Necessary Things You Need For a Perfect Exhibition

With the advancements in technology, people are finding newer and better ways to accomplish their tasks, and it is working wonders for them. Almost everything that we used to do a couple of years ago is being done differently. The same can be said for marketing. We now have Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing and a host of other strategies and ways that we can market our product directly to our consumers and grab their attention. That being said, some of the marketing ways are still going strong and don’t seem to be fading away. One of these methods is holding marketing events. Whether we talk about trade shows, conferences, product launches, exhibitions, fairs, or any other thing, they are still a great way to connect with your customers and bring them into your fold. Marketers use a host of strategies like display stands, giveaways, and others like them to make sure that they get the most out of the events. But the issue is that with all these strategies, some people might get confused, or they might not be using those tactics well. That is why we are listing some of the necessary steps that you must take if you want your exhibition to go smoothly. Whether you are holding your own exhibition or taking part in an industry exhibition, you will benefit from this guide, so read on.

Research Relevant Shows

The first and foremost thing that you need to do is your research. Almost every industry tends to have at least one event throughout the year. There may be more, or you might get into multiple industries with your products or services. You have to make sure that you know about all the events and exhibitions that are happening in your area as well as other areas that you are catering to and how much will it benefit you to take part in those exhibitions.

It feels good to go out there and meet new people, but make sure that you only select the relevant exhibitions for your business. Exhibitions cost a lot of money, and you might not have enough for all of them, so pick your battles carefully.

Make a game plan

A lot of companies think that exhibitions are all about showing up with your stalls and your products or services. That is only partially true. In reality, you need to have a complete game plan in your mind, and you should share it with your team so that everyone is on the same page. You need to know how things might turn up and what you need to do in return. Come up with as many scenarios that you can and jot down your reaction to them; make backup plans for all your plans so that you don’t miss any opportunity and are able to turn even the worst moment into a golden opportunity. One way to do that is to re-enact the entire process. Ask some of your employees to act like consumers and give them various scenarios and check if your team is handling it well or not.

Things you should know

You should know:

• How much budget do you have and how much will you be spending.
• What is the unique thing that will help you stand out?
• Are you doing this to expand your reach and grow brand awareness, or are you promoting a specific product or service?
• Do your potential customers, and existing customers know that you will be at the exhibition?
• Is your marketing material all geared up and set according to the exhibition, or are you using old material?
• How can you make sure that this event will go much better than the last one?
• Are you using all marketing channels to promote your event?
• Are you capable of handling all the procedures related to the event, or are you going to contact other parties?

Exhibition stand design

After you have done all your homework, you need to start with the basics. You might have been doing these events for a long time and might think that you know everything that there is to know, but every once in awhile it is good to visit your roots and re-invent yourself. Whether you have a stall, pavilion, or an exhibition stand, you need to make sure that they have the maximum impact on your potential customers. That is what will attract them in the first place. If you have the same old design that you have been using for the last few events, then you might not get the result that you were expecting. You have to realize that there are dozens if not hundreds of exhibitors and they are all vying for the attention of the same people. Your exhibition stand design has to be creative and unique so that people want to stop and chat with you. We recommend talking to an expert for this so you can garner the most benefits.

Exhibition staff

The one thing that turns off the visitors most is the unresponsive staff. You need to make sure that not only your managers and key personnel, but also your exhibition hosts and hostesses are in on the game plan and they know exactly what they have to do. They need to be courteous, helpful and give a warm and positive image so that people will want to talk to them. Whether they are handing out marketing material, answering questions or conversing with potential customers, they need to be at their best behavior. Make sure that you include the staff that has already had some experience in handling events so that they can represent your brand the way you want them to.

Giveaways

No event is really complete without giveaways. These are a vital part of any marketing campaign. As time passes by, exhibitors are getting more and more creative with the giveaways. There was a time when people would receive things like pens, notepads, caps, t-shirts and such. But nowadays, you see companies offering USB drives, espresso shots, candies, and a whole plethora of things that ensure that they woo the customer and they remember your brand for a long time to come.

Say No to Paper

The time for flyers, pamphlets, and handouts is gone now. Not only are these things a waste of time, but they are also a waste of money as you will find most of the material in the waste bins at the venue. The better way to send out marketing material is through apps, digital books, USBs, etc. Minimize your paper trail and show everyone that you are using technology to the fullest.

Conclusion

Even in the digital age, there are a lot of things that you can accomplish through marketing events like exhibitions and others. Make sure that you keep the above points in mind, and you can have a killer event and reach your objectives in a smart way.