Trade Show Booth Etiquette
There are a number of trade show best practices to follow in preparation for a successful convention showing. From booth design and delivery to interacting with the customer or client to following up post-show.
Online, March 20, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Like most events, a successful convention showing comes with a number of guidelines, behaviors and preparatory tips. Those manning the trade show booth must be familiar with all of the processes surrounding the experience-- from start to finish. Great etiquette doesn't begin and end with customer and client interaction. The best exhibitors adhere to their own rules, as well as those set forth by the trade show itself. Covering all of your bases ensures smooth sailing upon arrival to the convention halls and long after the last visitor leaves your exhibition space.
Stay within your allotted space. Display and exhibit companies work hard to provide brands with the perfect options to fit their booth dimensions, so take advantage of these custom offerings to succeed in staying within the designated guidelines.This helps to maintain positive relationships with the trade show hosts, as well as other brands and competitors you may be sharing floor space with. Designate delivery and installation with your exhibit provider to ensure timely shipping and setup.
Booth space should be designed with traffic flow and your sales teams in mind, so map out the marketing tools you'll be employing ahead of time to best decide how to help maximize the limited space you are given. Stick to a design that your trade show team can know forwards and backwards, which will make for heightened efficiency, as well as quick setup and teardown times.
Teams and brand ambassadors should be easily identified by the public, so small details like uniformed dressing and branded polos can make a big difference. Nametags add the perfect finishing touch and polish to a well-recognized team member, and are a great way for potential clients and customers to remember each team member and the connection made with them during their time at a specific booth.
The trade show booth is a branch of the brand's business. These home away from homes are a direct extension of the offices, factories, stores and shops your business runs. Treat each convention attendee as if they were a guest in any of these locations and use booth displays, materials and accessories to engage them. Great booths are meant to be experienced, not seen. From slatwall merchandising displays to iPad kiosks, interactive opportunities keep guests hanging around your space longer and gives them an opportunity to soak in the brand, product and message.
Providing swag or a takeaway can be the perfect way to leave a lasting impression on booth visitors, but it doesn't always have to be a physical item or freebie. During their time in the space, iPad kiosks can be used to sign up for giveaways (anything from product to free consultations), capture contact information for promotions and campaigns or the emailing of virtual lookbooks and more. Don't let their interaction within the booth be the last they experience with a team member.