Need advise on how to get most out of attending a tradeshow

toppdogg

Hi, everyone,
 
We are going to attend an industry conference and tradeshow (medical products).  The show is attended by large number of companies.  We are confident that our product is technologically superior.  But we are at severe disadvantges in terms of marketing dollars and buzz (e.g., great-looking booth and models manning the booth, expensive gifts and gimmicks, sponsorship, etc).  All we have in plenty is our passion about our product.  So to "infect" show visitors with our passion, we need to draw the visitors to our booth.  And more importantly, to have them remember us among the sea of exhibiting companies.  It is a tall order, but we want to get most bang out of our investment.  That is why we need your help and advise:
 
1. If you have experience in attending a tradeshow, please share your experience in how to attract visitors and generate leads.
 
2. In terms of booth display, do you think it is a good idea to be very different (a blue banana in a sea of yellow ones so to speak)?
 
3. In terms of display and signage for the bottom, do you think that being simple is better and more memorable?
 
4. Any other ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
 
Thank you for your help!

DaleKing

Hello Toppdogg:
 
I`m not a tradeshow expert, but I happen know the best tradeshow expert in the business. Her name is Susan A. Friedmann, and she`s appropiately known as The Tradeshow Coach. You can read her articles about tradeshows here: http://xrl.us/bkeu5
 
Dale King
DKing5/11/2008 4:36 PM

toppdogg

Thanks, Dale, for the info.  We`ll check it out.

DaleKing

Thanks, Dale, for the info.  We`ll check it out.

 
 
 
You`re quite welcome, Toppdogg!
 
Dale King

toppdogg

Thank you, Kamachi, for great suggestions.  The tagline one is an excellent idea.
 
Oh, no, we do not have the money to hire the models . . .

Lynn59

I don`t know if any of you have had trouble with the link http://xrl.us/bkeu5 but as soon as I clicked on it, four viruses hit my computer. Fortunately, my McAfee protection stopped and destroyed them.   - Lynn  

toppdogg

Thank you, Jill, for the suggestions.  And good luck with you!

RCTOYS

I`ve written a lot about tradeshows on my blog http://toyinventor.blogspot.com/   it will help give you some pointers...
 
Gwen
 

toppdogg

That is lots of practical and great info about tradeshows.  It helps a lot.
 
Thank you, Gwen.
 
Toppdogg

TomBOG

Toppdogg,
   We found it very helpful to attend a seminar on the subject. Skyline Exhibits out of Pittsburgh puts on seminars at various hotels in the surrounding area. The seminars are free of charge and include a wealth of information. Skyline also puts out a wealth of information through newsletters, etc. Now of course, they`re selling tradeshow displays, but there`s no obligation.
Here`s a link to their list: http://www.skyline.com/skyline.asp?cmd= ... 0-to%20200
 
Good luck! Oh and also, in the booth, no sitting, eating, talking on a cell phone, checking email, etc. Anything that makes you look anything less than professional can be a detriment.

toppdogg

Thanks, Tom, for the info.
 
Toppdogg

DCCSCS

This is great information.  My company will be setting up a little booth in the lobby of our high-rise.  Any ideas on how to attract the tenants of the building to our booth in a busy lobby?  We are a brand new fitness training studio and chiropractic office.
Here`s what we havea tablea banner with our logo and information about our servicesa couple of pamphlets2 guys who know a lot about our company and are very interested in it succeeding (aka the owners)
Much of the trade show info is quite applicable. Any more help is much appreciated.

GetAGrip

A good video is often enough to draw people in.  Film your fitness programs or a Dr. at work, people like to know what they will be getting into....Trent

BizWarrior

Toppdogg,
I have some advice for you, but I don`t want to write a 15 page synopsis here. Please email me privately at brentallan (at) gmail (dot) com.BizWarrior5/29/2008 1:54 AM

DCCSCS

Once we get one person to "volunteer" and give it a try, we typically have a line.  Most of the stuff that we will be doing will be short demos to help people understand where their fitness is and where it should be, or quick things to relieve some of the pain people are experiencing.  We also plan on doing some sort of give away (i.e. free training sessions or something).  Any other ideas?  Would it behoove us to have some plants or models in the crowd?
Thanks

nevadascul

Some companies take out short adds in trade magazines aimed at their target buyer.  The ad announces the time of the trade show and booth number.