Food Biz Wiz’s Post

Micro events at trade shows… it’s been nagging at me for a while and I wanna chat it out/learn with the pros (aka YOU!) here… Everyone’s all in on micro events these days. Intimate dinners and side event cocktail receptions. They’re a big hit and appear to be a massive ROI. They’re a place to really dig in and foster deep relationships with partners, prospects and current clients. I see the immense value as do most of the people in my sphere (here). So… my gut is asking…. What happens to trade shows/events when enough exhibitors realize they can forego the big expensive multi-thousand dollar booths and all the over the top design expenses in favor of a few side events for [potentially] greater impact at a lesser cost? Since I’m hardly ever really on the exhibit side of things (it’s been a while and I didn’t know then what I know now), I’m curious if this of any real concern for trade show hosts? Am I overthinking it? Will trade shows forge on despite the ability/availability to simply show up at the conference, peruse the show floor, reach out to prospects in advance and host a dinner instead of going all out on a booth? Is it fair to those who DO go all out with booths for people to essentially take advantage while letting them carry the cost of the event? Do we care? Is this a stupid question? Educate me #eventprofs 🥰 PS my reg brain of course has all sorts of thoughts about digging in to the attendee profiles to capture/differentiate these types of registrants during the process but that might be a discussion for another day…

Have you ever researched trade shows in search of the ideal event to showcase your product? Many companies seek to exhibit at our shows, and we often need to review their products before granting them permission to exhibit. Imagine, however, if an event company approached you because they have identified a market for your product and want you to participate. They would explain that they have the audience who is seeking your solution and that your presence is essential. As an event organizer, achieving this requires a deep understanding of your audience's needs, desires, and challenges. This understanding can be attained through various methods, depending on your approach. It might involve data collection, creating personas, analyzing market trends, or directly engaging with the audience to gain insights. Regardless of the method, the goal is to acquire a quantifiable grasp of the audience's challenges, the available solutions in the market, and supportive data. Once you possess this information, you have a solid foundation. You can be confident in having created the ideal venue for attendees to discover the products or solutions they seek. Consequently, selling booths or sponsorships to companies becomes straightforward, as they recognize the value of your audience. The key to a successful event lies in understanding the intricate needs of your audience and aligning them with the right exhibitors. By meticulously gathering data and engaging with your audience, you create an unmatched value proposition for both attendees and exhibitors. This strategic approach not only enhances the appeal of your event but also ensures its commercial success, making it a win-win for all parties involved. With the right insights and preparation, your event can become the perfect meeting ground for innovative solutions and eager markets. #eventplanning, #tradeshowsuccess, #tradeshows

🚀 Ready to steal the show at your next event? Our exhibitor checklist has got you covered! From setting goals to creating the perfect pitch, we've got the insider tips for a successful exhibition. Dive into the details now! https://lnkd.in/eiGsNpNW #EventSuccess #ExhibitorChecklist

5 questions exhibitors will ask you as an event organizer and how you can answer them confidently 👇 https://lnkd.in/eznkQ-yW

That's a wrap for this year's Expo West! Some may question the value of traveling over 4000 miles from Iceland to Anaheim, California, to attend a trade show among roughly 3000 other exhibitors. However, the answer is clear and based on iterations of almost 20 participations in tradeshows with Saltverk: Yes, it's worth it and here's why:   Despite the immense growth facilitated by the internet for Saltverk, there's nothing quite like face-to-face interactions. In my experience, business-to-business is truly human-to-human. Trust isn't built in business; it's built in the people within the business.   In the US, we collaborate with strong brokers like Yin Yang Naturals, who also attend the show in person and connect us with potential retailers. This allows us the opportunity to make personal connections and, hopefully, leave a lasting impression with our handcrafted sea salt.   Having attended these trade shows for almost a decade now, we've found that, more often than not, retailers need multiple interactions at expos like Expo West before they're ready to engage in a dialogue about our products.   So, for any aspiring producer of consumer goods, my advice is this: while the internet serves its purpose, there's still nothing as impactful as shaking hands and saying hello.  

🚀 Heading to EXPO West this week? Prepare to make the most out of this epic trade show experience with these top tips for exhibitors: 1️⃣ First Impressions Matter: Your booth is your business card. Make it visually appealing and inviting. Catch attention with vibrant displays and clear signage. 2️⃣ Know Your Audience: Research who attends EXPO West and tailor your pitch accordingly. Understand their pain points and show how your product or service solves them. 3️⃣ Engage, Don't Sell: People attend trade shows to network and learn. Engage in meaningful conversations, offer valuable insights, and build relationships. Sales will naturally follow. 4️⃣ Stand Out with Samples: Let people experience your product firsthand. Sampling creates a memorable experience and increases the likelihood of a purchase. 5️⃣ Leverage Social Media: Use hashtags like #EXPOWest to increase your visibility before, during, and after the event. Share sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes moments, and booth updates to generate buzz. 6️⃣ Follow Up Promptly: Collect leads diligently and follow up promptly after the event. Personalized follow-ups show that you value the connection made at the show. 7️⃣ Stay Energized: Trade shows can be exhausting, but maintaining enthusiasm and energy is crucial. Stay hydrated, take breaks when needed, and bring your A-game throughout the event. EXPO West is not just about showcasing your products; it's about building relationships, learning from industry leaders, and making meaningful connections. Embrace the opportunity, and make this EXPO West your best one yet! 🌟💼 #EXPOWest #TradeShowTips #NetworkingSuccess

We’re headed into exhibition season and if you’re exhibiting at one of the upcoming trade shows such as #Accountex, as an exhibitor you want visitors to stop by and speak with you. So how should you approach people walking by your stand? Should you hold your marketing merchandise in your hands in a bid to lure them to speak with you? Should you stand in the corridor and block their way sheepishly to gain their attention? Maybe some cartwheels will help? 🤸♀️🤸🤸♂️ Or should you just stand within the boundaries of your stand & come across professional and unobtrusive? Nope. None of these tactics will help you grab the attention of visitors as they’ll see through them. Visitors know you’re keen to speak with them but what matters is how keen they are to speak with you. Here’s what I suggest you do. Instead of trying to pull in the visitor walking by, to hear all about the fantastic work your business does for its clients, simply ‘be human’. Forget you’re exhibiting with a view to secure those all too important #leads. Instead, be warm and welcoming and ask if you can help them find the stand they may be looking for. Be friendly - not a salesperson nor marketer, even though you may be. They’ll appreciate you. Take a second and inform your colleagues on the stand you’re stepping away for a few minutes. Walk & talk with the visitor. Now, you’ve got their attention, ask them what they do & what brings them to the show that day. Your warm memorable approach will get them to open up & you’ll walk away with an easy conversation that results in a hot lead. This approach has worked wonders for me over the years whenever I’ve exhibited. If you decide to try this approach out, do circle back and let me know how it went for you. I hope it does wonders for you too. #Sales is a contact sport but one that doesn’t need the other party to be bamboozled. Happy exhibiting! 🎉 Celebrating 20 years on LinkedIn! 🎉 #theaishaejaz #salestraining #businessdevelopment

I often talk to people who are resistant to the idea of adding experiences on the expo floor. They don’t want to give up sellable space. I get it. We need to make money. But, the days of expo halls being all about exhibitors are gone. Make the expo hall a vibrant hub of community. ➾ Improve the flow of people throughout the hall + traffic to those areas of the expo hall that are traditionally quiet = happier exhibitors and sponsors. ➾ Provide attendees with opportunities to sit, relax, talk, eat, drink, think, get inspired, inspire = reasons for attendees to stay there longer. ➾ Hubs of community = connection, that true feeling of belonging that they’re looking for, which improves attendee experience, satisfaction scores, and chances that they'll speak highly of the event and come back the following year. = This will all help bring in money, as sponsors and attendees are happier.

🌈 Elevate your exhibition game! Our blog reveals the secrets to preparing for event success. Uncover the steps to set goals, make connections, and create an irresistible booth. Ready to shine? ✨ https://lnkd.in/eiGsNpNW #EventExcellence #ExhibitorLife

Check out this article from TSNN which features a report by Freeman Company, a tradeshow industry operator that is detailing 2024 attendee behaviors, with key data points, and tips for how to strategize to achieve event success! TSNN - Trade Show News Network is the leading media channel for trade shows and events in our nation.