Trade shows—they’re your time to shine. It’s not every day that you get an opportunity to so readily showcase your services or products to hundreds or even thousands of hungry consumers, so there’s nothing more important than wowing the entire exhibit hall with your brand’s cutting-edge charm.

You might be wondering, How am I supposed to manage such a massive event and bend it to my own will? Fear not. Trade shows aren’t so difficult to tame and use to your advantage—you just have to know how to make the most of them.

1. Start at the beginning

Don’t get so involved in the excitement of strategizing for your trade show premier that you forget about the most important decision of all. Take a step back. All the way back. That’s right, start at the beginning.

Thoughtfully choose which trade shows and conferences you’re going to attend. The sheer number of them can be overwhelming, and some shows are going to bring more benefit to your business than others. Research, reach out to conference organizers with questions and concerns (and to introduce yourself, because having friendly staff connections both before and during the event can never hurt), and create a financial plan.

Registration fees, travel fees, and lodging fees should all play a role in helping you to decide which shows to attend. If the exposure you’ll receive and the connections you’ll make won’t be enough to outweigh attendance costs, reconsider.

2. Registered? Great! Now Prepare!

You’ve registered for a show? Nice! Now start preparing early. Yes, you heard me—your work begins long before the convention hall opens and the attendees start pouring in. Perhaps you’ve heard of the age-old adage, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” You never know who you might meet or what high-stakes investor could make an appearance at your booth, and it’s moments like these you’ll need to be thoroughly ready for.

Strategize. Practice. Get creative with your booth design. Purchase advertising materials early. There’s absolutely nothing worse than panicking days before a conference because your signage or business cards haven’t arrived.

3. Social Media Strategies are a must!

If you’re not already taking advantage of social media, now is the time to do so. Setting up social media accounts such as Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook pages will not only put you on the radar for those who are planning ahead to decide which vendors they’ll visit, but these accounts will also provide you with an additional platform to communicate with potential clients you meet at the show. Establishing a social media presence that you include on your business cards encourages engagement and is an effective way to establish your brand before you’ve even set up your booth.

Most importantly, making sure that your social media is in tip-top shape will ensure that your new contacts can “like” and follow you on the go, improving your chances that they’ll follow up with you at a later date and not just forget your business card in their pants until after they’ve gone through the wash.

4. Get Proud, loud and stand out!

Trade shows are not the time to retreat into the corner of your booth. Instead, stay standing. Get excited. Make eye contact with passers-by and smile! Make sure your sales reps are more prepared and readier than ever to strike up conversations and make connections. If this means holding special training and practice sessions to fully equip your reps with all the tools they need, the time spent will be well worth the investment.

During your preparations, encourage your reps (and yourself) to be proactive rather than reactive when engaging with the crowd. Don’t wait for people to come to you. Go to them. Walk the floor with brochures and useful merchandise like pens, sunglasses, or branded water bottles. Point interested parties in the direction of your booth, where they can speak to your colleagues.

5. There is more than just the floor

Stay as active off the floor as you are on the floor! While you won’t want to spend all of your precious convention time away from your booth, attending conference sessions and organized events throughout the show is a fantastic way to take advantage of your time.

6. Check out your neighbors

Remember, trade shows aren’t just about new clients or shaking hands with the biggest names and VIPs. Think outside the box and make the most of other interactions, too. The American Marketing Association reminds us that trade shows are the perfect place to scope out the competition.

Take some notes and learn from big names in the industry. Maximize the many opportunities to engage with new talent—believe it or not, trade shows can be a great place to hold impromptu interviews with those who have a resume ready to go. Connect with the press for a chance at a special feature. Collect feedback from existing consumers and use the opportunity to have candid discussions about how you can improve. As you can see, the opportunities for communication are endless when you think beyond a sales point of view.

7. You aren’t done when the lights turn off.

Just as trade show work began long before the conference dates, the work will ensue for a long time afterward. In fact, it’s downright dangerous to consider the show dates as standalone entities which require your engagement, because you’ll reap the real benefits after your booth is packed up and you’re back home in your pajamas (possibly fighting jet lag).

Follow through in order to maximize long-term relationships. Attend a single trade show or conference and you’ll know within only a few hours that making friends is the name of the game. You’ll talk to a ton of people, you’ll collect pockets full of business cards, and you may feel overwhelmed. Regardless, follow up with each and every prospect. Be timely, friendly, and personal. Establish a relationship with the long run in mind.

The bottom line is that the ROI from attending a trade show or any other event is entirely up to you. You’re in control of how much you spend to attend a show, and you’re in control of how you take advantage of the time and space you’ve paid for. With careful planning and a smart, energetic presence at your booth and beyond, you’ll find success. It’s all a matter of preparation and, of course, having some fun. Contact us to discuss your next project.

Las Vegas, Nevada is known for more than the casinos along its neon Strip. Not only is it home to one of our trade show exhibit warehouses, it’s also one of the most popular cities in the country for trade shows. As a city filled with resorts, fine dining and other entertainment, it’s also full of expos and conventions for exhibitors and attendees. Here are some of the top upcoming Las Vegas trade shows in 2020 in calendar order:

Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2020)

January 7 – 10, 2020 | Las Vegas Convention Center

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2020) will host over 4,500 exhibitors and 175,000 industry professionals from around the world. Produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), it’s a gathering of businesses of consumer technologies. With over 1,000 speakers, it’s an event filled with learning and innovation, as new technologies are introduced to the market. Learn more about CES 2020.

NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS 2020)

January 21 – 23, 2020 | Las Vegas Convention Center

The NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS 2020) will draw over 1,400 exhibitors and 67,000 attendees. It’s the  largest annual light construction show in the world, bringing together builders for networking, 150 education sessions, 2 show homes, and the chance to see the latest products and services in the industry. Learn more about IBS 2020.

World of Concrete 2020

February 3 – 7, 2020 | Las Vegas Convention Center

The World of Concrete 2020 show will boast over 1,500 exhibitors and 60,000 attendees. It is the commercial construction industry’s first and largest annual international event for concrete and masonry professionals from around the world. The event is filled with distributors of equipment, tools, products and services for the commercial construction, concrete and masonry industries. Learn more about World of Concrete 2020.

MAGIC 2020

February 5 – 7, 2020 | Mandalay Bay Convention Center

MAGIC 2020 will gather over 5,000 exhibitors and 85,000 attendees to shop at the United States’ most comprehensive fashion marketplace. With an emphasis on showcasing new brands and trends alongside established industry players (plus services like retail concierge and matchmaking programs!) this convention helps propel the brands of fashion forward. Learn more about MAGIC 2020.

ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020

March 10 – 14, 2020 | Las Vegas Convention Center

ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020 will bring over 2,800 exhibitors and 129,000 attendees together. As the North America’s largest construction trade show, it’s an event that connects every part of the construction sector, representing asphalt, aggregates, concrete, earthmoving, lifting, mining, and utilities. The show brings together contractors, dealers, distributors, service providers, engineers and producers. Learn more about ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020.

ISC West 2020

March 17 – 20, 2020 | Sands Expo Convention Center

The International Security Conference & Exposition (known as ISC West) features over 1,000 exhibitors and over 30,000 attendees of security professionals. It is the largest converged security industry trade show in the U.S., encompassing everything from access control, biometrics and public security to drones and robotics. Learn more about ISC West 2020.

ASD Market Week 2020

March 22 – 25, 2020 | Las Vegas Convention Center

The 2020 ASD Market Week will connect over 2,700 exhibitor with 45,000 attendees. It’s the most comprehensive trade show for consumer merchandise in the U.S., bringing together the world’s widest variety of retail merchandise into a wholesale shopping experience. Learn more about ASD Market Week 2020.

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB Show 2020)

April 18 – 22, 2020 | Las Vegas Convention Center

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB Show 2020) will attract over 1,600 exhibitors and 103,000 attendees. It’s the world’s largest convention in its sector, bringing together media, entertainment and technology as industry leaders meet, gain knowledge, experience cutting-edge training, and discuss the latest digital innovations in storytelling. Learn more about NAB Show 2020.

National Hardware Show (NHS 2020)

May 5 – 7, 2020 | Las Vegas Convention Center

The National Hardware Show (NHS 2020) will assemble over 2,800 exhibitors and over 20,000 attendees for its 75th anniversary show. With 15 product categories and over 100 inventors, it’s a great place for trading, face-to-face sourcing, and learning about the newest products on the market. Learn more about NHS 2020.

JCK 2020

June 2 – 5, 2020 | Sands Expo Convention Center

JCK 2020 will see over 2,300 exhibitors and over 30,000 attendees come together for leading jewelry event in North America, which is open to all jewelry professionals. As an event that brings together individual jewelry retailers and large retail stores with the latest domestic and international jewelry designers, it’s a premier way to discover what’s new in the fine jewelry market. Learn more about JCK 2020.

Cosmoprof North America (CPNA 2020)

June 2 – 5, 2020 | Mandalay Bay Convention Center

Cosmoprof North America (CPNA 2020) draws over 1,400 exhibitors and over 40,000 attendees. It’s considered the leading business-to-business (B2B) beauty trade show and allows beauty industry leaders to network and discover unique brand launches, product innovations, new channels for distribution, packaging, and manufacturing. Learn more about CPNA 2020.

Commercial UAV Expo 2020

September 15 – 17, 2020‎ | Paris Las Vegas

The 2020 Commercial UAV Expo Americas will bring in over 200 exhibitors and 3,100 attendees. It’s a leading conference and expo for the commercial drone market. It’s a conference for anyone who wants to keep up with UAS technology, trends and developments, with plenty of networking and learning opportunities. Learn more about the Commercial UAV Expo Americas.

IMEX America 2020

September 15 – 17, 2020‎ | Sands Expo Convention Center

IMEX America 2020 will host over 3,000 exhibitors and over 4,200 attendees from every sector of the global meetings industry. With 180-plus educational events, this conference is a place for US domestic suppliers, global tourist offices, hotels and resorts, conference centers, cruise lines, airlines, and more to meet, learn and network. Learn more about IMEX America 2020.

Global Gaming Expo (G2E 2020)

October 5 – 8, 2020‎ | Sands Expo Convention Center

Global Gaming Expo (G2E 2020) presented by the American Gaming Association will host around 400 exhibitors and over 30,000 attendees. It’s the largest gathering of global, commercial and tribal gaming professionals in North America, offering everything businesses need for the casino floor and across their entire operation. Learn more about G2E 2020.

SupplySide West 2020

October 27 – 30, 2020 | Mandalay Bay Convention Center

SupplySide West 2020 will attract over 1,300 exhibitors and over 18,000 attendees comprised of healthy and nutrition industry professionals. It’s all about the science and strategy around the development of finished products that drive the global business economy, with exhibits of dietary supplements, food, beverages, personal care, and sports nutrition. Learn more about SupplySide West 2020.

Specialty Equipment Market Association (The 2020 SEMA Show)

November 3 – 6, 2020 | Mandalay Bay Convention Center

The 2020 SEMA Show will host over 2,400 exhibitors and over 70,000 attendees. It’s a trade-only event known as the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, and includes a new product showcase that features nearly 3,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components. It brings together industry leaders to network and attend educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, and exhibits. Learn more about the 2020 SEMA Show.

Using iPads as low-cost, yet elegant, kiosks at trade show events has become incredibly popular. And no wonder. They look great, can display a number of different types of media and add an interactive touch that enriches the overall experience of your exhibit.

But, if you want to put a real marketing tool in the hands of your booth staff – what are some of the most common, best practices for creating engaging, branded experiences for iPads?

Here are some tips for creating iPad presentations that will get your sales team pumped and engage your prospects on show day!

What Are the Best Options for Creating iPad Presentations?

Two of the best options for creating iPad presentations, which can be used on the trade show floor, are Apple’s very excellent Keynote and creating an iPad formatted “mini-site”.

Keynote is Apple’s answer to Microsoft PowerPoint but possibly with a bit more flare. Keynote readily handles graphics, photos, and media such as video and audio. And like PowerPoint, Keynote is probably best used for linear presentations that follow a natural timeline, process, or complete presentation.

The alternative is to create an iPad-optimized, mini-website. This option lends itself the greatest amount of flexibility, as a true interactive interface can be created – which is only limited by your web designer/developer’s talent, knowledge & creativity.

4 Steps to Creating Mini-Sites for iPads

Just like creating your corporate website, developing a mini-site for your trade show event takes careful planning and a complete development process – but can be well worth the effort!

The typical steps in the process of developing a mini-site for ipads includes:

1. Discovery

This is the phase in which all of the brainstorming and planning for your presentation takes place.

• Who is the target audience?
• What information must be included?
• Identify the goals for the presentation?
• Discuss logistics and technologies involved.

2. Creative

The fun part of the process! Taking information gathered during discovery and planning, the creative phase is all about design and functionality.

• Develop and refine comps of how the interface will look and be used
• Create text, multimedia, imagery and other content for the presentation
• Integrate your company’s branding into the presentation

3. Development

Once a look and feel has been developed for the mini-site, your web team or developer will apply the design and content to an actual, functional website (specifically formatted to address your tablet’s screen resolution).

• Integrate a content management system such as WordPress or Drupal if one will be used
• Setup a hosting location for the mini-site
• Develop the actual code, which powers the presentation

4. Testing (Testing & More Testing)

There is nothing worse than showing up the day of the show to find that the presentation doesn’t work as expected! Testing is possibly the most critical step in the development of your presentation.

• Test on THE devices which will be used at the show (all of them)
• Troubleshoot any anomalies
• Test again and repeat until you’re certain it works as intended

Jump In – The Digital Waters Are Warm

Having a digital presentation of your services and products in the hands of each of your exhibit staff can be invaluable. We’ve seen the results for ourselves.

So, whichever direction you choose for your iPad presentation, take the time and do your research. Speak with someone who has gone down the path. Or enlist the help of trusted professionals.

Once you go down the path, you may never look back again! We haven’t.