Planning a trade show is a big responsibility. It’s an event that can help you and all of your participants boost your business, but a successful trade show has a lot of moving parts. There is a lot you need to anticipate, and Advanced Tradeshow Technology wants to help. We are a division of ATT Expo Market, a company managing trade shows, and we offer trusted services to make your expo run smoothly. From top-of-the-line registration systems to post-show activities, we are here to take care of the basics so you can focus on the details that matter to you. If you’re reading this blog, you’ve already taken the first step to ensure the success of your show. Make sure to read part one and part two of this series to get all our tips on planning your trade show, and continue with this conclusion for the most important things you need to do leading up to the date of your expo. When you’re ready to get started, call Advanced Tradeshow Technology today to learn about our customizable systems!
Find A Venue
Finding the right venue is a complex process with many variables to consider. Picture how many people you anticipate attending and what kind of exhibition booth designs your vendors might favor. You will need enough floor space for everyone, so your attendees can move easily from booth to booth and explore your venue. Keeping in mind the budget you outlined in part two of this series, compare each location’s rental price against their services and policies. Learn exactly what is included in each potential contract. Most will provide some tables and chairs, but consider what other materials exhibitors may want, like table skirting or audio-visual equipment. A good way to narrow down possible venues is to make sure that the costs of each location are mostly balanced by the fees you charge exhibitors and attendees. If not, the venue is beyond your price range and you need to keep looking. Once you decide on a location, reserve it as soon as you can! Many venues are booked several months in advance.
Find Entertainment and Caterers
When planning a trade show, you want to attract people to your event and keep them there. Providing food is a good way to keep your participants engaged. At the very least, you should offer a light meal and plenty of drinks. Check your contract to see if your venue provides any concessions.
As for entertainment, an evening party is a great way to kick off the opening of your show and give your participants a networking opportunity. Find entertainers that will appeal to your target audience and book them as far in advance as possible. You should also advertise them in the marketing and publicity materials for your trade show — it can help draw more of an audience!
Market Your Event
Trade show marketing is absolutely essential to your success! Aside from logistics, it is your biggest responsibility. A trade show won’t work without an audience, and you need to sell a lot of tickets to have any hope of profiting on a project of this scale. A large portion of your budget will likely be dedicated to marketing — 50 percent would not be overkill. You can utilize posters, online advertising, social media, and ads in magazines, newspapers, or on the radio. Keep in mind that poor attendance can seriously damage your company’s reputation for years to come, but a successful trade show can benefit everyone involved.
That concludes our series on how to plan a trade show. Good luck! Every step of the process is important, from making a budget to choosing the perfect date and venue. Review part one and part two of this series to make sure you don’t miss a step, and remember: marketing your event is absolutely crucial to its success — so is the right team. Advanced Tradeshow Technology is here to make sure you don’t have to worry about the little things, with 24/7 registration services and backup power systems. Get help from the trade show experts and make sure everything goes right — call Advanced Tradeshow Technology today!
