10 Valuable Tips when Exhibiting at a Trade Show or Expo

Are you a business owner looking for an opportunity to showcase your products and services to potential customers? You might like to consider exhibiting at an industry related business Expo! Not only will it provide great exposure, but it can also be extremely rewarding if done right.

In this blog post, we’ll go over some valuable tips on how you can make the most of a business Expo and walk away with some positive results. So, get ready, because here’s what you need to know when considering showcasing at a business expo!

Brisbane Small Business Expo leading into Christmas

To begin with, you want to be at the right expo, attracting the right prospects. If you’re a wedding photographer, unless you are moving into corporate photography, the wedding expo’s may be better suited? For us, because we only do B2B, we only exhibit at business related expos.

A great way to draw your audience in, is to showcase your products beautifully. We include flower arrangements which instantly creates a positive environment and is visually appealing. If the venue allows, we also take along a diffuser and diffuse Young Living Essential Oils to boost our energy and to ensure we smell pretty

(Insider tip: don’t forget your extension chord).

The worst experience you can provide a visitor is to sit behind your stand head down on your phone. This is not engaging and to be honest, I don’t know why you would invest in exhibiting if you’re not putting the effort in. Sure, it’s a long day but engaging and meeting new people is a great way to build your business. Which leads me to #4.

(Insider tip: Approach with “how are you finding the expo today”)

Make sure your team are not only knowledgeable about the product/service they’re selling and can answer any questions, and they understand the expo objectives. If your business is just you, take a friend along who speaks your business language, this will also help when you need to take a break.

(Insider tip: Take a break and have your lunch away from your stand. Take this opportunity to also visit other stands – we made the best connections doing this)

Leading up to the expo, ensure you promote it. It may give your followers an opportunity to come and meet you in person or check out your products. If you are brave (I’m the first to admit, this is a weakness for me) do a Facebook, LinkedIn live recordings or TikTok during the event.

(Insider tip: Cross promote with other exhibitors; this is a great way to instantly increase your audience)

Promote your business using quality promotional products. Knowing your audience will determine the best promotional products to give away at expos. Quality promotional products will also be taken back to the office and used, ensuring maximum brand exposure. At Luxe, we use a combination of branded notebooks, branded coffee cups and include low-cost items such as branded pens and branded confectionery to hand out to the masses.

Any products left over make can great referral gifts – your quality promotional products will never going unused.

(Insider tip: check out our website for your next expo)

There are a range of ways to build your database. Having a lucky door prize and collecting business cards or ask visitors for their contact details or use QR codes to gather their details.

(Insider tip: If collecting business cards use an scanner app to scan and download the data for you)

Exhibiting at a trade show or expo is an investment (Stand, labour, giveaways, time away from your office) and you want to ensure you get your ROI. Following up is one of the biggest failures for exhibitors. The most opportune time is within a week of the expo.

(Insider tip: if you email, be sure to include a photo of your stand to rejog their memory)

What worked, what didn’t, and what you can do better. In your follow up calls and emails, ask your new customers, what they liked about your stand – (was your stand memorable?) what was your conversion rate, what were the contributor factors etc.

(Insider tip: Keep notes of your own handy tips so you can improve at your next expo)

Exhibiting at an Expo is a great way to network and build relationships with potential customers. So why wait? Start planning your Expo presence today! You won’t regret it!

(Insider tip: Pack the lollies, so you have a sugar hit when you need it)

I hope you enjoyed reading and found our blog helpful. No matter the size of your business, participating in an Expo is a great way to reach new potential customers, expand your reach, and increase sales.

If you’re thinking about participating in your first Expo, and have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ve showcased in many expos over the years and would be happy to help!

Do you have any other tips that I may have missed? Leave your comments below!