tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68484729065000114112024-03-17T23:03:08.749-07:00ExhibiTALKShow Floor Tips from Marketplace EventsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-58256912587152318942015-06-26T12:29:00.000-07:002015-06-26T12:38:28.621-07:00Celebrating Marketplace Events Award Winners at #MPEPalmSpringsIn May <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a> held its annual corporate meeting in sunny Palm Springs, California. This year's meeting was jam-packed with ideas on how to become a cross-selling superstar, marketing and sponsorship best practices, and systems to improve day to day operations. We even invited some of our valued exhibitors for a candid Q&A session on how we as a company could improve future events. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd0b_UV7CqM/VY2VX8f0CMI/AAAAAAAAAn8/4QphWu--Mmc/s1600/MPEPalmSprings.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd0b_UV7CqM/VY2VX8f0CMI/AAAAAAAAAn8/4QphWu--Mmc/s200/MPEPalmSprings.jpeg" width="181" /></a></div>
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One of the highlights of our meeting was the MPE Amazing Race. A few hours of highly competitive team building as the entire company fought to complete a series of fun and quirky tasks -- like eating insects and candy. Lots and lots of candy. Scattered around the hotel (both inside and out) the race was truly on as teams did their utmost to be first at the finish line.<br />
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The entire company was also invited to conquer their fears and ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world's largest rotating tramcar. At an elevation of 8,516 feet above sea level, after a 10 minute ride up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon, a lovely dinner awaited us.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--U8JZaOiBXA/VY2lol1FjMI/AAAAAAAAAo8/TrL0lJ2B5P0/s1600/aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--U8JZaOiBXA/VY2lol1FjMI/AAAAAAAAAo8/TrL0lJ2B5P0/s1600/aerial.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3AlfPn0NKjo/VY2lZT0tMhI/AAAAAAAAAow/Ef56B_-BZQg/s1600/race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3AlfPn0NKjo/VY2lZT0tMhI/AAAAAAAAAow/Ef56B_-BZQg/s1600/race.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /> </a>During our opening night dinner, Tom Baugh, Lisa Kropf and Mark White announced the <b>2015 Marketplace Events Award Winners</b>:<br />
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<b>Tom Baugh’s "CEO Award of Appreciation"</b><br />
Stacey Charkow<br />
Marc Gary<br />
Kevin Grace<br />
Laura Groninger<br />
Dorothy Maver<br />
Cristian Moore<br />
Brooke Parks<br />
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<b>Over-the-Top Award </b><br />
Martin Egli<br />
Liz Harper<br />
Sarah Girard<br />
Cathy Berthold<br />
Terri Higgins<br />
Stephanie Wyrobek<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1va38QPKPM/VY2e1yAaFkI/AAAAAAAAAoY/XpzpYQF2ZpU/s1600/awards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1va38QPKPM/VY2e1yAaFkI/AAAAAAAAAoY/XpzpYQF2ZpU/s1600/awards.jpg" /></a>Bonnie Finer<br />
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<b>Highest Sales by an Exhibit Sales Consultant above Sales Target</b><br />
Gordon Cox, Exhibit Sales Consultant<br />
2015 Ottawa Home + Garden Show<b> </b><br />
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<b>Highest Sales by a Show Team above Sales Target </b><br />
2014 Deseret News Fall Home Show<br />
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<b>Most New Business Sold </b><br />
Laura Martin, Exhibit Sales Consultant<br />
2015 Denver Home Show<br />
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<b>Highest Local Sponsorship Dollars Sold </b><br />
Marie-Claude Blais<br />
2015 Montreal National Home Show<br />
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<b>Highest % of Profit Dollar-for-Dollar </b><br />
2015 Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show<br />
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<b>Highest Year-on-Year Growth in Contribution</b><br />
2014 AIMExpo, Cinnamon Kernes<br />
2015 Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo, Rosanna Hrabnicky<br />
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<b>Highest Year-on-Year Growth in Sales </b><br />
2014 AIMExpo, Cinnamon Kernes, Heather Higgins, Chad Douglass, Bonni Finer<br />
2015 Johnson County Home + Garden Show, Marc Gary, David Thon, Irena Rice<br />
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<b>Highest On-Site Renewals (3-5 day shows)</b><br />
2015 Holiday Boutique<br />
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<b>Highest On-Site Renewals (6+ day shows) </b><br />
2015 Great Big Home + Garden Show<br />
2015 Indianapolis Home Show<br />
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<b>Highest Increase in Attendance </b><br />
2015 Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo,<br />
Rosanna Hrabnicky, Shelly Gepfert, Shalini Mitchell<br />
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<b><span id="goog_1793117652"></span><span id="goog_1793117653"></span>Highest Exhibitor Satisfaction Rating</b><br />
2015 Jacksonville Home + Patio Show<br />
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<b>Highest Consumer Satisfaction Rating</b><br />
2015 Edmonton Home + Garden Show<br />
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<b>Congratulations to all our award winners!</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
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Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-31787708816397334792014-09-29T11:10:00.000-07:002016-02-09T06:22:51.081-08:00The How NOT to Exhibit Top 10 CountdownSuccessful exhibitors know the importance of training. They will take the time to teach their staff (and themselves) how to sell while working the booth. Always top of mind is presenting both yourself and your company in a professional way - without being too overbearing - and without being so indifferent that potential customers pass you by. In seconds, people will either be attracted to your booth or repelled by it, and you should always be aware of the image you are presenting.<br />
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<b>The "How NOT to Exhibit" Top 10 Countdown</b><br />
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10. <b>Don't cluster together in the booth.</b> This creates an intimidating "Sales Gang" which customers feel unable to approach.<br />
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9. <b>Don't spend all your time looking at your phone (magazine or newspaper).</b> LOOK UP. Making eye contact is the first step in a conversation with a customer.<br />
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8. <b>Don't hold a buffet in the booth.</b> Customers will not feel comfortable interrupting your dinner. If you're the only one working, use a "be right back" sign.<br />
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7. <b>Don't go MIA.</b> Leaving your booth unmanned means you are missing opportunities. See "be right back" sign above.<br />
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6. <b>Don't stalk attendees in the aisles.</b> Following people as they walk past your booth and dragging them back isn't the best way to capture their attention. Confidence works better than pushiness. <br />
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5. <b>Don't make assumptions based on appearances. </b>Work on future business relationships. View very customer is a future potential buyer.<br />
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4. <b>Don't focus only on one person and ignore everyone else.</b> Acknowledge all potential customers in your booth letting them know you'll help as soon as possible. <br />
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3. <b>Don't complain. </b>Remember, complaining attracts the wrong kind of attention.<br />
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2. <b>Don't Treat the show like a vacation from the office.</b> It may not be the best day to oversleep and turn up late.<br />
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1. <b>Don't party like it's 1999. </b>Spending the day yawning and sleeping in your
booth will not convert into sales. <br />
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<b>Remember the basics on what makes a great booth salesperson:</b><br />
1. Wow factor.<br />
2. Friendliness.<br />
3. Remaining aware and active.<br />
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For more tips on how to successfully exhibit in a home show review our blog post, <a href="http://www.exhibitalk.com/2013/07/10-exhibiting-tips-to-ensure-your.html" target="_blank">10 Exhibiting Tips to Ensure Your Success</a><br />
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For more information on taking part in a Marketplace Events home show visit our <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-7240376806461362772014-05-16T12:55:00.000-07:002014-05-16T13:04:43.012-07:00Celebrating Marketplace Events Award Winners at #MPEDisney!Last week <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a> held its annual corporate meeting in Orlando, Florida -- tagged #MPEDisney by the team. Everyone spent an intense three days sharing ideas, strategies and tips which will be used across all of our events moving forward. <br />
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One of the highlights of our meeting was a backstage tour of Magic Kingdom. With a focus on customer service, it was great to learn from the Disney Institute how they ensure each persons visit to the park is consistent and full of quality FUN. I'm sure many of us took away valuable lessons which may be transferred on to the planning and running of our events.<br />
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During the opening night dinner, Tom Baugh, Lisa Kropf and Mark White announced this year's Marketplace Events Award Winners:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-230RohiJ_as/U3ZhYUJ21bI/AAAAAAAAAck/UYmqRA2z8NI/s1600/mickey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-230RohiJ_as/U3ZhYUJ21bI/AAAAAAAAAck/UYmqRA2z8NI/s1600/mickey.jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a><b>"Over the Top" Award 2014</b><br />
Cinnamon Kernes<br />
Shannon Nathe<br />
Carol Graves<br />
Edoardo Morera<br />
Jill Kivett<br />
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<b>Highest Sales by a Exhibit Sales Consultant above Sales Target</b><br />
2013 Calgary Home + Design Show<br />
Casey Delflice<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fU-xg4O2KeY/U3ZkqJ_GCQI/AAAAAAAAAcw/F95R2nHt2As/s1600/cin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fU-xg4O2KeY/U3ZkqJ_GCQI/AAAAAAAAAcw/F95R2nHt2As/s1600/cin.jpg" height="176" width="200" /></a><br />
<b>Highest Sales by a Show Team above Sales Target</b><br />
2013 AIMExpo<br />
Cinnamon Kernes<br />
Matt Cavanaugh<br />
Chad Douglass<br />
Heather Higgins<br />
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<b>Most New Business Sold</b><br />
2014 Denver Home Show<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tLM8QRrg_0/U3ZlIwQ4bfI/AAAAAAAAAc4/MzHTtZ_mpgk/s1600/girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tLM8QRrg_0/U3ZlIwQ4bfI/AAAAAAAAAc4/MzHTtZ_mpgk/s1600/girl.jpg" height="189" width="200" /></a>Laura Martin<br />
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<b>Highest Local Sponsorship Dollars Sold</b><br />
2014 Great Big Home + Garden Show<br />
Rosanna Hrabnicky<br />
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<b>Highest % of Profit - Dollar for Dollar</b><br />
The Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show, 2014<br />
RaeAnn Saunders<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkWv3pEZtCg/U3Zl8mnMvqI/AAAAAAAAAdE/X3f1hmv4J7g/s1600/western.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkWv3pEZtCg/U3Zl8mnMvqI/AAAAAAAAAdE/X3f1hmv4J7g/s1600/western.jpg" height="180" width="200" /></a><b>Highest Year-on-Year Growth in Contribution</b><br />
2014 Salt Lake Home Show<br />
Brooke Peterson<br />
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<b>Highest Year-on-Year Growth in Sales</b><br />
The OKC Home + Outdoor Living Show, 2014<br />
RaeAnn Saunders<br />
Laura Keller<br />
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<b>Highest On-Site Renewals (3 - 5 Day Show)</b><br />
2014 Calgary Home + Garden Show<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CG3kNp4ni_c/U3Zm3JRNcoI/AAAAAAAAAdM/hpQ1HBAH7G4/s1600/castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CG3kNp4ni_c/U3Zm3JRNcoI/AAAAAAAAAdM/hpQ1HBAH7G4/s1600/castle.jpg" height="185" width="200" /></a>Jill Kivett<br />
Martin Egli<br />
Jessica Bowlby<br />
Casey Defelice<br />
Micheline Picot<br />
Jenn Tait<br />
Misty Russell<br />
Alison Farrell<br />
Ashley Dinh<br />
Kristy Cairns<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XyTjdwqhOM/U3ZnNEuxtAI/AAAAAAAAAdY/AON8OIbgG40/s1600/casey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XyTjdwqhOM/U3ZnNEuxtAI/AAAAAAAAAdY/AON8OIbgG40/s1600/casey.jpg" height="180" width="200" /></a><b>Highest On-Site Renewals (6+ Day Show)</b><br />
2014 Indianapolis Home Show<br />
Laura Groninger<br />
Tami Bailey<br />
Marc Gary<br />
Heather Newsom<br />
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<b>Highest Increase in Attendance</b><br />
The OKC Home + Outdoor Living Show, 2014<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyqkmzIs9a8/U3ZolTZ1nUI/AAAAAAAAAdo/jRhWHpYCkAw/s1600/ro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyqkmzIs9a8/U3ZolTZ1nUI/AAAAAAAAAdo/jRhWHpYCkAw/s1600/ro.jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a>RaeAnne Saunders<br />
Shelly Gepfert<br />
Carrie Linde<br />
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<b>Highest Single Day Attendance</b><br />
Minneapolis Home + Garden Show | Saturday, March 1, 2014 <br />
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<b>Highest Exhibitor Satisfaction Rating</b><br />
2014 Home + Remodeling Show<br />
Liz Benkovich<br />
Stephanie Wyrobek<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmM9Sbtri9M/U3ZofZytvsI/AAAAAAAAAdk/lG5-n15UVFs/s1600/arslan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmM9Sbtri9M/U3ZofZytvsI/AAAAAAAAAdk/lG5-n15UVFs/s1600/arslan.jpg" height="185" width="200" /></a>Carol Graves<br />
Cindy Czaja<br />
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<b>Highest Consumer Satisfaction Rating</b><br />
2014 Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show<br />
RaeAnn Saunders<br />
Laura Keller<br />
Heather Newsom<br />
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<b>2014 CEO Award of Appreciation </b><br />
Casey Defelice<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kOxtKcErVc/U3ZppoGs2VI/AAAAAAAAAdw/vNgWupfkIiQ/s1600/dsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kOxtKcErVc/U3ZppoGs2VI/AAAAAAAAAdw/vNgWupfkIiQ/s1600/dsm.jpg" height="183" width="200" /></a>Shelly Gepfert<br />
Arslan Ghani<br />
Rosanna Hrabnicky<br />
Shannon Nathe<br />
Heather Newsom<br />
Paul Schweitzer<br />
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<b>2014 Customer Service Leaders</b><br />
Kelly Baugh<br />
Justine Diersch<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JLVlTlLIss4/U3ZsaJSR8bI/AAAAAAAAAd8/nC54S3JBrfg/s1600/disney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JLVlTlLIss4/U3ZsaJSR8bI/AAAAAAAAAd8/nC54S3JBrfg/s1600/disney.jpg" height="184" width="200" /></a>Laura Keller<br />
Rese Pardue<br />
Seana Wall <br />
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<b>Congratulations to all our award winners!</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
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Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-47909340370346118932014-04-04T08:31:00.002-07:002014-04-04T08:31:40.179-07:00After the Show: Throughout the Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a leader in the home show industry, Marketplace Events has several new and effective strategies in place that are being developed to benefit exhibitors throughout the entire year!<br />
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By exhibiting in our show(s), businesses have the opportunity to partner with Marketplace Events on initiatives that can drive sales throughout the year. Plus, we are always willing to work with our exhibitors should they have other ideas.<br />
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Here are a few of the strategies your business can be a part of:<br />
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<b>1. Partner with Marketplace Events on scheduled communications</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Utilize the shows email database by placing banner ads in our emails</li>
<li>Include special offers timely with season(s) throughout the year</li>
<li>Utilize banner ads on the show website to deliver your company's promotional announcements, seasonal sales, etc.</li>
</ul>
<b>2. Leverage the home and garden show</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Utilize your presence/participation in the show in your communications throughout the year</li>
<li>Include "Proud Exhibitor of the [show name]" at your place of business</li>
</ul>
<b>3. Maximize the "Event Status" of the show</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Schedule product launches, new service announcements, etc. to happen during the show</li>
<li>Following the show include "As premiered at the home and garden show" in your marketing materials and website</li>
<li>Leverage the media hype/marketing/PR of the show by letting us know your plans</li>
</ul>
<b>4. Connect with us on social media</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Let Marketplace Events know your social media handles, reach out to us and we will retweet and share your posts</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-2573231128403397112014-03-28T11:39:00.001-07:002014-03-28T11:53:43.490-07:00After the Show: It's NOT Over When it's Over!It is the end of March, and the Marketplace Events spring home show season is winding down. With only one more event on the spring schedule, the <a href="http://www.centralflhomeandgardenshow.com/" target="_blank">Central Florida Home + Garden Show</a> at the Orange County Convention Center, April 4-6, 2014. <br />
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By now all of our spring home show exhibitors have taken on new projects, and the days working the show floor are just a distant memory... BUT...<br />
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<b>Remember, "it's not over when it's over." Make sure all your post show follow-up work is completed on a timely basis.</b><br />
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<b>Two Weeks After the Show:</b><br />
Information and samples should be sent to those who requested them within two weeks of the show's conclusion. According to the CEIR Center for Exhibition and Industry Research, 80% of exhibitors DO NOT follow up with show leads. In addition, a survey conducted by the University of Massachusetts Center for Marketing Communications showed only 43% of prospective buyers receive material they requested after they have already made a buying decision. Another 18% never receive the material at all. Backing up these statistics, the home show office's regularly receive post show calls from buyers trying to connect with exhibitors that did not follow up with their inquiries. We also see many emails sent through the exhibitor listing tool requesting brochures and information for a second time.<br />
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<b>One Month After the Show:</b><br />
Follow-up actions and responsibility should be assigned to specific individuals on your team. At the end of 30 days, many companies request a summary from those team members listing the status of each lead including whether it has been converted to a sale, or is still pending, and what the next steps are. This process ensures that all sales leads are handled properly.<br />
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<b>One-to-Two Months After the Show:</b><br />
Continue to monitor the progress of lead conversions. Your staff may already be working on new opportunities from other sources, and consequently, may view the show leads as already stale. However, every lead should be pursued as a potential sale!<br />
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In addition to those prospects who were "very interested" or were "ready to buy," don't forget to follow-up with those attendees who only had a question, complaint, or comment. This gives you an extra opportunity to reinforce the positive benefits (time or cost savings, for example) of using your product or service. Everyone that entered your exhibit did so for a reason. A short note or small product sample may turn someone with a question into a customer ready to buy.<br />
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Also remember those attendees you wanted to see who didn't make it to the show. A quick email or phone call reminding them about your company, maybe including a video or pictures of your booth, and extending any show specials can go a long way in creating a new customer. <br />
<br />
<b>Want to keep the buzz going?</b> Exhibitors are always welcome to reach out to the Marketplace Events team via social media. If you have a current promotion, or exciting news you'd like to share feel free to reach out to our team. You can find team members on Twitter by viewing the following list: <a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows/marketplace-events-team/members">http://twitter.com/HomeShows/marketplace-events-team/members</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-1628223451520749762014-03-14T05:07:00.002-07:002014-03-14T05:07:19.935-07:00Show Tips from the Show TeamsToday is the opening day of the <a href="http://www.nationalhomeshow.com/" target="_blank">National Home Show</a> and <a href="http://www.canadablooms.com/" target="_blank">Canada Blooms</a> in Toronto, one of the largest home shows in North America. After watching the show teams work incredibly hard during the months leading up to our busy spring home show season, we wanted to share their tips for exhibitors on having a successful show. <br />
<br />
Also opening today is the brand new <a href="http://www.homeandremodelingexpo.com/" target="_blank">Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo</a>, and the <a href="http://www.homeshowdenver.com/" target="_blank">Denver Home Show</a>. Best of luck to all of our show teams and exhibitors -- may all the shows be a great success!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHBgdgfwR3M/UyIBdrCIk-I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/CWXmlt77Dd4/s1600/tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHBgdgfwR3M/UyIBdrCIk-I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/CWXmlt77Dd4/s1600/tips.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<ol>
<li><b>It takes 3 seconds to draw someone into your booth!</b> Always keep your eyes open for prospective clients. The bigger the booth, the better the results. Size does matter! </li>
<li><b>Take advantage of all the offerings from show management. </b>Build your online profile, advertise with us and sponsor an item to get your logo in front of more attendees. Utilize the tools Marketplace Events has to get consumers to come directly to see you in your booth. Concentrate on bringing the people to the show to see your booth and specific product offerings. </li>
<li><b>Don't miss the unique opportunity to engage face to face with qualified buyers.</b> At the show, be yourself; friendly and knowledgeable, open the door to increased sales by building relationships one at a time.</li>
<li><b>Have a plan going in and know how you will execute it!</b> Prepare yourself with plenty of marketing materials and be sure to collect leads from the show. This way you will have a qualified list of who to follow up with. </li>
<li><b>The best attire you can ever wear is a SMILE.</b> Be excited, engage and educate people about your business. That's 90% of the game! The remaining 10% it showing them what sets you apart from the rest!</li>
<li><b>Better late than never is not a motto to live by with consumer shows.</b> Avoid hassles and submit forms and other important exhibitor information as early as possible. In the end, this will save you a lot of time and keep you stress free. </li>
<li><b>Create a warm and inviting space.</b> A positive attitude and smile goes a long way! Striking up a conversation about something other than business reflects a genuine interest in your prospective clients.</li>
<li><b>Make every customer feel important and give them your undivided attention without distraction - be genuinely interested in them. </b> And above all, remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. </li>
<li><b>Home Shows are so much more than just booth space! </b>Yes, your booth is the key component of your marketing strategy with us, but we have additional advertising options from online marketing to post-show research surveys to support your booth space investment. Plus, be sure to ask your sales representative about all the research we’ve already gathered on our consumers to help you better target your products and services at the show. </li>
<li><b>Don't forget to leverage the show's advertising. </b>Taking advantage of opportunities like show guide ads can greatly expand your company's profile during and after the event. It's a super cost-effective way to get your ad in front of a very targeted audience. </li>
<li><b>The visual impact of your booth and signage are possibly the most important aspects of any trade show display.</b> A general rule of thumb for signage? When someone looks at your display, they should be able to tell within four seconds who you are, what you do, and what problem you are solving. </li>
<li><b>Think about traffic flow within your booth.</b> We put a lot of thought into traffic flow within the show but if the visitors can't flow through your booth at the show then your potential impact is decreased. Have lanes and clear paths to entice visitors into your booth so you can engage them.</li>
</ol>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-51952314348787436422014-03-07T12:08:00.001-08:002014-03-07T12:11:17.090-08:00Exhibitors, We Appreciate You and We Have Awards to Show It!At Marketplace Events we love to acknowledge our exhibitors, whether it be for the best booth, most creative booth, or even the best dressed. Yes, best dressed is an award! We know participating in our events takes a lot of planning and work on your part, and we appreciate all exhibitors who make the effort to continually improve their displays and raise the bar. After all, it is our goal to produce the best quality home shows for both our exhibitors and our attendees. A quality show translates to more traffic to your booth and more sales!<br />
<br />
In addition to the more formal awards, there are some fun awards which the show teams enjoy handing out during the show. We love seeing the smiling faces of our winners when presenting awards on the show floor and taking pictures for promotion. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzwQ40nz5VM/UxojS_0J61I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/10qRFb-D3UI/s1600/photo.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzwQ40nz5VM/UxojS_0J61I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/10qRFb-D3UI/s1600/photo.JPG.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a>The following are samples of some of the award categories at our events: <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Formal Awards</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best Large Booth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best Small Booth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rookie of the Year</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best Showcase of Services</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best Marketing Partner</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best in Show</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best in Show - Gardens</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People's Choice Award </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Fun Awards</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best Dressed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happiest Exhibitor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First to Renew</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most Prompt</div>
<br />
So SMILE and be HAPPY... You never know, you may just get an award for it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-14499962324109173942014-02-28T05:42:00.001-08:002014-02-28T05:42:49.669-08:00The Real Value of Your Exhibitor ListingIn addition to booth space, exhibitors are encouraged to take advantage of all marketing opportunities available to them when taking part in a Marketplace Events produced home show. Aside from the standard show guide listing during the event, we also provide a listing on the home show website. The exhibitor listing remains active from the time you sign up for your booth until the end of the renewal period after the show closes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYCiWK5UbdI/Uw-hamdAdPI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Rd02_fn1dMs/s1600/SN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYCiWK5UbdI/Uw-hamdAdPI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Rd02_fn1dMs/s1600/SN.jpg" height="309" width="320" /></a></div>
Many of our exhibitors have experienced great success with their website listing. Visitors to the home show website are able to contact your company directly through this tool - therefore it is an additional method available for you to generate sales leads before, during, and after the home show. In addition to the "Request Information" form on your listing you also have the option to provide your social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter) along with a link to your company page on the Better Business Bureau website.<br />
<br />
The exhibitor listing pages help both customers and businesses connect before and after the home show. If you have booked space in an upcoming Marketplace Events home show and have not yet submitted your listing, please reach out to your sales consultant for more information and they will provide you with the login password.<br />
<br />
<b>When setting up your listing, follow these handy tips!</b><br />
<ol>
<li><b>Enter a full description of your company</b> - The more information you provide the better as it will help visitors find you using the search tool.</li>
<li><b>Use as many keywords as possible</b> - Keywords will help you appear in the search results. If you sell different types of products... List them all!</li>
<li><b>Select the category that best represents your company</b> - You will be listed under this heading.</li>
<li><b>Include your booth number</b> - Make sure customers can find you at the show.</li>
<li><b>Offer a show special or discount</b> - Use a promo code or offer a percentage off to people who mention your listing. A great way to track the results!</li>
<li><b>Follow up with email requests</b> - Be sure and reply to potential customers who submit requests for more information. Why not make appointments with them during the show?</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Watch Outdoor Lighting's testimonial on their experience with Cleveland's </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Great Big Home + Garden Show - 5% of their web traffic came through their listing on</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the Home + Garden website:</i></div>
<ol>
</ol>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="197" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ucfP2yl6iOI?rel=0" width="350"></iframe></center>
<br />
<b>Benefits of creating your company listing:</b><br />
<b>VISIBILITY</b> - Receive a full page on the home show website! Detailed company information will remain live for the entire show season.<br />
<b>SALES</b> - Consumers can contact you by searching and emailing you directly using the submission form.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-44286442933789063152014-02-21T05:44:00.000-08:002014-02-21T05:44:09.800-08:00At the Show: Product Demos and Selling TechniquesThe art of selling at a home show is based upon how well you can personally communicate and demonstrate your product or service, so that a qualified attendee can relate, understand, and respond to your presentation. Remember, selling at a home show is much different than selling in the field, in a store, or on a telephone. It is much more intimidating. Even the strongest salesperson can have trouble selling at a home show.<br />
<br />
Booth personnel should be knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable, and not aggressive. Your ability to ASK QUESTIONS at the show and distinguish between a qualified attendee and a qualified prospect, will determine the degree of success you will achieve. Your job at the show will be to sell the attendee on the BENEFITS of your product and your company in a minimum amount of time, and to determine the NEED, DESIRE, and AFFORDABILITY of the customer.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>By consciously sending warm, confident, and positive signals at all times, you are telling attendees that you aresomeone worth speaking with and your company is worth finding out about.</i></div>
<br />
<b>Product Demonstrations</b><br />
Product demos may be the single most important element of a home show exhibit since they are the bridge between customer needs and product benefits. No matter how impressive the exhibit is, the performance of exhibit staff while giving the demonstration is vitally important.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8oJ1cog5MuY/UvpdId0V4KI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/JujDiX-jyZ4/s1600/SampleProducts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8oJ1cog5MuY/UvpdId0V4KI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/JujDiX-jyZ4/s1600/SampleProducts.jpg" height="305" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Each demonstration message should contain several elements:</b><br />
<ol>
<li><b>Introduction</b> - State the length of the demo and what the demo will accomplish.</li>
<li><b>List of Benefits</b> - Succinctly describe how your product or service can help the listener overcome a challenge. Avoid presenting distinctions of how your product or service differs from the competition (Although, these are often the first questions an attendee will ask.)</li>
<li><b>Transitions</b> - Keep the presentation fluid and conversational.</li>
<li><b>Summary</b> - Briefly recap all the main messages.</li>
</ol>
It also helps to give your booth staff time to refine and organize their demonstrations by giving them time to rehearse.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-16406204905160481952014-02-14T06:46:00.000-08:002014-02-14T06:46:06.012-08:00At the Show: Welcome Visitors to Your BoothOnce you are set up and the show opens it's time to interact with the customers that enter your booth. Plan at least three unique greetings that do not have a "Yes" or "No" answer. Look people directly in the eye when introducing yourself and/or your company and prepare a thirty second introduction about your company, products, or services.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6WrzaL9gdHc/UvpJHLsZfBI/AAAAAAAAAZA/DbD1XvFKYsI/s1600/Sleezy_Salesman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6WrzaL9gdHc/UvpJHLsZfBI/AAAAAAAAAZA/DbD1XvFKYsI/s1600/Sleezy_Salesman.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a><b>Let Show Attendees Browse</b><br />
When show attendees enter your booth, make them feel welcome. Tell them you are there to answer any questions they have and then let them browse in comfort. Remember not to be a "vulture" and swoop down on them as soon as they make eye contact as a hard sell often drives people away.<br />
<br />
<b>Show Etiquette</b><br />
When you are assigned booth duty at any show remember that you are on display along with your company's products. You are a selected representative of the company and are on duty to meet, sell, educate, inform, and service customers and prospects.<br />
<br />
<b>A few simple rules of good salesmanship to follow when it's your turn to work the booth:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>It's hard to talk to a customer when you are out of breath from rushing. Allow yourself about 15 minutes in the booth before you go on duty to become familiar with the surroundings</li>
<li>Realize that the show provides the unique opportunity to talk to a customer on your turf where you control the environment.</li>
<li>Invest in comfortable shoes. Booth staff should be on their feet and ready to greet visitors, not sitting in a corner resting.</li>
<li>Visit with other company personnel after the show. Customers may be reluctant to disturb a salesperson who is already engaged in a conversation.</li>
<li>Please do not bring any food into the booth during the show. Visitors will not like to interrupt a person in the middle of their lunch.</li>
<li>If you can not answer visitor questions, be prepared to refer customers to the proper source. If no one is available, get the customer's name, address, and phone number to get back to them at a later date.</li>
<li>Have a genuine interest in visitors needs rather than waiting for a them to ask you a question.</li>
<li>Don't "pounce" and frighten visitors away.</li>
<li>Ask open-ended questions.</li>
<li>Keep the booth neat and clean by placing any personal belongings in a storage area or in the show's checkroom.</li>
<li>Disappearing acts are great on stage, but you should always inform your fellow staff members when you leave the booth. Let them know when you will return and be prompt.</li>
<li>Everyone likes attention, but not bad attention. Please keep any music or booth noise at a minimum so as not to annoy your neighbors.</li>
<li>Dress appropriately for doing business as you want to ensure confidence in your customers.</li>
<li>Take a deep breath and SMILE! When the show is busy and you are rushed off your feet don't think of it as a negative, now is your time to shine. You never know, the next person you speak with may be your biggest customer. </li>
</ul>
<b>First Impressions Count</b><br />
Every visitor who enters your booth is making immediate decisions about your company and sales staff. When chatting with you about their needs, they are deciding if you are trustworthy and if they should do business with you. When working your booth, following the best practices above will allow you to put your best foot forward when dealing with the public.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-39852505036752216322014-02-07T05:53:00.001-08:002014-02-07T05:53:29.341-08:00What to Include in the Show BinderMany customers will remember MORE about the salespeople manning a booth than the booths themselves! Your success depends largely on the collective talent, product knowledge and energy level of your sales staff, AND of course how prepared they are. The foolproof way to insure everyone is prepared is to share your knowledge of the show with those who will be manning the booth.<br />
<br />
Your internal show manual will be most helpful if it includes the following information:<br />
<ul><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLyCdcupC5g/UvFIjjRFSTI/AAAAAAAAAYo/kIIkcLuinz4/s1600/IMG_2289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLyCdcupC5g/UvFIjjRFSTI/AAAAAAAAAYo/kIIkcLuinz4/s1600/IMG_2289.JPG" height="320" width="315" /></a>
<li>A staff schedule of who will be working the booth on a daily and hourly basis</li>
<li>A staff schedule of daily show activities</li>
<li>A staff schedule of pre-show and daily "wrap-up" meetings</li>
<li>Hotel information: where they will be staying</li>
<li>A map showing the convention hall and vicinity to your booth location</li>
<li>A diagram of your booth layout and booth number</li>
<li>A list of products being displayed</li>
<li>A product pricing structure</li>
<li>An explanation of the pre-show advertising and promotion</li>
<li>Corporate objectives and goals to be met at the show</li>
<li>Sales goals and rewards for success </li>
</ul>
It helps to have a copy of all information printed and available to staff in your booth. This way when a staff person needs to refer to it the the show binder is always at hand. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-14782616137160442392014-01-31T06:46:00.001-08:002014-02-09T19:32:48.472-08:00Move In & Move Out Tips: During the Show<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0KZALuPqPxE/UuK2yMIMX5I/AAAAAAAAAYE/SA5nlb2dOis/s1600/movin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0KZALuPqPxE/UuK2yMIMX5I/AAAAAAAAAYE/SA5nlb2dOis/s1600/movin.jpg" height="302" width="320"></a>Once you get to the show, there are three primary ingredients for a successful, well-managed home show experience. These can be broken up as follows:<br>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li><b>Move In / Move Out</b></li>
<li><b>Proper Boothmanship</b></li>
<li><b>Selling Techniques</b></li>
</ul>
In this next series, we will address each of these three critical areas. Think of this as the "to-do" list which will enable you to be better prepared, do everything right the first time, achieve the objectives you have set for your company, and have a stress-free experience. <br>
<br>
<b>Move in / Move Out Tips</b><br>
<br>
The first step towards a smooth move in and move out process is to <b>READ THE EXHIBITOR MANUAL</b>, and read it carefully. The most common exhibitor mistake is to put this thick stack of papers aside for later, however later never comes and important details will be overlooked. If you have any questions after reading the manual, call your sales consultant or the show manager immediately for clarification. Most importantly, you should:<br>
<ul>
<li>Order services prior to the deadlines. Keep in mind, anything ordered on-site will cost more.</li>
<li>Order everything you need in the correct size, color, and quantities.</li>
<li>Have as much work as possible done on your exhibit before it is packed or shipped.</li>
<li>Number and label your crates and boxes accordingly to contents for easy move in and set up.</li>
<li>Put a diagram on each crate showing how it is to be unpacked and repacked.</li>
<li>Provide special instructions for your electrical requirements.</li>
<li>Arrive at the exhibit hall early to see your booth location and find the service desks.</li>
<li>Confirm, revise, or initiate orders for rentals and services that you will require.</li>
<li>Obtain work passes or exhibitor badges for yourself and your team.</li>
</ul>
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Following these tips during move in may result in you being so organized and well-prepared that you even have time at the end of the day to put your feet up. A luxury many exhibitors can only hope for!<br>
<br>
Starting the show off right during move in will also leave you in a better state of mind to meet all those new potential customers on opening day. <br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br>
<br>
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br>
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br>
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a><br>
<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-79006040291092294652014-01-24T09:09:00.000-08:002014-02-09T19:33:27.047-08:00Marketing & Promotion: Opportunities During the ShowAfter you have enjoyed the rewards from the pre-show exposure, it's time to maximize your participation while at the home show. There are numerous ways to create brand awareness on the show floor, from large sponsorship partnerships to smaller visual ways which help bring traffic to your booth.<br>
<br>
<b>Here are just a few of the possibilities while at the show!</b><br>
<br>
<b>Contests on the show floor</b> – With the donation of a product or service you can take advantage of thousands of free dollars in TV, radio and newspaper advertising space. <br>
<br>
<b>Product Placement on the Show Floor & New Products Showcase</b> – Increase awareness on the show floor with product placement in our features, on our stage and other in prime locations at the show. <br>
<br>
<b>Press Release</b> - Alert your local media and show management about any new products or services that will be on display in your booth which may be newsworthy. <br>
<br>
<b>Social Media</b> - Promote your company LIVE from the show floor. There are plenty of opportunities for photos and loads of content for you to share via your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest accounts! Remember to also follow the show via social media, and use the show hashtag - we love to connect with exhibitors and sponsors.<br>
<br>
<b>Sponsorship</b> - Become a sponsor of a special show event and
increase your on-site exposure. We're always interested in new ideas... Investigate the availability of any of the following:<br>
<ul>
<li>Bags</li>
<li>Balloons</li>
<li>Ceiling Banners</li>
<li>Aisle Banners / You are hear boards</li>
<li>Pillar Wraps</li>
<li>Floor Signage</li>
<li>Product Sampling</li>
<li>Stage Sponsorship</li>
<li>Celebrity Sponsorship</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7wcHsSM-MF4/UuKbDZPGvII/AAAAAAAAAX0/ZnslPk3hLkU/s1600/ATSHOWcombined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7wcHsSM-MF4/UuKbDZPGvII/AAAAAAAAAX0/ZnslPk3hLkU/s1600/ATSHOWcombined.jpg" height="635" width="640"></a></div>
For more information on marketing opportunities please contact show management, or check the home show website under the tab "For Confirmed Exhibitors" then "Marketing Kit" to confirm what is available.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br>
<br>
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips + trends!<br>
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br>
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a><br>
<br>
<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-38515331768593611942014-01-17T05:17:00.000-08:002014-02-09T19:34:00.243-08:00Marketing & Promotion: Opportunities Before the Show<br>
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<br>
The most effective marketing plan is one that is customized based on
business objectives. Below are just a few of the marketing opportunities
available to our exhibitors, sponsors, and partners. Our goal is to
work with all taking part to ensure they have a successful show.<b> </b><br>
<br>
<b>Work with us to promote your participation in the show! Here are a few ideas on how you can promote yourself and your involvement: </b><br>
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<b><br>In Store Coupon Distribution –</b> Promote your participation in the show and offer your customers a discount to attend. Just let us know how many coupons you need and we will send them out to you.<br>
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<b><br>Internet Promotion –</b> Drive people to your web site and encourage them to find out more about the show and save on online tickets. We can send you a promotional banner (button) to load onto your website, which will link your customers to our show site and great ticket deals.<br>
<b><br>Coop Advertising –</b> Leverage our advertising campaigns with top radio, TV stations, newspapers and on the Internet. Contact us to see how you can share our premier rates for your own advertising prior to the show. <br>
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<b><br>Email a special offer to your database of potential leads –</b> book appointments with prospects while at the show by offering them discounted tickets.<br>
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<b>Let us help promote you online! </b><br>
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<b><br>Media Promotions and Contests / Online Lead Generation –</b> With the donation of a product or service you can potentially take advantage of thousands of free dollars in TV, radio and newspaper advertising space. Host the contest on our website and we will promote it in email campaigns, social media, and in show materials – A great opportunity to collect relevant data and email subscribers.<br>
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<b><br>Email Campaigns –</b> Place an advertisement in one of the pre-show email campaigns. Reach our database of home and garden enthusiasts and capture the number of click throughs to your website.<br>
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<b><br>Web Banners –</b> With Marketplace Events produced home show websites receiving between 25k and 200k unique visitors per year depending on the market, it only makes sense to advertise on our websites. Not only are the number of visits increasing year over year, visitors searching the website are within the specific “home and garden” demographic.<br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8L0vFDh8Sg/UtRPK8XG_lI/AAAAAAAAAWU/P8MImZpgJkg/s1600/BeforeShow_Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8L0vFDh8Sg/UtRPK8XG_lI/AAAAAAAAAWU/P8MImZpgJkg/s200/BeforeShow_Blog.jpg" height="143" width="200"></a></div>
<b><br>Social Media –</b> Sponsor a blog post on HomeandGardenBlog.com, now running for almost two years our blog received over 60k unique visitors in 2013. It is a great way to get word out about your products and services.<br>
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<b>Public Relations –</b> If you have a new product or an interesting story to tell we can help get your message out to the media. Just submit a “New Product” request form – found on all home show websites under “Confirmed Exhibitors”<br>
<br>
For more information on available marketing opportunities please contact your exhibit sales consultant.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br>
<br>
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips and trends!<br>
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br>
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-69903309751651276072014-01-10T06:44:00.000-08:002014-02-09T19:34:40.375-08:00Before the Show: Learn the Marketing Opportunities (EARLY!)Marketplace Events continues to lead the home and garden event industry with innovative marketing initiatives and strategies that drive attendance and add value to your participation in our shows. These strategies have been developed with exhibitor participation in mind!<br>
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Marketing and sponsorship opportunities are available leading up to the show as well as throughout the year. By attending one of our exhibitor seminars, keeping in touch with show management and visiting the show website often, you can take advantage of all the newest marketing initiatives. Opportunities may be found on most home show websites, by clicking on "Marketing Kit" under the heading of "For Confirmed Exhibitors" or by calling your sales representative. Pricing varies by show based on factors such as show size, number of attendees, website traffic, and the type of opportunity you are interested in.<br>
<br>
We have also seen impressive results focusing on digital marketing. Everything from websites, banner ads, email marketing, detailed exhibitor listings, blogging, to social media - we do it all. Our email database continues to grow year after year and we love to share our success with exhibitors. The email newsletters promoting our events receive excellent deliverability and above average open rates. We follow the best practices of top email marketers, and are proud of the content we create for our email campaigns and social media channels. Using detailed analysis of our online activity our digital presence continues to improve
and helps us maintain our leading edge within the
industry. <br>
<br>
There are many marketing opportunities available; more than we can mention in one blog post! Our marketing team and show managers continually come up with creative ideas to help exhibitors promote their products and services based on every type of budget. Therefore, this lays the foundation for our next weekly series... Marketing & Promotion Ideas.<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br>
<br>
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips and trends!<br>
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br>
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a> <br>
<br>
<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-58807040134375706312014-01-03T08:28:00.002-08:002014-02-09T19:35:08.929-08:00Before the Show: Develop An Effective Lead CardLeads are one of the main reasons most exhibitors participate in home shows. Some might actually write orders on the show floor, but many take leads. The following are four basic concepts that will make the difference between being profitable at shows or just covering costs:<br>
<ol>
<li>What is a lead card</li>
<li>When to use it </li>
<li>Follow-up</li>
<li>Tracking and reporting results</li>
</ol>
Leads represent the return on your investment. When the home show is over and everything is packed up, the only thing you have left for the money spent (aside from any orders you've taken on-site) is the stack of leads in your hand.<br>
<br>
<b>What is a lead card</b> - A lead card is a simple piece of paper that causes many other things to happen:<br>
<ul>
<li>A lead card can initiate the qualifying process</li>
<li>A lead card can indicate the next step to take - i.e., sending literature or making a sales call.</li>
<li>A lead card can provide research data about your attendee's interest and preferences.</li>
<li>A lead card can provide another name for your mailing list.</li>
</ul>
The physical attributes of a lead card are important. If it's too big, too small, too thin, or doesn't contain the right spaces to fill in FOR YOUR BUSINESS, then it will not do the job. The following are three simple steps to designing a lead card that your salespeople will use:<br>
<ul>
<li>Make it small. A good lead card fits into your open hand. It is the size of a 3 x 5 index card.</li>
<li>Put a backing on it. A card stock backing will give staff a surface to write on.</li>
<li>Make it multi-part. A multi-part form can be especially useful. One copy can go to the person sending out the literature, another to the person sorting leads for immediate follow-up, and the last can be a permanent record.</li>
</ul>
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The key to great leads is having a place for all the right information. Ask show management for an example of an effective lead card. Many home shows will provide lead cards for you in the show office.<br>
<b><br></b>
<b>Customize your own lead card! </b> Make it work for you! Just remember that attendees will answer only a certain number of questions. The design of the lead card will shift slightly depending upon how your company sells its products and services.<br>
<br>
<b>When to use it </b>- Use the lead card often and early. When a salesperson uses the lead card at the beginning of the sales process as a place to write notes, he or she is working as a consultant. If a salesperson really cares about solving the attendee's problems or serving a need, he or she needs to fully document it on the lead card. Taking the time to fill out the lead card shows respect for the attendee.<br>
<br>
<b>Follow-up</b> - A well-designed and professionally executed lead card is worthless if follow-up is not done properly. Assign someone to collect all of the leads daily and see to it that they get to the next point in the sales process. If your lead card has multiple parts, be sure that they are distributed appropriately. Remember to follow-up on your collected leads as quickly as possible after the show.<br>
<br>
<b>Tracking and reporting results</b> - Tracking and reporting the results of your exhibit efforts are the final steps of participating in a home show and are often the most overlooked. Once the show is over and the leads have been sorted and prioritized you are anxious to get on with other things. It takes relatively little effort to analyze the success from lead cards. By marking your completed sales and tagging them as generated at the show, you'll be able to add any sales dollars collected after the show to your final return on investment.<br>
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<b>There's an App for that</b> - Rather than using the paper cards, you may wish to use tablets or iPads. The key to using technology at the show is to make sure there are enough iPads or tablets for all your salespeople during the busy days. You may wish to set it up kiosk-style. If your team is waiting on one machine to capture leads, the time wasted means you will be missing out. There are a multiple apps available to do the job, a few of which we've listed below. Many others can also be found with a bit of internet searching.<br>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.icapture.com/apps/leads/" target="_blank">iCaptureLEADS </a></li>
<li><a href="http://mailchimp.com/features/mobile-signup-forms/" target="_blank">Chimpadeedoo</a></li>
<li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/quicktapsurvey-surveys-offline/id425467320?mt=8" target="_blank">QuickTapSurvey</a></li>
<li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/quicktaplead-lead-capture/id562330805?mt=8" target="_blank">QuickTapLead</a></li>
</ul>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br>
<br>
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips and trends!<br>
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br>
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-35362580837056873622013-12-13T07:56:00.000-08:002014-02-09T19:35:31.145-08:00Before the Show: Train Your TeamYour success at a home show is highly dependent on your overall team performance. You have put hours into designing your booth, creating a strategy, printing handouts... Now it is time to invest in your team. They are at the front of the line and representing you to potential customers. Explain to staff who are working the booth in detail what you hope to accomplish at the show and what you expect from each person. A kick-off meeting can inspire people and help them understand your expectations and goals before the show opens. Action ideas may include:<br>
<ul>
<li>Determine the sales process - a team selling approach is best.</li>
<li>Share the content of your pre-show promotions so your team can reference them and react to booth visitors in a positive and knowledgeable manner.</li>
<li>Explain how the overall success of the show will be measured.</li>
</ul>
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A common problem encountered by many exhibitors is sales team related. Many salespeople are focused on their own niche: one geographical location, product, or customer type. As a result, they may be reluctant to engage in conversations with prospects from outside their focus. It's best to implement a process for them to collect and pass along ALL leads from attendees. Make sure they are considering long term sales leads and not only orders closed during the event. These issues should be addressed and staff trained accordingly. Open lines of communication between your sales and marketing staff will help ensure the appropriate follow-up with all the leads you collect.<br>
<br>
Hold daily morale-building and debriefing sessions where staff members can talk about accomplishments and concerns. Consider recognizing the most valuable team player of the day – someone who went above and beyond. Offer individualized positive feedback so staff members know you appreciate their efforts. A simple “thank you” goes a long way.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br>
<br>
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips and trends!<br>
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br>
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-83341288497039356162013-12-06T09:00:00.001-08:002014-02-09T19:35:56.734-08:00Before the Show: Decide How Much Space You Will NeedBooth size depends upon your show budget, the product selection that you want to bring to the show, desired objectives, the available show space, and your number of staff. Keep in mind that the size of your booth will have a direct bearing on your final results at the home show. For example, if your major objective at a show is to generate new leads, the amount of actual leads you can generate will be affected by a limited space.<br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnqNu7k33lY/Upd_672OztI/AAAAAAAAAU4/fYuf4EVoRcs/s1600/space.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnqNu7k33lY/Upd_672OztI/AAAAAAAAAU4/fYuf4EVoRcs/s400/space.png" width="393"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ample space for shoppers and sales staff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The physical exhibit (products and displays) generally occupy approximately thirty percent of your available space. In a ten-foot by ten-foot booth (100 square feet), your exhibit will cover approximately thirty square feet. That leaves only seventy square feet for exhibitors and attendees. The average person uses less than twenty-five square feet of personal space. If you have seventy square feet of space available for people, at less than twenty-five square feet per person, then approximately three people can fit into your booth, INCLUDING SALESPEOPLE! The rule of thumb is that no more than two salespeople should work each 100 square feet of space. With two salespeople in a 10' x 10' booth and one visitor it could still feel very crowded.<br>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72aXqRbNfxs/Upd_uxmngTI/AAAAAAAAAUw/4ZxxUWJAziQ/s1600/NotEnoughSpace.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72aXqRbNfxs/Upd_uxmngTI/AAAAAAAAAUw/4ZxxUWJAziQ/s400/NotEnoughSpace.png" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An over crowded booth can actually hinder your sales.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Avoid congestion! Your exhibit should be open and inviting to attendees, not cluttered and claustrophobic. Booth visitors tend to stay away from areas they perceive as crowded or confining. A booth visitor will take approximately three seconds to walk past a ten-foot by ten-foot booth. However, a visitor will take eight seconds to walk by a booth that is ten-feet by twenty-feet.<br>
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Perhaps the size and number of your products, your demonstration requirements, and/or your selling process has already dictated your booth size. Regardless, it is a good idea to mark off the space you are considering on the floor (in your warehouse, showroom, or living room) and try to actually fit your products, equipment, tables, chairs, etc., into this space. This procedure will act as a "dress rehearsal" for the show and will allow you the opportunity to visualize any potential problems with your display before you get on-site. You may realize that you need to reserve more space and that you can not possibly fit everything you planned in this display area. Needless to say, this is the best time to find out and make any adjustments.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br>
<br>
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips and trends!<br>
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br>
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a><br>
<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-32555525208367800932013-11-29T06:30:00.000-08:002014-02-09T19:36:23.552-08:00Before the Show: Set Goals and Measure SuccessIn order to make the most of your participation in a home show produced by Marketplace Events, its best to have a marketing plan that includes pre-show, on-site, and post-show promotion. It should be decided what you would like to accomplish during each stage of your campaign. Create a list of specific goals and objectives and have them in mind before moving on to the execution of your plan. By having a well defined list of goals and a plan to achieve them, you will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of your plan and will be able to adjust it if needed. It is the foundation upon which you will measure your overall success.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-8Fo-RBvYY/UpdlQdZ698I/AAAAAAAAAUc/8cMXze4UJz8/s1600/iStock_GoalSettingTXT.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-8Fo-RBvYY/UpdlQdZ698I/AAAAAAAAAUc/8cMXze4UJz8/s320/iStock_GoalSettingTXT.png" width="320"></a></div>
The most common indicators of success are sales dollars and leads - these are the easiest to measure. However, although more difficult to measure, other indicators of success should not be ignored. For example, you may choose to use the show as a recruiting venue and tally the number of interviews you conduct. In addition, you may use the show to showcase new products and trends by capturing your teams observations on how these are being recognized by the audience. Either way, your analysis must be tailored to your specific company objectives.<br>
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With tight budgets, limited staff, and not enough hours in the day it can be hard to commit to taking part in a show. After investing your valuable time and money, having good data to back up your success is priceless. Plus, learning from your mistakes can assist you in making improvements, these lessons are considered to be "little treasures" by our marketing team. Analyzing your goals and objectives will also help evaluate your long term strategy - there is a reason many companies complete their renewal contracts before the current show ends! Securing the best booth space, and committing to a new plan a year out from the next event puts them on the path to success. <br>
<br>
If you continue to take part simply because you do so every year, it may be time to look at your objectives. First define your goals, then have specific indicators in regards to your success. Below are a few examples:<br>
<br>
<table border="1" style="width: 567px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="181"><b>GOAL:</b></td> <td width="376"><b>MEASUREMENT:</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Company awareness - Branding or PR</td> <td>Reach out to show management and let them know about your company and why it is media-worthy. Review the publicity generated in dollar value, readership, etc.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Introduce new product or service</td> <td>Instruct staff to interact with customers and meet daily to discuss public reactions. Consider non-traditional means such as a blog article or social media which can be measured by engagement and the number of viewers.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Generate leads</td> <td>Offer a show promotion or discount. Use a tablet to collect email addresses and decide the desired number you'd like to collect as your daily goal.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Hire new employees</td> <td>Advertise the position available and invite selected applicants to meet you at the event. Finding the right applicant = success.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Market research</td> <td>Consider sponsoring a contest where you include a few specific questions on the entry form. Success can be measured by the number of entries, optins, and answers.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Close sales</td> <td>Invite your current prospects to your booth for an in person meeting and measure success on the final contracted dollar amount of closed sales.</td> </tr>
</tbody> </table>
At the end of the show, if you have completed your goals you can summarize your overall success. At the same time when you sign the renewal contract you will be ready to alter and adapt your plan toward success at future events.<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">US Shows</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Shows</a><br>
<br>
Visit <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> for tips and trends!<br>
<a href="http://facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents">Facebook.com/HomeandGardenEvents</a><br>
<a href="http://twitter.com/HomeShows">Twitter.com/HomeShows</a><br>
<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-23874820529637410732013-11-22T12:39:00.000-08:002014-02-09T19:36:45.612-08:00Before the Show: Research and PlanAchieving our goals often hinges on pre-Show planning. Those exhibitors that develop a thorough understanding of the Show and the opportunities it represents towards their organizational goals and resources will dramatically increase their chances for success. It is known that the single most common mistake exhibitors make is “just showing up” without properly preparing. Marketplace Events delivers buyers to the Show but it's up to you the exhibitor to attract them to your booth and interact with them.<br>
<br>
Getting the right people into your booth is critical to your success. However, you also need to know what to do with them when they arrive. Take time to think through your goals, write them down, and make sure that everyone on your team understands them.<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt6Efo4Fsrw/Uo-4fH2Y53I/AAAAAAAAAUI/wo01IiEAans/s1600/TIMEman.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt6Efo4Fsrw/Uo-4fH2Y53I/AAAAAAAAAUI/wo01IiEAans/s200/TIMEman.png" width="200"></a></div>
Speaking of time, the best time to start planning is as soon as you book your booth - or even better - well before you book! Our teams at Marketplace Events know what it feels like to have the show quickly approaching and not much time left to complete the task list. At this point it's time for an all-nighter. You can avoid having to stay up all night by creating a work back calendar with all your key dates marked out in advance. Working on your goals months away from the show can help ensure you meet them and experience the greatest amount of success. Trust us, you'll be light years ahead of the guy that just showed up. <br>
<br>
Do you want Show attendees to see your new equipment demonstration? Meet a celebrity or your company VIP? Try out your new product/service? Collect a premium? Leave behind a resume? Whatever the objective, make sure that it moves your business plan toward your final goal.<br>
<br>
The next few weekly blog posts will be dedicated to "Before the Show" and offer tips and strategies on how to get the most out of your participation in a Marketplace Events home show through pre-show planning.<br>
<br>
<b>Some topics we'll cover are:</b><br>
- Setting Goals and Measuring Success<br>
- Deciding How Much Space You Will Need<br>
- Training Your Team<br>
- Developing an Effective Lead Card<br>
- Learning the Marketing Opportunities<br>
<br>
Remember the wise words of Benjamin Franklin, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a><br>
<br>
<b>View our calendar of events:</b><br>
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/USEvents.aspx" target="_blank">USA</a> | <a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/Main/CanadianEvents.aspx" target="_blank">Canada</a><br>
<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-79114592864664761002013-10-21T13:02:00.000-07:002013-10-21T13:03:23.088-07:00Thinking About Home Shows? Join Us for Breakfast!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4B1xSdzyQ6Y/UmWHm6FFsdI/AAAAAAAAATk/eeLVFdrJtuA/s1600/YoureInvitedSeminar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4B1xSdzyQ6Y/UmWHm6FFsdI/AAAAAAAAATk/eeLVFdrJtuA/s200/YoureInvitedSeminar.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Exhibit like an expert! </b>Whether you're already booked in a Marketplace Events produced home show or still considering it, learn best practices from industry experts to create the greatest visual impact and attract more buyers to your booth. Discover innovative promotional opportunities to increase your exposure both before and during the show.<br />
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If you are thinking about taking part in a home show, join us for breakfast! Ideas, coffee, and smiles are all FREE!<br />
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<br />
<b>Philadelphia Home Show – Thursday, October 24 | 10am – 12pm</b><br />
Continental breakfast will be served<br />
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 108<br />
RSVP by October 21st to <a href="mailto:nicholem@marketplaceevents.com" target="_blank">Nicole McWilliams</a> at 215-274-1948<br />
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<b>Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo – Tuesday, October 29 | 9:30am – 11:30am</b><br />
Continental breakfast will be served<br />
Cleveland Convention Center, Meeting Room 3<br />
RSVP by October 24th to <a href="mailto:kellyb@marketplaceevents.com" target="_blank">Kelly Baugh</a> at 440-248-5729 ext. 106<br />
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<b>Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show –Wednesday, October 30 | 9am – 11am</b><br />
Continental breakfast will be served<br />
State Fair Park<br />
RSVP by October 22 to <a href="mailto:heathern@marketplaceevents.com" target="_blank">Heather Newsom</a> at 317-705-8719 ext. 11<br />
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<b>Denver Home Show – Wednesday, November 6 | 9am – 11am</b><br />
Continental breakfast will be served<br />
Double Tree Denver Tech Center<br />
RSVP by October 28th to <a href="mailto:justina@marketplaceevents.com" target="_blank">Justin Ainsworth</a> at 801-456-7487<br />
<br />
<i>Additional exhibitor seminar information for 2014 home shows will be posted on ExhibiTALK when available. RSVP now as space is limited.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-11292256212748252752013-09-20T13:56:00.002-07:002014-02-09T19:37:19.640-08:00It's SHOW TIME! Time to Talk Show Etiquette<div style="text-align: left;">
This week marks the start of the Marketplace Events fall home show season. With eight home shows happening between now and the end of October, it is a great time to focus on home show etiquette.<br>
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When you are assigned booth duty at any trade show remember that you are on display along with your company’s products. You are a selected representative of the company. You are on duty to meet, sell, educate, inform and service customers and prospects. You're not only selling your products - you're selling yourself.<br>
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The following are some simple rules of good salesmanship to follow when it’s your turn to man the booth:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5oBiNqEdQLc/Ujy1ZPSkzrI/AAAAAAAAATE/mXJYFHNiYiw/s1600/Doing+Business.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5oBiNqEdQLc/Ujy1ZPSkzrI/AAAAAAAAATE/mXJYFHNiYiw/s320/Doing+Business.jpg" width="307"></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>It’s hard to talk to a customer when you are out of breath from rushing. Allow yourself about 15 minutes in the booth before you go on duty to become familiar with the surroundings</li>
<li>Realize that the show provides the unique opportunity to talk to a customer on your turf where you control the environment.</li>
<li>Invest in some comfortable shoes. Booth staff should be on their feet and ready to greet visitors, not sitting in the corner resting.</li>
<li>Visit with other company personnel after the show. Customers are reluctant to disturb a salesperson that is already engaged in a conversation.</li>
<li>Please do not bring any food into the booth during the show. Water is permitted – you will need to keep hydrated, as you’ll be talking to many different people!</li>
<li>If you cannot answer the questions, be prepared to refer customers to the proper source. If no one is available, get the customer’s name, address, and phone number and get back to him or her at a later date.</li>
<li>Don’t wait for a visitor to ask you a question. Greet people with a friendly smile and act interested in their needs.</li>
<li>Don’t “pounce” and frighten people away. A hard sell can often drive away the most interested buyers.</li>
<li>Let show attendees browse. When visitors enter your booth make them feel welcome. Let them know you are there to answer any questions.</li>
<li>Ask open-ended questions.</li>
<li>Keep the booth neat and clean. This includes placing personal belongings in a storage area or in the show’s checkroom.</li>
<li>Disappearing acts are great on stage, but you should always inform your fellow staff members when you leave the booth. Let them know when you will return and be prompt. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Good luck to all the exhibitors taking part in our fall home show season! Happy exhibiting and have a great show!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Home shows happening between now and October 20th, 2013:</b><br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.calgaryhds.com/" target="_blank">Calgary Home + Design Show</a><br>
<a href="http://www.jacksonvillefallhomeshow.com/" target="_blank">Jacksonville Home + Patio Show</a><br>
<a href="http://www.capitalhomeshow.com/" target="_blank">Capital Home Show</a><br>
<a href="http://www.homeshowbirmingham.com/" target="_blank">Birmingham Home + Garden Show</a><br>
<a href="http://www.fallhomeshow.com/" target="_blank">Toronto Fall Home Show</a><br>
<a href="http://www.orlandofallshow.com/" target="_blank">Orlando Home Show</a><br>
<a href="http://www.deseretnewshomeshow.com/" target="_blank">Deseret News Home Show</a><br>
<a href="http://www.vancouverhomeanddesignshow.com/" target="_blank">Vancouver Home + Design Show</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-1151764555819469372013-09-05T11:17:00.001-07:002013-09-05T11:17:35.223-07:00Lead Cards. A Must.Is your company's goal to schedule appointments and qualify buyers at our home show? The answer should be "yes" if you are in the business of remodeling, flooring, landscaping, roofing, gutters, etc...<br />
<br />
Using lead cards while talking to your prospects is critical; you must get the important information right! We're not saying you have to use pen and paper, there are digital methods as well for iPads and tablets that will get the job done. You may find a standard lead card and pen is always good to have on hand for those moments when you run out of battery. ;o)<br />
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Here's the great news, our show teams have lead cards for you - simply check out our websites under "Confirmed Exhibitors" and all you need to do is print!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjLwEPjF1j0/UijF5X84frI/AAAAAAAAASs/GM_etvSP4ss/s1600/leadcard.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjLwEPjF1j0/UijF5X84frI/AAAAAAAAASs/GM_etvSP4ss/s1600/leadcard.png" /></a></div>
<b>Lead cards capture important info such as:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>BEST time to call</li>
<li>BEST number to call</li>
<li>Timing of their project</li>
<li>Budget for their project</li>
<li>Interest level </li>
<li>Personal information -- Did you meet the family? Write down their names! Did they recently purchase their home? When? Are they going on vacation? Where?</li>
</ul>
The more you KNOW, the better you will do.<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. Do not put all home show leads in the same "pot" "bucket" "list" ...All home shows are not created equal, trust me. Tracking leads from each show separately will allow you to qualify each home show by the type of leads collected; as well as calculate the ROI from the business generated at each show.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/homeshowslsgal" target="_blank">Sue Huff</a><br />
Vice President, Sales<br />
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-27089049376793670442013-08-30T13:10:00.000-07:002013-08-30T13:10:07.781-07:00Boost Exposure at the Show with Internet Advertising Opportunities<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8Szeqxybaw/UiD5XjcW0LI/AAAAAAAAASY/so2Fvn9oufE/s1600/clevelandWEBimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8Szeqxybaw/UiD5XjcW0LI/AAAAAAAAASY/so2Fvn9oufE/s200/clevelandWEBimage.jpg" width="200" /></a>It has never been easier to get more bang for your buck! All of the advertising (TV, radio, print, outdoor, and online) and PR campaigns that each show executes direct consumers to our home show websites. Once there, people are prompted to buy tickets online, subscribe to our email lists, and find out all the information about the upcoming show. <br /><br />Companies taking part in our shows also utilize our websites to obtain pre-show information including exhibitor kits. In addition, our blog <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/homeandgardenevents" target="_blank">Home and Garden Events</a> Facebook community of 54k enthusiasts across North America now allow us to reach our audience year-round. These facts translate into a lot of qualified eyeballs – over 1.7 million eyeballs to be exact.<br /><br />Any exhibitor taking part in a Marketplace Events produced home show is welcome to advertise their products and services to our targeted audience of potential buyers. The home show websites can promote your show specials and drive visitors to your booth or website.<br /><br />Here are a few of the marketing opportunities available online:<br /> </div>
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>Banner Advertising</b> – You ads appear on all pages of the home show website in rotation</li>
<li><b>Email Blasts</b> – Provide an image or text advertisement which can be included in a pre or post show email campaign. Our subscription lists are permission based and targeted by region with over 540k subscribers across all of North America.</li>
<li><b>Lead Generation </b>– Want to run a contest but are unable to host it? We will happily host your contest on our website and collect entries and subscribers for your company.</li>
<li><b>Ticket Sponsor Package</b> – Offer a ticket discount to our customers and have your logo included on our ticketing site, ticket confirmation, websites, and in all advertising. Includes lead generation and data collection.</li>
<li><b>Sponsored Blog Post or Series</b> – We are happy to run exhibitor spotlights on <a href="http://homeandgardenblog.com/">HomeandGardenBlog.com</a>. Exhibitors can answer a few questions about their service or product and we will cross promote each post on all social media channels. Remember, we only want to bring useful and interesting content to our readers.</li>
<li><b>Gift Guides </b>– On special holidays we like to run gift guides on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/homeandgardenevents" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> which promote new and unique products that are perfect for gift giving… if you have a product that is perfect for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas let us know.</li>
<li><b>Show Coupons</b> – We’d love to create a page of show coupons for consumers to use at the event. If you have a show special – or want to extend your show special after the show closes – and are considering creating a coupon that is redeemable in your booth or in your store, the home show website is the perfect place to promote it.</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you have any questions about any of our digital marketing opportunities feel free to reach out to your sales consultant. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/techonista" target="_blank">Joanne Carry</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.marketplaceevents.com/" target="_blank">Marketplace Events</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17632755666551565207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848472906500011411.post-21822169915294818002013-08-23T13:25:00.002-07:002014-02-09T19:38:12.893-08:00What Does Your Booth Say About Your Company?<div style="text-align: justify;">
When planning on exhibiting it is always best to familiarize yourself with the display and booth regulations of the show. Depending on your booth location you will need to think about walls, flooring, signage, as well as the overall design. For example, the <a href="http://www.nationalhomeshow.com/" target="_blank">National Home Show</a> in Toronto requires all exhibitors to have hard walls and show management has the right to mask any unsightly areas at the expensive of the exhibitor. While at the <a href="http://www.greatbighomeandgarden.com/" target="_blank">Great Big Home + Garden Show</a> in Cleveland exhibitors are provided with back and side pipe and drape. Remember, the rules and regulations are in place to make sure all exhibitors are held to the same high standards. After all, we all want to look good!<br>
<br>
The overall presentation of your booth is extremely important, as potential new customers will be walking past it all day while shopping at the show. Care and attention to detail will not go unnoticed. Even if you have a great product to showcase you still need to devote some time and work on drawing people in. <br>
<br>
Other common booth regulations are: </div>
<br>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>No handwritten signs</li>
<li>Signs must be one sided and not face into another exhibitor’s booth</li>
<li>Exhibit walls must be finished on both sides. No wires, frames, wood, etc. for your neighbor to see</li>
<li>Booths must have floor covering</li>
<li>Flooring must not be adhered directly to the floor and protection should be laid first</li>
<li>Tables must be skirted with floor length skirting (no plastic)</li>
<li>Personal effects, extra inventory, and stored items must be out of sight</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rN9yMI-IlvY/UhfCLuGenBI/AAAAAAAAASE/VkFF4Okz_xM/s1600/ikea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rN9yMI-IlvY/UhfCLuGenBI/AAAAAAAAASE/VkFF4Okz_xM/s320/ikea.jpg" width="320"></a>What does your booth say about your company? Does it look like you only want to do the bare minimum or go above and beyond? Your booth is your main marketing tool while at the home show and it communicates what your company is about to the public. If it stands out as an impressive display potential customers will be impressed and more likely to buy from you.<br>
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To read the Exhibitor Rules and Regulations for the home shows you are taking part in simply visit the “<b>For Confirmed Exhibitors</b>” section on home show website and look for the "<b>Exhibitor Kit</b>" page. If show management determines a booth does not meet the guidelines, is inappropriate or unprofessional, the exhibitor will be asked to make the necessary changes to be in compliance with the rules at the exhibitor’s expense. If you have any questions regarding the design set up of your booth do not hesitate to call your sales consultant. We are always happy to help and can offer examples of past booth displays along with some solutions. <br>
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