Trade Show Planning- Before the Show

Are you ready to attend a trade show in the not-so-distant future? If so then the following article details the planning process to take most of the guesswork out of your big event.

Planning a trade show requires considerable advance preparation and, if you aren't ready, can present a logistical nightmare. First you must develop a solid plan and monitor your progress constantly.

Tip 1 for the planning if you don't have a marketing director, don't utilize a salesperson for they typically fall short when it comes to longer term planning and attention to detail. Put your most anal-retentive details-oriented person in charge of the planning and you're guaranteed to have all the t's crossed.

Herein are the first five of ten things to keep in mind before your trade show. In order to read all 10 and their in depth explanations please peruse the attached article!

1. Select “your” Trade Show carefully.Participating in a trade show requires a major investment of time, money, and resources.

2. Before all else fails, read the manual.Before you go too much further, make sure you have the Trade Show's manual (usually mailed to you by the show’s organizers right after registering for your booth, but it can sometimes be found on-line. Be sure to ask.)

3. Identify your goals.What exactly do you want to accomplish at this Trade Show?

4. Define measurements of success – your “Trade Show ROI”.Determine a way to measure each goal’s (see #3, above) success, as specifically as possible.

5. Put your Trade Show plan in writing.The plan should include a detailed schedule, a full list of preparation tasks, and an individual assigned for each task.

A Smash Hit Displays is very familiar with the to-do list for pre-trade show planning and booth design. The following trade show equipment will allow you to maximize your trade show exhibit once you've completed your pre-show planning: trade show signage, collapsible truss display, fabric trade show booths, and backlit graphic displays. For the right equipment combined with pre-show planning will make the difference and separate you from your fellow exhibitors.