offer a bevy of creative ideas. Expert display firms stay on the cutting edge of booth design, the latest event exhibiting strategies, and promotional trends.

Above all, ensure all promotional tactics fully support your brand. Here are some examples of trade show ideas that attract booth traffic:

Trade Show Ideas

• Utilize online and social marketing opportunities such as webinars, blogs, online videos, Twitter and Facebook to complement traditional marketing methods before, during and after the show.

• Attract traffic by providing software-driven handwriting analysis. Give visitors a sentence about your company to write on a piece of paper. Then perform the handwriting analysis to reveal what their script says about their personality and work style. Not only will this create buzz on the trade show floor, once people write down your company message down, they are likely to remember it.

• Use digital photography at your booth to take a prospect photographs and superimpose the images on unique, appropriate backgrounds such as a news magazine, Hollywood red carpet, surf board, etc. Since people typically keep photos of themselves, this memento acts as a powerful marketing tool long after the tradeshow is over.

• Provide the chance to play virtual sports such as golf or baseball using a simulation software package, real equipment (i.e. golf clubs or baseball bats) and a large video display. The swing activates sensors that transmit speed, spin, direction, and distance. You can have competitions and give away balls imprinted with your logo.

• Construct a private, mini-conference area or room in the back of your booth area to talk one-on-one with highly interested prospects. Make sure the meeting area is well-lit and complete with sales materials, paper and writing instruments.

• Give attendees a virtual make-over if appropriate to your product or trade show theme) through a computer program that imposes new hair styles, clothes and looks. Then print out a before and after photo (with your contact information) for the prospect to take home after the event.

• Offer aromatic food, candy or coffee in your display area, preferably available at the back of your booth so attendees will have to walk into your display area. This will give them an opportunity to meet booth staff and review your offerings.

• To make your display area stand out in the exhibition hall, use strong graphics and large signage. Consider using tall hanging display signs that extends over the booth area to help people locate and identify your booth. Unique hanging sign shapes also attract attention.

• Hire a professional service to shine shoes for prospects visiting your booth. This will allow staff to talk with prospects about your company and collect lead information while their shoes are being shined.

• Feature live product demonstrations that engage booth visitors and create awareness for your product and its distinctive advantages.

• Have a trade show magician or booth entertainer to attract exhibit traffic. Event performers meet with exhibitors before the show and incorporate the client's product information into their acts to help complement sales initiatives.

• Have booth staff wear the same company-branded clothing that includes the organization’s name, logo and website. This sends a message that your team is professional and cohesive. Have a drawing to give away the same or similar company logoed shirt each hour or day-part. This is an excellent way to collect lead information from high-opportunity prospects.

• Have crowd pleasers such as cash money machines, prize wheels or promotional robots in your display area to draw people in so your team can engage them in discussion about your products and services.

• Use attractive rugs that have extra padding to enhance the allure of your booth space and provide comfort for those working for hours in the trade show booth.

The right trade show giveaway can be instrumental in an exhibitor's efforts to draw traffic to his or her display area and mine for prospects. While promotional items are common trade show ideas to implement, they key is to make sure items have relevancy to your company and are useful to attendees.

Effective trade show ideas and giveaways must also be unique from what other exhibitors typically use. Place promotional items out of the way rather than at a front table for any passerby to take. Give them out sparingly after booth staff have talked with attendees and determined they are potential prospects. For more information on promotional giveaways, click here.

To help site visitors find high-impact trade show ideas for giveaways, Trade-Show-Advisor.com has arranged with nationally recognized BuyersZone.com to provide free price quotes from quality, independent suppliers of promotional products. Simply complete the form below detailing your needs.

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