Why Trade Shows still ROCK…

Why Trade Shows still ROCK…

With so many B2B trade shows setting attendance records in the first months of 2015 in Las Vegas there has to be a reason.  Yes, we know the economy is steadily repairing and growing but that’s just one factor.  Why do so many exhibitors & buyers attend trade shows?….….it’s because they still work.  Trade shows are single-handedly the most important part of any marketing campaign.  Expos work because people really do want to touch and feel the products.  Folks want to kick the tires as well as meet live and in person their supplier/vendors staff.  No matter how electronic we get, there is no replacing good old fashioned handshaking and networking.  The rumors of a decade ago about the decline of trade shows were greatly exaggerated and thus…. Long Live Trade Shows.

Some say we love going to conferences and expos because we are herding creatures whose ancestral DNA makes us want to be in a pack.  Maybe that’s one of the reasons.  Primarily and we can’t repeat this enough….people attend conventions because Trade Shows still have that magical formula of bringing thousands of people together from across the US and world, throwing them all in one place for a few days and yielding some eye opening impressive sales generated right from orders placed on the show floor.

If you’re still not sure if it’s worth it for your business to participate at trade shows, it’s time to learn the benefits of this type of marketing avenue. Though other forms of advertising, especially on the Internet, have certainly become more mainstream, there’s still room for trade shows in every company’s marketing plan.

Trade Shows Attendance is Rising Once Again

Displaying your products at a trade show has always been among the best ways to reach a large audience at one time. Though attendance at trade shows leveled off a few years ago, studies show that it is increasing once again. Some industry surveys report that about 49 percent of trade show attendees show up ready to buy on the spot.

If you want to increase sales by writing orders on the show floor or have the opportunity to follow up strong lead prospects then look at the staggering positive numbers that around 84 percent of attendees have buying power or can at least influence others to buy through their recommendations.

Trade Shows are an integral part of a Strategic Marketing Plan

Having a media campaign, Social Media campaign and E-blasting alone are not enough; just because there’s newer technology available does not mean trade shows are obsolete.  Ideally, the right combination of trade show exhibiting & your firms exhibiting participation in an event being touted by Internet marketing techniques is the way to generate new sales. Using sites like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to let everyone know which trade shows you’ll be at and what you’ll be displaying is an effective supplemental tool.

Although not the glamorous Hollywood type of show business, it still is show business.  Use your booth as a stage, your personnel as the performing talent and let your graphic images say 1000 words. The best trade show booth ideas feature memorable demos that can draw a crowd.

Last but not least, it’s FUN to travel, meet new people and visit with industry colleagues.  Although not quantifiable in a budget, team building and camaraderie are valuable benefits of trade show participation.  So, the next time you are packing your bags to hit the road, remember, Trade Shows still work!!!

Let us know why you think Trade Shows are so important, email mitch@lvexpo.com and share your thoughts.

Contributed by: Mitch Isaacs – Sales & Marketing Manager, General Contracting Division

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