Creating a Standout Trade Show Presence on a Tight Budget

7/31/2024

Heading to your next trade show soon? Want to make a good impression, but don’t have a large budget? You can still make an impact by leveraging the right displays and interactive elements. 

Consider Your Brand 

You want to make a good first impression, but you also need to ensure that you’re sticking to your brand elements. Use your logo and brand colors as much as possible and have them throughout your displays and giveaways. Always have clear messaging to ensure that you’re getting across to your visitors what’s important to your company. 

Use Portable Displays 

This is especially helpful if you’ll be doing quite a few different trade shows or events. You can easily move these from event to event without having to create new ones. Keep the displays generic enough that they can be used for a variety of spaces and themes. 

Leverage Interactive Elements 

You can use tablets, touch screens, giveaways, schwag or product samples and more to keep your visitors engaged and to attract new visitors. You can also do anything that will generate buzz around the booth like quizzes or slideshows. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but just make sure that everything is quality. If you already have any existing electronics that can be used at trade shows, then there’s no need to spend more money. You can leverage these year after year.  

Training Sessions for Staff 

Your staff act as an extension of your brand before, during and after the event. What type of training and tips do you need to provide to ensure that they are being proper ambassadors? Here’s a few things outside you should remind your staff about. 

• Stand, don’t sit. It’s great to have a seating section off to the side but when your staff is behind the table, they shouldn’t be sitting. 

• Refrain from eating. When it’s time for a break, take it away from the table. This should include not eating candy or gum when you should be talking to customers. 

• Stay off your phone. Looking up at people and making eye contact as people approach your booth are going to make people more likely to interact with you. 

• Dress the part. Employee uniforms are a great way to elevate your brand but if you don’t have branded apparel, your staff should know what they are expected to wear. 

• Be identifiable. Without a doubt, it should be pretty easy to know what company your employees work for. That means that if a badge is not provided, they should be wearing a name badge or label.  

• Smile. Check all other feelings at the door, trade show and event floors mean it’s show time. When you need to take a moment, step away from the booth. 

• Set clear expectations. Giving something away? Let them know how the winner will be notified. If they are requesting a quote, let them know when they should hear from someone and when.  

Ensure that your staff is well-trained, so they know how to engage with visitors and increase leads. Remove chairs and have higher tables so staff isn’t just sitting around and not interacting with trade show attendees. 

Signs Now Can Help 

If you need help with creating signs, displays, banners, promotional products or any other trade show needs, contact Signs Now. We can help turn your visual needs into reality. Signs Now is dedicated to creating quality items that fit your brand and increase your awareness and sales. 

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