Top 7 Biggest Mistakes Exhibitors Make at Trade Shows

Trade shows can make or break your business. If you want to be among the top exhibitors at the next trade show that you attend, you should avoid these mistakes. By making simple changes to the way that you approach trade mxl tv, you can improve your results dramatically. Trade shows are more then just good signs and signage. Review these 7 biggest trade show exhibiting mistakes and ensure you don’t make them yourselves:

1.  Don’t fail to plan ahead:  At a trade show, you can clearly see which exhibitors have planned ahead and which are pulling things together at the last minute. Your planning should begin with carefully researching the trade show. Will it attract a large enough number of people in your target market to be worth it you? Once you’ve selected the right trade shows, make sure to give yourself adequate time to prepare. Depending on the size of the event it may take you 12 to 18 months to prepare for a big trade show.

2.  Don’t try to get by with an unprofessional display:  When you go to a tradeshow, you’re in direct competition with the other exhibitors for the attention of the attendees. People won’t give you a second look if your trade show display product looks shabby. By using banner stands, pop-up display stands and graphic panels you can make your exhibit stand out and encourage more traffic.

3.  Don’t get nervous when talking to attendees:  You’re at a trade show to meet your buying public, so don’t make the common mistakes of staying too quiet or talking too much. Both of these behaviors are a result of being nervous. You can overcome this by practicing what to say, keeping your message clear and relaxing.

4.  Don’t work with a team without a plan:  Many exhibitors bring a team to a trade show, only to have the team members stepping over one another to greet attendees. Working with a plan is essential if you want to have an effective trade show experience. Come up with a set of goals for the show. Give every person on the team a job to complete during the show that will get you closer to those goals. You should also plan out breaks so that the booth is always covered.

5.  Don’t forget to take notes:  When you meet a great prospect at a show, take a few moments to write down some significant information about him or her in addition to taking a business card from them. There will be so many people that come through your exhibition that even the best of prospects can be forgotten by the end of the show. Bring a small notebook to take notes so you can be sure to make the most of your experience.

6.  Don’t skimp on giveaway items:  Choose give away items that will set you apart of the crowd and bring plenty of them! There’s nothing worse than running out of giveaway items halfway through the trade show. Get an estimate of how many people will be attending the event from the coordinators and plan accordingly.

7.  Don’t miss out on seeing other exhibits:  A trade show is your chance to see what your competitors and others in the industry are doing with their displays. Take note of what you liked and disliked about other companies’ displays. You can learn a lot about the options available in trade show displays.

Avoiding these major mistakes at your next trade show can put you head and shoulders above the rest of the exhibitors. Give yourself enough time to prepare and make sure your presentation will stand out. Be sure you have a professional image by coordinating duties with your team and you’ll have a successful trade show.

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