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trade show vs exhibition

The Difference Between a Trade Show and an Exhibition

Written by Oser Communications Group on . Posted in Trade Show.

People who attend trade shows and exhibitions as a form of advertising for their businesses sometimes use these terms interchangeably. While they seem similar, the differences between trade shows and exhibitions reveal that these events are distinct.

We know about all things relating to trade shows at Oser Communications Group. Here, we explain the differences between exhibitions and trade shows.

What’s a Trade Show?

A trade show is an event that centers around a single niche industry. The primary purpose of a trade show aims to connect businesses with others within the same industry. Each enterprise will display its products or services at its company’s booth while networking with industry professionals.

People should consider B2B networking and lead generation events if they run established companies and want to connect with other industry leaders. Because most, if not all, of the trade show attendees come from established businesses, the quality of the exhibitors tends to be high. As such, attending a trade show can help companies develop corporate partnerships.

What’s an Exhibition?

The primary difference between a trade show and an exhibition lies in their purpose. Whereas a trade show focuses on networking and professional connections, an exhibition prioritizes product exposure.

Exhibitions allow businesses to showcase their products without providing an option to buy or sell to attendees. This approach enables larger companies to solidify their position as industry leaders while also allowing smaller enterprises to gain visibility within their industry for brand building.

Trade Fair vs. Public Exhibition Audience: What’s the Difference?

A trade fair is similar to a trade show, but again, they’re not identical events. The first option enables companies to showcase their products and services to a professional audience for sales. The latter option is primarily for B2B networking.

Conversely, a public exhibition audience can comprise both professionals and general attendees. B2B guidelines are less stringent during such events.

How To Pick the Right Type of Trade Show for Your Enterprise

The best way to determine whether to choose a trade show vs. an exhibition is to understand your budget, goals, and target audience. This information will help you make an informed decision. It’s essential to research your event options to ensure you can maximize the effects of your participation.

For instance, if you want to connect with other professionals within your industry while also generating leads, a B2B trade show may be best for you. On the other hand, if brand awareness and sales are your top priorities, consider attending a business-to-consumer exhibition.

Choose the Best Option To Showcase Your Business

Knowing about the types of business showcases available will help you select an option to help you meet your event marketing strategy goals. Whether you’re looking for details on a trade show vs. an exhibition or a trade show vs. a conference, you can find the information you need from Oser Communications Group.

We’re not just the go-to source of information about trade shows. We also help businesses advertise in our numerous trade show publications. For more information, contact Oser Communications Group at (520) 721-1300.

what is a trade show manager​

What Is the Role of a Trade Show Manager?

Written by Oser Communications Group on . Posted in Trade Show.

If you’re an entrepreneur, consider exhibiting at a trade show to showcase your products and services. A trade show manager running the show from behind the scenes ensures everything runs smoothly during the exhibition. So, what is a trade show manager exactly?

Oser Communications Group, one of the top trade show publications, explains what trade show managers do in the guide below.

What To Expect at a Tradeshow?

It helps first to know what happens at trade shows before learning the answer to “What is a trade show manager? A trade show is a business showcase where companies can display their products and services while networking with other professionals in their industry. Although the primary focus of this kind of event is networking, attendees can still explore various innovations and learn about relevant services.

Trade shows may include seminars and workshops to provide industry insights to attendees. The many live demonstrations that take place at these events make them both interactive and engaging for guests.

What a Trade Show Manager Does

What is a trade show manager? The manager is the person responsible for organizing and managing the execution of the trade show. A significant aspect of this role involves ensuring the event aligns with the organization’s sales and marketing objectives.

An effective trade show manager knows how to represent their business, thus enhancing the brand’s visibility. Their expertise and networking abilities help foster productive and engaging environments where professionals can connect with each other and meet potential clients.

Typical Trade Show Manager Duties

The responsibilities of a trade show manager include:

  • Coordinating trade show planning from start to finish
  • Managing the budget for the trade show, including negotiating with vendors
  • Partnering with marketing teams to create and execute promotional strategies to maximize brand exposure
  • Recruiting and training staff for trade show execution, ensuring a clear definition of roles and expectations
  • Utilizing technology solutions to streamline everything from attendee tracking to guest registration
  • Conducting post-event assessments to determine the show’s effectiveness for lead generation, engagement, and ROI

Required Skills for Trade Show Management

Besides knowing how to organize a booth and manage a budget, trade show managers should have the following skills to do their jobs effectively:

  • Audience engagement: Managers must know how to encourage crowd participation using interactive experiences and social media content.
  • Event planning: Managers play a crucial role in organizing the trade show from start to finish, which includes coordinating with vendors, managing time effectively, and securing suitable venues.
  • Marketing: Unique visuals and compelling narratives can target specific audiences, boost the trade show’s visibility, and drive engagement.

Learn More About Trade Show Management

What is a trade show manager? The responsibilities of a trade show manager encompass several key duties and tasks that contribute to the success of exhibitions. As an exhibitor, you and your booth staff can increase the likelihood that your trade show appearance will be worthwhile.

As one of the leading trade show publications, Oser Communications Group understands the responsibilities of trade show managers and recognizes their integral role in trade show operations. For more information, contact Oser Communications Group at (520) 721-1300.

understanding trade show attendee behavior

A Guide to Understanding Trade Show Attendee Behavior

Written by Oser Communications Group on . Posted in Trade Show.

Most cultures can interpret a smile and a nod to mean agreement, despite language barriers, because we share certain behaviors and habits. Take these universal attributes a step further!

Collective psychology can help you plan your trade show advertising and activities by analyzing trade show attendee behavior. Start recognizing who visits your booth, why they’re interested, and how they got there to build a customized trade show strategy.

To start, the following three principles can have a significant impact on visitor traffic.

The Path of Least Resistance

People prefer to travel from one place to another without being obstructed by anything. We’re less likely to put in the effort to get to a location the more difficult it is to get there.

Remember this for booth positioning. Avoid choosing spots near the back or out of the way in a trade show.

Instead, prioritize prime locations that are easy to get to. Consider spots near the entrance, intersections, or the booths of industry frontrunners. They may cost a bit more, but you can prepare for the expense with a detailed budgeting plan.

Judgement Is Normal

Though we don’t like to admit it, we judge people, places, and things by their appearance. Every trade show attendee who sees your booth does the same thing. Acknowledging this can help you create a display that catches their attention.

For example, consider color psychology. Various cultures associate colors with states of mind.

For example, you can use red to convey a sense of urgency, or blue to project a cooler, more laid-back image. Regardless, your pitch and booth should match the mood you set. Otherwise, attendees might walk away feeling cheated or put-off.

Dynamic Is Good. Noisy Is Not.

Our ancestors were in a tentative spot between prey and predator. Because of this, we have developed motion sensitivity; our eyes are naturally drawn to movement.

Even now, we still tend to watch digital advertisements and videos instead of reading because humans are hardwired for motion detection.

Positively integrate this knowledge into your trade show strategy. Many interactive trade show booths captivate visitors by striking a balance between color, motion, and pathways.

Studies have shown that games, prizes, and other experiential marketing boost attendee engagement. Some booths utilize visual effects to draw visitors’ attention to specific items or information.

Too much movement or excitement can muddy your message, though, so don’t go overboard. Otherwise, visitors may feel like you’re trying to distract them, like turning on random YouTube videos to occupy children.

Emphasize Advertising in Your Trade Show

Understanding trade show attendee behavior takes effort, but you will likely see a higher return on investment (ROI) as a result. Engaging trade show attendees in a positive and memorable way has its perks. Even one positive interaction can sow the seeds for future business opportunities and growth in the industry.

Oser Communications Group monitors various trends in the trade show arena and integrates that knowledge into our advertising strategies. We’re experts in improving booth showings and company development. Call (520) 721-1300 to step up your advertising game today.