Some see attending a trade show as an opportunity for a mini vacation. Due to the excitement of getting together with other industry professionals and catching up on what has been happening, it is easy to forget the purpose of a conference or industry show. Trade show event planning before the team heads out of the office and to the show is important for a few reasons.
Here are three reasons why attending a trade show requires event planning.
Stay on Message
Before your team heads out for the next industry show, it is a good idea to ensure that everyone understands the message. Once everyone is moving around the crowds at the location, it is too easy to get caught up in the moment. There are also plenty of distractions. If you do not want to micromanage your crew, plan ahead. Ensuring everyone understands their role makes each individual accountable for their production. Whether you task one member with gathering 100 business cards and another with giving out 200 company catalogs, planning ahead keeps everyone in sync with the message.
Host a Successful Panel
If your team will be hosting a panel, you must plan ahead. Equipment, the presentation, and information materials have to be printed, tested, and run through a dress rehearsal. Plus, your team has to be confident. Whether you are trying to convert sales, or you are simply delivering information, you want your panel to be talked about in a positive light afterwards.
Accomplish Your Goals
Judging success at a trade show is not always easy. If you are heading there with inventory, then you can judge it by your sales. If you are attending for networking purposes, then you have to decide how success will be determined. Trade show event planning helps make the event successful.
