Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

I'm doing one next week and I've never had a table at one before. Any tips? TIA!!!

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Wear comfortable shoes. And layers if you can. Anytime I worked one they were either freezing cold or boiling hot, so it was good to be able to add or remove a sweater if I could.

Obviously, always smiling, friendly. I think it's better to be standing, and I liked to stand in front by one of the corners of the table to try to pull people in. As an attendee whenever I approached a setup where they were sitting it seemed like they weren't interetsed in my business.

It's too late to order now, but good giveaways work, since people will say "did you see what xyz company is giving out? you have to go by there." THere will be a lot of crappy leads that come by, but usually you can get a few really solid ones too.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Thanks for the tips!!! I'm so nervous!!!
I was going to order notepads that I saw and liked but my DH told me now to bother. I don't think I have enough time to get anything now. Oh well, I'll chalk it up to a learning experience.
I am looking to sell my products both wholesale and retail- so I don't know if I should try to sell anything there or just take orders... so much to figure out and one of my best friends is getting married this Sunday so I have to figure it all out by Saturday afternoon so I'm ready to go on Monday am.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Def wear comfortable shoes. It is a long day. And if it is at the Javits Center bring a lot of money for food or bring your own. It is sooo expensive there

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Yes! Def wear good shoes and eat a good breakfast. Bring hand sanitizer...

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

I have, many of them.

DEFINITELY wear the most comfy shoes you own! you will seriously regret it if you don't.

make sure you have a lots of handouts for what you're promoting. I saw that you didn't order giveaways - people LOVE free stuff! so next time, be sure to order some.

ETA: have a sign-in sheet and ask for email addresses so you can do follow ups.

Message edited 4/12/2007 8:25:15 AM.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

All of the above. And if you have anything to hand out, like freebies, bring as many as possible... people love free shiiit and it will get the to remember you later when they're home unloading their stuff from the show.

Good luck!!!!

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

If you don't have giveaways, just buy some big bags of candy from BJs/Costco. That will draw people over. If you have time, you can make labels with your company name and put them on the candy.

We do granola bars wrapped with a quarter page flier a lot.

Do a raffle for something (a free product, a gift card to Target) so that you can collect lead information.

Make sure your table is 3D, people are more likely to come over then if things are just laying flat. Staples/OfficeMax have plenty of displays that you can use.

Message edited 4/12/2007 9:18:45 AM.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

I cannot stress enough good shoes.
You will be on your feet, standing in the same place for about 12 hours.

I would also try to see when is the earliest you can set your booth up. Try to get that complete sooner rather than later

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Thanks so much everyone!!! I can see I have some work cut out for me in the next 2 days. I'm going to get some candy today and lots of ink for my printer!!! I'll figure out something!
THANKS AGAIN!!! Any other things I should know?

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

After attending some trade shows

Things I've seen that I don't love:
- people behind their tables sitting, looking bored
- 2 people standing behind their table, whispering to each other the whole time
- people who stare at my badge

Things I've seen that I love:
- when people stand in front of their tables with a tray of free samples, and a card telling me about their product
- giving samples happily and freely
- interactive displays
- artists doing their crafts

Hope you have a good time!

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

What show are you doing?

I can give you a bit of advice as I used to sell trade show booth space & do all the event planning for the show.

At my job now I book the shows, order all operational stuff &today we are just waiting for the trucker to come to pick up our freight for our next show in Salt Lake City...

What are you exhibiting?
Do you need help w/ booth design?
We do some great goodie bags - we go to Oriental Trading's catalog and order some fun items...

Make sure you have ordered all your operational stuff b/f b/c it's extra $ onsite.

If it's at Javits make sure that you follow their rules for setting up b/c it can cost alot of extra $ there...

Message edited 4/12/2007 9:33:49 AM.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Any suggestions? I FMd you about all of the other stuff. TIA!!!

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Thanks, these are great tips!!! I'm definitely going to bring some baskets to hold and keep my card/brochure on as well as some goodies!!!

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

You have FM.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

BUMP please

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Definitely comfortable shoes. I used to do a lot of these, most were about 4 days long. By day 3, even with comfortable shoes, my feet were mush. If you can afford it, get the extra layer of carpet. It helps.

Also bring water and something you can eat quickly like an energy bar. YOu may not have time for lunch if there aren't many people going with you and it's busy.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

As others said a smile and firendly demeanor goes a long way. If you start to get more than one person at a time ask the original person to fill out contact info and you'll be right back then pay attention to the newer person and keep doing it over and over. Get as much contact info as you can. Call EVERYONE after and explain what your product/service will do for them.

Oh also make yourself what is called an elevator speech. A 10-30 second introduction on what you do. Explain the benefit to them from using your product or service.

Message edited 4/12/2007 12:59:59 PM.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Comfortable shoes, bring water. You need to look enthused and engaged in the product to draw people in. I never sit down at a trade show.
Smile alot and make eye contact with people.
have something for the to take with your info. Especially if you have a website. people will go home and re-visit the info they recieved.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Thanks, anyone else?

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

- comfy shoes
- limit your personal belongings. I don't bring a purse
- SMILE!
- Look interested (not bored!)
- Don't sit on your chair like a recluse (nobody will come see you!)
- Have attractive/professional displays (I never go to "empty/bare" booth)
- Be professional
- Don't critize competition
- Have enough business cards and brochure
- Have pen handy (people always forget them and they may want to write notes of what you tell them!)

ETA: bring small bit size snacks.

Message edited 4/12/2007 8:24:56 PM.

Re: Has anyone here ever done a trade show?

Great, thanks!!!