You may have signed an exhibitor contract and chosen booth space for your industry’s next big trade show – your new booth and marketing materials may already be in production, but are you truly prepared to show? If your next show is actually your first show, here’s a few things to keep in mind before show open.

As it has been said “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” – Bobby Unser, Race Car Driver. So, if you want to ensure that your event is a success, make sure to plan ahead. Here’s a few details you certainly don’t want to overlook:

1. Create a captivating experience.

If you expect the crowds to flock to your trade show booth just by showing up, you will most likely be disappointed with the end-of-day result. Just because you know the positive attributes and selling points of your product, that doesn’t mean that an audience will be drawn to your display space to find out more. Make sure that your display booth is inviting, captivating, and offers your potential customer a memorable experience.

2. Don’t under-staff your trade show booth – It will cost you.

Better safe than sorry is the motto here. Although you don’t want to waste company funds by over staffing, even interested buyers won’t hang around long while waiting for a representative to become free. Quality also plays an important role here as well. Make sure that your staff is enthusiastic and has regular breaks. There’s nothing worse than receiving a pitch by a tired, overworked, and deflated sales rep.

3. What’s your budget?

Planning ahead can save you big. In some cases, you can save on your operating expenses by securing your show services well in advance. You may also save on rush delivery fees when you allot ample time for the fabrication and delivery of your display booth and marketing materials. Lastly, you may not save dollars, but you can often obtain some advantages by registering for the show early, like being able to secure a prime show location versus accepting what is left the week before the show opens.

4. Brush up on your delivery.

Trade shows are the optimum location to develop relationships. Whether you are introducing your product and yourself to a potential customer, or speaking with a long-term client, save the hard sell for another time. Take the opportunity to build a rapport with attendees. As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

6. Take good notes.

Your buyers may forget you as soon as they leave your booth. That’s ok, as long as you don’t forget them! Make sure you ask the right questions, capture pertinent information (along with something a little more personal like a stand-out lapel pin or something personal they may have mentioned during your brief conversation), and notate what the next step may be. Before the prospect exits your display space, offer a clear trajectory, and make sure to setup an agreed upon next step.

7. If you’re excited, they’re excited.

Have you ever noticed how contagious enthusiasm and excitement can be? When you are in a joyful, cheery or even giddy mood, it’s hard for the person to whom you are engaging to remain somber and not mirror your disposition. Starting the conversation on a positive note will result in ending it in a similar state. Of course you should keep things professional, but this doesn’t mean that you need to be boring.

Plan some interactive activities or games where the attendees can participate and provide memorable branded incentive items or gifts. You may be meeting, greeting, and speaking to thousands of attendees, but helping to make their experience memorable will help make your lead generation both simple and successful.

Watson Productions designs and manufactures top-quality tradeshow displays, exhibits, and environments that enable clients to engage their customers in unique ways. If it can be imagined, we can build it! Call us at 516-334-9766 for more information or visit our site at www.WatsonProductions.com to find out how we can help you incorporate these tips into your next exhibit.