Running a booth at a trade show can seem like a daunting task. You’re competing with many other vendors for potential customer attention to show off your goods and services. However, getting a good return on investment (ROI) from trade show exhibits can be incredibly simple with the right attitude.

Many planners rely on trade show advertising with Oser Communications Group, but we also give exhibit advice when needed. You can use our tips to engage with trade show attendees and attract new customers and clients.

#1. Use Technology to Your Advantage

Technology has advanced significantly in the past ten years and continues to grow, allowing for new and engaging experiences. Some options do not take much to implement, like touchscreen displays, and you can even include virtual or augmented reality tools, like Google Cardboard or Oculus VR, to boost activity.

Whatever technology you incorporate should match the message of your brand. For example, you might not want to use VR for a nature-related brand. Try to avoid the gimmicks but be creative while deciding how to use technology for marketing.

#2. Recognize the Power of Art

We already see the results a good visual can provide with modern ad marketing materials. Art boosts your presence on the trade show floor, from the color schemes to the logos and displays. High-quality art attracts trade show attendees whether you use high-tech materials or a hands-on method. 

A few examples include selfie walls, animated videos, and digital signage. With a sizable budget, you can also give holographic art a shot, merging art and tech for some excitement.

#3. Try Playing Games with Attendees

No matter how old you get, there’s nothing like a good game. You can promote excitement in your product demos with bingo cards, quizzes, spin the wheel, and more. Then, if they win the games, you can reward them with special prizes!

The attendees have positive experiences with your brand, and you can give them practical samples of your product. These options can make your trade show display more memorable and increase the likelihood you’ll hear from them again.

#4. Remember That Attendees Are Human

While technology, prizes, and everything else can excite trade show attendees, they eventually tire out. You can swoop in and build positive associations with your brand when they tire out after all that walking.

Consider having a seating area or charging booth near your display. You can also hand out free snacks and drinks, especially if your brand is in the food industry. Visitors may gain enough interest to ask about your presentation without hard-sell methods.

Want to Boost Your Trade Show Experience?

Collecting leads at trade shows becomes much easier when you have the most applicable knowledge and tools. Oser Communications Group has spent over six decades building the skills to show you how to attract trade show attendees. Call (520) 721-1300 today or visit our other blogs for top-quality trade show advertising and advice.

Virtual trade shows grew in popularity in 2020 and continue to provide great opportunities to promote businesses. Instead of a single location, a virtual trade show allows you to display products and services to an international audience. The cost-effectiveness and lead generation potential keep virtual events en vogue. 

To attract those leads, you need trade show advertising and ways to keep them interested online. While our team at Oser Communications Group covers the advertising, here is what you can do to keep attendees engaged.

#1. Design an Attractive Booth

Virtual booths need the same attention to detail you would give them in real life. In a way, you need to design it more than in real life since you cannot attract them with your voice.

While a vibrant booth can bring in attendees, a more poignant element is meaningful graphics choices. You don’t need a whole host of new colors. Instead, use the same ones your brand always has and design the booth with meaningful photos and graphics.

For example, if you run a non-profit organization, some of your images can display beneficiaries. If you usually run a food truck or in-store food display, add pictures from those events. You can even add 3-D graphics and animations that show off your product or service in a video.

#2. Use Attractive Product Teasers

Depending on the virtual event platform, you can add videos to your booth experience. Videos can include some products that aren’t on the market yet to give attendees a taste of the future.

Many in-person trade shows display current and future products your clients can buy. To give attendees a memorable and meaningful experience, show them something they could only see at the virtual trade show. Product teaser videos can include unboxings, commercials, instructionals, and more.

Get creative with how you display your teasers! Videos allow you to display audio, so this is a time you can use their senses to your advantage.

#3. Include Interactive Activities and Games

Event organizers often choose virtual trade show platforms that allow for interactive features. While you may or may not be able to use live speech, many include individual and group chat rooms. Through that and documents in your booth, you can interact with attendees in ways that boost interest.

For example, you can play interactive games with people at your booth. You may have to get creative when playing games in a virtual trade show, but they can produce positive results. You can try different games that work well remotely, such as:

• Scavenger hunts
• Quizzes and trivia
• Bingo
• Spin the wheel
• Branded puzzles

Be sure to have free samples or prizes your attendees can win. If you choose physical items, ensure they can ship safely to various locations.

Need Help Understanding Virtual Trade Shows?

Oser Communications Group has over 50 years of experience serving different industries and sectors with trade show advertising. We answer questions like “What are trade shows?” and “How do virtual trade shows work?” daily.

Call us at (520) 721-1300 for a comprehensive marketing strategy to boost your virtual trade show appeal today.

Trade shows are a great way to grow businesses. Trade show events provide networking opportunities and allow you to show off your products, connect with others, and improve your likelihood of succeeding as an entrepreneur. 

If you’re wondering how to prepare for a trade show, you’re not alone. Taking the time to prepare beforehand with a results-driven trade show advertising company like Oser Communications Group ensures your trade show experience helps your business soar.

Here’s a beginner’s checklist for preparing for trade shows.

1. Register Early

Registering is a vital part of joining trade shows. Usually, you must register before the day of the show. By pre-registering online, you get early access to your booth location.

This way, you don’t have to worry about setting up at the beginning of the day. In addition to registering early, it’s a good idea to research the general floor plan map and the types of exhibits and booths attending so you can best adjust your experience for the target audience.

2. Define Roles and Responsibilities

The next step in staying prepared for your trade show is defining specific roles and responsibilities for this show. For example, you should answer these questions:

1.  What are you trying to learn?  
2. How does your business align with this trade show?
3. What’s your overall goal for this event?

Once you answer these, it’s wise to appoint specific roles to yourself and your workers. For example, ensure one person is responsible for the technology. Then, assign another to product distribution, setup, and teardown.

By having clear goals and specific roles, you can measure your success and create the best environment to succeed. 

3. Set a Budget

Setting a budget is essential when learning how to prepare for a trade show.

Another important note is to set a budget for the trade show. When you enter into a trade show, inevitable costs come with it. 

Some of these costs include advertising, registration fees, product samples, employee pay, hotel stays, food, and transportation.

By determining this budget beforehand, you can avoid surprises that may throw your business off track during or after the event. 

 4. Have Enough Supplies Ready

A lot is going on at trade shows, and preparing enough supplies before the big day is another crucial step for success. 

For example, you’ll need notebooks and a pen or a tablet to write specific networking numbers, booth locations, notes on other vendors, potential customers, and future business ideas. You’ll also need business cards, merchandise, and advertising tools. 

5. Network Effectively 

The final step is to network smarter, not harder. Trade show exhibits are the perfect opportunity to exchange information, speak with other companies, and make a great first impression. Speak with keynote speakers, be social, and pursue connections to get the best experience.

Instead of wondering how to prepare for a trade show, take action today with Oser Communications Group. Our team has over 50 years of experience serving various sectors with trade show advertising.

Let our team at Oser Communications Group help you choose the best booth locations and a comprehensive marketing strategy by calling (520) 721-1300 today!