How You Can Really Become an Expert at Trade Shows

How You Can Really Become an Expert at Trade Shows

If you’ve presented at a trade show or an exhibition in the past, then you may already know that’s it’s not the easiest marketing endeavour. It entails more than a bit of effort, and sometimes, you may not even be sufficiently noticed. But once you’ve ‘gotten the hang of it’ as they say, you’ll notice that trade shows are not as difficult as they first seem. Try it again, and you’ll notice a difference in how you handle it and prepare for it. But if you would like to focus your efforts on participating in more trade shows, here’s how you can really become an expert.

• Track your experiences

One surefire way to be a ‘master’ at trade shows is to keep close track of all your experiences as well as the results of each trade show you do so that you will know what to revise and refine (and keep) when it comes to your strategy. If you’ve only ever broken even at trade shows, you may find out what you can change so that your next trade show will be a roaring success.

• Take notes

When you are at a trade show and are speaking to a sales lead, make it a point to take notes. Try to pay close attention to what they are saying so that you will know exactly what it is that they are looking for and what they want and expect. Once you have the time, take the info down and store it in your laptop or phone. You will definitely be speaking with hundreds or more of prospective sales leads during the event, and it pays to take notes, so you will remember the important details about each.

• Take photos

We’re not talking about taking photos of the attendees – we’re talking about taking photos of booths and popup stands which attract your attention, and which look modern and innovative. This way, you will also know if there are any particular trends in booth design you should watch out for or emulate in your next trade show, and you can check with your stand and banner printing professional if they can provide you with the same. Taking photos also allows you to keep an eye on what your competitors are doing, so you can effectively stand out at the next event.

• Learn more through presentations

At any trade show, there are a number of presentations from which you can choose. There’s more to exhibitions and trade shows than exhibits, after all. If you have the time for it, why not watch even just one presentation per trade show you participate in? Most trade shows will invite well-known industry leaders and experts who can always provide not only interesting but also quite informative and useful talks.