PODCAST 14 - EPISODE 1 OF 2 - TRADESHOWS
Well
it’s that time of year again. Summer show seasons are under way and I for
one am very excited.
Today’s
episode is all about the “BIG SHOW.” In fact, I’m going to do a 2-part podcast.
Today is show 1 – getting prepared and having all the tools you need to show up
and be successful. Part 2 will be what you do during the tradeshows as well as
how you build on that momentum for the next 6 months. My hope is regardless if you are a
manufacturer, rep or showroom you’ll come away with a few tips to make it your
best show season yet.
As I
mentioned earlier, it’s an important time of year for all parties involved. How
you work together is a like a waltz. You must move consistently through all
aspects of the dance.
It really
does take a good deal of planning, but with some preparation and a strong team
to help with a few logistical tweaks – your game of attack come opening day
should be fantastic.
I’ve
been going to tradeshows for about 13 years and always find myself walking the
aisles looking for the newbies. Unfortunately, most stick out like a sore
thumb. Their table placement is wrong, their booth is too dark, they may be
blocking flow with a book shelf that is supposed to be merchandised… the list
goes on.
I’ll kick
this off with A few important tips that begin to make your to-do list about two
– three months out at least if not more.
 |
| Courtesy of NY NOW |
- Choosing
a trade show
- Location
- The
look of your booth
- Making
it approachable
- Show
specials? Everyone loves a deal, especially the ones spending the money.
Retailers love to save where they can.
- Snacks
and Drinks
- Offer
something different, something of value. If you are a local at that tradeshow,
have a cute print out of the areas must see retailers, restaurants, coffee
places… etc. It’ll set you apart from another vendor who may sell something
similar to you.Social
Media plan of attack or reach
- Make
all your reservations – try to always stay within walking distance
- Dry
Run before shipping: Making sure you create a list of all items that you’d like
to have in your booth. All printables, don’t leave for the last minute. Make a
space to test out your booth, map out the booth before packing it up to ship.
What should you bring?
TRADE SHOW TOOL KIT:
• Pens:
Always bring extras. Electric pencils are great in a pinch too.
• Bags:
I love throwing a few reuseable bags
in my luggage for last minute items or my lunch to carry to the show.
• Electronic
Gadgets: If you have electricity in your booth. Then good for you…
if you don’t due to saving costs, then make sure you bring travel chargers for
your phone, laptop, etc.
• Cups:
I bring my own travel mug and water
bottle to refill.
• Badge
Holders: I have several that I’ve collected over the years that
have a pen holder and a spot for my business cards.
• Items
to keep in booth: Catalogs, postcards, price
sheets, folders, notepads, business cards, staplers, Square or other credit
card machine device if you’d like to sell products for at once delivery, or
sell the booth at the end.
• NOTEBOOK:
I like a classic journal to staple
retailer business cards or to write notes on anyone who visited me.
• Smartphone:
I use my iPhone to take photos of
badges when they forget to bring biz cards or don’t want to give me all of
their info.
• Lead
retrieval scanners: These are
great for your first tradeshow. So often folks forget to bring business cards
and you don’t want to miss a single person that came by. These are great to
create your first data base.
