Trade Show Dos and Donts

Having just returned from the promotional items international trade show in Dallas, TX recently, I was made aware of several tips that others in trade shows should know.

While this list is not all-inclusive, it can serve to bring you up to a quick speed on some minimum requirements for operating a booth at a trade show.

1) It is of utmost importance that the staff
be friendly, knowledgeable and courteous.
They should be good communicators who can
completely describe the product or services
you offer.

2) Dont have chairs in your booth, unless they are used to conduct business with clients. Booth workers should never sit. They should stand in order to make immediate eye contact with the show attendees. Booth workers should greet or at least acknowledge every single visitor to their booth.

3) The Front of the booth should be open
inviting show attendees into "your space".
Dont "hide" behind a table or other booth prop.

4)Dont schedule booth workers for long shifts if all possible. Two-hour shifts are great... especially at a busy show.

If this isnt possible, at least schedule
frequent breaks throughout the day so booth
workers can either sit and rest their legs,
take a walk around the show, etc.

Also, if a booth worker must be there for
the entire day, encourage them to change
shoes a couple of times. This makes a big
difference.

5) Take the time to be original in your
promotional items. Try to do/have the
"unexpected" at your booth to attract
attention. Your promotional item should be
something of value to the visitors to your
booth...or something so unique that they have to stop and ask about it.

When possible, use quality products linked to
your type of business with complete imprint
of your name, phone, website, etc.

6) Dont focus on passing out lots of sales
literature, brochures, etc. Most of this will be thrown away without a second glance. Instead, organize a drawing or other mechanism for collecting potential customers names and addresses.

Send out literature after the show along with a special thanks for stopping at your booth.

Plan your follow-ups BEFORE the show.
Remember,the object of a trade shows is
to generate NEW business)

7) Invest in a heavy pad and good, thick carpet for your booth space. Your booth workers will thank you.

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Need more help or questions answered about
imprinted promotional items or how to use them ?

E-mail or call Kelly Specialties. kelly3@netins.net
800 554-0793

About the Author

Phil Kelly is the owner of Kelly Specialties. He provides you with years of experience in the marketing and promotion of your business with impinted promotional items. Remember to visit our site or give us a call for all of your imprinted
promotional items. We offer you over 600,000 items from more than 3,700 suppliers.

kelly3@netins.net
http://www.kellylogo.com