What’s Your Trade Show Plan?

It’s exciting to prepare for the trade show season.

Even if you plan to buy from favorite manufacturers and distributors who won’t exhibit at the shows you attend, you’ll still see great ideas, displays, and products to consider buying in the future. This is very important to keep your designs and marketing approach current and effective.

Here’s a list of things to look for before and during your visit.

1. Review the pre-show directory that arrives by mail. See which seminars and demonstrations are a good time investment, and highlight exhibitors that are a “must see” on your list.

I’m conducting gift basket, Web site, and marketing seminars in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Orlando, and Miami, which you’ll find listed on the Gift Basket Class site.

2. Some exhibitors schedule impromptu demos at their booth rather than on the seminar stage. Packaging and ribbon manufacturers are very adept at this. Go to their booths to see if a demo roster sheet of days and times is available.

You’ll see ribbon-making ideas, such as the one in this video, and packaging options, similar to what’s shown on the Retail Wraps site.

3. Request catalogs by mail rather than weigh yourself down with needless paper. It slows your productivity due to a sore back, arms, and legs.

Most trade shows prohibit wheeled carts, so do your body a favor: bring plenty of business cards with the correct address for catalog mailings. This will also guarantee that you continue to receive new issues when ready.

This article explains how to compile your catalogs for easy access.

Not able to attend your favorite trade show? Here’s what do to when travel is not an option.