There are thousands upon thousands of trade shows that take place not only in the U.S., but throughout the world. Selecting ones that are right for your niche can be hard, especially when costs are factored into the equation. You only have so much time and money that you can spend on trade shows — which is why there can be a lot of pressure behind your final decision.
Here is a quick guide for identifying trade shows that are the right fit for your business:
Audience
Who is your ideal buyer? Your ideal investor? Are they millennials? Are they established Baby Boomers? Men or women? If you are trying to target a younger crowd, going to a trade show in a big metropolis, like New York City or San Diego, is basically guaranteed to get you in front of millennials. But, if you are targeting an older crowd with more established roots, then bigger and more conventional trade show centers (in places like Orlando) might be better suited for you.
Intent
What is your ultimate goal at a trade show? Do you want to increase leads and sales? Strengthen relationships with customers? Raise awareness for your brand? Depending on your end goal, you might want to consider different sizes of trade shows. If you just want awareness, then massive trade shows can get your name out there. But, if you want a few intimate leads, consider a smaller, more targeted and more exclusive trade show.
Event History
You will be taking a chance on a newly established trade show; although, one benefit is that you can probably negotiate a good deal with newer trade shows. For all other, more established shows, make sure to check out their history. Here are some topics to research before committing to a trade show: Did the show organizer invest a sufficient money and effort into advertising the trade show? How long have they been around? On average, how many people attend their shows? …This is all free information you can aggregate before you decide.
Budget
If you are on a tight budget, then not every trade show is going to work for you. Sometimes, you might even have to pick based on timing of the trade show. There is a discount window when trade shows first announce their dates – you might find yourself simply basing your decision on the trade show dates to ensure you align the discount window with your budget.
Yeah, there can be a lot of trade shows to choose from. Don’t feel overwhelmed. Take your time; use the guidelines above; do your research; find the trade shows that are the right fit for your business.
Good luck, and Godspeed.