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Are you ready to get this trade show on the road? For more useful info about making your business more successful, see our blog at jive.com/blog A TIMELINE TO PREPARE FOR TRADE SHOWS 3 MONTHS PRIOR 1 MONTH PRIOR There are a lot of trade shows out there, so make sure this is the right one for your company. The time and money investment into a trade show is significant, so make sure you’ll get a satisfactory return. Researching Depending on the intensity of your booth, you may even want to start five or six months prior. Work with your designers or your builder's designers to get your mock up just right before approval and payment. Designing the Exhibit You may need research time to browse through all of the promotional materials on websites and / or catalogs. Try to give yourself five weeks to order samples and to make final decisions on your giveaway items. Sampling Swag We’ve all heard horror stories of items not reaching their destination in time. Make sure, that even with unexpected delays, you will have all your promotional materials delivered weeks before the trade show. Ordering Swag Your trade show team often includes a whole host of individuals. You will likely be directing and coordinating with designers, marketing personnel, orders, salespeople, and even professional craftsmen to build or set up your booth. Each of these people need to understand their role and deadlines. Deciding on Message & Assembling Team Because prime real estate for booths goes quickly at trade shows, try to sign up for a trade show as early as possible. So after signing up, quickly reserve an excellent location. Signing Up Figure out the logistics for the materials, items, and people that need to be at the trade show convention center. As some trade shows may require a plane ticket and hotel reservation, it’s best to book three months in advance. Arranging Travel Budgeting Creating Banners and Handouts You should have your messaging, now put it to use. Banners and collateral are a great physical indicator of your brand, will aid to spectator’s first impression of you, and will be your best sales tool. Begin with the purpose, goals, and messaging for this trade show, and then begin setting your employees up for success with instruction and practice. This can include nonverbal communication techniques, product reviews, scripts, etc. Training Booth Workers 6 MONTHS PRIOR 8-12 MONTHS PRIOR 4 MONTHS PRIOR Get that magic number so you can begin listing and shopping for the things you will need. 6-8 MONTHS PRIOR 2 MONTHS PRIOR Copyright 2017 Jive Communications, Inc.
