Exhibiting at a Trade Show
Exhibiting at a Trade Show
Why in the age of digital marketing and the internet do we need to exhibit at a trade show. Well one simple reason is to get more business, which let’s face it is the objective of every sales and marketing activity.
The 1-3-1 principal of a Trade Show;
- I argue there’s ONE primary Rationale for Exhibiting
- THREE Primary Reasons to exhibit
- ONE Emotional Requirement
One Rationale
I argue there’s ONE primary rationale for exhibiting at a trade show; To meet face to face with senior decision makers. In my opinion the primary rationale, or logical basis, is the belief that you will have a face to face meeting with someone who can decide whether to buy or not buy your product or service.
Perhaps better again meet someone who can have a significant influence on someone else’s decision to buy. I say belief, because in many ways a trade show is a leap of faith. Faith that many attendees are decision makers or influencers.
Three Primary Reasons to Exhibit
Although psychologist rightly argue there are many motivations to buy, there’s probably THREE core reasons to sell;
- Profit – To sell more at less cost
- Market share – To counter a natural decline in the market
- Competition – To prevent loss of customers
One Emotional Requirement
Why do people attending the best trade shows feel so good about it? Usually because the activity has changed their emotional state. The best shows and the best exhibitors can make a big difference to their attendees by making them feel good.
Making them feel good, by changing their emotional state for the better. The best example of this is probably the Web Summit, otherwise known as “Glastonbury for geeks” (© the guardian newspaper). It’s been sold as many things over the years from a networking opportunity to a trade show but it’s always been about making everyone feel good. People’s primary motive for attending the Web Summit, year after year, is because it makes them feel good. Making people feel good is an essential emotional requirement for exhibiting at a trade show.
Take Aways
So, before you organise, consider exhibiting at a trade show or decide whether to attend, ask yourself three straight forward questions;
- Will I meet the right decision makers?
- What’s my primary reason for exhibiting at a trade show?
- Can I help people feel good?
