Trade Show Articles 2

• Cutting Down Your Trade Show Budget by: Susan Friedmann
• Eight Success Tips for Your First Trade Show Booth by: Rena Klingenberg 
• Trade Show Tactics Revealed by: Colin Ong TS 
• Tips for a Successful Trade Show by: Janice D. Byer, MVA

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Cutting Down Your Trade Show Budget by: Susan Friedmann

Whenever a recession or volatility threatens the economy, companies immediately look at where they can cut budgets. Without much forethought, the first to hit the block is inevitably training, followed closely behind by marketing. Why? Both are viewed on the balance sheet as expenditures rather than income generators, so obviously they’re hot contenders for elimination. 

This is a very myopic way of thinking, especially for companies who want to remain globally competitive. Instead, at times like these when resources are under severe scrutiny, look at this as a golden opportunity to analyze your strategies. Put your activities under a microscope and closely examine what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Often during times of plenty, the finance reins loosen up and some highly creative juggling takes place when budgets exceed their estimations. Obviously, we enjoy the abundant mentality and wish that it could last forever. But just as with all things in the universe there has to be a balance, and shortages add stability to plenty. Whenever highs exist, lows are inevitable. 

So, instead of reacting to the highs and lows of the marketplace, what can you do to maintain a steady balance? Marketing and training are definitely keys to your success, so let’s examine five benefits and how they relate to your tradeshow participation. 

1. Analyze your weakest links 

When you take time to look examine your operation in more detail, you often discover that many of your actions are done out of habit rather than being productive and profitable. Think about some of the shows that you attend. How do they really fit into your marketing strategy? Are you attending them just because you’ve always done so, or because your competition is there? These are often your weak links, the shows that utilize unnecessary time and energy. Think about doing away with the “nice to be at shows” and rather opt at putting all your energy into the more profitable events that attract larger quantities of your target market. 

Another weak budgetary link is associated with excessive employee spending at shows, such as dining at the finest restaurants and ordering the highest priced items just because the boss is paying. Consider setting up a per diem allowance and make employees accountable for expenses. You might even reward them with the difference if they under spend their stipend. 

2. Exhibit a global competitiveness mindset 

To be a contender in the global marketplace and establish a vanguard positioning, you have to be out there come rain or shine. And, tradeshows signify an essential marketing strategy when it comes to visibility. Exhibiting demonstrates that you’re a serious player in the industry. However tough, it’s important to keep tradeshows as one of your major promotional strategies. Rather consider reducing space than totally pulling out a show, provided of course, that it’s the right show for you. Unfortunately, if you stop exhibiting completely, the “buzz” on the show floor says publicly that you must be in financial trouble. This may be completely false, but it’s people’s perceptions that count. They’re the reality they believe. As the old adage states, “out of sight, out of mind.” And, since memorability is a key factor associated with exhibiting, if you’re not seen, how can you possibly be remembered! 

3. Focus on long-term results 

Investing in both marketing and training means that you’re interested and willing to focus on long-term results. Neither is designed to give a “quick fix,” rather using them continuously in an organized and planned manner, will produce results. They’re like a dripping faucet, so long as the drops constantly fall into the tub, it will fill up. However, if you maintain a “turn on, turn off” approach, that is train and market in times of plenty and discontinue when there’s a shortage, then your results are likely to mirror your actions. Look at how you can keep an operational equilibrium to avoid the highs and the lows. Develop a consistent marketing and training strategy. 

4. Inspire loyal workers 

Often companies are reluctant to invest too much in training staff for fear that once trained, they’ll leave for “greener pastures.” Since there are no guarantees in life, that’s always going to be a risk, but does that mean you shouldn’t develop your people to be the best they can be? Absolutely not! The reasons employees leave may be many. Employees may leave because of frustration or stress. They might feel unappreciated or undervalued. It could be that they believe your company is heading for an iceberg and want to "jump ship" before it sinks. Maybe they feel that their salaries are not in line with the jobs they are performing. Or they could feel that they don't have enough authority, growth opportunities, or direction in their careers. Training is often the key to help inspire loyalty. 

5. Improve performance 

Employees are the backbone of your company. Without them, your company cannot stay afloat. The relationship between employees and employers has to be a partnership; if they feel their needs are being ignored, they will leave you. But when both sides work on the same wavelength, share the same goals and ideas, the company will be on the right track for success. What better place than the tradeshow floor to exhibit this mentality. Your exhibit staff represents your internal customer-service team and your company ambassadors. They stand for your entire organization. These people have the awesome responsibility of making or breaking future relationships with attendees, prospects and customers. Their attitude, body language, appearance, and knowledge help to create positive or negative perceptions in the minds of visitors. Make sure that they’re well trained and can do what you expect of them. Training shows that you recognize your team’s importance in the company and look to develop their skills to improve performance. 

Exhibiting is a powerful extension of your company’s marketing strategy and your people are the backbone of your company. Eliminating your marketing and training budgets during times of recession is tantamount to profitability suicide. So consider looking at other places to make those cuts! 

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About The Author
Written by Susan A. Friedmann, CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies,” working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. Go to http://www.thetradeshowcoach.com to sign up for a free copy of ExhibitSmart Tips of the Week. 
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/

Eight Success Tips for Your First Trade Show Booth by: Rena Klingenberg 

Exhibiting in a trade show can involve a major investment of money and time. But the financial returns for your business can be excellent if you learn some of the secrets of trade show booth success before signing up for a show and investing in your displays. 

If you're considering setting up at a trade show for the first time, here are eight tips for a successful trade show booth display: 

1) Rent the smallest possible booth space for your first trade show. The first time you exhibit, you'll learn a lot about what works for you and your products and what doesn't, and what you'd like to change for your next show. Also, seeing other exhibitors' booths and ideas will inspire you to evolve various aspects of your own display. So it's a good idea to keep your trade show expenses lower as you learn, by renting a smaller space and starting with a simple display. 

2) Create an open trade show exhibit. Make it a space people can enter comfortably without feeling trapped. If you set a table across the front of your booth and stand behind it, it's harder to draw customers in and involve them - so they tend to walk on by. 

3) Keep your booth uncluttered so customers can focus on what's important - your product. When approaching your display, anyone should be able to discern immediately what your booth is promoting. No one is going to take the time to study it and guess, when there are hundreds of other booths to visit. 

4) Before planning your trade show booth display, find out everything you can about your allotted space. Know its dimensions, where it will be located in the building, what companies or organizations will be in your neighboring booths, whether it's in a high or low traffic area, whether you have access to lighting and electricity, and anything else that will affect your exhibit display setup. 

5) For your first trade show, consider renting booth display components. Rental displays can relieve you of the issues of transportation and storage, and allow you to be a little more daring in your exhibit design than you might be if you were purchasing them. Also, studies show that many first-time exhibitors never do a second trade show. If you only exhibit once or twice, purchasing your own exhibit components doesn't make economic sense. 

6) Design your booth with an eye to keeping shipping costs low. Oversized or heavy displays can be very expensive to ship to the trade show, and may also require that you hire expo personnel to bring them into the exhibit hall and help you set them up. Opt for smaller, collapsible, lighter weight displays as much as possible. 

7) Plan to secure your expensive items so that they can't be stolen at a trade show. If you use a laptop computer for a multimedia presentation at your booth, be sure to have it securely locked to your display, and take it with you at night if it's a multiple-day event. Display the samples of your more expensive products either well inside your booth where they can't "walk off" as attendees stroll by, or inside a locked display case. 

8) For the most professional image, create a unified appearance for your displays. Choose no more than three colors for your display elements and table coverings - such as gray, white, and blue. Each exhibit component should be one of your three colors. Also, choose no more than three textures - such as brushed metal, matte vinyl, and clear acrylic; each display element should be one of these textures. This creates a professionally pulled-together booth that lets your products stand out in the display. 

In summary, although it's tempting to go all out when designing your first trade show booth display, it makes more sense to keep your first booth small and simple, and focus your energy on marketing your products and networking at your first show. During the event, learn as much as possible about how you'd like to alter your exhibit for show next show, and write down all your ideas either during or immediately after the show. 

Once you have your first trade show under your belt, you'll have a much sharper idea of what you do - and don't - need in a trade show display to make each successive show your most profitable one to date. 

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About The Author
Rena Klingenberg's website, http://www.trade-show-booth-display.com, is a resource for trade show exhibit success information. She is also editor of the online newsletter "Trade Show Success on a Small Budget" at http://www.trade-show-booth-display.com/newsletter.html
rena@trade-show-booth-display.com
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/

Trade Show Tactics Revealed by: Colin Ong TS 

Being part of a trade show gives small business a chance to experience economies of scale and to mix around with the big guys. This may also be the most stressful period for the PR Dept. head as he will hope that R & D people will be able to bring out the latest prototype of the company’s new and “hot” product to a large audience. Top management may plan to use the trade show to increase profitability and market share. 

Here are some tips: 

The purpose of participation: 

Before deciding whether you company should be part of this trade show, there must be a meeting of top management about the demographics of their target audience and the overall impact of the trade show. If the trade show is to launch a new product, then it should be obvious that all promotional literature and samples of the new product be ready. On the other hand, if participation in the trade show is just to create awareness and corporate visibility, then through prior research, ensure that the neighboring booths (your competitors) do not steal your “thunder”. 

Consider co-sharing your booth: 

Co-sharing your booth with an alliance can be positive if there is synergy. It can also help lower the cost of booth rental and introduce your services to your alliance’s customers. 

However, the dangers of this approach is that one exhibitor may garner more exposure and publicity which may cause some dissent; there is also the issue of the signage and the “overall feel” of the booth that has to be agreed by both parties. 

The Multimedia experience: 

It is logical to prepare a multimedia experience for participants because there will be many booths shouting for attention. Trade shows are normally chaotic in nature. Thus make enquiries about the installation of large projector screens and platforms before committing yourself to the trade show. 

Advertise with the trade show organizers:

The trade-show organizers will be promoting the event in the various media and your company should find out if you can tag onto this media blitz. A common method is to offer your company’s new product as a prize for the event’s grand contest. 

Logistics Management: 

Have you been to an exhibitor’s booth and asked for brochures and be given the reply that they had run out of supply? Similarly, you discovered that the chart displayed at the booth and the information provided in the brochure was not the same. What was your impression of the credibility and level of professionalism of the organization? 

It is essential that all information in the brochures and promotional materials be checked for accuracy and their supply sufficient for the entire event. Trade visitors will remember the organization by these items. 

Train your sales staff well: 

If you need to get temporary staff to help out, ensure that they are well drilled about the new product and the company’s business philosophy. They must be forth-coming with their replies to enquiries from the public. They should not just wear the company’s specially designed T-shirt and hand out flyers! 

Feedback forms: 

It is not realistic to expect “record sales” during the trade show. It is also important to create a rapport with the trade visitors by encouraging them to fill out feedback forms with their personal particulars. This will entitle them to a gift. The gifts must also be designed so that the organization will be remembered even after the trade show is over. 

Networking: 

Use this opportunity of being part of the trade show to network with other trade show participants. Set aside some time to interact with them and understand their business and services. You may form future alliances. 

Build up the morale of your team: 

Being part of a trade show can build up the morale and teamwork of your employees. Remember to rotate the duties of each member like handing out brochures or manning the booth. It is also important that they understand that the image that they convey to trade visitors during the event will go a long way in creating brand consciousness and corporate positioning. 

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About The Author
Colin Ong TS is a recognised authority in Corporate and Career Strategy. Visit his sites at http://www.mrmc.com.sg/12n and http://www.mrmc.com.sg
colin@mrmc.com.sg
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/

Tips for a Successful Trade Show by: Janice D. Byer, MVA 

Well, autumn is upon us and with the onset of this season comes cleaner air and colourful outdoor scenery and, it is also prime season for trade shows. Sure, trade shows happen all throughout the year but, with many areas recognizing small business month/week, there is a greater opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their products or services to their target markets. 

As small business owners, especially those in the start up phase, preparing for a trade show can be a very scary and frustrating time. What do we take and how do we present it? 

You first need to find out the specifics of the trade show you are registered for or considering exhibiting in. If necessary, contact the organizers of the event and get details on the type of visitors that the show attracts and the layout of the area you will have to display your business. Be sure to find out the size of the table you will have, whether there is wall space for your company sign, if there are electrical outlets available, and anything else that may or may not be included (ie. table cloth, etc.) 

Once the show space specifics have been established, then you can move on to thinking about and deciding what and how you can ‘show your stuff’. The following are just a few ideas to help you get ready for that all important trade show. (Note: most of these ideas are based on being in the service industry but will work for products industry companies as well) 
 

If the table you have does not include a tablecloth, be sure to get one that compliments your display and represents your company’s image and colour scheme (without being overpowering). Even if a tablecloth is supplied, bring your own or something to add some depth to your table (ie. table runner). Your table will definitely stand out in a crowd. 

If space will allow, erect a stand-alone presentation board. On the board, you can show how clients can benefit by using your services. Be creative and make it stand out. Include pictures, if possible, and be sure your company name and logo are more than obvious. 

If there is wall space, but your budget is minimal, use your trusty desktop publishing software to create a template of your company name. Use the template, along with bristle board, cardboard, or foam core to make a sign that you can put up on the wall behind your booth. 

Arrange your table in levels. Put the larger items at the rear, shorter items in front of those, and even shorter items in front of those. 

Develop a PowerPoint presentation to display on your table (if an electrical outlet is within reach of your booth). You can make it on your desktop computer and transfer it to a laptop, which you can rent or borrow if you don’t already have one. Your visitors will find this visually appealing and will draw in their attention. 

Have a portfolio of your work available. Print off some of your best projects, put them into plastic sheet protectors, and arrange them in a binder. Then lay out the binder where visitors can flip through the pages. 

Have plenty of giveaways, such as business cards, brochures, pens, magnets, and anything else that has your company name and/or logo on it. Most people who attend trade shows are expecting to take home some goodies. And, be sure to use display racks for showing your flyers, specials, brochures, and such. 

Offer something a little different… FOOD. I displayed at the Bridges to Better Business trade show in Brampton and included a basket of Girl Guide cookies on my table. They were a big hit… I wish I had brought more. If you can, package your food in a way that will allow you to have your company contact info on it. 

Offer Gift Certificates for some of your services. There’s nothing better than getting a deal and, when they ‘cash in’ their certificate, they will see how valuable your services are and will come back for more. 

Have a drawing for a prize. Offer a prize that, in some way, compliments your business if possible, and appeals to anyone. Have visitors and entrants sign a guestbook, fill in a ticket, or drop their business cards into a fish bowl or gift bag. You can then use this information at a later date to make a follow up contact. 

If the show will be on for an extended length of time, be sure to have assistance in manning your booth so you can take a break. If you don’t have the option of having someone take over for a bit, be sure to put up a note that tells people how long you will be gone or when you will be back. 
Most importantly, be friendly and inviting. Say hi to those that turn and look toward you or your booth. Strike up a conversation and be sure to have a short introductory speech ready. And…have fun! 

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About The Author
Janice Byer is a certified Master Virtual Assistant and owner of Docu-Type Administrative & Web Design Services (http://www.docutype.net). See this and other articles on her website.
jbyer@docutype.net
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/