B2B Trade Show tips for exhibitors:

At the trade show, the employees manning your booth are the ambassadors for your company. They should be the ones who are personable, knowledgeable about the company and can think on their feet.

The image of your employees in your booth will be the image of your company projected to the crowd. A sharp and professional look will always help at a trade show.

Be sure to read the trade show materials ahead of time. Know the directions to the exhibition venue and the event schedule.

Make an effort to contact with your local clients, suppliers, or anyone you do business with in the geographic area. Use social media and email to let people know that you will be there before the trade show day.

Drawing traffic is key to the success at a trade show. You have approximately four seconds to engage someone that’s walking by.

Traditional ways of marketing is still effective. A price promotion, a show discount or free gifts at your booth never fails to serve as a traffic magnet.

Think of the trade show as a networking event. Always wear a name tag and a smile.

Have a good conversation and engage your customer. This is more effective than business cards in a fishbowl.

Be ready to make 10 sales presentations in an hour at the trade show, more than what would normally be delivered in a full day of selling. Get well rested the night before and stay hydrated at the event.

The great thing about trade show is that you have a chance to talk with people you’d never get to meet anywhere else. Anticipate who you are going to meet and what the conversation is going to be like. Having a 30 second engaging ‘elevator speech’ at the ready could prove useful.

People come and go in front of your booth. One effective way to bring people back to you after they leave is to have promotional materials such as brochures available.

Connect with other exhibitors and get an idea as to what other people in your industry are doing.

B2B Trade Show Tips for Attendees:

Know what you want to accomplish from the event in advance. Maximize your time by researching the exhibitors before attending. More information about exhibitors can be found on www.b2bMaineTradeShow.com.

Have plenty of business cards available.

While you are choosing from hundreds of booths and deciding how you want to spend your time at the show, exhibitors are also searching for the people they are most eager to reach out to from the crowd. A suit and tie always help you stand out.

Make sure your professional look does not compromise your comfort, especially when it comes to footwear. Poor footwear on top of a concrete floor can lead to fatigue and discomfort.

Exhibitors may provide bags, but come prepared by bringing a large comfortable carryall for the literature, freebies and product samples.

Have a pen and notebook ready for notes and use business cards to jot down information on the back.

Though it may only be a one day event, do not hesitate to take a break after a few hours to refresh, have a snack and get some fresh air. You don’t want to walk around with tired eyes.

Other than making connections and transactions, you can also keep yourself up-to-date with changing industry trends at the trade show. Don’t be afraid to talk to people in your industry and exchange information.

Never dismiss smaller booths. Many major companies use smaller booths as a testing ground.

Some booths you are interested in might be crowded for a moment. If you decide to come back later, take note of the name of the company.

Put the business factors aside, attending a trade show can be a great educational experience. The best minds from the best companies are here to talk to you. Take advantage of the opportunity and make yourself more open-minded.