Tradeshow Tips for Small Businesses
It’s trade show time! The Vegan Distribution team will be attending the Natural Products Expo West in March. Our team has worked both sides of the booth table as exhibitors and attendees and we’d like to share a few tips for new exhibitors attending the show to make the most out of the experience. Everything you do or say should serve a purpose.
Booth Design/ Preparation
- Place your company name/logo high up on the backdrop or display stand, instead of draping it over the booth table where legs will be blocking the signage.
- What are you selling? Attendees should be able to grasp what your business is all about in a glance. Have a smart slogan or a few words to describe your products. Are they vegan, organic? Say it loud and proud! (We’ll especially love you for it.)
- Place your booth number visibly either on the back drop or on the carpet immediately in front of your booth. Usually the exhibit hall staff already has a number sign to mark your spot. This will make it easy for attendees to find you and for them to tell others to come to your booth.
- If you have a large booth, make it inviting for visitors to walk in and take a look around. Make use of vertical space. Hide cartons under tables for aesthetics and safety.
- For table booths, stand in the front or side of the booth instead of sitting behind the table. Smile and greet visitors.
- Have a box filled with note pad, pens, stapler, tapes (scotch, masking), extension cord, paper clips, scissors, zip ties, etc; you will use them sometime during the show. Label everything with your business card or contacts.
Demos
- Clearly label each sample or display product.
- Engage brand ambassadors to invite show attendees to try samples. Train the brand ambassadors the messages you would like to convey to the show attendees. Have them pass out the sell-sheets.
- Have smaller, pocket size samples for the attendees to bring back. Staple together with the sell-sheet & business card.
- If you’re offering food samples, a clean presentation is important. Use tooth picks, portion cups, or napkins to hand out the food.
- Have a waste bin accessible so the disposables don’t end up back on your table. Clear the bin often.