Narrowing your trade show list

Based primarily on budgets and obvious time constraints, most companies must find out which shows are the best for their needs from their wish list. The key to finding the best shows is figuring what shows pull in the most decision makers.

To find out who attends, ask the show management for a demographic profile of their attendees from previous forums. Typically, show literature will list only the numbers and general titles of their attendees. You'll need to do some research but in the long run you might save yourself undue time and money. Check the titles and purchasing responsibility if that information is available.

Another avenue to finding the best shows is contacting past attendees. Have a list of questions ready that will tell you if they are indeed the decision makers, and what value they placed on their time spent in the exhibit hall. You can also check out the exhibitor list from the previous year, and ask those non-competing exhibitors what their impressions of the show were and whether they will be attending again.

You also need to check with the show managers and ask how they are promoting the show and about their strategy for getting people to the exhibit hall. If it's a new show, there should be ample promotion to attract the traffic you need to make it worthwhile.

Once you've targeted the best shows to attend, you need to decide how your display space will look. We can help in that regard outfitting you with a display (truss displays, Burst exhibits, backlit graphic exhibits, or a portable folding booth) that best fits your needs, a special custom logo rug or trade show carpets, and eye catching tradeshow graphics. For all your one stop show booth needs ask for "the trade show guys" Evan and Erik.