How to Decorate for Trade Shows
Trade shows and fairs are effective marketing tools for businesses and traffic is the goal. Traffic in a trade show booth depends on curb appeal just like marketing a home, but the curb is the aisle of the trade show. Location has some impact on traffic and may not be your choice, but booths close to the front usually get more visitors. Careful decorating of the trade show booth will also affect foot traffic.
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Instructions
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Read the contract and the rules. Each trade show has different regulations for setting up a booth, and some limit the lighting, the front display, the backdrop height and interactive features in a trade show booth. Know the rules before you plan the display.
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Use extra lighting if permitted. Lighting is one of the most important features of a trade show booth, and a dark booth lacks curb appeal. According to the Trade Show Advisor, "proper booth illumination can be viewed as your most important merchandising tool." Lighting is also one of the first considerations in a trade show display, as it is important to do electrical work under the tables before merchandise is unloaded.
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Create a suitable traffic flow pattern, so visitors can get in and also see a way out. People tend to skip trade show booths that have only one entrance that is also the exit. Make sure to take all safety precautions, both for visitors and the merchandise. Toppling displays are a serious problem at trade shows, and most can be easily prevented.
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Use interactive displays. Games and puzzles, a computer set up with something for free for completing the information or a prize drawing will often attract customers. Booths with activity attract more activity. Use your website for any computer activity so the name and contact information are displayed.
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Use table covers for all tables, and add displays and decorations over the basic cover. Group similar items together, and create eye appeal with layers and risers. Risers or shelving make good use of the square footage and allow more displays is a small area.
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Leave space around each display so the visitor can see the group as a unit, and so visitors can move from one display unit to the next, or skip displays. Review free general interior decorating ideas from an educational site like Sheffield School if you are not familiar with interior design.
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Add extras. Prepare a brochure about the business and place it at the front of the trade show booth. Also have business cards and a candy dish in the booth, but not at the aisle, to encourage visitors to enter. Visitors remember trade show booths when they take something away with them, so make yours memorable.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit small trade of little wooden things image by Yury Shirokov from Fotolia.com
