BUSINESS EXPO 2016 PLANNING, PREPARATION, AND PRESENCE

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR? Chamber U Live Education Stations Wellness water stations Resource Square New and improved floor plan!

FLOOR PLAN!

WHAT TO EXPECT AT BUSINESS EXPO… Pop-up community theme – even more this year! Continuous traffic from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., so be ready to go by 10:30 a.m.! Social media buzz – join the conversation by using #bizexpo

BOOTH PLANNING “IF I HAD EIGHT HOURS TO CHOP DOWN A TREE, I’D SPEND SIX SHARPENING MY AXE.” -ABRAHAM LINCOLN

1. WHY ARE YOU EXHIBITING? Increase market share with existing users Introduce a new product or service Make new prospects and contacts Stay top-of-mind in the marketplace

WHEN YOU’RE PLANNING YOUR BOOTH, JUST REMEMBER…. Trade shows are not stand-alone marketing ventures. Think BIG. Make your booth part of your overall strategic marketing approach. Have a plan – before, during and after the event. Don’t let your booth be a “one-off” of your marketing dollars and efforts.

GET NOTICED! Define your message. Consider creating a theme. Infuse color and life into your space. Don’t hide behind huge displays or tables. Add interactive activities or demos. Offer “useful” giveaways or drawings. Need some inspiration for giveaways? The Chamber’s membership directory gives you lists of all of our member printers and service providers to find the perfect item for your booth.

ROLL OUT THE WELCOME MAT! Think of new ways to communicate your message. Don’t block and tackle. Have an open and friendly space. Use large graphics and images. Engage all the senses. Ask questions of your visitors.

BE MEMORABLE. Keep your message simple. Incite curiosity. Keep it unique. People are all about experiences – not a brochure and a hand-off. Create dialogue and personalize the visitor’s experience.

MAKE IT ALL ABOUT THEM. Ask questions and engage your visitors. Have visitors interact with your products and staff. Offer premiums they will find useful and reuse. Make it easy for your new prospects to reach you after the show.

PEOPLE ARE POWER. Plan enough staff to man your booth and explore. Educate and prepare them. Organize your materials. Walk them through your collateral. Define tasks. Project enthusiastic professionalism.

IF YOU TELL THEM, THEY WILL COME… E-blast your database that you’ll be at Business Expo Social media is powerful – be sure to use #bizexpo Tease your booth You have 20 exhibitor tickets – how will you distribute them?

NOW WHAT? FOLLOW-UP, METRICS, AND SUCCESS

METRICS – SET ‘EM FIRST, MEASURE ‘EM LATER Set reasonable expectations Trade shows are a branding and visibility tool, as well as a way to gain new contacts and leads. Have a way to measure business from the show (promo codes, special offers, etc.) Define objectives: New leads, sign-ups, product trials, etc. Define your targets – Business owners, sales, office managers, etc. Create tactics to make them happen: schedule meetings in your booth, have collateral/premiums that appeal to your targets

METRICS – GET THE INFO YOU’LL NEED Have a mechanism for capturing the information you want from booth visitors – surveys, business card drop, contact cards, etc. Offer an incentive to submit their information to you. Be prompt and respectful with your follow-up. Create trust by not selling or distributing their contact information.

THE ALL-IMPORTANT FOLLOW UP Capture contact information. Send “thank you” notes. Make multiple contacts. Track prospect activity.

METRICS – SOME INDICATORS OF SUCCESS Social media reach – if you were active on the show floor with your social media efforts, note the increase in followers, fans, etc. Direct traffic and organic search – an uptick in website traffic, dedicated landing page for the event, etc. New customers Return on Investment A reasonable estimate of the revenue of your trade show leads, measure the conversion rate Return on Objectives Overall impressions and brand strength Have a great success story from the show? PLEASE TELL US! We love testimonials and will share with our members.

GOOD TO KNOW… TIPS, TRICKS AND EXPO “HACKS”

TRADE SHOW SURVIVAL KIT Tape (duct and Scotch) Scissors Paper Pens Stapler Hand sanitizer Business cards Comfortable shoes Clothing with pockets Paper towels and cleaner Facial tissues Breath mints Did you order power, carpet, or anything else for your booth that isn’t included?

ANYTHING BUT THAT! Eating in your booth Talking on the phone Sleeping Having your back to guests Removing your shoes Accumulating trash or clutter Sitting down Crowding your booth with too much “stuff” Blocking entrance or traffic Looking or acting bored/disengaged

WISDOM FROM LONGTIME EXHIBITORS Get a nice breakfast the day of the show to keep up your strength. Print plenty of business cards. Take advantage of setting up the day before. Anything you don’t want to leave your table should be left at home. Promote your participation ahead of time through s and informal meetings – give away tickets, let them know your “address,” etc. Make contact with other exhibitors and get to know their business. Have reasonable expectations. Come out from behind your table and greet each person. Make sure you capture follow-up information. That’s why you’re there! Bring an extra pair of shoes. Put away your phone (unless, of course, you’re posting an #EpicExpoSelfie using #bizexpo and

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING… Be a good neighbor. Unless you are a F&B vendor, please do not bring in non-prepackaged, unsealed food and drink items. Any booth coverings must be flame retardant. Please bring the certification with you. Direct selling is prohibited on the show floor. If you have any awkward or oversized items, please give us a heads-up so we can prepare for it. If you still need to order electricity, carpet or other items, order in advance. Don’t break down your booth until 5:00 p.m.

GET IN THE BAG SPONSORSHIPS We have spaces left for Get in the Bag sponsorships Great way to get your premium item into every attendee bag – 2,000 of them! Exclusive opportunity to Business Expo exhibitors Cost: $250 Premium items due by June 1 See Jackie Fisher for your form

QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU! #bizexpo