5 Following on from the Christmas break, many businesses start their New Year feeling refreshed and ready to brainstorm ways to make the next year even better than the previous one. As well as discussing sales strategies and new product development, marketing is an area that many look to when thinking of ways to revitalise their business, with trade shows and conferences forming a key part of this.  When done right, they are a valuable opportunity for meeting new clients and showing them why your company is perfect for them, yet if they are done wrong they can be a waste of time and money for your business. Here are three simple ways to step-up your trade show strategy in 2017, to ensure you get it right every time.

Quality, not quantity

Trade shows can accumulate costs with things such as travel, accommodation, marketing materials and even booking an exhibition stand taking up a large chunk of any business budget. To help your money go further, pick and choose the conferences and trade shows you attend based on the factors that are important to you, rather than feeling like you must be at every show that is slightly relevant to your sector.

Assess the trade shows against criteria such as the delegates who will be there, the type of event it is and the specific, niche market it is in, comparing the outcome against your wider business goals. Only attend those that will get you one step further towards your goal to bring greater ROI for your company.

Re-assess your exhibition stand

Once you’ve decided which exhibitions to attend, the rest of the planning can often be left until the last minute. Book your booth early to get the best prices and location, and don’t underestimate the power in proper preparation. You only have a matter of moments to impress delegates at a trade show, so place importance on producing a consistent exhibition stand that portrays your message and brand perfectly, making it an engaging space to invite conversation. At Printdesigns we can help you to make the most of your space – browse our range of banner stands and other display stand solutions, or get in touch to learn more!

Follow up your leads

Even if you build a great exhibition stand that successfully attracts attention, these new leads are worthless to your business if they aren’t followed up effectively. If you’re not sure how, read our blog post for tips on how to approach your leads after an exhibition!