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Are you a first time exhibitor looking for the perfect event to get you started? Are you a seasoned exhibitor but have found that your return on investment (ROI) falling short? Or are you looking to expand into a new market? There are several factors to consider when trying to determine which trade show is right for you – here are our top tips to get you started:

• Establish your intent
  Before you even begin looking at what events are available, you need to define your objectives and strategy. What is it you want to accomplish by exhibiting? Do you want to increase leads or sales, raise awareness about your business, strengthen customer relationships, or launch a new product/service? Only then should you begin looking at events.
   
• Know your options
  New events are popping up every year, so it’s important that you never stop looking into which ones could be beneficial for your business. To make this easier, there are online calendars that let you search for events by industry, country, month and so on. And don’t think you’re bound only by events held in your city – why not travel for a particularly good show?
   
• Do your research
  Once you’ve got a few events in mind, do some research to learn a bit more about each of them. Look at everything, from statistics and demographics to lists of the previous year’s participants and attendee numbers. This will help you to figure out how exhibiting at the show will contribute to accomplishing your objectives.
   
• Consider the timing
  Don’t forget to look into whether the event conflicts with any other shows that you already plan on attending, as exhibiting at concurrent ones can double your expenses. It can also be a good idea to see what other shows are on in the city at the same time – even if they’re not related to your industry, they will play a role in flights, hotel rates and so on.
   
• Establish a budget
  It really doesn’t matter if the event looks perfect on paper if you can’t afford to exhibit there. On top of the cost to rent booth space and your actual booth display, ensure that you factor in show services, travel expenses, promotional material and shipping (if applicable). The costs can add up quickly, so set a budget and stick to it.
   
• Understand the audience
  An event could be the largest in your industry or attract a large amount of attendees each year, but it’s not going to mean much if the traffic doesn’t align with your target audience. Look into what percentage of attendees actually fit your customer profile and what percentage of your top prospects/current clients actually plan to attend.

Once you’ve taken each of the above factors into account, you should be able to choose the right trade show to exhibit at. The team at Displays Direct can help you to select the best components for your booth, from pull up banners and brochure stands to portable counters and media walls. Get in touch with us today to discuss your needs or to place an order.