Attending a trade show as an exhibitor

[Deleted User]

Run a small (i.e. wife and I) high end beauty business. Business is starting to pick up after a quiet start but we're still not in profit.

Anyway, been invited to a trade show as an exhibitor. Its £129+vat which doesnt sound too bad.

Has anyone ever been to one of these? Did you get extra business?

Also, they give me a 3ft table and electricity. What would I need? A table banner, some leaflets and stuff to give away for free I guess? Any ideas for cheap branded stuff to give away?

krustylicious

Shame for that price they won't give anything bigger because i would have said take your equipment and do some in-venue cutting ...(dependent on show rules).

Kurtis_Blue

It seems your business id b2c not b2b, is that correct? if so are any of your customers actually going to be at a trade show?

flo123_2

I've done a few shows so here are my tips:

• make sure you have up to date literature with email/website and full contact info. You will get most of your business after the event.
• get good banners. It looks professional.
• use it as an opportunity to network with the other businesses there...keep an open mind.
• bring a large bottle of water...you'll be doing lots of talking.
• if it is a show to the public give them a reason to visit your stand...competition, something free, demo.
• Can you make your stand interactive? Do free treatments, ask suppliers for give aways?
• can't think of any more but I am sure someone will be along to chip in!

Horace

Having done shows as an exhibitor that are open to the public then I would say not..I have never received a customer from exhibiting..there are better ways of getting trade than chucking money at a stand that may or more likely may not bring you any custom especially if you are not turning a profit. Visit the show as a visitor first and chat to stall holders and get their opinion before you commit to exhibiting next year.

[Deleted User]

krustylicious wrote: »

Shame for that price they won't give anything bigger because i would have said take your equipment and do some in-venue cutting ...(dependent on show rules).

Its actually aesthetic muscle relaxing injections etc we do. Probably not very professional to do on the spot !

[Deleted User]

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

It seems your business id b2c not b2b, is that correct? if so are any of your customers actually going to be at a trade show?

Well, a lot of our business comes from tie-ins with beauty salons where they get us customers and we give them commission.

Kurtis_Blue

[quote=[Deleted User];31214085]Well, a lot of our business comes from tie-ins with beauty salons where they get us customers and we give them commission.[/QUOTE]

Then I would suggest (imho) your time is best spent personally building on those local relationships you already have and adding to them, £200 ish for a stand is not a great deal but add a print run of leaflets, new outfit dressing the stand and more importantly your time it could be expensive.

Spend it on small quality Easter eggs for your current contacts and spend the time offering free trials to potential contacts.

I really haven't met many people that have gained a lot from trade shows unless your service is really ground breaking or innovative, but well worth visiting to gauge the competition, keep up with trends and borrow ideas.

(from experience but all very much imho)

Edit ( just saw what you offer have you displayed at the local gyms? my David Lloyd always seems to have a weekend display along these lines and people are always interested)

krustylicious

[quote=[Deleted User];31214065]Its actually aesthetic muscle relaxing injections etc we do. Probably not very professional to do on the spot ![/QUOTE]

Yes probably not... Do as flo123 has said, and make sure if your website can cope with large amount of hits.

I would consider if my business could afford to do a sepcial offer for those who attend. For instance mine would be money off vouchers for my webdesign and hosting servers - so ie - £50 and £5 respectively . yours would be different ...

ie - don't just do another stall - make your existing customer want to see what u can offer....

Savvy_Sue

[quote=[Deleted User];discussion/2361627]Anyway, been invited to a trade show as an exhibitor. Its £129+vat which doesnt sound too bad.[/QUOTE]But how does it sound by the time you add on the costs of travelling there, parking, and spending a whole day there not doing anything else? Plus the costs of the other stuff you mentioned.