You’ve made a decision to exhibit at a trade show. You’ve secured your booth space and your custom exhibit design is in production. Score! This mean your work is done until the show right? Wrong. It’s time for some marketing!
sponsorships
Trade show producers offer a wide range of sponsorship opportunities to complement your trade show display. From walking advertisements and floor signage to hotel keycards and lanyards. Think creatively about ways you can extend your booth experience with a clever sponsorship.
hashtags
Start following the show’s hashtag on twitter. Retweet, engage and use it to tweet your booth number and offerings to encourage visitors to swing by. Plus assign someone to do live tweeting during the event to take your face-to-face marketing online!
hospitality and giveaways
It doesn’t matter what industry you are in, attendees LOVE free swag! Reward attendees with a gift bag, stellar t-shirt, stress ball, pen (the options are endless). Or provide some nourishment with a tasty cocktail or snack to keep everyone happy and hydrated.
educational opportunities
Education at trade shows keep attendees engaged and learning. Have your CEO or a seasoned professional apply to present on a relevant industry topic for an opportunity to show off some knowledge and get props for supporting industry education.
booth events
Schedule a specific trade show booth event and promote the heck out of it. Think educational seminar, demonstration or even a free massage. Who could pass that up?
email marketing
Email is an easy and cost-effective way to invite attendees and prospects to your booth. Pre-show attendee lists may be available for rent, take advantage of this opportunity to engage before they even come to the show.
directory listings and beyond
Ask the trade show producer where you can promote your company, booth number and participation. Often times, producers will have multiple marketing channels to promote the show and exhibitors. For example, enhanced exhibitor profile listings may be available.
public relations
Trade publications have large subscriber databases that probably include your clients so if a publication picks up your press release, you’ve just expanded your marketing reach without paying a cent.
