Prepping for the trade show season

If you’re in marketing communications (or responsible for it), now is the time to start preparing for upcoming trade shows. The season is right around the cover and regardless of the booth size, planning ensures success. Here are some ways you can make your next tradeshow is worthwhile and successful.

• Prioritize the products and services you will be featuring at each show.
• Find out which products will be on display and if its size or power requirements need to be addressed
• Send an email to your product managers asking for any new product and application photos needed for the show
• Develop your booth introductory pitch and make sure booth staffers know it
• Agree on a brand pitch or elevator pitch emphasizing your unique offering and the main reasons for being in business
• Develop all information into your press kit.
• Give attendees and editors collateral options. You should have hard and electronic copies available depending upon what they want to take with them.
• Make sure if you use QR codes on the booth or literature, that the link goes to a show-specific landing page with a enticing Call-To-Action (CTA)
• Leverage social media before, during and after the show. During the show, you can also send out call-to-action feeds. You can also follow-up via social media too. Send reminders or nice-meeting-you messages through Twitter
• Develop follow-ups & next steps strategy. Follow-ups should be concise and have a purpose and be sure to provide a recap of the conversation to keep your discussions moving.