8 Tips for a Successful Exhibition in India

Exhibitions and expos are growing in popularity as more and more businesses experience the advantages of participation. An exhibition is an ideal platform to promote products and services. It gives manufacturers/suppliers an opportunity to engage with clients and prospects face-to-face. It’s an arena to build brand and develop customer base. It works as a test market for new innovations, and as a forum for networking and studying the market. 

8 Tips for a Successful Exhibition in India

Exhibitions and trade shows is a fast-growing industry worldwide, with Germany leading with two-thirds of the global market share. In India, there are over 700 major trade shows being organised every year, generating business of Rs.65,000 Cr.

Through the year, in cities and towns across the country, there are trade shows and industry expos being held. However, participation in a trade show can be expensive. So if you want results, and good return on investment from your exhibition in India, we have some tips to help you pave the way to success.

Tip 1: Select the relevant trade show

There are different trade shows for different industries. Pick the appropriate one for your business. Research the show, check how reputed it is, which companies participated and how many visitors attended in the previous year, analyse whether your TG will be attracted or not, etc. This background study will help you decide if a particular exhibition is right for your company.

Tip 2: Appoint a creative exhibition stand designer

The look and design of your stall is critical to attract eyeballs and footfalls. Your competitors will be at the show too, so your exhibition stall design should stand out in the crowd. Plan the layout in a way that facilitates circulation of booth traffic; ensure the trade fair booth design represents your brand appropriately; use creative gimmicks, interesting colours, materials and lighting to attract attention. Hire an experienced expo stand design agency that will create and execute a bespoke exhibition stand that enhances brand value and draws more visitors – in the city or cities required.

Tip 3: Keep collateral ready and handy

Plan all the marketing collateral you need for the show. Business cards, brochures, promotional leaflets, branded giveaways, etc. should all be designed and printed in sufficient quantity for the show. If your product and trade show TG warrant vernacular communication, have your leaflets translated and printed in the relevant language to improve reach.

Tip 4: Make bookings in time

Whether it is registration and stall booking or travel plans to the city of the trade show, it makes sense to do it early. The best spots, the closest hotels, air or train tickets – all such bookings should be made in advance for best results and maximum savings.

Tip 5: Appoint & train staff

A trade show is the most interactive marketing tool. It’s a platform to meet and communicate with potential and existing customers face to face. So naturally, your stall staff should be the best. Cordial and hospitable, knowledgeable and convincing – your staff should be well trained for the trade show. They must be fully aware of the company’s exhibition strategy, the products on display. Train them in advance; practice typical questions and answers with them. Explain dos and don’ts. They should be able to obtain information that facilitates lead generation and follow-up.

 Tip 6: Gather & annotate leads

Gathering leads is one of the main objectives of a trade show booth, so make sure you gather as many as you can. When interacting or handing out leaflets or gifts, get the visitor’s business card. Based on your reading of the visitor, make notes on the card or a separate diary, about special points you may have discussed, any follow-up plan you may think of, additional information promised, etc. This will come in handy after the trade show as reference for communication.  

Tip 7: Create pre-event buzz

Trade shows are a big investment. It pays to create a buzz around your participation to draw the right people to your trade show stall. Think digital. Send emailers and messages to existing clients inviting them to the upcoming exhibition. Create ads or banners on your website and social media sites. Set up meetings with attendees at your booth, days prior to the show. Pre-event marketing can help ensure a great turnout for your exhibition stand!

Tip 8: Start early

Planning and preparation is imperative for a successful exhibition stall. Whether working with an agency to design a custom-built exhibition stand, printing marketing collateral, executing the pre-event marketing plan, preparing for the particular location – the earlier you start, the better the outcome. Even finding out more about the location of the trade show, facilities available in the area, timelines and deadlines, distances, cultural aspects, etc. – can help you be better organized so you minimize problems and errors at the show.

Whether you are using the show to unveil a new product, simply draw attention to your brand and business, or you are trying to network for business partners, vendors and new customers, keep these tips in mind, and you’re sure to achieve your goals and have a successful trade show.

How to Choose an Exhibition Stall Designer for Your Next International Event

Planning to participate in an international exhibition stall designer? Targeting the top 10 trade shows in Europe? It would be ideal if you could appoint a stall design partner in the city/country you’re exhibiting in. However, finding, assessing and negotiating with a local exhibition stand design company is not exactly a cakewalk. Language can be a problem, rates may be too high.

How to Choose an Exhibition Stall Designer for Your Next International Event

It would be so much easier with an expo stand builder who can provide service in the country of the trade show. There are many international exhibition partners but selecting the right one is crucial. Here are some simple tips to evaluate the exhibition stand design & build company before entrusting it with your next international trade show stall. 

Global service

It is absolutely crucial that your international stall designer has global reach. International shipping is difficult and expensive especially since exhibition materials can be really heavy. Find out if they have connections in the country where you plan to exhibit. If they have stall construction facilities there, great! But if not, they should at least have reliable local partners who have the facilities and experience to deliver your stall in a timely and professional way. Ask for details about these foreign vendors or partners and check their track record for quality and design.

Proven portfolio

Take the time to go through the agency’s portfolio and see how many international exhibition stall designer they have handled. Ask for references and take feedback from their clients. This will give you an idea of their capabilities and quality of service.

Check out their designs. Remember, you’re spending a lot of money and time on this international exhibition, so you want a booth design that helps you stand out. You need an agency that can deliver creative exhibition stand designs that will make an impact on the international stage, so the agency should have world-class design skills and be abreast with latest global trends in exhibition design and construction.

Printing service

You will need to carry flyers, business cards, brochures and pamphlets for the exhibition, and ideally, if you’re participating in a country where English is not the common language, your material should be translated and printed in the local language as well. This helps you connect better with the exhibition visitors and lets them know that your brand is professional and keen to do business. If the same agency can provide this related service, you benefit from single-point convenience.

Every exhibition is a platform for your brand and your marketing. In foreign countries, the stakes are much higher. You are not only competing on a global stage, you’re investing a huge amount of money, time and manpower costs. Partner with the right stall design partner to ensure your brand benefits, and you get timely, hassle-free service, and the biggest bang for your bucks.

Pre-Exhibition Marketing Methods to Ensure More Footfalls at Your Stall

Participating in a trade show is a serious business. For companies, it’s a platform to promote their brand and expertise, and usually involves a hefty investment. Rent for the exhibition booth space, the cost of creative exhibition stand design and installation, travel and accommodation expenses incurred by company staff attending the trade show, free give-aways and other expenses – they all add up to a fairly large number. So naturally, you have to get good return on investment.

Pre-Exhibition Marketing Methods to Ensure More Footfalls at Your Stall

Whether you are looking for sales leads or to create a buzz for your brand, whether yours is a custom built exhibition stand or a modular design, success depends on getting the right people and the right volume to your booth.

Plan ahead

Research has shown that about 70% of attendees usually make a list of the stands they plan to visit long before they enter the exhibition hall or convention centre. Most individuals visit trade shows with the intent of finding products, services, and solutions so they have a predefined plan for the stalls they will visit during the event. Hence, it is necessary to ensure that visiting your exhibition stall becomes a part of your target audience’s agenda. To do that, they must be notified about your participation in an event in advance so that they are persuaded to visit your stall.

Here are 4 marketing methods to increase the footfall at your exhibition stall and maximize the return on your investment.

1. Harness the reach of social media

Social media is a great way to notify your target group that you are participating in a specific trade show. Create posts for your business page on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram and promote your exhibit. You can highlight features of your stall, introduce special offers, share videos of your product and invite visitors to come see/try the product up close.

2. Design a catchy email campaign

When it comes to email, there are two groups to target. Firstly your inhouse database of regular customers, local contacts and solid prospects. Secondly, the registered attendees of the trade show. Organisers will usually give you access to this list, so you can shortlist possible prospects and reach out to them.

Though the most ideal strategy would be to send personalised mails or invites, it may not be practical. In any case, email marketing is a really effective and inexpensive way of informing visitors and attracting leads. Here, rather than generic invitations, try highlighting a fresh offer or product feature that works as a hook to rouse curiosity and build interest in your product or company. 

3. Invest in digital marketing

While promoting your event on social media is free, it can be helpful to leverage paid ads and posts to ensure the right people see your communication through targeting. You could also build an interactive microsite with simple questions, drop-down lists etc. encouraging visitors to set an appointment for meeting at your stand. It’s a great way to ensure potential visitors visit your exhibition booth.

4. Go offline too

In addition to online channels, don’t forget to use every offline opportunity as well. You could publish advertisements in industry magazines to promote your exhibit and make a case for prospects to visit your trade show booth.

There are many companies who prefer to use snail mail too, sending creative invitations and direct mailers. In our increasingly digital world, holding attractive communication in your hand has its own appeal.

Conclusion

When planning your pre-exhibition marketing strategy, it’s worth remembering that even a creative exhibition stand design can draw crowds. But high footfall doesn’t always translate into success. A well-planned and efficiently-executed pre-exhibition marketing strategy can ensure that a high percentage of visitors are from your target demographic so you generate more relevant leads.