Trade Show InsightsNews, tips & tools to expand your knowledge of exhibiting

The Exhibit Marketers Café is sponsoring a free teleclass to help exhibit managers develop an effective strategy for their upcoming trade shows.

“GPS Your 2013 Exhibit Marketing” is scheduled for 1 PM CST on Wednesday, January 16. Attendees will learn systems and tips for:

• Setting goals and selecting shows that align with them
• Projecting a budget that maximizes ROI
• Evaluating booth display options and selecting the appropriate vendors
• Selecting, educating, rewarding and inspiring booth staff
• Teaming up with show management to increase visibility

It’s a simple formula, really. If attendees are happy they’ll come back and spend more time on the show floor, which makes exhibitors happy. When exhibitors are happy, they rebook for next year’s show and make show organizers happy. When organizers are happy, they continue to come back to the same city and venue that has been proven to be a success.

Prefer to listen to this article? Just click on the play button at the bottom of this entry!

Photo: stockXchng/cobrasoft

Earlier this month, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released their report, “How the Exhibit Dollar is Spent.” This in-depth analysis of more than 200 exhibit budgets indicates that of the $24 billion spent on trade show marketing, the largest expense is space rental (36 percent), followed by show services (including electrical, furnishings, union labor, etc. – 17 percent). Combine that with exhibit design (11 percent), and you’ve eaten up more than 60 percent of the budget!

Interview with Marlys Arnold, ImageSpecialist from Bill Sell on Vimeo. The discussion includes tips for media relations, booth staff behavior, partnering with show management, sustainability and more.

In honor of the first full day of summer in the U.S., here’s a tongue-in-cheek look at a summer tradition — lemonade stands — and how it relates to exhibiting. Enjoy!

Top 10 Signs Your Child is Destined to Join the Exhibit Industry

10.  Designs their lemonade stand for better traffic flow

9.  Creates pre-show mailers with a special offer for lemonade purchasers

8.  Sends out press kits and assigns a media liaison

7.  Offers novelty straws as a promotional giveaway

6.  Uses lead cards to compile a targeted list for next year’s lemonade stand