How to Be a Good Trade Show Manager
A good trade show manager is employed by the trade show itself to get trade show booths booked by working with each potential exhibitor and the exhibitor's own trade show manager. The event's trade show manager is also responsible for attracting a crowd. An exhibitor relies on the event's trade show manager to book the right booth and plan the efficient set up and transport of exhibition materials. She manages floor staff and anticipates problems to improve the trade show performance for all exhibitors. She must meet deadlines of exhibitors and trade show events to satisfy the expectation of the exhibitors and the crowd.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Identify what you and your team intend to achieve for the trade show in terms of the number of booths to be booked. Discuss with your exhibitors their sales goals, and suggest approaches to reach their target numbers, such as attractive booth ideas, accessories and promotional products. Work with the exhibitors' staff or representatives to ensure that he understands the procedure for filling out forms for equipment, phone lines and power.
-
2
Create an upbeat, high-energy environment for your trade show crowd. Manage time lines for events. Attract visitors to the trade show with brochures, drawings and various events. In promotional material, feature professional guest speakers who will be in attendance, reviews of the show, the quality of exhibitors and other information to benefit visitors. Highlight your track record by showing the number of attendees from previous years.
-
-
3
Avoid potential trade show disasters by ensuring that you have a team of professionals who are experts in the trade show theme and who not only have knowledge of the type of products and services that will be exhibited, but who also understand the ins and outs of trade show marketing and exhibiting. Plan a list of events and allocate enough time for each event. Offer refreshments at the events and be sure security is present.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Before committing the funds for booking a booth, a potential exhibitor will look for your track record as a good trade show manager. She will look for other shows you have managed, how the trade show was marketed, guest speakers, various advertising tools and the dedicated website for the show so she can feel confident that she will receive a return on her investment. Ensure that your overall plan for the trade show is well implemented so you can attract potential exhibitors.
References
- The Trade Show Manager: About the Trade Show Manager
- International Training and Management Company: Training Solutions: Show Managers
- Creative Training Solutions: Getting Started
- Trade Show Management: Duties of Trade Show Management
- Entrepreneur: Trade show tips: get management buy-in, plan ahead and attract attention. Sponsor a seminar?
- Trade-Show-Advisor.com: Learn How to Maximize Your Trade Show Success
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
