Preparing for a trade show can be a daunting task- the time and financial commitments are both significant. If done right, that relatively small investment can pay dividends. Below are tips for maximizing your brand’s impact.
1. Stop, and consider, ‘What are your goals for this show?’
Are you attending for lead generation? For brand awareness? A combination? Knowing your main goal in attending this tradeshow before planning your display will help ensure your visitor experience is geared towards goal achievement.
2. What is your space like?
Understand the full size of your space. What are your limitations not only side to side, but also the depth and height of your space? In order to maximize your branding, you need to know all your limitations. That also includes knowing the environmental factors: Are you along a walkway? Do you have a door, permanent signage, light fixture, and/or fire alarm within your footprint? Designing up and maximizing overhead space can help your display literally, stick out from the crowd. Do not be afraid to ask the show planner for these details.
3. What do you want to show off about your company?
Your company may be and do a lot of things. What do you want to highlight? How does this highlight tie into achieving your overall goal? If it doesn’t, then, which do you need to tweak in order to be most impactful?
4. How can you incorporate experiential?
A trade show or convention has a lot going on- a lot. How can your booth not only project great imagery but a memorable experience? Do you have some aspect of interactivity?
5. What is the one thing you want visitors to remember?
Relating to your ultimate goal and the messaging of your booth- what is one thing you want your visitors to remember? Typically, that is what your company does/sell. How do you make a lasting impression to link your company’s name to what you do? Often, that is by showing and not telling. Make sure you are showcasing your end product in the best way possible.
6. What can a visitor bring home with them?
People love giveaways. This not only attracts visitors to your space, but also helps them remember who you are and what you do. Try to link your giveaway to your goal. For example, if you sell food-grade containers, give a few pieces of candy in one of your containers with a sticker on the cover with your logo and contact information. This is far more effective, memorable, and on-brand than just a flyer or business card.
7. How can you make your booth viral?
Taking your marketing efforts from the confines of the show itself helps make those dollars spent expand go further. Have a content plan that includes capturing assets of the set-up, event, and tear down. In your design, consider a photo opportunity to visitors to share. Also, create and clearly share a specific hashtag for this event and be sure to use the event’s hashtag as well.
8. How can you stand out?
This may seem like an, “obviously!” kind of tip. But, so often, brands just check the boxes for trade shows. Take some time and consider how you can be “different.” What about your brand makes you a unique entity- show case it!? Are you a service that always put their customer needs first? Show that in offering a charging lounge in your space. There are ways to make your point clear, but it in a unique way.
9. Invest in reusable pieces.
You have taken a lot of time to really think through your booth. Invest in high quality materials that are durable, mobile, and flexible in fitting a multitude of arrangements/spaces.
10. Create a cohesive theme that weaves through everything.
Having a cohesive theme helps underline your company and link it to your product ensuring you are remembered. Creating themes makes that even easier on the visitor to remember and recall.
Do not allow for the above tips to feel daunting. Yes, tradeshows are a lot of work, no doubt OAI is proud to partner with companies nationwide to bring their displays to life and not only create and install the displays, but help with the initial planning.
To learn more about Event or Trade Show best practices and how they may be applied to your place of business contact: sales@oaicorp.com
