An exhibition or a trade show can be excellent for networking, meeting potential clients, exchanging ideas and displaying services and products. While it’s a great way of meeting new people, it could get a bit overwhelming to organize the actual exhibition. You need a good team, a great idea, lots of energy and space for flexibility when it comes to changes in the last minute. Exhibitions are a platform for new and small business to find the right leads for their products or services. It is great for all types of businesses, and there’s a lot of scope for visibility. For example, if there’s a business selling gym equipment and a gym owner who is planning to start his business walks into the exhibition, it’s a win-win for both the parties. An exhibition doesn’t need to be boring and can be made as creative as possible. For example, if you are organizing an exhibition with stalls and booths, you need to advise your stall owners to display bright signs, eye-catchy posters and attract the attention of the people walking into the event. You could also arrange for giveaways, gifts, arrange for samples and even announce a lucky draw for fun. There are quite a few easy and useful tips that you can consider before organizing an exhibition or a trade show. Also, check acrylic sign holders.
Table of Contents
1. Planning & Preparation
When it comes to an event, you have to address the elephant in the room, i.e. the actual planning. In order to make your exhibition a successful event, you need to plan in advance. You have to take care of the minute details and might see yourself stretching over your capacity. But, you could overcome the challenge by making a list of all the things that you would require to set up an exhibition. For example, stall materials, standing banners for display, advertising your exhibition space to the potential clients and looking for a location. Planning is the base of your success, and you have a long way to go. The earlier you book an exhibition space, the cheaper it will be. Make a floor plan, chart out the details including the entry, exit, stall areas, sitting areas, toilets etc. You need to take care of everything.
2. Finalize your Budget
Before you make any progress into organizing your exhibition, you need to figure out the budget. First, you need to plan and figure out the actual amount of money that you will end up spending. It’s necessary to have a budget in place because you will first have to finalize a location and you need to know what your capacity is. For example, if you waste weeks into searching for a perfect location without charting out a budget, they could be a waste if the charges are out of budget. If not a detailed budget, at least work out an approximate figure, to begin with. You need to have details of the budget eventually as you will also have to figure out how much you will charge to your clients. Also, you need money to arrange the materials and other things required for your exhibition and having a budget in place will be extremely helpful for you.
3. Choose a Location
You need to find a location that is easier for businesses and visitors to reach without any hassle. For example, if all of your clients are from a particular city, try to organize the event in that city. But, also make sure you will have a decent footfall at the event. Also, take care of the whereabouts of the location, if it is easily accessible and whether public transportation is permitted into the location. This makes quite a difference to the number of visitors as not everyone will have their private vehicle. Also, you need to check for security in the neighbouring area and whether or not it’s safe to travel in the dark if your event is in the evening. It is also recommended that you choose a location closer to a Metro or a Train station and there is a taxi service available at the exit point of your event.
4. Marketing your Exhibition
When you have bought the space and have started planning for the event, you now need to advertise your space to your potential clients. The easiest and a cheap way of marketing your exhibition is through social media. You can create an account and spread the word using efficient social media tools and platforms. Another way is to send out a press release through various media websites and newspapers. Reaching the right audience should be your sole objective. You must mention your contact details in bold so that it catches the attention of your potential clients. You may also target small and new business owners independently by sending them an invite to the exhibition.
