Use Trade Shows to learn about customers and competitors

One of the best venues to learn about your competitors and what they're shopping is in fact... a trade show!

Before the show begins, familiarize yourself thoroughly with those competitors. Read their literature and look carefully at their displays. Distinguish their displays: fabric abnner stands, pop up display boards, panel trade show booths, truss booths, fabric trade show displays, or custom graphic booths. Then use that competitive knowledge to gain more information. Talk to people, ask lots of questions, pay attention.

Some of the best information pertaining to your competition is from their customers. That´s one of the many good reasons to talk to as many people as possible at trade shows. Every prospect has possible information you need, even if they don´t want or need your products. Find out what are interests them, from whom they buy and why, how much do they purchase, when do they purchase and at what price.

The answers don´t have to result in a sale to be valuable. Scout new suppliers, scope out new and existing competitors, and even attempt to partner with allies and shop for other trade show venues -- all this by listening.

If you see your competitors´ materials in the hands of a visitor, ask them what they think of the company, its people and products. It never hurts to hear from decision-makers about what they believe is important. Moreover, people like to be asked their opinion. It makes them feel important. You´ll be surprised at just how much information some people are willing, and eager, to share. Ask them and they´ll probably tell you.

Exhibit trade shows understand that most of this information is never printed. So, we are ever ready to talk at length to our customers about how to secure and understand such information. Once all the information is assimilated you still have to prepare you booth space. Taking that into consideration there are a ways to separate from the pack: tradeshow booth graphics and trade show carpet.