Trade Show Essentials: What to Bring to Events
If you are a business owner, chances are you have some upcoming trade shows or events where you will be showcasing your brand and products. It is important to take all the necessary items with you to your exhibit so that you are prepared for the day and properly inform prospective customers about your company or organization. Here are eight things to remember to bring with you to your next trade show event:
Custom Tent
Many trade show booths and fair setups use tents, no matter if they are indoors or outdoors, as the display that ties the entire booth together. Custom tents are popular items for events because they can be personalized with business logos for maximum exposure. While tents are likely to be the most expensive piece in an exhibit, they are an essential because they are reusable for multiple events and are easy to install. Many products give you the option of choosing between printing the entire tent canopy or certain sections to save on printing costs. By marketing your business logo, slogan, or mascot on a tent canopy, you are ensuring that more people at the event will see it compared to other displays.
Tables and Chairs
If you are bringing several employees or volunteers with you to the event, it’s crucial to give them a place to sit during the day. Having tables and chairs also gives your crew a place to chat with prospective customers and to hold meetings. While furniture is essential for comfort, they can also provide valuable marketing space. Several custom printing companies give you to opportunity to add a design to tablecloths and chair covers. This gives you more chances to showcase your brand so that it remains on the brain of people who visit or pass by your booth.
Product Displays
Not only do you need a place for people to sit, but you should also dedicate part of your booth to displays that show off your latest products. If you’re a business that deals with products, one of the key factors to attending a trade show is to introduce them to customers. How do you do that in a way that grabs their attention? By setting up attractive shelving or printed signage advertising the different products and their features. There are many kinds of product displays, so there’s plenty of room to get creative so that you stand out more among the competition.
Office Supplies
While it is paramount to bring all the large displays with you, don’t forget about the small essential items that you’ll need to get you through the day. This includes pens, scissors, staplers, paper clips, paper forms, and other things you use in an office. Your team needs to be prepared for all kinds of situations, so make sure to stack up on many kinds of office supplies. They’ll probably need sticky notes to write down important information for booth visitors, have an order form if it isn’t available online, or have folders to store all their papers. Create a checklist of office supplies that you might need and make sure your entire team has enough.
Business Cards
One way to make sure that your employees stay in contact with the customers they meet throughout the expo is by creating custom business cards and handing them out to prospective clients. Chances are that the people you meet with at an event are visiting several booths throughout the day and you want to make sure that you are memorable. One way to ensure this is by making sure your entire team has business cards printed with their name and contact information so that people can reach out to them with questions or orders.
Presentations
Are you planning on giving a presentation at the event or have media playing in the background, such as a video or slideshow? Make sure that you bring everything you need for your presentation. This includes laptops or iPads, screens, extension cords (more than one), and any signage to be included. Practice your presentation or slideshow to make sure it runs smoothly and make a list of everything you will need to bring. Having a presentation or Q&A is a good idea for informing potential customers about your company, products, and what your plans are, especially if you don’t have products to rely on getting their attention.
Promotional Items and Giveaways
Let those who come to your booth know that their time and interest is appreciated by giving them something. Promotional giveaways are an important item to bring to trade shows, because not only to they entice people to visit your booth, but they also give you a chance for further branding. For example, if you are handing out t-shirts to those who come by your booth, have them printed with your business mascot, logo, or slogan. Other popular giveaways include mouse pads, keychains, drinkware, magnets and stickers, and stuffed animals.
Brochures and Catalogs
Sometimes you don’t have enough time to promote everything you want to about your business or products. Not everyone might be around for your presentation or have the time to view all your displays. How do you make sure that they have your business or organization’s information? Give them brochures promoting your company or catalogs that market your products. This will give them something to look over during their down time or bring home with them for future use.
In Conclusion
Bringing along all these essentials to your next trade show or event will get your information and brand “out there” for future customers to see. It’s important to be prepared for the needs of your visitors by bringing all the promotional materials and supplies with you. Not only do you want to make sure that your logo and contact information is available for everyone you meet, but also that your booth is comfortable, inviting, and engaging. This will ultimately help you make the most of your trade show experience by getting an impressive ROI.
