How to Stand Out at a Trade Show: 14 Tips for Success
Author: Sarah Roberts
Trade shows are a great place to generate leads and get your business out there and talked about, but knowing how to stand out at a trade show can be difficult, especially when there are hundreds of competitors and big names!
If you’re lacking a little creativity, or there’s a lot riding on this next event, we’re going to help you stand out in the best way possible. Our tips will not only make you memorable but they’ll also help you generate more leads and drive business.
Here are our top 14 tips for success:
1) Offer High-Value Giveaway Prizes 2) Invest in Quality Promotional Items 3) Use Bright Branding in Your Booth Design 4) Get Your Booth Hosts to Dress Up 5) Snag a Prominent Booth Location 6) Plan a Couple of Creative Stunts 7) Get Attendees Involved on Social Media 8) Create Interactive Marketing Displays 9) Extend Your Marketing to Your Hosts Outfits 10) Don't Underestimate the Power of an Event Video 11) Remember, Everyone Loves a Snack 12) Get a Mascot Involved 13 Upgrade Your Giveaways from Pens to Merch Packs 14) Generate Interest Using Existing Clients
Read on for how to use these tips to transform your booth into a lead-generating machine.
Offering high-value giveaway prizes like our custom Duet Bluetooth earbuds or the Bee mini drone can significantly boost interest in your booth. These modern items showcase cutting-edge technology and are highly practical, making them attractive to visitors.
By associating your brand with these popular products, you enhance the perceived value and prestige of your business. As attendees visit your stand for a chance to win these prizes, you increase foot traffic and create opportunities for meaningful conversations about your products and services.
The excitement generated by these giveaways can also widen your reach, as participants are likely to share their experiences both in-person and on social media, enhancing your brand's visibility and reputation.
Investing in quality promotional items is an ideal way to stand out from other booths because these items serve as tangible reminders of your brand.
When attendees receive high-quality products, such as our sleek Nova Pure water bottles, they associate the perceived value and utility of the item with your company.
Unlike generic giveaway items, premium promotional items are more likely to be retained and used by recipients, increasing the lifespan of your brand message.
By choosing distinctive and useful promotional products, you not only capture the interest of booth visitors but leave a lasting impression that extends well beyond the trade show.
3) Use Bright Branding in Your Booth Design
Using bright branding with colour and lighting in your booth design can greatly boost your trade show presence. Vibrant colours naturally draw attention and help your trade show booth stand out in a crowded exhibition hall.
A bold, on-brand colour scheme creates a visually appealing space that attracts attendees from a distance. Strategic lighting enhances these colours, adding depth and highlighting key areas of your booth, such as your logo or product displays, to ensure they catch attention.
Additionally, elements like LED strips or digital displays add a modern touch, enticing potential clients or partners to explore your offerings.
4) Get Your Trade Show Booth Hosts to Dress Up
Dressing your booth hosts in fun and themed costumes creates a lively and engaging atmosphere, drawing curious attendees to your booth.
Costumes serve as conversation starters, making your brand memorable and approachable. By reflecting your company's theme or products, these outfits reinforce your messaging and brand identity.
Some of our favourite costumes include:
Dressing up as Barbie for the beauty industry
Dressing up as famous red carpet looks for the fashion industry
This playful approach not only sets the tone for a positive interaction but also encourages social media sharing, exponentially increasing your booth's visibility and appeal.
5) Snag a Prominent Booth Location
Securing a prominent booth location at a trade show is crucial for maximising visibility and attracting attendees.
High footfall areas, such as near entrances, central walkways, and even locations close to key amenities like restrooms, can naturally increase the number of visitors passing by your booth.
While being near the toilets might not seem glamorous, the heavy traffic offers a prime opportunity to engage with a larger audience. The increased exposure not only aids in brand recognition but also provides more opportunities for face-to-face interactions.
Expo organisers know where the most popular booth locations are, so they’re going to charge a little more for this prime real estate. However, with the increase in traffic and visibility the additional cost can easily be covered by the increase in leads and sign ups.
Flashbay Top Tip: Sponsoring a trade show you’re visiting is the ultimate way to boost your visibility and increase returns in the long run. As a sponsor, your brand name and logo will be displayed on billboards, the trade show website, and other marketing materials for a huge brand awareness boost. You’ll probably get preferable booth locations thrown in, too!
6) Plan a Couple of Creative Stunts
Executing a creative stunt can place your brand at the heart of the trade show buzz. By surprising and engaging the audience with an unexpected performance or display, you capture attention and drive conversations, making your booth a focal point.
Such memorable activities foster social media sharing, further boosting your brand's visibility and reputation.
Make sure you judge the balance between creative and disruptive! If you cause a scene that the organisers don't like, they won't want you back, and it can harm your reputation. Think small flash mobs rather than guerilla marketing!
7) Get Attendees Involved on Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for making your booth stand out at a trade show, bridging the gap between face-to-face interaction and online visibility.
By encouraging attendees to engage with your brand on platforms like Instagram, X, or TikTok, you can extend your reach beyond the venue.
Running a competition on social media stories is a good tactic. For example, you can place branded stickers around the venue and challenge attendees to find and photograph them, tagging your company in their posts.
This gamified approach not only boosts engagement as attendees search for stickers but also increases your online presence through shared posts. This strategy ensures that while attendees enjoy interacting with your brand, they also help spread the word to a wider audience.
You could also have a QR code available for visitors to scan that takes them straight to your social platform!
8) Create Interactive Marketing Displays
Interactive marketing displays are effective at captivating attendees and ensuring they spend more time at your booth.
By incorporating hands-on elements, such as touchscreens, augmented reality experiences, or product demonstrations, you create an engaging environment that invites exploration and participation.
These interactive features capture the interest of visitors, encouraging them to linger and learn more about your brand and offerings. The longer attendees remain at your booth, the greater the opportunity for meaningful interactions and the chance to convey your brand message effectively.
A cohesive outfit for your hosts immediately conveys professionalism and unity, drawing attendees' interest toward your booth.
Branded hoodies or t-shirts are effective in achieving this cohesive look, as they display your company logo prominently while reinforcing brand recognition. This consistent visual identity can attract more visitors, enhancing your booth’s engagement and memorability.
We offer a wide selection of branded hoodies and custom t-shirts that can make the perfect trade show uniform for your booth hosts!
Our double-layered Relax hoodie is the ideal way to keep your booth hosts looking professional while protecting them from the breeze from a nearby door or blasting air con! If you want something less casual but that keeps your staff warm, our classic crew neck Dream sweatshirt is ideal.
Of course, if your trade show is taking place in the warmer months or your booth hosts are going to be particularly energetic in their lead generation, our Avenue T-shirt keeps them looking and feeling cool while boosting brand visibility.
All our apparel is available in sizes ranging from XS to XXXL to suit everyone!
10) Don't Underestimate the Power of an Event Video
If a picture tells a thousand words, imagine the impact of an event video. It can encapsulate the energy, excitement, and essence of your trade show booth, engaging viewers long after the event ends.
A well-crafted video not only showcases your products and services but also effectively communicates your brand's story and values, leaving a lasting impression that words alone cannot achieve.
Also, having it play on a loop throughout the event can really save your hosts' voices!
11) Remember, Everyone Loves a Snack
Branded freebies such as pens, bags, or USB sticks are essential for gaining further reach and leaving attendees with a tangible reminder of your brand. However, it's important not to overlook the impact of offering food freebies to entice attendees.
Snacks, such as branded sweets, popcorn, or even tea bags, provide immediate gratification and can effortlessly draw people towards your booth. A delicious treat not only attracts visitors but also encourages them to stay longer, giving your team more time to reel off their sales pitch.
12) Get a Mascot Involved if Possible
A company mascot can effectively attract attention to your booth at a trade show. Mascots combine entertainment and representation, acting as a lively focal point to draw attendees your way. Think of the Duolingo bird – that’s super memorable!
Their presence creates a welcoming atmosphere, encouraging visitors to interact with your team. Additionally, a mascot serves as a great conversation starter, making engagement more personable.
Plus, mascots often become memorable parts of the trade show experience, enhancing brand recognition and leaving a lasting impression.
13) Upgrade Your Giveaways from Pens to Merch Packs
Upgrading your giveaway items from basic branded pens to high-quality merchandise packs can significantly increase the engagement of trade show attendees with your brand.
These well-curated merch packs offer tangible value and boost the perceived benefit of signing up or buying from your company. When attendees receive high-quality, customisable merchandise packs, it enhances their experience and highlights your brand's professionalism.
Our range of Expo merch packs is specifically designed for trade shows and corporate events. Available in three size options, they include classic tote bags, lanyards, and even water bottles to help potential clients carry their swag and stay hydrated.
Our Expo S merch pack is ideal for giving out at a higher volume, providing value to a larger number of potential customers and boosting brand awareness in a big way.
For a larger gift for signing up for your services, our Expo L merch pack features everything your new client needs to get them through the trade show, including a pen, notebook, lanyard, and water bottle.
By offering something exclusive and appealing, you create interest and increase the chances of attracting and keeping customer attention.
14) Generate Interest Using Existing Clients
Nothing draws a crowd like a crowd. That's why inviting existing clients at the trade show to visit your booth can be a genius tactic to stand out.
Invite all your attending clients to visit your stand at the same time to create a crowd. This will inevitably pique the interest of potential clients and increase the leads you can generate from the event.
If you’re doing a talk at a trade show, why not get your clients involved?
Having one of your most successful clients join you on stage as a case study can be a hugely effective way to show the value of working with your business to potential clients without having to big yourself up too much. Plus, it’s free exposure for your client, too!
Final Thoughts: Trade Show Stand Ideas to Make You Stand Out
Creating a standout trade show booth is crucial for a successful event. It distinguishes your brand in a crowded setting, drawing in potential clients. A captivating design encourages interaction, turning your booth into an active spot.
This increased engagement boosts brand visibility and improves the chances of generating valuable business leads, making it a strategic necessity for event success.
improve your trade show booth engagement with high-quality custom promotional materials from Flashbay!
FAQs
How Should I Display Marketing Products to Grab Attention?
Arrange products at eye level using clear, attractive displays to catch attention. Incorporate lighting and signage to highlight key features. Utilise digital screens for dynamic presentations and offer interactive demonstrations to engage and inform potential customers effectively.
What Makes a Good Trade Show Stand?
A good trade show stand is visually striking and inviting and clearly communicates your brand's message. It should encourage interaction, offer memorable experiences, and effectively showcase products or services to engage attendees and generate leads.
How Do You Make a Trade Show a Fun Experience?
Create a fun trade show experience by incorporating interactive elements like games or contests, offering unique giveaways, providing engaging demonstrations, and ensuring a welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff and refreshments to keep attendees entertained and engaged.
How Should You Behave At Trade Shows?
Be approachable, professional, and engaging. Greet attendees warmly and actively listen to their needs. Demonstrate enthusiasm and product knowledge, maintain eye contact, and follow up promptly after the show to reinforce connections and turn interactions into business opportunities.
How Do You Attract Attention at a Trade Show?
Use striking visuals, interactive technology, and compelling demonstrations to draw in crowds. Offer enticing giveaways and create a buzz through social media. Make your booth inviting and ensure staff are friendly and knowledgeable to capture and maintain interest.
What Do You Say to People at a Trade Show?
Introduce yourself and your company, briefly explain your products or services, and ask open-ended questions to understand their needs. Tailor your conversation to highlight how your offerings can solve their problems or enhance their current strategy.
Author: Sarah Roberts
