Trade Show Tips for Exhibitors: Get Noticed on the Floor

The trade show floor is often described as organized chaos. Trying to stand out from the crowd while appearing accessible to attendees can be hard if you’re not prepared.

Here are strategic exhibiting tips to practice at your next event that can help you draw attendees to your booth.

 

1. Optimize and Use Your Space Effectively

Your booth design is crucial for attracting attendees. Consider every detail:

• Use vibrant graphics that prominently display your brand.

Don’t fill the space with lots of text that attendees won’t read. Instead, feature images of people interacting with your product or use that space for something visually striking.

• Keep your booth open to the aisle by placing furniture to the side.

If you’re working with a larger space, take advantage of separating walls or structures to create functional areas.

• Be thoughtful with your furniture and accessories.

Use padded flooring for comfort and incorporate lounge seating for meetings with clients. Consider adding a hanging sign or unique lighting to stand out even more.

2. Know the Do’s and Don’ts of Booth Etiquette

“If you build it, they will come.” But will they stay? Even though your booth’s design does a lot of the heavy lifting of attracting exhibitors, your actions are the most valuable thing that gets them to show up and stay.

Do:

• Be friendly and approachable
• Personalize interactions

Get the most out of exhibiting by appearing receptive to your prospective customers.

Don’t:

• Stare at your phone or laptop
• Scan badges too soon

Scanning before ever introducing yourself and getting to know the attendee leaves an impression that you prioritize lead generation over forming a valued relationship.

3. Research and Reevaluate Your Giveaways

It’s time to switch from the pens and notebooks. Attendees will gravitate toward giveaways they typically don’t find at other shows, or items they don’t already have.

Think outside of the box for giveaways that attendees will value and remember:

• Tailor to your audience – Are they B2B or B2C?
• Incorporate tech-savvy items (charging kits with multiple cables and luggage tracking tags.)
  · Consider location-specific items, like portable fans for warm climates.
• Host a raffle for a big-ticket item or offer memorable experiences.

Don’t want to clutter up your company closet? Holding a raffle is a straightforward way to get visitors. Just be sure that you are able to ship the item to the winner since they won’t have enough space in their luggage. You can also offer up an experience, dinner, or activity. Remember that attendees typically have their schedule planned out for this trip, so the activity may need to be available elsewhere and on their own time.

You don’t have to master the art of exhibiting to elevate your experience. With these tips, you and your team can transform your booth, leave a lasting impression, and build your presence on the floor.