How to Maximize your Trade Show Investment

Whether you have the biggest booth on the floor or a 10×10, a trade show is a major investment. However, the opportunity to talk face-to-face with your prospects and let them see your products in person is priceless. To help you prepare for the upcoming PSP Expo at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, we’ve come up with seven tips to maximize your trade show investment.

1. Spread the Word
Spread the word about your presence at the show. Use your own marketing channels — social media, email, maybe direct mail — to let your customers and prospects know you’ll be at the show and what products you’ll have on display.

Of course, you’ll want to reach people who aren’t in your existing network. That’s where we come in. Advertising in trade media is a great way to get the industry excited about your presence at an upcoming show. AQUA’s November show issue is our biggest issue of the year and offers bonus distribution at the show itself.

2. Utilize the Show’s Marketing Efforts
Do some research on the show you’ll be attending. If there is a free or discounted pass for trade show only attendees, it might be worth sharing that information with your customers and prospects. Some shows offer incentives to exhibitors who bring additional attendees to the show.

3. Seek Out Social Media
Take advantage of the show’s social media efforts. Use the official hashtag (#PSPexpo2015) to get your message in front of attendees who are browsing social media. Also, follow the show’s official social accounts. This will help keep you in the loop on announcements and tips before, during and after the show.

4. Time for a Better Booth?
Is your trade show booth drawing people in or keeping people out? Tables set up on the outside of a booth can act as a barrier. Try moving them further inside to draw people in. Also consider removing chairs from your booth. When standing, you’re more likely to engage with people who pass by… and less likely to spend time staring at your phone. Finally, make sure your signage is easy to read and makes attendees want to learn more about what you offer. These are all things to consider before you arrive at the show.

5. Create a Dedicated Web Page
Attendees at the show are likely to seek you out online. Is your website ready for them? Creating a dedicated page for the specific trade show can help you communicate a cohesive message between your presence at the show and your content online.

6. Get Personal
Earlier we mentioned getting the word out via mass communication like email and social media. However, for some of your top customers — especially ones in the region of the show — reaching out with a personal invitation adds a nice touch and might be worth the extra effort.

7. Extend Your Presence Via Video
A trade show only lasts a few days, but a video about your product or brand can serve as a sales tool for months, sometimes even years. Make the most of your exhibiting experience by having AQUA’s video team shoot a video demo in your booth. Our professional team will shoot, produce and promote a video on your behalf. This could be an interview with someone in your company or a demonstration of one of your products. Learn more about AQUA’s trade show video options here.

Put a few of these quick tips to use and this PSP Expo may be your most successful one yet. And while you’re there, stop by booth 465 in the Genesis Pavilion to see our newly redesigned magazine and catch up with our team. We’ll see you in Las Vegas!

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