Skip to main content
how to choose a trade show

How To Choose a Trade Show Your Audience Actually Attends

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

You’ve invested in your booth design, printed your materials, and planned your pitch, but none of it will matter if you’ve picked the wrong event.

Oser Communications Group is America’s leading trade show advertising expert. We’d like to share some useful tips on how to choose a trade show that your actual audience will be attending.

Start With Clear Goals Before Choosing the Right Trade Show

The first thing to do in every case is to define what a complete success would look like for you. Be specific when defining your optimal outcome. Does it mean better brand awareness, a new product launch, or a load of new outstanding leads?

Let the purpose you have in mind shape your approach. For example, if your goal is to network with industry decision-makers, you’ll want to look for trade shows known for attracting C-level attendees.

Get Strategic About Identifying Your Target Audience for Exhibitions

Be very specific about who you’re trying to reach. Is this a B2B or B2C mission? What are the job titles, industries, company sizes, and geographic locations of your ideal attendees?

Look at your current customer base and build personas from real data. Once you’ve figured out who your prototype attendee is, you’ll be better equipped to evaluate which shows truly cater to that precise demographic.

Use Data-Driven Trade Show Selection Criteria To Narrow Down Events

Reliable trade shows offer detailed demographic breakdowns, past attendee stats, and even engagement metrics. Ask for the data and look for alignment with your ideal attendee. Confirm that an event’s theme and content match your offerings.

Conduct Thorough Trade Show Audience Analysis

The size of the crowd is not nearly as important as who’s there. Review previous exhibitor lists to see whether your competitors attend regularly. If they’re showing up year after year, chances are the event delivers results. Likewise, if you don’t recognize any attendees that are relevant to your business, that’s a sign to move on.

Consider Value-Adds That Encourage Effective Exhibition Participation

A strong show will offer more than booth space. Look for events that feature speaking opportunities, media coverage, or matchmaking tools to help you book meetings in advance. Educational tracks can also draw serious buyers who are there to learn, not just browse.

Don’t Let Logistics Undermine Your Efforts

Even the most targeted show may fall short if it doesn’t work with your schedule and budget. Analyze the total costs and weigh them against expected outcomes. Regional shows can be a low-risk way to test your messaging before committing to a national expo. If you have a choice, avoid events that compete with your peak sales season or conflict with other key marketing opportunities.

Choose Your Next Event With Confidence

The key to knowing how to choose a trade show is simple. Go where your audience already is. With a little planning and the right support, you can turn your next exhibit into a strategic win. While you’re here, check out our related post on trade show prep checklists.

Call Oser Communications Group at (520) 721-1300 to discuss our comprehensive trade show marketing services.

tradeshow vs conference

The Difference Between a Trade Show and a Conference

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

As a leader in modern trade journals, Oser Communications Group knows that there are a few crucial event types in business marketing. Entrepreneurs often weigh attending a trade show vs. a conference without fully understanding their distinctions. Take a closer look at conference and trade show definitions, as well as how to decide which one to participate in.

Is There a Difference Between a Trade Show and a Conference?

At first glance, trade show vs. conference comparisons seem minimal. After all, each of these events sees industry professionals gather together in an effort to drive their business forward. However, they differ in terms of formality and agenda.

A trade show features individual business booths where representatives can highlight products or services. Attending a trade show grants them the opportunity to:

  • Increase brand awareness
  • Build relationships with prospective clients
  • Share info about new offerings

A conference, on the other hand, is a bit more formal and education based. Conferences aim to educate attendees about emerging trends or technology. They often feature a panel of speakers as the primary event, plus group workshops and networking sessions.

These multi-day events don’t center around brand promotion. However, you can connect with attendees and discuss your business with them.

Understanding Expos and Conventions

When it comes to defining a trade show vs. a conference, both are B2B events for industry professionals. You can network with other businesses and meet prospective customers at an expo or convention.

Expos center around several industries and are open to the public. They allow you to introduce your brand to customers and generate meaningful leads. A convention is less about promotion and more about community building, such as fan conventions.

Tips for Choosing Between a Conference, Expo, or Trade Show

Deciding to attend a trade show vs. conference hinges on several important factors. Check out some key components that may influence your decision below.

Consider New Innovations Impacting Your Industry

Are there cutting-edge advancements in your industry that you’re unfamiliar with? A conference could be a great way to learn about them and build your network. You can:

  • Listen to lectures
  • Participate in discussions
  • Network with collaborators
  • Incorporate new information into your operations

Plan Around Product Roll Outs

Say you’re implementing a new product that can benefit others within your industry. Why not highlight it at an upcoming trade show? Confirm your participation and establish an eye-catching booth.

You can inform others about your product through:

  • Interactive demonstrations
  • Casual networking
  • Contests or giveaways

Spread the word through trade publications for greater impact.

Analyze Customer Conversion Metrics

Perhaps your traditional marketing methods aren’t yielding the results you desire. Meet potential customers and increase brand awareness by signing up as a vendor at a local expo.

Promote Your Business Properly

Now that you understand what a trade show vs. conference showcases, you can take advantage of these events. Oser Communications Group helps entrepreneurs like you prepare for trade shows for optimal success.

Do you want to learn more? Call (520) 721-1300 to get started.

how many giveaways to order for trade show​

How Many Giveaways To Order for a Trade Show?

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

Attending expos offers a great way to promote your business and connect with prospective clients. Countless trade show publications recommend participating businesses have promotional items to gift attendees. However, planning trade show giveaways requires careful thought and consideration.

Find out how many giveaways to order for a trade show so you can make the event as successful as possible.

Why Trade Show Freebies Matter

Calculating your trade show swag needs may seem daunting and lead you to wonder, “Are giveaways really necessary?” The planning is worthwhile since freebies offer multiple benefits, including:

  • Creating a more engaging booth for visitors
  • Promoting new products or services
  • Generating meaningful leads
  • Increasing brand awareness

Research shows that businesses that use giveaways at expos enjoy higher conversion rates compared to their counterparts. Use this trade show giveaway quantity guide to plan accordingly and leverage the power of free items.

How To Calculate Your Giveaway Item Estimate for Trade Events

If you’re wondering how many giveaways to order for a trade show, experts have a few proven tactics. Explore popular giveaway ideas and choose items that both promote your business and serve a function for attendees. Once you know which object you’ll set up at your booth, use the following tips to order an ample supply.

Consider the Crowd Size

The rule of thumb is to have enough free swag for 75% of attendees at smaller shows and giveaways for 25% of the crowd at large gatherings. Consider how many people the venue can accommodate at a time and how many attendees organizers expect.

Analyze Data From Past Events

When determining how many promotional items to order for expo attendees, look back at data from previous trade shows. At every event, you should be tracking metrics, such as:

  • The number of people who visit your booth
  • Attendee engagement and giveaways
  • Total leads or sales

Reviewing the data from past events helps you plan for upcoming shows. Use this information not only to calculate giveaway estimates but also to continually improve your marketing strategy.

Don’t Be Afraid of Ordering Too Much

Buying promotional items in bulk provides the best option when preparing for upcoming trade shows. Use the tips above to calculate a reasonable amount of items to purchase. You don’t want to devote too much of your marketing spend to giveaways, but ending up with more than you need isn’t the worst-case scenario.

You can always use any remaining items for future shows. Consider running social media contests that give away some of your leftover promotional gear so they don’t go to waste.

Plan for Trade Show Success With Oser Communications Group

You now know how many giveaways to order for a trade show, but do you know which freebies people value the most? Are you struggling to promote a new product or service at events? Oser Communications Group can help with these issues and more.

We’re a leader in trade journals and offer valuable marketing insight for businesses across multiple sectors. Call (520) 721-1300 to learn more about the resources we offer.