Tradeshows – 10 Pre-Show Traffic Building Ideas

With the start of the fall tradeshow season now here and planning for the spring season now beginning, I thought I’d share 10 simple and cost effective pre-show traffic building ideas…

1. Print Stickers with your booth number, name and date of the tradeshow and the city it’s being held at.  Attach these stickers to all invoices, letters, envelopes and packages you send starting months before the tradeshow. (If you need stickers – we can help!)
2. Create an electronic ad that can be inserted or dropped into your electronic communications.
3. Set-up a micro website that describes your planned activities…mention the URL in all pre-show correspondence.
4. Send 1/2 of a 2 part promotional item…inviting recipients to pick up the other part at the booth. (If you need promotional items…we can help!)
5. Send a letter with map of the exhibit hall…highlight your booth number and location.
6. Advertise in pre-show publications.
7. Produce a show appointment book as a premium.  Arrange meetings with key customers and prospects…send them the appointment book with your appointment highlighted and hand written.
8. Offer a time-limited incentive to create urgency…the first 30 people to stop by the booth receive a special prize.
9. Use testimonials from last year’s attendees.
10. Stress the benefits of your of visiting your booth – Are you offering a show special?  Launching a new product?  Give them a reason to act.

It’s one thing to exhibit at a tradeshow…it’s another to have an effective strategy and plan to maximize your exhibiting at a tradeshow.  These small ideas can help you maximize your tradeshow experience.