A trade fair (trade show, trade exhibition, or expo) is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services, meet with industry partners and customers, study activities of rivals, and examine recent market and opportunities.
Trade shows help you build your brand, generate sales leads, and strengthen relationships with customers and key prospects. Trade shows get you valuable face-time with the most buyers in the shortest time. That's why trade shows continue to grow, even in this digital era. Some of the key benefits of attending trade shows are:
You have a new product and you want to promote it. Now there is the opportunity to show your product in key players of your field in a well known exhibition or trade show. Many companies wait for the right show to introduce a new product.
Even if you have built a large network with many connections, there is not always a good chance to meet each other in person. So, invite your connections to attend a trade show or an exhibition you take part in. It is the best chance to meet your connections and at the same time to meet some new potential partners or buyers.
Having a well designed website and an impressive profile for you and your company in social networks for b2b is the first step to improve your brand’s image. In trade shows and exhibitions, you have the chance to prove that your creativity is part of your business.
You have already searched and created your competitive advantage through social networks for b2b and your researches. Now it is time to see your competitors in real action.
Trade shows and exhibitions get media coverage so you should be prepared to promote your business through media, either radio or TV stations. You can create a video or take photographs and then share them through social media to make a positive feedback for your profile. You should also use any references from media to share to your profile.
Attending or taking part in trade shows and exhibitions will make you more experienced. There are many things to learn about your business’s field, other products, new ideas and trends. Take this opportunity to improve your knowledge.
By doing all the above you have created a positive impression for your company. This will lead to larger brand awareness, bigger interest for your business and of course it will increase your sales. Remember to use everything in combination with your social network to inform your connections at the same time for your progress.