by Jim Cermak
Question: What to do if you have a bad booth location?
For anyone who has exhibited at trade shows, expos, conferences, or events, you probably have been stuck with a bad booth location at some point. So what do you do? Don’t just give up and take what attendance happens to come your way. Take control! Here are many tips and ideas for making the best of the situation!
First – do your best to avoid it! Work with the show if you need guidance on traffic flow, what booths are around you, etc. They will help you pick the best booth available.
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Start by talking about things you can do before the show…
Be more out there with your pre-show marketing. More social media, more email blasts, and direct mail to your customer and prospect list.
Look into the pre-show marketing that the show is offering.
Email blasts, advertising, get the pre-show registration list, and send out postcards or bubble mailers.
Get involved in sponsorship/marketing with the show that drives people to your booth – Bingo card, scavenger hunt, in-room marketing
Include marketing pieces into the show bags that drive people to your booth! Be blunt and bold!
Here are some ideas for things you can do at the booth:
Engage the senses! Add elements of sound or lights Spinning prize wheel or even music if it fits your theme
Have food! Barista, popcorn, fresh baked cookies, cotton candy
Run seminars at your booth – if you have enough room to set up some chairs
Bring on a magician – check out episodes with Scott Tokar – Episode 25 and Episode 91
Run a special promo or giveaway
Double back promo to get people to your booth a second time
Be more aggressive in engaging – have that question ready!
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Outside the booth. When traffic slows or even at the beginning if it’s a really big show.
o Make
special T-Shirts
o Hand out
postcards in the show directing people to your booth – and have a giveaway,
game or promo to entice
o Walk the
show. If you have a good question,
doesn’t matter where you are!
About the author, Jim Jim Cermak has over 25 years of marketing, consulting, and training experience, and has planned and worked hundreds of Trade Shows. He gets a little overly excited about Trade Shows, and puts that passion into helping companies get better results!