Business exhibitions can be a great way for businesses of all sizes to network, make valuable contacts, and learn a lot about the industry they’re in. It’s also a great way to check out the competition! You need to make sure that you’re properly prepared before attending one of these exhibitions, so read on to make sure you get it right:
Choose Your Exhibition Carefully
You need to make sure that the exhibition you attend suits your business and will be showcasing it to the right kind of people. Will your target market be there? If not, there’s no point and you’ll waste time and money.
Plan Your Day Carefully
Plan your day carefully in advance. Never leave anything to chance when it comes to a business exhibition, and remember to set up your table/display in advance.
Budget for the Exhibition
You’ll need to set aside some budget for this exhibition. You will likely have to pay to enter, and then you’ll need to pay for any items you need. Make sure you include everything you’ll need and remember what you used so you can do it more efficiently next time.
Plan to Speak at the Event
By planning to speak at the event, you can increase your businesses exposure. Don’t focus too much on the promotional side or hard sell; simply share some useful information that people there could use. This will make you look like a great contact to know, and I bet you’ll get some enquiries.
Design a Good Stand Layout and Content
You might get the chance to choose where you’d like to set up in the area. If this is the case, you might want to be placed close by another exhibitor or somewhere that will maximise your visibility. If you don’t ask the organiser, remember that others will. You’ll need posters, banners, flyers, and exhibition display stands to create a visually pleasing display.
Prepare Freebies
If you give away branded freebies, you’ll attract people to your stand and they’ll take away something that will remind them of your brand. Pens, mugs, and perhaps even a raffle prize draw are great ideas.
Record Enquiries
Record any enquiries you get, who they were, and what they were interested in. You can quickly do this on an iPad, but make sure you keep this safe and out of sight, as some have been stolen at exhibitions in the past.
Dress and Act Professionally
Most importantly, you need to dress and act professionally. Smile at visitors, and make sure you stand to the side of the stand rather than at the front, as this can be intimidating. If you want to keep a professional look about you, I wouldn’t eat or sit down at your stand. Make sure you have staff to stand in for you when it’s time for a lunch break. Wearing comfy shoes will allow you to stand for most of the day with a smile on your face!
Follow these tips to increase your brand exposure effectively at a business exhibition. Good luck!
