If you’re looking to make a statement in the high-end interior design industry, there’s one event not to be missed. The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) is the premier trade show for luxury furniture, design and lighting in North America. Every year at the ICFF show in New York City, exhibitors show off the hottest trends and innovations in this lucrative industry.
Over the course of more than 30 years, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) has established itself as a destination for the boldest and most sought-after furniture brands to present their newest visions. At ICFF, attendees and buyers can be the first to acquire the most of-the-moment offerings in interior design. The offerings at ICFF include:
The show is a platform for luxury brands in all of these categories and more.
With eye-catching, lavish pieces filling the trade show floor, exhibitors preparing to showcase their products should make sure they’re ready to make their display stand out. Here’s what you need to know about the International Contemporary Furniture Fair before the event arrives.
ICFF takes place every May at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The venue is located in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. First opened in 1986, the Javits Center features more 840,000 square feet of exhibition space on four levels.
International Contemporary Furniture Fair’s New York City location puts the show in one the world capitals for the high-end design industry. More than 50,000 designers are based in the Big Apple, according to ICFF. The proximity to so many industry leaders makes the show a must-see for buyers looking for the newest and most exciting items.
The show happens over the course of four days, usually the second or third week of May. The first three days of ICFF are typically trade-only and not open to the general public — you have to be part of the industry to attend. However, the public is usually welcome to attend on the final day of ICFF.
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More than 38,000 people attended the most recent edition of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. That number comprises representatives from about 9,000 different companies. Here is the breakdown of job titles among attendees, according to ICFF’s post-show report:
The opportunity to make major sales at ICFF is no joke. The show’s attendees are dead-set on getting their hands on the hottest items that will make rooms pop — and the receipts prove it. Attendees say they plan to spend, on average, about $597,000 with ICFF exhibitors in the year following the event.
ICFF reported that more than 90 percent of attendees surveyed said they found a new product at the show, and 90 percent said they were likely to attend again.
The list of exhibitors at ICFF spans a wide range of categories, from carpets and flooring to wall hanging, to lighting fixtures. The show sees 900 exhibitors from 60 countries present their offerings on the trade show floor.
Some of the most popular, cutting-edge and influential brands who have recently presented exhibits and features at ICCF include:
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The cost of exhibiting at ICFF will depend on a variety of factors, including staffing, travel and lodging, shipping your materials and much more. However, the show outlines the basic costs of reserving a space on the trade show floor. For a basic booth, this is the cost breakdown:
You can also choose to reserve an island space. An island space features aisles and access on all four sides of the booth. These are more desirable, but come with a price tag to match: They range from $12,060 for a 10-foot by 20-foot space to $50,910 for a 30-foot by 30-foot space.
The costs for both ordinary booths and island spaces include 800 pounds per 100 square feet of materials handling.
What are the advantages of exhibiting at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair? At the country’s foremost luxury furniture fair, there is a variety of ways your business can benefit beyond simply making sales.
If you’re looking to stay competitive in the interior design and furniture industry, making an appearance at ICFF will give you a first look at some of the latest trends in the field. Industry leaders are always looking to make an impact on the trade show floor with their freshest designs.
Through its schedule of educational programming, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair offers chances to learn about new strategies to grow your company. Even if you’re confident about your business model, it never hurts to stay up to date on the ways that eager upstarts are shaking up the industry.
ICFF is an unparalleled networking opportunity. With thousands of industry professionals gathered in one place, there are few better opportunities to make an advantageous connection.
When handling high-end furniture and other home decor products, you don’t want to leave anything up to chance. Shipping these items and shipping to interior design trade shows securely is an absolute must — that’s why you should count on a professional logistics company to take care of your shipment.
R+L Global Logistics is well-versed in the intricacies of shipping valuable materials to trade shows. Our experienced trade show team will track your shipment through every step of the trade show freight shipping process, and you’ll have access to 24/7 support should any questions arise. Reach a representative today by using the chat or calling 866-415-8986.
Here’s the deep dish on Chicago trade shows: The Windy City is one of the top destinations for exhibitions and conventions in the United States. Thousands of industry leaders from a wide range of sectors gather at Chicago trade shows every year to showcase the latest in manufacturing, design, candy and snacks, beauty and makeup, design and more.
Chicago is the third most popular city in the United States for trade shows and corporate events, according to Exhibitor Magazine. If you’re planning on exhibiting at a Chicago trade show, it’s important to make the most of the opportunity. First, learn your way around the top Chicago exhibitions and the major convention centers.
Chicago fourth among trade show exhibitors and event professionals’ favorite cities to visit.
Unlike most other major trade show hotspots (such as Las Vegas and San Diego), Chicago isn’t known for fair, sunny weather or glitzy tourist attractions. Rather, Chi-Town has established itself as an exhibition hub on the strength of its industry leadership, top-notch facilities, and business activity.
To start, Chicago is home to the largest convention center in North America, McCormick Place. The city is also a major industry hub for fields such as manufacturing, printing and publishing, finance and insurance, and food processing. The Chicago metro area is home to several companies Fortune 500 list, including major players such as Walgreens, Boeing, Allstate, Caterpillar, Deere, US Food Holding and more. All of these industries make Chicago a great place for retail trade shows, hospitality trade shows and more.
The city’s high proportion of industry leaders in these sectors makes it a natural fit for related trade shows to come to Chicago every year. You’ll reliably find major manufacturing trade shows in Chicago, such as the IMTS Show and PACK Expo. Additionally, the city hosts top candy trade shows and makeup/beauty trade shows.
And don’t underestimate the sheer population of Chicago: The third largest city in the United States with 2.7 million people, Chicago is guaranteed to be buzzing with activity for any major event.
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The most important trade shows in Chicago every year span manufacturing, hospitality, food processing, fashion and beauty, design and home decor, and promotional products. Get ready for the following trade shows to make a major splash in their industries.
One of the largest manufacturing shows in the world, IMTS drew more than 129,000 people at its last event to see the latest innovations in technology and processes. Held annually at Chicago’s McCormick Place, IMTS saw more than 2,500 companies exhibit on the 1.4 million square foot trade show floor.
Now 100 years old, the National Restaurant Association Show is the hospitality industry’s top event of the year, drawing more than 65,000 people to see the hottest trends in food and beverages, technology, kitchen equipment and more. Culinary and mixology demos, educational sessions and more set the show apart.
When it comes to trade shows, it doesn’t get sweeter than this. The Sweets & Snacks Expo offers previews of new treats, retail strategies, and networking opportunities for people in the industry. The show hosts 20,000 people and 700 exhibitors at McCormick Place.
Held at McCormick Place in July, the ASI Show is a top show for the promotional products industry. The show also holds an event in Long Beach in March. More than 500 suppliers exhibit at the ASI Show.
This major manufacturing show bounces back and forth between Las Vegas and Chicago. Focused on the packaging industry, the show attracts more than 50,000 people and over 2,000 exhibiting companies across 1.2 million square feet of McCormick Place.
Calling itself “world’s largest marketplace of home and housewares professionals,” the International Home & Housewares Show lives up to that reputation by drawing more than 55,000 people and 2,200 exhibiting companies to McCormick Place.
Salon owners and workers convene for this huge yearly show at McCormick Place. Attendance at the show exceeds 76,000, including customers from every state and 35 different countries. The show has been running for 96 years now.
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Chicago wouldn’t have become the trade show destination that it is without first-rate facilities to handle the influx of attendees and exhibitors. The following convention centers collectively see millions of visitors each year.
Why do so many top trade shows happen in Chicago? One answer is obvious: The city’s McCormick Place is the largest convention center in the United States. The 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space dwarf most other event venues. The four-building facility is located along Lake Michigan, about two miles south of Downtown Chicago. Here are a few of the top Chicago trade shows at McCormick Place:
Formerly the Merchandise Mart, theMART was once the largest building in the world, with more than 4 million square feet. A commercial building and design center, theMART hosts several trade shows a year related to design, fashion and beauty. These are just a few of the major shows that happen at theMART:
Just outside of Chicago in the suburb of Rosemont, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center provides another top-notch venue for trade fairs. Its 840,000 square feet of exhibit space can be configured for as many as 3,566 booths. The center is named after a former mayor of Rosemont. Major shows at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center include:
If your company is planning to exhibit at a trade show in the Windy City, don’t get blown over by all the complications of shipping your booth materials. Leave it to a knowledgeable team of trade show shipping professionals.
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They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and the Dallas trade show industry is no exception. The Lone Star State is one of the top destinations in the country for industry expos and conferences. Texas trade shows draw decision makers from a wide range of fields to the state.
One Texas city stands out from the rest: Dallas puts a particular emphasis on attracting events to its acclaimed convention center. Every year, you’ll find major industry leaders and brand new products at Dallas trade shows. Whether you’re attending a Dallas trade show or one in another Texan city, here’s what to know before you go.
Texas has proven itself to be a true trade show hotspot. Of the 20 most popular cities for trade shows and corporate events in the United, four are in Texas, according to Exhibitor magazine. Here is where they ranked:
Additionally, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas all placed in the top 20 favorite cities to attend on business among exhibit and event professionals.
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Why is Texas such a destination for trade shows? There are a few big reasons. First of all, the southwestern locale often means favorable weather: Attendees to trade shows in Texas don’t usually have to worry about snowstorms or frigid temperatures. Additionally, Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio all have the infrastructure, convention venues and capacity to handle the influx of visitors.
Dallas, the biggest trade show destination in the state, attracts 27.2 million visitors in all each year, and has 80,000 hotel rooms – 13,000 of them downtown – to host these drop-ins. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas is one of the state’s top venues for trade shows. Its hosts about 24 events considered to be “citywide,” meaning they attract at least 2,500 people at their peak.
Houston, meanwhile, hosts 40 major events every year and 200 smaller ones, many at the popular George R. Brown Convention Center. In 2017, 802,859 nights at hotel rooms were booked for conventions, a 5 percent increase over 2016.
Texas cities consistently rank high in lists of the top U.S. cities to travel to. Cvent’s roundup of the 50 best meeting destinations in the United States featured 7 Texas cities, with Dallas the highest ranked at No. 8. On Call International said that both Dallas and Houston are among the top 10 cities for business travel, based on factors like on-time flights, hotel prices, mobile networks, and traffic congestion.
To attract trade shows to the state, Texas can also point to its status as a major hub for industry leaders in a variety of different sectors. Nearly 50 companies on the Fortune 500 list are headquartered in the Lone Star state.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area alone is home to 22 companies on the most recent Fortune 500 ranking, including big names like third-ranked Exxon Mobil, JCPenney, AT&T, and Texas Instruments. Houston has 21 on the same list, with Phillips 66 and Sysco leading the way. In San Antonio, there are five Fortune 500 companies, with Valero its highest-ranked outfit. And Austin boasts major players Dell and Whole Foods. These cities are also hotspots for new startups that are blazing trails in their fields.
The high proportion of major brands and trendy new firms within close proximity makes it likely that a trade show in Texas will be able to show off the cutting edge of their industries. Buyers and other trade show attendees from across the country want to see how these heavy hitters continue to impact the business world.
Texas wouldn’t have become a leading trade show hub without top-notch venues to host the expos. The biggest cities in Texas all boast facilities that collectively handle millions of visitors every year, making it that much more important to get noticed on a crowded expo floor.
The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas sees more than 1 million visitors annually for events like the Great American Trucking Show, Small Business Expo and CAMX. The more than 2 million square feet of total space encompasses 1 million square feet of exhibit space and a 10,000-seat arena. For added convenience, the Convention Center is connected by SkyBridge to the Omni Dallas Hotel, where 1,001 rooms are available.
Formerly Reliant Park, NRG Park in Houston features a convention center with 1.4 million square feet in all, and more than 700,000 square feet of contiguous single-level exhibit space. First opened in 2002, the center’s website boasts about its leading technology infrastructure – which makes sense, considering the venue is named after an energy and utilities company.
Since opening in 1987, Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center has hosted some of the top conventions in Texas, including the NAPE Summit and Comicpalooza. Its original 1.2 million square feet have ballooned to 1.8 million square after renovations and expansions over the years.
The 5 million square foot facility is a leading wholesale marketplace, featuring four buildings: the Dallas World Trade Center, the Dallas Market Hall, Trade Mart, and International Trade. While the showrooms operate year-round, the facility has a packed calendar of major special events for apparel, accessories, home decor, gifts and more. Among the most anticipated are the Dallas Apparel and Accessories Market, the Total Home & Gifts Markets and the Dallas Western Market.
There is no shortage of lodging around the venue. Hotels near the Dallas Market Center include the Holiday Inn Dallas Market Center, the Doubletree by Hilton – Market Center, the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Market Center, and several others.
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First opened in 1968, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in Downtown San Antonio hosts more than 300 events every year, with more than 750,000 people passing through. Its 1 million square feet includes over 500,000 square feet of exhibition space, more than 70 meeting rooms and the largest ballroom in Texas.
Though it hosts many events, Austin Convention Center is most noteworthy for its status as the home base for SXSW, one of Texas’ signature yearly events. The facility has nearly 900,000 square feet of space, with a nearly 250,000 square foot exhibit hall.
Whatever industry you’re in, the Big D has a trade show for you. Dallas trade shows span a wide range of different business categories, including apparel and accessories, home decor and gifts, sports, trucks and automotive, pets and more. Here are a few of the major Dallas expos and conventions where you can find new clients and strengthen business relationships.
One of the biggest trucking conferences in the country, the Great American Trucking Show is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. The show reliably packs the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention in Dallas with drivers, enthusiasts and anyone else with a passion for trucking. Take a look at the numbers at the Great American Trucking Show:
Live music, competitions and other entertainment will also be on hand for attendees and exhibitors. While the event is open to the general public, you do have to register to attend.
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Most major trade shows take place once a year. But the Dallas Total Home and Gift Market lives up to Texas’ supersized reputation by mounting four trade shows per year. Editions of the event are held in January, March, June and September.
Now more than 60 years old, the Total Home and Gift Market takes place at the Dallas Market Center, a leading hub for wholesale transactions. The 5 million square foot showroom plays host to retailers, interior designers, manufacturers and more. Dallas Market Center is a permanent showroom but hosts special events and trade shows throughout the year. This is what you can expect when attending the Total Home and Gift Market:
The market is not open to the public – you must be a qualified industry professional to attend one of the shows.
Not to be outdone by the Total Home and Gift Market, the Dallas Apparel and Accessories Market takes place five times every year. Similarly held at the Dallas Market Center, the apparel market has been going strong for 55 years now. Shipping to retail trade shows is big business in Texas.
Like the gift market, the Dallas Apparel Market draws about 40,000 attendance at its peak events. Its categories include women’s, men’s and children’s apparel, fashion accessories, shoe, swimwear, bridal, prom, and more. Throughout the year, you’ll also find specialty markets catering to specific audiences, such as the Dallas Western Market and the Men’s Show.
The Texas Home & Gardens shows aren’t limited to Dallas – the organization hosts trade shows in cities across the state. But the spring event in Dallas is city’s longest-running garden show, going for 40 years now.
It is held annually at Dallas Market Hall, part of the Dallas Market Center campus. The Market Hall is the only part of the facility open to the public and hosts a wide range of trade shows annually. The show spans 100,000 square feet, with big brands names like IKEA and Lowes on display.
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The expos above are just a few of the most popular trade shows to draw thousands of people to Dallas. But the top events don’t stop there. Don’t forget about these marquee industry gatherings:
Other major events aren’t held in Dallas every year, but do show up in the city regularly. CAMX, the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo, recently took place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Dallas Convention Center. ABCA, the American Baseball Coaches Association, held its largest convention ever in Dallas, with more 6,600 coaches in attendance. The SC Conference for supercomputing and the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting have both come to Dallas recently.
As the biggest city in Texas, Houston isn’t about to let Dallas claim the entire Texas trade show market for itself. H-Town has no shortage of major expos, conventions and conferences blasting off in the city. Here are the top Houston trade shows to look out for:
It’s no surprise that the top oil and gas expo would be held in Texas. A weeklong event, NAPE is the leading trade show for the oil and gas industry’s major players to gather. Held at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, the event draws about 12,000 attendees and hosts 700 exhibitors. NAPE stands for North American Prospect Expo. The summit has been running for 25 years now.
Yet another energy convention, the Offshore Technology Conference is held every year at NRG Park in Houston. It is among the 200 largest trade shows in the United States. The flagship conference in Houston has been going strong since 1969, but OTC has expanded to also host an Arctic Technology Conference, along with offshoots in Brazil and Asia.
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While Dallas and Houston are major trade show destinations, they’re far from the only places to attend a leading industry expo in Texas. Throughout the Lone Star state, business professionals and business owners are gathering to grow their companies at top trade shows such as the following:
No matter where you’re shipping to in Texas, R+L Global Logistics’ trade show experts can help you. Our trade show team has a proven track record, ensuring that exhibit materials arrive at their destination safely and on time. With 24/7 support and real-time tracking, you follow your booth through every step of the process. Learn everything you need to know about USA trade show shipping with us.
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We’re not playing around: Exhibiting at a sports trade show could be a home run for your business. But if you want to win big at an industry expo, you’ll need to prepare for some stiff competition on the trade show floor.
Sports equipment conventions draw innovative brands, industry leaders and potential customers that can help your business grow. Don’t get stuck on the bench — start planning for the sports trade show that will help your company go the distance.
The top sporting goods trade shows are major destinations for the biggest names in the health and fitness field. With thousands of visitors flocking to these events, you don’t want to miss out. Make sure you know the most prominent sports expos so you can determine whether they’re a good fit for your business. Learn how to get the most of your trade show booth.
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The biggest sports trade show in the world is ISPO Munich, which draws more than 84,000 attendees and more than 2,700 exhibitors to Germany every year. ISPO is short for Internationale Fachmesse für Sportartikel Und Sportmode, which is German for International Sporting Goods and Sportswear Trade Fair.
The products at ISPO Munich include sports apparel, sports technology, training equipment, water sports equipment, indoor and outdoor products, winter sports items and much more. The show has been running for more than 40 years and has become the premier event for leading brands in sports.
ISPO doesn’t only run one event, however. The organization also mounts two trade shows in China, ISPO Beijing and ISPO Shanghai. The ISPO China events bring the prestigious sports industry platform to a whole new market of eager buyers.
Launched in 2004, ISPO Beijing is Asia’s top market for sporting goods and is centered around Winter Sports. It draws 30,000 visitors and more than 400 exhibitors. ISPO Shanghai, meanwhile, focuses on summer sports and is more catered to the Asian market.
ISPO is also hosting a new top outdoor sports trade show. Its newest concept, OutDoor by ISPO will hold its first edition in Munich and will become Europe’s largest outdoor trade fair.
The acclaimed ISPO trade shows aren’t your only chance to make a play. All over the world, major sporting goods shows are providing platforms to present your sports products and services to new prospective clients.
Each event has its own focus, whether it’s a sports apparel market or trade show, a sports medicine trade show, an extreme sports trade show or a sports memorabilia trade show. Take a look to see if one of these top sports trade fairs is right for you:
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Sports trade shows can help you grow your business, but they aren’t necessarily a slam dunk. You need to make sure your business is the right fit for the event.
The sports industry has a wide array of products and services, and each trade show will feature different exhibitors. When considering a trade show, look up its exhibitor list or trade show directory and see if the other vendors are likely to draw the audience you want to target. Here are just some of the major sports, health and fitness fields and categories that exhibit at trade shows:
Likewise, the attendees at sports shows vary drastically from event to event. Some sports trade shows will list out the demographics of their usual attendees, allowing exhibitors to see the anticipated audience at the expo. You should identify whether your products will meet the needs of the attendees. Here are some of the common jobs and fields for sports trade show buyers and attendees.
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It’s no wonder that the biggest sports trade shows manage to attract hundreds – or even thousands – of exhibitors. As meeting places for industry leaders and newcomers alike, these expos provide advantages to any type of player in the sports scene.
The trade show industry generates $12.8 billion every year, most of that coming from registration costs. It’s clear that top companies are seeing value in these events, and that value comes in more ways than one.
Ask yourself: What do you hope to achieve from the event? For a successful sports trade show experience, it’s important to set goals. Here are some of the ways a trade show can bolster your business.
Put your finger on the pulse of the industry. Trade shows offer an unparalleled opportunity to survey the cutting edge in sports. To stay current and relevant to an ever-changing field, it’s essential to be in-the-know about the new technologies, products and trends.
At the top sports trade shows, major established heavy-hitters and exciting new startups will showcase their latest innovations. While manning your own booth should be a priority, don’t hesitate to explore the show floor. See how your business stacks up, and feed off the ingenuity you see on display for new ideas.
The attendees at sports trade shows are seeking products that will improve their own businesses and organizations. Otherwise they wouldn’t bother attending. You’ll rarely find a more amenable group of prospective clients — if you can engage them, that is. Standing out on a sports trade show floor is a challenge, but once you’ve attracted visitors to your exhibit, you have a golden opportunity.
A trade show is an excellent platform to introduce a brand new product or service. According to PGA Merchandise Fair, a major golf show, this is the number one thing attendees hope to find at trade shows. Show them something they haven’t seen before.
The global sports industry is worth more than $600 billion. Worldwide events like the Olympics and the World Cup keep competitors looking for a leg up on the international competition. It’s almost certain that untapped opportunities await your business in foreign markets, and a trade show can offer a chance to seize them. You can achieve this in a number of different ways.
One method is to cast a wide net by attending one of the biggest sports trade shows. ISPO Munich, for example, is a true international event, drawing visitors from 120 different countries. This is a chance to potentially stake a claim with customers in several different new markets.
However, most trade shows aren’t like ISPO. Instead, the majority of sports expos will attract visitors from within a few hundred miles of the venue. This provides its own opportunity: If you’ve identified a specific market that you want to break into, find a trade show in or near that region. There, you can then focus intently on building your client base in that area. Some of the most popular locations for sports trade shows include:
More goes on at sports trade shows than just buying, selling and pitching. These conventions are exceptional opportunities for face-to-face time with future partners. In advance, identify potential collaborators who will be attending the convention, and reach out to set up meetings with them. At many trade shows you can even reserve meeting rooms to have a private conversation.
A scheduled meeting will give you more time to prepare your selling points, but don’t be afraid to look into new opportunities as they arise. Over the course of the event, you and your staff will likely encounter plenty of intriguing businesses. Don’t leave a lucrative partnership on the table, but be discerning, too. Research the companies that approach you and determine if a relationship would be mutually beneficial.
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Don’t limit your pitch to potential customers and partners. Trade shows can be an ideal place to attract new people to your staff. Sports conventions are crawling with talented, knowledgeable workers eager to stand out. Hiring these forward-thinking upstarts is essential to growing your business long-term.
Put your best foot forward: An appealing exhibit with an enthusiastic team and interesting products and services can catch the eyes of talented individuals looking for the next step in their careers. Even if you don’t have an open position immediately, connecting with ambitious talent can pay off down the line. Use a trade show to plant the seeds for a future relationship.
Attending a sports trade show can be a great opportunity to check in with long-time customers and partners. You want to make sure these relationships aren’t taken for granted. If your business is exhibiting at a trade show, you should already have prepared a pitch emphasizing the advantages of your latest offerings.
Don’t miss out on the chance to remind your current clients why your services are so valuable — and potentially expand your business with them. It’s easier to convince a current client to invest in more of your products and services than to convince a brand new customer to sign a contract.
A sports trade show appearance is as much about laying the groundwork for future success as it is about closing deals. Whether you’re a new brand or a mainstay of the industry, it’s always worthwhile to get your name in front of a relevant audience.
A major sports expo can provide the perfect platform for introducing your brand to customers, and to associate your business with the buzz and excitement of an event. An eye-catching booth design, bold marketing materials, and appealing giveaway promotional items will help your branding reach new eyeballs. This added visibility can go a long way in increasing your market share.
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One of the most useful perks of attending a top sports trade show is learning about the latest industry trends first-hand. But even before you go, you should familiarize yourself with the ways the industry is changing. Then, you can evaluate how different brands are seizing these business opportunities. Below are some of the hottest trends to track in the global sports industry, according to experts from Deloitte, Nielsen and ISPO:
The audience for eSports and gaming competition is exploding, with the fanbase growing by about 30 percent annually. The live streaming platform Twitch continues to attract young consumers who want to watch top gamers play in real time.
While traditional sporting goods and equipment companies might not consider eSports to be relevant to them, it’s important not to be dismissive. Try to brainstorm ways your brand can connect with this fast-growing sector. Brand partnerships and opportunities abound, whether in sponsorship of competitors or adding your products into the games themselves. Keep an open mind.
Athletes today are obsessed with accumulating data about their activities, workouts and training. Wearable self-tracking devices like FitBits are no longer the hot new thing, but the trend that they launched continues apace. Smartwatches have become more and more common, monitoring heart rate, calorie burning, steps and much more. GPS trackers for cyclists and runners are also major products in this sector. No matter what type of sporting goods you specialize in, the data from wearable tech is relevant to your consumers.
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has opened the door to sports gambling across the country. Individual states have been left to make their own rules when it comes to this field, and tech startups are wasting no time in getting in on the action.
Far from the niche interest it once was, sports gambling is making its way into mainstream media coverage of sports of all kinds. Get in on the ground floor by finding ways to incorporate your brand into this booming area.
The internet and social media have emboldened athletes to tell their own stories rather than relying on intermediaries in the press. Fans, too, appreciate the chance to engage directly with the stars they follow.
As Deloitte points out, platforms specifically catered to hosting content from athletes such as the Players Tribune are gaining a reputation for exclusive information. Partnerships with athletes on these platforms or social media can bolster your brand awareness far beyond typical advertising.
Related to athletes creating content, sports stars are also sharing more about their personal lives than they have previously. Deloitte notes that in particular, athletes have shown a newfound willingness to tackle mental health with personal testimony about depression, anxiety, and more. NBA stars like DeMar Derozan and Kevin Love have opened up about their own mental health struggles, with hopes of destigmatizing these battle among their fan bases.
A new trend in cycling hopes to find the best of both worlds. Growing in popularity, gravel biking is a hybrid between road and mountain biking.
These bikes are designed for riding on relatively easy terrain and unpaved roads. ISPO says that common features include a longer wheelbase, disc brakes, a lower bottom bracket, and racing bike handlebars. The most popular gravel biking event (or “gravel grinder”) is Dirty Kanza in Emporia, Kansas.
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New technologies are bringing together sports and virtual world together like never before. Augmented and virtual reality are bringing live sports experiences to people’s homes through their immersive potential. With virtual reality, fans can watch a game as if they are right on the sidelines, while augmented reality brings virtual objects into the world around you using smartphone apps or other displays.
Oculus, for example, offers the Fox Sports VR, which allows users to “teleport” to different positions around the court or field to see the game from any perspective. No additional expensive hardware or equipment is required — users can just insert your regular smartphone into a cardboard VR viewer and feel like they’re at the game. However, higher-end technology like the Oculus Rift offers a far more immersive experience.
Star athletes, sports leagues and prominent companies are embracing social causes and campaigns like never before. Fans increasingly expect their favorite personalities and brands to take stands on important issues of the day. Younger consumers care deeply about issues of equality and want to see that value reflected in what they consume, Nielsen points out.
This can sometimes be rocky territory — you don’t want to alienate a segment of fans with a strident stand on a contentious issue. But remember that you can build deeper brand loyalty by showing your audience that your business cares about the social causes relevant to them. When fans feel like they’re doing good by supporting a brand, they’ll keep coming back.
Now that you’ve set your goals, it’s time to strategize. Maximizing your return on investment at a trade show requires planning and commitment. There are several aspects of a trade show that require your time and effort to see your desired results.
Your booth will be one of your biggest assets in engaging prospective clients, so it’s important to learn how to plan a successful exhibition. It’s not enough to simply highlight your products and services — your exhibit needs to stand out on a crowded trade show floor. Attendees at the expo will have likely hundreds of booths to choose from, so your business only has a few seconds to capture their attention. These are some of the most important factors to consider when designing a sports convention booth:
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Sports are about people – and your people will make a difference for your sports trade show display. Assembling and training a top-notch booth staff is key to drawing visitors to your exhibit and engaging them. Here’s how to get it done.
Make preparation easier on yourself by enlisting a team that’s already knowledgeable about your products and services. Employees with a good sense of the competitive landscape, industry leaders and common business needs will be the most effective at making an impact on the trade show floor.
A strong foundation of information to build upon means fewer resources dedicated to readying the team for the event. When each booth staff member already has a firm grasp on your company’s advantages, a little preparation will go much further.
All that knowledge won’t go far if your team can’t communicate it in an enthusiastic and engaging way. For your booth staff, pick team members with proven verbal communication skills, who you know can keep up a naturally flowing conversation with prospective customers.
A track record of giving effective presentations or of closing sales can be a few indicators that a colleague is a good fit for manning the booth staff. People who stop at your booth should feel like they’re being engaged with on a human level.
Every member of your booth staff should be working off a prepared list of key talking points that emphasize the benefits of your products and services. Don’t think of these as a monologue to read to visitors verbatim — rather, treat them as a guide. Approach conversations naturally, but ask questions that steer customers toward your selling points when it makes sense. The staff should keep their eyes on the prize, but a stiff, over-prepared pitch is a turn-off for visitors.
A collection of data points about your products can make a great point, but don’t underestimate the value of a good anecdote. Your best asset will be team members who have firsthand experience using your sporting goods. Coupled with hard information about materials, costs, or customer services, a personal testimony can punctuate those points, showing how they matter in the real world.
If your services are more geared toward companies than individuals, you can still use anecdotes from clients that emphasize how your product improved their businesses.
Etiquette is an underrated element of the trade show experience. Expo attendees want to feel respected by the vendors, and an easy way to send a message that you appreciate your visitors is to treat them politely. Here are a few of the keys tips for booth staff etiquette:
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Time to suit up. Don’t forget to direct your team on how they should dress during the event. It’s a bit of a balancing act — your booth staff needs to reflect your branding while still remaining professional.
Choosing your team’s sports trade show attire depends on a number of factors. For many types of sporting goods companies, branded polos or t-shirts can just fine — just keep them clean and unwrinkled. If you’re a sports apparel company, having your staff wear some of your actual products can show off the different ways that the items can be styled and paired with different items. No matter your area of expertise, remember this: Sports are all about activity, so stay away from anything too formal or stuffy. Remember to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Your staff will be standing for long periods, and discomfort will make them less effective on the trade show floor.
A major sports trade show can be overwhelming. So can shipping to a sports expo. Remember these tips when you’re on the trade show floor.
In the frenzy of preparing for a sports trade show, there’s one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about: Your materials arriving to the venue safely and on time. Thankfully, R+L Global Logistics can help with everything you need to know about USA trade show shipping.
Whether you need advance warehouse shipping or direct to site shipping, R+L Global will keep track of your products, booth and whatever else through every step of the process. Services include USA trade show shipping, packaging, warehousing, transit and more. Call 866-415-8986 or use the live chat to see how R+L’s trade show team can help you.
Want to go all in on a Las Vegas trade show? You just might hit the jackpot. Sin City is one of the biggest trade show destinations in the United States, bringing industry professionals in booming sectors to the desert locale. Las Vegas trade shows draw millions of people to the city each year.
Casinos aren’t the only places in Vegas where high-rollers are taking risks: Exhibiting at a top trade show requires a substantial investment. Before you ante up, learn how to make the most of a Las Vegas trade show.
Las Vegas hosts more than 21,000 trade shows, conventions, meetings and expos every year. The convention and trade show industry is a huge boon to the Las Vegas economy — and not just because the attendees empty their wallets at the poker table.
Las Vegas Weekly reported that the convention industry impacted the local economy to the tune of $5.78 billion in 2017, employing 40,000 people. Trade shows and conventions brought 6.5 million people to Las Vegas last year, and there’s no sign of that number dropping. It’s no wonder that Las Vegas has more than 146,000 hotel and motel rooms. The convention industry accounts for almost 16 percent of visitors to Las Vegas.
Why are so many trade shows in Las Vegas? For starters, it’s a popular destination for tourism in general. People from all over the world are eager to visit the city’s famed nightlife, gaming scene and entertainment offering. Hosting an event in Sin City makes it an easy sell to exhibitors and attendees.
Plus, the warm, dry climate leaves little risk of bad weather interfering with events. Las Vegas also features the Las Vegas Convention Center, the third largest convention center in the country, along with plenty of other premier event venues.
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The trade shows held in Las Vegas span a wide variety of fields: Sin City is known for constructions shows, fashion and apparel markets, consumer electronics expos and much more. They all generate buzz and tourism dollars for the city, but a select few conventions stand out among the competition for their size and scope.
The biggest trade shows in Las Vegas can draw upwards of 100,000 people, along with thousands of exhibitors. Take a look at a few of the marquee events held annually in Las Vegas.
CES, short for Consumer Electronic Shows, is the biggest trade show held in Las Vegas. Running for more than 50 years now, CES is the epicenter for technology innovations in the United States.
The show is held every January at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show brings more than 150,000 attendees and featured more than 4,000 exhibitors. CES is a truly international institution: Visitors come to the event from more than 150 different countries.
Industry leaders use CES as a platform to debut their most exciting breakthroughs in consumer electronics and technology services. Over the course of half a century, the trade show has developed a reputation as the place to introduce consumers to products such as the pocket radios, VCRs, video game systems, CD players, DVDs and Blu-ray discs, plasma-screen televisions and much more. In recent years, attendees have been wowed by 3D printers, smart TVs, driverless cars and virtual reality systems.
Beyond just new products, CES is a perfect venue for exciting new startups to gain recognition, momentum and brand awareness for their forward-thinking ideas. The broad scope of the offerings means that Las Vegas is jam-packed over the course of the show – don’t expect to get a hotel room last minute. Bear in mind, the event is not open to the public, so you have to get your attendance approved in advance. Learn the ins and outs of shipping to the Consumer Electronics Show.
SEMA is the second-biggest trade show held in Las Vegas, also hosted at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Short for Specialty Equipment Market Association, SEMA is the foremost event for auto equipment manufacturers to display their latest products and technology. Leading brands like Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, Dodge and a slew of others all make the most of the event, debuting their newest models. Shipping your trade show booth to SEMA LAs Vegas is big business.
First launched in 1963, the expo now takes places every November, and is trade-only — meaning not open to the public. The event is part of the yearly Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas. Here’s a by-the-numbers rundown of what you can expect to find when you are contemplating shipping to SEMA:
If you’re thinking about exhibiting or attending SEMA for the very first time, you’re not alone. About 400 new exhibitors mount booths at the show every year, keeping the show fresh and interesting. Along with the exhibitions, SEMA hosts educational seminars, networking events and live demonstrations.
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Calling itself the “most comprehensive fashion marketplace” in the United States, MAGIC is the top apparel and retail industry trade show. While the MAGIC trade show name initially stood for Men’s Apparel Guild in California, the convention’s scope has expanded well beyond those confines, to feature the latest in apparel, footwear, manufacturing, accessories, fast fashion and luxury brands. Apparel market business is important for trade show business.
MAGIC now comprises two events, with one held in February and other in August. The winter edition is held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, one of Las Vegas’ other top expo venues, while the fall show takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Each event brings about 85,000 people to Las Vegas, along with thousands of exhibitors. This major apparel market draws more than 4,000 exhibitors, including plenty of leading brands.
Both editions of MAGIC feature shows focusing on different aspects of the retail industry. The upcoming MAGIC August, for example, will host the following events:
ASD calls itself the most comprehensive trade show for consumer merchandise in the United States. ASD stands for “Affordable Shopping Destination.” Formerly known as ASD AMD, ASD Market Week is one of the most wide-ranging trade shows in the country. The show is held in late February and early March at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The convention’s offerings cover nearly every facet of the retail industry. The event truly comprises nine different shows under one umbrella. Major product and vendor categories at ASD Market Week include:
The audience as ASD is searching for the best new products, and they aren’t afraid to drop a pretty penny to get what they want. Here are some details about the attendees and exhibitors that you’ll find at ASD Market Week:
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The above are just a small sample of the biggest and most influential trade shows held in Las Vegas every year. There are too many major events to go into in detail, but you should be aware of some of the other high-rolling trade shows that have doubled down on Sin City.
For top industry trade shows, part of the draw to Las Vegas is the top-notch facilities available. Las Vegas and its business leaders have embraced the city’s reputation as a tourism destination by investing heavily in its convention and meeting industry. Read up on the premiere venues for trade shows and expos in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Convention Center is Sin City’s ace in the hole when it comes to attracting major events. First built in 1959, the venue hosts nine of the top 20 trade shows in the United States. The major shows CES, SEMA, World of Concrete and ASD, all held at the LVCC, draw 394,000 people to Vegas and generate $518 million in economic impact
In all, the Las Vegas Convention Center hosts 50 conventions and draws about 1.4 million visitors per year, according to Las Vegas Weekly. With nearly 3.2 million square feet of space, the LVCC is the third largest convention center in the country, according to Forbes. Of its square footage, 2 million is dedicated to exhibit space and about 250,000 is meeting space.
But that figure might have to be updated soon — the center is undertaking a major renovation. The LVCC will add about 600,000 square feet of space as part of the $860 million project, the Weekly reported. The project is slated to be completed in 2020, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority expects it will bring an additional 600,000 visitors to the city and create 7,800 full-time jobs.
The second largest Las Vegas convention center, Mandalay Bay features 2.1 million square feet of space, including 1 million square feet of exhibit space. First opened in 2003, it recently completed a major, $70 million renovation that added 350,000 square feet. As of 2017, it was the 10th largest convention center in the United States.
Its crown jewel is its 95,000-square foot Mandalay Bay Ballroom, one of several beautiful ballrooms on the property. The convention center is just one part of the overall facility, which features restaurants, retail shops, entertainment offerings and hotels. Major trade shows at Mandalay Bay include MAGIC February, HD Expo, WPPI Wedding & Portrait Photographers Conference Expo, and the American International Motorcycle Expo.
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First launched in 1990, the Sands Expo & Convention Center is part of the world-famous Venetian resort, hotel and casino. Here you’ll find 7,000 suites and 30 restaurants, along with 1.8 million square feet of exhibition and event space.
Major events at the Sands Expo & Convention Center include NSSF SHOT Show, ISC International Security Conference, Adobe Summit, JCK Las Vegas, CTIA Super Mobility Week and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.
Unlike the other venues on this list, the World Market Center Las Vegas is a permanent showroom for the home and hospitality furnishings industry. Nonetheless, it regularly hosts major trade shows, the most important of which is the Las Vegas Market. The event is held twice a year, with summer and winter editions.
The World Market Center comprises over 5 million square feet in all, spread among 8 buildings and 57 acres. The first of its buildings opened in 2005, and others gradually debuted in the years following.
While smaller than the others listed here, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino manages to draw major shows to its convention space every year. The convention center has about 225,000 square feet of event space, including the 70,000 square foot Paradise Event Center, 40 meeting rooms, two executive boards rooms and more.
Some of its major shows include ASD Market Week Winter, Nightclub and Bar Show, International Pizza Expo and the International Wireless Communications Expo.
Las Vegas’ huge trade show and convention industry means that shipping materials to Sin City can be a complicated process. With hundreds or even thousands of exhibitors mounting booths at the top trade shows, these events need to enforce strict guidelines to make sure every keeps running smoothly.
Don’t worry: Taking advantage of service from leading tradeshow logistics companies can handle this process for you. If you’re exhibiting at a Las Vegas trade show, R+L Global Logistics offers a full range of services that will guarantee your materials arrive at the event safely and smoothly. Whether you’re sending booth displays, promotional materials or prototypes, R+L Global provides customers a personal touch that elevates their customer service above the norm.
Shipping to a Las Vegas trade show requires lots of decisions, such as whether to choose advance warehouse shipping or direct-to-site shipping. It’s also necessary to have a thorough grasp on the load-in and set-up times for the event. Let R+L Global take care of these aspects for you. With 24/7 live tracking and on-call personnel, you can rest assured that your shipment is in good hands.
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When it comes to apparel markets, there’s no need to suffer for fashion. These events offer an excellent opportunity for exhibitors and buyers alike to expand their businesses. But for the best results at a retail trade show, make sure to go in with a plan. With a little preparation, an apparel market won’t cramp your style.
Apparel markets and retail trade shows offer a chance to buy and sell the latest fashions at special price points. Leading brands will be on the lookout for the apparel and accessories to stock in their stores next season. Whether you’re a wholesale distributor or a retail shop, know the ins and outs of apparel markets before you go.
Attending an apparel trade show can put your business a cut above the competition.
A retail operation requires lots of advance planning, and an apparel market can simplify the process. Rather than consider distributors and providers individually, buyers can evaluate several different options in the same location, comparing their products directly and in person.
While online shopping has its conveniences, the trade show experience lets buyers get up close and personal with the items, feeling them and seeing their colors and textures with their own eyes. You can gauge the material quality and construction firsthand. This means there should be no surprises when the order arrives.
For sellers, a wholesale clothing market draws an audience that, by virtue of its attendance, is likely to have interest in your products. These attendees are eager to get in on the latest trends, and they’re ready to hear why your offerings can give them an edge.
It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, offering growth potential for both ends of the deal. But to get in on these advantages, it’s important to know your way around the retail market scene.
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Each apparel trade show tends to have a different focus, whether it’s a textile fair, a sports apparel trade show, a footwear expo or off-price merchandise show. Some are once-a-year destinations while others are special showcases held at permanent showrooms.
Whether your company is focusing on local customers or trying to break into a new market, surveying the apparel market scene is the first step.
Across the United States, top apparel brands and fashion industry leaders are convening at major apparel markets and fashion trade shows. It’s important to know the premier events happening throughout the country to decide which makes the most sense for your business. The following are some of the top USA apparel markets:
The United States is far from the only hub for apparel, accessory and gift markets. All over the world, top clothing brands are making connections at major industry conventions. Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, a leading China apparel market, drew over 70,000 buyers and more than 4,000 exhibitors recently. Take a look at these international apparel expos featuring the latest styles.
Wherever you are in the world, there’s likely an industry expo accessible to your company. Don’t miss out on the chance to expand your business.
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No matter your role in the clothing industry, apparel and accessory markets can help you achieve your goals. Here are just a few of the many fields that regularly attend or exhibit at major clothing expos:
At any apparel market, there’s sure to be a variety of vendors and guests: Magic, a major Las Vegas apparel market, hosts about 5,000 exhibitors and draws around 85,000 attendees, for example. But depending on the event, you’ll find a different breakdown of attendee demographics. Be sure to read the trade show’s list of past or current exhibitors before committing to exhibiting or attending.
If you’re attending as a buyer, you want to guarantee that the sort of products and service you’re seeking will be available. If you’re exhibiting, you want to be surrounded by complementary businesses that will collectively attract your desired audience.
Don’t get all dressed up with nowhere to go: Attending or exhibiting at a top apparel market won’t magically grow your business. To maximize your return on investment, you need to set measurable goals for the trade show. Consider how a large-scale event featuring leading brands and industry leaders can benefit your particular company.
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A wholesale clothing trade show provides tremendous opportunity, but it’s not without its challenges. You should be prepared to face them head-on.
The shopping experience at an apparel market presents a paradox: Your exhibit needs to appeal to as many buyers as possible, but you have to sell to each visitor on an individual level.
Monserat de Lucca, a Los Angeles-based accessory brand, told handshake.com that the biggest challenge of fashion trades how is that every buyer wants something different. “You have to switch from providing a story for the young professional, to a busy mother, to a customer on vacation,” it said. This requires a knowledgeable staff that can identify buyers’ needs and cater your products to any type of customer.
For buyers, a major challenge of apparel markets can simply be an overabundance. In your quest to find the perfect products for your customers, it can be tough to make a decision when surrounded by hundreds or even thousands of exhibits. There is, after all, always a chance a better deal or product is out there.
To solve this, set specific qualities and price points that you’re searching for. Browse to your heart’s content, but when you find ones that match your standards, don’t overthink it.
Your money can get oven farther by attending a trade show in the off-price retail channel, where overrun, closeout and previous-season items are available.
The popular Offprice trade show boasts that an item typically marked at $100 and sold for wholesale at $50 to $75 can be found and its event for as low as $15. This allows attendees to list the items for less than competitors without losing out on profit. The idea, the show says, is to avoid having to mark down your own prices and sacrifice your own revenues.
An apparel market is a great chance to get your brand and products in front of new buyers. But what if they never find you? As in all aspects of the retail business, a good location is a must. It will dictate how much brand exposure your business receives and how many chances you’ll have to grab someone’s attention.
The easiest ways to land a top-notch booth location are, of course, time and money. Getting in early will give you the pick of the litter, and a substantial budget means more floor area and better booth types, such as an island booth with aisles on all sides.
Failing that, though, it’s not hopeless. You can reach out to your contact at the show requesting a high traffic space, such as one near major industry leaders, next to an entrance or at an intersection in the aisles. It never hurts to ask.
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A great booth in a key location at an apparel market is essential, but you can’t expect the display do your work for you. It’s up to you to proactively draw people to your exhibition, not sit by and wait for them to find you.
Social media is one of the most effective ways of drawing interest in your exhibit at an apparel trade show. More than most other industries, fashion trade shows are likely to draw influencers with high follower counts — you want to leverage that audience to spread your brand awareness.
In advance of the event, hype up your appearance by posting photos of the kind of products you’ll have on display. Be sure to use the show’s preferred hashtags so that other users interested in the show find your posts. Interact with other sellers and buyers who are discussing the market, making connections and hopefully sharing each other’s posts. This will have a mutual benefit, allowing both parties to reach more eyeballs.
Keep it up as the market is happening. Post pics of your decked-out display, visitors interacting with your products, and your impeccably dressed booth staff — and don’t forget to continue using the hashtags and engaging with other people posting about the event. If you have an email list, craft emails in advance to engage with your established clients, hoping to lure them to the event. Remember, it takes less convincing to expand business with an existing client than to close a deal with a brand new one.
And whenever you use social media, keep track of the analytics and use the data later gauge how effective your strategy was.
If you’ve committed to attending a clothing trade show, you should already know who else is going to be there. Be sure to act on that information.
Whether you’re buying or selling, identify the leading brands you want to engage with at the event. These might be current or past customers, sellers, leads with whom you haven’t closed a deal yet, or businesses you’ve admired but haven’t engaged with yet. Reach out and set up appointments. Even if you’re not sure the business is already planning to attend the trade show, invite them directly — a networking opportunity with your business might be enough to entice them.
These advance meetings guarantee one-on-one face time and will go further than simply hoping to attract passersby on a busy trade show floor. While a trade show can bring exciting opportunities that you didn’t expect, setting up concrete meetings in places less up to chance.
If your brand has an engaging story to tell, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to industry press to pitch an article idea. A well-crafted press release can convince trade publications that your company would be of interest to the field, but simply hyping your high-quality products probably and services probably won’t be enough.
Instead, focus on moments of change, exceptional growth or ways you’re going against the grain. You are more likely to catch a writer or editor’s attention this way. Think about what makes you different: For example, an aggressive eco-friendly initiative that goes above and beyond the industry standard or impressive results from a rebrand that broke you into a new market. These publications are looking for a story to tell that shows where the industry is headed.
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At any trade show, creating an eye-catching booth is essential. But at an apparel market, aesthetics are doubly important — buyers will have finely tuned eyes for style and trends. If your exhibit’s look doesn’t grab them immediately, they’ll assume your products won’t, either. It’s necessary to think carefully about making a strong visual impression.
A booth at an apparel market has to send a clear, immediate message. Define a few key ideas you want to convey about your products or services and design your exhibit from there.
Your brand’s tone and target audience should dictate your color palette and your booth materials. If your product is luxe and seek, go for clean neutrals and simple design. If you have a more bohemian, go for an eclectic setting with natural materials and warm colors. Your products should seamlessly match your booth’s look.
An apparel market exhibit should be an extension of your established brand. If you already have a brick and mortar location, think of it as an outpost of what you’ve already established — use the same design elements, from flooring to decor. Details matter.
If your business doesn’t have a storefront yet, take the opportunity to make a miniature version of the shop you’ve likely envisioned. Just as a shop needs to pull in foot traffic off the street, your booth must lure in passersby with an immediate impact.
Your apparel market exhibit – and the products within – should look picture-perfect throughout the event. You can’t guarantee this if you leave lighting up to powers out of your control.
Bring your own lighting fixtures to the booth. Not only will this allow you to add ambiance and atmosphere to your exhibit, but you also won’t be surprised by shadows or other factors that can change the look of your offerings. Don’t underestimate this crucial element of trade show booth design.
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Pitching to prospective customers at an apparel market is a little different than selling in other settings. The limited space, buzzing environment and stiff competition make for unique challenges that any vendor should prepare for.
Your booth might not have space for you to exhibit all of the different items you want to show off. So, it’s important to display the pieces that best convey the breadth of your offerings – and that standout.
Sometimes less is more: One great product can tell a story, and then it’s up to you to fill in the blanks. Put a few of your most innovative and interesting items in a place of prominence to draw in visitors. Then, you can engage them and share what else you can bring to their business.
Trade show attendees and buyers tend to be well-informed, and often enter the show with specific needs and desires. It’s on you to convince these visitors that your product fits what they’re looking for.
You might think your staff knows your products and services inside and out, but be sure to brush up on all the details a potential client might ask. Be ready to tell them the materials used in a given item, how it’s manufactured and how it was designed. If you don’t have these answers, one of your competitors will. Identify what sets your items apart from the field, and build a story about how this product benefits those who use it.
For wholesale accessory and clothing vendors at a trade show, it’s important to remember that every retailer has a different customer they’re hoping to sell your goods to. To convince them that your product fits their needs, you need to be prepared to paint a picture that responds to the retailer’s vision.
Accompany your products with different items that appeal to different types of clients. You booth staff, too, should be live examples of the different ways your products can be styled. You can only show much, though — in many cases, you will have to rely on words to create the vision. Describe different ways your items can be worn, with specific examples of settings and accompanying items that play into that image.
Your preparation for the apparel market will go much further if you start with people who already know their stuff.
Staff your booth enthusiastic, personable people who have a good handle on the most important details about your products and services. You want them to able to convey the advantages of your business in a way that feels like a real conversation, not a sales pitch — friendly and natural. Your booth’s sharp look and your high-quality products might be what draws in prospective customers, but it’s your staff that will close sales.
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There are many ways to make your trade show experience go smoothly. These are just a few ideas to keep in mind to avoid hurdles to a successful apparel market booth.
Considering the limited space at an apparel market booth, you can only have so many items on hand at a time. It’s important to have a system in place to restock — whenever possible, you want to be able to fulfill a sale right away rather than telling a hopeful customer to wait. Some buyers are looking to take home their desired product right away.
Trade show attendees are often on the go – they want to visit many different vendors, and don’t have time to dally. Exhibitors need to make the experience seamless for their prospective clients. Use a mobile order-taking app or platform to instantly collect the information you need and finalize the sale. Some examples include:
Not only does this make it easier for the customers, instantly inputting orders will give you less work later on.
This one is self-explanatory. Attending an apparel market is hectic, and visitors will want a place to catch their breath. Offering seating is a great way to keep them at your booth longer so that you can learn about their business and sell to them more effectively.
But be sure to instruct your booth staff not to sit down themselves unless they’re talking with a seated customer. You don’t want them to look lethargic or unengaged on the trade show floor.
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At trade shows for many industries, the standard for exhibitor attire is pretty simple: Dress professionally but comfortably, and consider having your booth staff wear a uniform color. But at an apparel market, that’s not going to cut it.
Attendees, buyers and sellers at a clothing trade show are steeped in the fashion and design world, and they’re looking for business partners whose sense of style complements their own. Anyone staffing a booth needs to think of themselves as ambassadors to the brand — and that includes clothing.
Wherever possible, booth staff should be wearing examples of products on display to get noticed on a crowded expo floor. They don’t need to be walking billboards, but they should be living, breathing examples of how the items can be worn and styled. Beyond that, the rest of their attire should complement your brand — a denim vendor shouldn’t be dressed in formal wear, and a luxury accessory vendor should probably stay away from workwear.
For all the effort, time and money it takes to establish a presence at an apparel market, the work doesn’t end once you exit the show. To make the most out of your experience, you need to stay active even when you’re not manning the booth. Learning the dos and don’ts of trade show booth etiquette helps you master this process.
While most of your trade show business will happen within the event’s hours, don’t miss out on business networking opportunities off the trade show floor. It’s likely that exhibitors and attendees will be hanging out after hours at restaurants close to the venue. These can be casual, low-stakes settings where you can build upon the connections you’ve made during the trade show.
Make plans to meet up later with representatives from brands that you’re hoping to partner with, or go with your own booth staff to event-sanctioned networking mixers and events.
Whether you close a sale or simply engage with a prospective client, you should follow up as soon as possible with anyone with you hope to do business with in the future. Within a few days of the apparel market’s ending, send an email thanking leads for visiting your booth and reminding them of the advantages to your products and services. Learning how to plan a successful exhibition from start to finish is important.
The goal is to build upon the positive brand exposure you established during the event. Each visitor to your booth probably saw hundreds of other vendors, so you need to ensure that your business stays in their mind. To make sure you can accomplish this, throughout the apparel market make sure you have an established system for taking down the contact info for leads.
After your diligent preparation for a major apparel market, the last step before the event is perhaps the most important: Making sure your products and booth arrive safely to the event. You need a trusted shipping and logistics company to transport your trade show materials.
R+L Global Logistics offers unmatched customer service, a personal touch, and deep knowledge of the ins and outs of everything you need to know about USA trade show shipping. Rather than staring at a screen to track your delivery, you’ll be able to contact an actual person who will keep you in the loop. They’ll follow your shipment throughout every step of the trade show shipping process, including packaging, transit, warehousing and delivery. Shipping to interior design trade shows and shipping to retail trade shows are also services we offer.
Don’t wait to email, chat or call 866-415-8986 to speak with an R+L Global representative and get a quote today.
Planning an exhibition at a trade show might seem simple. But a successful exhibition requires careful preparation. At expos, conventions and trade shows, you need creative ideas for your exhibition to achieve your goals.
More than simply having the things required for an exhibition stall, you need an action plan to attract potential customers and acquire qualified leads. Follow these trade show tips to learn how to plan a successful exhibition.
A successful exhibition doesn’t come together overnight. Instead, the process requires diligent planning and preparation, from booth design to follow-ups after you’ve left the exhibition hall. In the months leading up to your event, follow this organizer to plan your exhibition.
Let’s delve a little deeper into each of these steps.
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Painstaking planning, a focused team, and expert strategies mean very little if you’re not reaching an interested, engaged audience. That’s why it’s important to do thorough research before committing to an event. Set yourself up for a successful exhibition by determining what each exposition offers you.
Bigger isn’t always better. Top trade shows have a strong reputations that attract serious, influential attendees. However, keep in mind that newer trade shows can present opportunities to stand out more easily, and may draw fresher, more innovative businesses. It’s a risk because the event hasn’t yet established itself, but it could pay off. If you’re an upstart business that might get drowned out at the more established shows, this might be the option for you.
Fit in, but stand out. Be sure to look at the lineup of other businesses and presenters that will be attending the exposition. Ensure that your business will fit naturally at the show. Remember, though, that it can also be beneficial to attend a show that is indirectly related to your business. Without as many direct competitors around, your booth can stand out more easily on the trade show floor.
Feed off the crowd. If you’re confident that your company can make a splash despite big competitors, look for shows with top industry names, which will in turn draw high-spending potential clients. These events can be a real opportunity to survey the competitive landscape and get a sense of industry trends.
Count your beans. Before you commit, first check that the finances work out: Determine trade show costs such as travel, lodging and booth space reservation will cost. If the price is too steep, consider a show more conveniently located or smaller in scale. If the numbers add up, all aboard.
How do you plan a successful exhibition? First, you have to define success. Determine your goals, and prepare ways to measure them throughout the event. Here are some common objectives at a trade show.
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You don’t want to be caught off guard when the trade show comes around. Learning how to plan an exhibition becomes much easier when you have a grip on the basic info of the event.
Location can make the difference between a successful exhibition and a lost weekend. Familiarize yourself the exhibition space floor plan, and look to grab a high-traffic locations include booth spaces. Look for available spaces where two aisles intersect, next to big-name vendors and near the entrance. The best booth spaces will be claimed far in advance, so don’t hesitate to stake your claim.
Your exhibition planning and design will depend on heavily on the specifications of your booth. Common trade show booth sizes include 10 x 8, 10 x 10, 10 x 20 and 20 x 20 feet. But size isn’t everything: You’ll also need to know whether your space is an inline booth (the most common), a perimeter booth, a peninsula booth or an island booth (the most desirable). Inline booths, with access typically on one side only, are the most affordable. Island booths, with aisles on all four size, offer the most access and impact on the show floor.
If you secure one the larger spaces, you might be able to consider building a double-deck exhibition, with a second level that can be used for additional display space or even to set aside a private meeting area for interested prospective customers.
Well in advance of the show, make sure you and your team know the trade show dates, location, seating plans, hours and other logistical information like loading and set-up times for your exhibition and other materials. Trade show shipping can be complicated — by hiring a logistics company to transport your exhibition materials to the show safely and on time, you can get some welcome peace of mind.
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Trade show expenses can add up fast. That doesn’t mean that they’re money pits– industry experts agree that trade shows are worth the cost thanks to unrivaled fact-to-face time with a large audience of interested clients. Nonetheless, it’s important to track finances and set a budget that makes the show feasible for your business.
Don’t forget about these expenses when preparing an exhibition for a trade show:
Attending a trade show means not only budgeting money, but time as well. Whenever a team attends a convention, it means using resources and talent that would typically be spent on other responsibilities. When evaluating a trade show, make sure you factor in the time commitment your staff will have to make to prepare for and attend the event.
With your stand requirements, specifications and budget in mind, start designing the look of your exhibition. The booth should send a clear, direct message to visitors passing by. You only have a second or two to attract someone’s attention, so you need an eye-catching booth design, a simple but bold color scheme and a tagline that conveys your brand in an instant. If you don’t have an in-house designer, consider hiring a designer — sometimes it’s best to leave these things to the pros.
Less is more. According to the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association (TSMA), minimalism is back in style for trade shows. Passersby will be impressed by a clean, uncluttered design: It sets a modern, sleek tone and conveys that the quality of your products and services will do the talking.
Send a simple message. Your business’ pitch to possible customers should be clear even when they’re just walking by. You need a clear, direct tagline that sums up what sets your company apart from the competition.
Stay on brand. Trade shows provided a perfect opportunity to get your brand in front of fresh eyeballs. Make sure what they see on the trade show floor will make them recognize your business later on. All your marketing and display materials should align with your tried-and-true branding.
Create an immersive environment. Stepping into your exhibition, visitors should immediately recognize a defined tone. You want your booth to transport them to a world where their business needs are met. Incorporate tall, three-dimensional visual impact with pop-up displays, video walls, tension fabric displays, samples of your products, models and prototypes.
Consider texture. Add depth to your exhibition display by incorporating texture. Natural, “real” materials like wood and industrial fixtures are on trend, according to TMSA. They send a message of authenticity and heritage to potential customers. Of course, remember to consider whether these options match your branding before working them into your booth.
Let there be light. The work you put into your exhibition can be stifled in an instant with poor lighting. Don’t leave it up to what the trade show provides overhead — bring your own lighting equipment to guarantee your creatively designed trade booth pops on the trade show floor.
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You might be surprised at the lengthy list of things you need for an exhibition stall. But to see a strong return on investment, you need to be equipped with these exhibition essentials.
A good exhibition requires an investment into the materials to make your booth both professional and functional. While you’ll also want to jazz up your booth with customized branded items, products and samples, get started by incorporating a few common, useful exhibit ideas. Here’s what you need for a successful exhibition:
Every exhibition should offer something for its visitors to take away with them. Not only does this spread your branding and name throughout the convention, it helps keep your business in prospective clients’ minds after they’ve left the event. Avoid cliche items like pens, and look to hand out something that people don’t have a million of already: Drink koozies, phone cases, travel mugs, or reusable water bottles.
Along with special giveaways, don’t forget to design and print your marketing materials like brochures to promote your products and services and recruit talent at the show. It may seem basic, but be sure to have business cards to hand out, too.
Attending a trade show is work, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. Organizing games, contests and raffles at your trade show exhibition will link your business to a sense of excitement, competition and joy for your visitors. Fun tips for exhibitions include:
The goal is to capture people’s attention in the second or two before they pass you by. The sight of attendees enjoying themselves at your booth will generate interest and draw even more people. Many of these activities also add visual impact to the exhibition.
Your products and services might be top notch, and your customer service might be unparalleled. But many prospective customers will want to do business with a company that’s on the cutting edge of its industry. Convey that your business is forward-thinking and innovative by incorporating interactive technology into your booth.
Preparing interactive displays on iPad screens or touch-screen kiosks is a good start. But if possible, you should look to create an immersive atmosphere by incorporating technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality. Augmented reality superimposes virtual images onto real-time video of the real world through apps or a display screen, while virtual reality creates an entirely simulated environment.
Wow factor is one thing, but providing necessities to the show-goer can help pull in visitors who might have otherwise never stopped by. Offering useful features like phone charging stations or snacks will establish your booth as a place to refresh.
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Spreading the word about your business should be an essential aspect of your exhibition strategy. A successful exhibition is one the actively draws new customers, rather than passively waiting for them to find you. Use these trade show marketing strategies for a hit exhibition.
Much of the work that will determine your success happens before you even get to the exhibition hall. Using a few of these tips, you can drive traffic to your booth without relying on passersby. The most promising trade show attendees will be ones that you’ve identified in advance as having an interest in your product.
Send invitations to hopeful clients, as well as existing customers, notifying them of your presence at the expo and encouraging them to visit your booth. Target your messages as much as possible to their particular business needs. If you have email subscribers, send out a message promoting your appearance at the trade show. Seal the deal by offering special deals available only to subscribers.
Social media has opened up entirely new methods of drawing trade show attendees to your exhibition. Don’t underestimate its potential to engage people who otherwise might not have noticed your business.
Before the trade show, hype your upcoming appearance, making sure to include the hashtags connected to the event. Engage with the social media accounts of other businesses who are planning to attend, especially those with whom you hope to do business. When the event arrives, post photos of your enthusiastic team and eye-catching booth, bragging about your giveaways, activities and offerings. Social media is no place for the humble.
Top trade shows often will attract industry press and trade magazines. These publications will have an authoritative voice and trusted readership, and appearing in an article can help to legitimize your business in in your field. If you have exciting news to share — such as new offerings, a important benchmark achieved, a change in leadership or an expansion of your business — send a press release with the noteworthy points and your contact details to industry writers and editors.
To increase your chances of getting a response, attach the press release to a personal email that makes clear that you’ve followed the publication and the journalist’s work. Make sure you have something worthwhile and interesting to pitch, however. Your mere presence at a trade show won’t be enough to pique a reporter’s interest, but a well-crafted press release with an interesting story can convince them your company is worth attention.
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The most important thing you need for a successful exhibition is a competent, enthusiastic team. Your trade show booth has no better asset than the people running it — they’re on the front lines of the show floor. While an eye-catching design and fancy doo-dads may draw people in, it’s your booth staff that will keep them engaged and close sales.
A friendly, informed team will leave visitors with a positive image of your company when they walk away from your booth. Charm will only go so far, though — preparation and training will ensure an effective booth staff.
You’ll have a leg up on training your team if you start with a group that’s already knowledgeable about the major selling points of your products and services. But knowledge alone won’t win over visitors to your booth. Choose booth staff members with strong interpersonal skills, who can converse naturally to make guests feel comfortable at your exhibition. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it.
Even if your team is well-versed and enthusiastic, don’t count on them knowing exactly what to say. You’ll likely have to train them on how to win over prospective clients and gain their business. Prepare a script of key questions and talking points that highlight the advantages of your products and services.
Encourage your team to deviate from the list when necessary so that the conversation flows easily, but always return to the selling points. Teach you booth staff to greet passersby warmly and to ask open-ended questions that don’t allow yes-or-no answers — these encourage visitors to talk about their business needs. Potential clients shouldn’t feel like they’re having your business forced upon them.
No matter how informed your exhibition staff is, bad trade show etiquette can undercut all of their preparation. A few basic rules will guarantee that prospective clients see your team as professional.
Whether you like it or not, your attire sends a message. The trade show might not have an explicit dress code, but you still need to put thought into what your exhibition team will wear. The staff should dress professionally, but also comfortably — standing at a trade show for hours requires suitable footwear. To stand out on the trade show floor, consider having your team wear a uniform color — such as matching, branded polos — that will send a message of team unity and spread brand awareness.
This seems obvious, but don’t wait long to get it done. Everyone needs to arrive at the show on time and has a place to stay. If you’re attending a popular trade show, rooms at convenient hotels can fill up fast.
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Preparation is one thing — knowing how to put it into action is another. Even the best trade show teams need a plan and project management to execute their goals.
Assign tasks and roles. Delegation is essential to make sure your trade show experience is efficient. Each team member needs to know his or her job at the convention.
Articulate goals. Everyone on the team should know what the company is hopes to achieve at the trade show — and how their work will contribute to the goals. Have benchmarks in mind — whether counting qualified leads, closed sales or one-on-one meetings — to keep the booth staff focused throughout the event.
Make a trade show staff schedule. Your booth needs to be manned at all times — but you can’t expect any single person to stay there throughout the show. Use a clear schedule so everyone knows when they need to be at the booth, when they can go on break, and when they should roam the event.
Plan your follow-ups. You may not see the fruits of a successful exhibition until after the event. If you’ve done your job, plenty of people will leave the trade show with your brand on the brain. Take advantage of that newfound opportunity by planning how to follow up with leads. Devise a system to organize visitors’ contact information, and send follow-up emails as soon as possible, while your company is still fresh in their minds.
After likely months of planning, The requirements for this step will vary depending on the trade show and the services offered — some will have designated workers who are tasked with constructing the booths, while at others you will have to coordinate your own set-up. In any case, confirm that the workers know how to arrange the exhibition stand.
But first, you have to get your exhibition materials to the location. A trusted shipping logistics company like R+L Global Logistics knows the ins and outs of the trade show journey, including exhibition shipping, warehousing, drop-off and everything in between.
Your contact at the trade show should be able to provide you with a schedule for shipment and exhibition setup.
Now that you’ve decided what your exhibition should achieve, you can get cracking on preparing for the big event. A multitude of factors go into a successful exhibition, and many of them would never occur to first-time exhibitors. This exhibition checklist organizer will guarantee that you’re prepared for your trade show.
For a successful exhibition, it’s essential that your materials arrive to the event securely and promptly. Don’t leave it up to chance — contact a logistics company with expertise in trade show booth shipping. R+L Global Logistics knows how to transport your trade show booth, products and materials. R+L Global at (866) 415-8986 today or reach a representative through email or chat for more information about trade show shipping services.
There’s no way to embellish it: Exhibiting at an interior design trade show is no easy task. The trade show floor will be packed with expert designers, whose whole business is catching people’s eyes. Design fairs can be an excellent way to scout out prospective clients, but engaging them on the trade show floor takes preparation.
The top homeware and furniture trade shows will feature the latest innovations in design trends and an eager audience looking to spruce up their homes. Don’t miss out on these potential customers and networking opportunities. Here’s what you need to know about the best interior design trade shows.
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It’s no surprise that interior design is one of the biggest industries for trade shows. Design trends are constantly changing, and buyers and exhibitors alike need to stay up on the newest interior innovations. Let’s take a look at some of the leading interior design trade shows at home and abroad.
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In the United States, major interior design events take place in a variety of different locations. The biggest shows can host hundreds of exhibitors and industry leaders, tens of thousands of visitors, and hundreds of thousands of square footage. Below are just a few of the top interior design trade shows in the USA.
Some of biggest and boldest home design trade shows take place internationally. Here are several of the leading international trade shows to consider abroad.
Before you pick a trade show to attend, it’s essential to read up on the event to learn whether it’s a good match for your business. Look through the list of exhibitors to check if your target audience is likely to attend.
For example, luxury trade shows will bring the well-heeled attendees, but you’re unlikely to get a piece of the pie unless you offer high-end items. On the other end of the spectrum, your luxury products and services might fall flat at a show populated by more accessible exhibitors.
In their post-show reports, design trade shows will often list statistics such as the average expenditure of their attendees. But you can also dig deeper into statistics to see the kinds of attendees and exhibitors that you’re likely to find at particular expo. For example, the 38,000 attendees at ICFF in New York in 2018 had the following job titles:
As for the breakdown by business, ICFF’s 2018 demographics looked like this:
Data like these can be helpful in narrowing down your search for the perfect trade show for your home decor exhibition. Choose carefully to maximize your return on investment.
Why is it important for interior designers to exhibit at a trade show? The advantages to setting up a booth at a major industry expo span several different business objectives.
Never stand still. In the design and decor industry, you can’t risk missing out on the latest trends. While some tried-and-true styles have long-term staying power, it’s vital to stay abreast of the newest design movements to grow your business.
Trade shows offer unparalleled chances to see where the industry is headed. Companies can immerse themselves among the design industry leaders. Even if you’re already up on the trends, you can get a sense of how the heavy-hitters are marketing them. You might also get a sneak peek at what’s coming next, giving your company a leg up on the competition.
The attendees at a trade show are looking for something new and exciting to add to their home or office — and if it catches their eye, they’re not afraid of the pricetag.
found that 9 out of 10 visitors are mainly looking for new products at the show. Guests also want the chance to discover tomorrow’s trends and meet new suppliers. International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) says that 91 percent of attendees found new products at their event in 2018, and that on average attendees said they plan to spend $597,000 with exhibitors in the following year.
And interest is only growing: Since 2005, buyer attendance at Las Vegas Market has grown 20 percent in the furniture category, 98 percent in the home decor category and 185 percent in the designer category.
You can also expand your scope and break into a new market: While the major trade shows draw attendees from all over the country, the bulk of visitors tend to come from within a couple hundred miles of the event. Attending a trade show in a region can be the perfect way to plant your flag.
Don’t underestimate the value of making connections in the interior design industry. Major interior design trade shows draw vendors, retailers and other potential partners from dozens of countries worldwide. At ICFF, 9,000 unique companies attended from 64 different countries.
Beyond simply making connections that can be converted into customers, the relationships built at trade shows can turn into collaborations that can benefit both of your businesses. In the design field, high-profile collaborations can make a big splash, often more than the sum of their parts. You know what they say: Two heads are better than one.
No matter which benefit appeals to your business, any exhibitor should outline its objectives for their trade show experience. This will allow you to determine how successful the show was after the fact.
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Standing out on the interior design trade show floor means staying up on the latest trends yourself. Far more than at any other type of industry expo, the attendees at design fairs will have a polished aesthetic sense. Design professionals will only spend time at booths that attract them visually.
However, don’t be afraid to veer from the formulas and add your own twists. Your booth should make a statement, not fade into the background. With that in mind, here are some of the current design trends to consider, according to Elle Decor:
Beauty is only skin deep — an attractive exhibition at a home decor and furniture convention will only go so far on its own. Drawing in visitors with an eye-catching trade show booth is the first step, but to make the most of your trade show experience your team will need to work on engaging visitors effectively.
Even if you know your products and services inside and out, it pays to prepare. Your booth staff should have key talking points that they should memorize and remember to hit in every conversation with a trade show attendee. But don’t over-rehearse or recite a spiel verbatim — you want a naturally flowing conversation.
You only get one first impression. How you greet a trade show booth visitor can set the tone for the entire interaction. Smile and warmly greet passersby. If they decide to stop, shake hands and introduce yourself by name. A personable initial interaction will make the rest of the conversation feel less like a sales pitch.
The goal is to create an easy rapport. The simplest way to achieve this is by asking questions that get the person talking about their needs. Prepare questions in advance, and avoid ones that can be answered with a simple yes or no. You want your guest to feel like they’re having a friendly conversation, not receiving a sales pitch.
Come up with ideas to offer an activity to engage visitors to your booth. This can be challenging to incorporate naturally into an exhibit at a home decor and furniture conference, where the visual impact of your presentation should do most of the talking. But simple, unobtrusive ideas like trivia games and raffles can keep attendees engaged and associate your booth with positive feelings.
A prospective client won’t be sold on your products and services alone. They’re hiring a perspective and eye for design. It’s important that your booth staff’s look matches the tone and aesthetic you want to express. Unlike at other trade shows, where a uniform of colored polos for the team can suffice, your booth staff should put thought into ensuring their attire conveys a sharp sense of style.
Your engagement with prospective customers doesn’t stop when they walk away from the booth. Be sure to devise a system of keeping track of leads and their contact info, and promptly follow up with them after the event. Send a friendly message and thank them for stopping by the booth before reminding them of the advantages of your business.
Even for an expert designer, the unique environment of a trade show can present new display challenges. If you’re a first time trade exhibitor, it’s important to consider all the factors that make for an attractive interior design exhibition.
In an industry so focused on creating a visual impact, it’s essential that every piece of your exhibit arrives to the event securely and on time. A misplaced element can disrupt the cohesion of your interior design display — and cause visitors to pass right by.
Not only that, but shipments to interior design events often feature luxury and high-value items. Don’t take any risks — it’s important to know the ins and outs of shipping to a trade show. A trusted transportation service provider like R+L Global Logistics can handle packaging, transit, storage and more. Trade show shipping is most often done in one of two ways.
In direct to site shipping, your exhibit is taken directly to the trade show venue during the event’s move-in times, usually within a few days of its start. With this method, you can expect to save handling costs. Less handling also means fewer risks to your materials. However, it’s important to hire a trusted shipping company, because a punctual arrival is essential when it comes to direct-to-site shipping.
In advance warehouse shipping, the exhibit first arrives at a storage facility long before the event begins. This will probably cause handling costs to go up, but you can have the peace of mind that your shipment is ready to go as soon as the show opens up to loading in your exhibit.
No matter which trade show freight shipping method you choose, R+L Global Logistics has the resources, expertise, and network to transport your materials. Thanks to top-notch customer service, you can rest assured that your exhibit is in good hands. Contact the trade show shipping team today through chat, email or by phone at 866-415-8986.
An industry trade show offers a great opportunity to share your products and services with potential clients. But creating an eye-catching booth display is only one element of success. To attract buyers to a trade show booth, your staff will need to know the rules for trade show stand etiquette.
Follow these ideas and suggestions to prepare for a trade show booth. Training your expo booth staff in appropriate conduct will make the difference between a sale and a lost opportunity. Use the following best practices, guidelines and etiquette tips for a successful experience at your upcoming trade show.
What’s the most important part of trade show booth etiquette? It all starts with an enthusiastic greeting. Making a strong first impression on the show floor is the key to attracting attendees to your trade show display.
Be sure to smile and make eye contact to make buyers feel welcome. Your staff should warmly introduce themselves and the business by name before explaining the available products and services. Tell attendees that you’re excited to share what the company does. Never underestimate the value of a strong handshake, and be sure to thank visitors for their time when they decide to stop by.
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When it comes to body language, your event booth staff needs to follow a few simple rules. This is trade show booth staff etiquette 101: Express openness and warmth. Think of yourself as a host.
For a good return on investment, your team will have to spend its time efficiently on the exposition floor. An event staff needs specific instructions to stay focused, including talking points to hit upon and introductory phrases that will attract visitors to your booth. Giving staff specific tasks and goals will minimize distractions.
Don’t spend much time chatting with people from other trade show booths. While some networking opportunities may arise, you’re more likely to waste time that could be used pitching to prospective buyers.
It is important to remember to schedule break time for for those who man the booth. Your trade show staff needs to be alert and energized, and taking adequate breaks helps to ensure that. An attentive staff on the show floor will send an inviting, welcoming message to other trade show attendees. Proper trade show staffing is also necessary to guarantee your team isn’t tired and overworked. Using a trade show booth staff schedule template can be helpful.
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Trade show staff should not eat or drink while working the booth. It distracts the staff from giving potential clients their full attention — and it’s just plain unprofessional. Even chewing gum is a major no-no for trade show booth staff etiquette. You don’t want any half-consumed food, empty water bottles or wrappers littering the display.
However, it’s important to keep staff from getting too hungry or dehydrated while working. Staff should use their break time to recharge on food or water away from the booth. Company-branded reusable bottles are also a great way to stay hydrated while keeping trash off your booth.
Your booth staff should be equipped with a set of talking points about your business. Preparing an elevator pitch prepared in advance will ensure your team sends a unified message to all potential clients. The team does not need to read the script verbatim, but should remember the key details to hit upon with each prospective client.
Your script shouldn’t be a monologue, however — you’re aiming to start a conversation with the trade show visitors. To achieve this, prepare open-ended questions that will get visitors thinking about the ways in which your products and services would be useful to them. You want to get them talking about their business needs so you can share how your business can help. Avoid asking questions that can be answered with a flat yes or no. That will only halt the dialogue.
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Trade show booth staff attire should be clean and professional. This doesn’t necessarily mean the trade show dress code requires suits and other formalwear, though. A team wearing a uniform color — a set of boldly colored polos, for example — can make for an eye-catching booth on the expo floor.
With long hours spent standing, comfortable shoes are a must, but make sure they are still professional and clean. Business casual attire works for most trade shows, but your clothes should be ironed. Your appearance sends an immediate message to prospective clients.
Whether or not a team member manages to close a sale, every trade show visitor should walk away from the booth feeling that they were treated with respect. That’s where the send-off comes in. Be sure to thank each prospective client for their time and offer any informational material that you’ve prepared, along with a business card.
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Now that you know how to work a trade show booth, be on the lookout for the best expo for your business. Here are a few of the biggest trade shows happening in the United States:
Use R+L Global Logistics’ services for trade show freight shipping can get your booth there promptly and securely. To get started, chat, email or call R+L Global at (866) 415-8986 and ask about trade show shipping.
It’s tempting to think of trade shows as boondoggles. They require valuable time, money and manpower. Travel expenses add up, and standing on trade show floors for hours is exhausting. After dedicating so many resources, it’s important to optimize your trade show investment. For a worthwhile return on investment, pre-show planning is a must.
Measuring trade show effectiveness can be complicated. However, setting clear objectives can guarantee a successful exhibition. These trade show tips and strategies will help you make the most of your trade show investment.
There is a reason that top businesses continue to attend these exhibitions and events despite the cost involved: They work. Industry experts agree on the value of trade shows.
Companies spend an estimated $24 billion dollars annually exhibiting at trade shows, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. And not without reason. The same survey found that respondents overwhelmingly agreed that the events are helpful in raising brand awareness and launching new products. About 99 percent find that trade shows give them value that they don’t find in other marketing methods, the survey found.
What sets trade shows apart from other marketing strategies? It comes down to face-to-face interaction with a high concentration of prospective clients. By virtue of their attendance, these visitors are reliably interested in your products and services. The theory bears out: Leads gained at exhibitions tend to take less work to close a sale compared to leads gained elsewhere.
The average return on investment from a trade show will depend on a company’s industry and goals. But no matter what business you’re in, a trade show provides a rare one-to-one sales opportunity — now it’s up to you to make the most of it.
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There’s no denying that setting up a presence at a trade show takes a substantial investment. The cost only goes up if you want to do it right. But what are the expenses that go into establishing a trade show booth? A trade show exhibit has many moving parts, and the prices add up quickly:
Besides the literal dollar expenses, attending trade shows also demands the use of resources before and after the event. For a strong return on investment, you will need to spending time training the employees who will be on the show floor, preparing your key points and sales pitch, and planning your trip. Afterword, it is essential to follow up on any leads.
Despite the many different types of expenses, companies continue to invest in trade show marketing year after year. The hope is that an intensive trade show experience with others in your industry will pay off manifold.
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Keep your eyes on the prize. How you go about your exhibition planning will vary based on what you’re hoping to achieve. Before getting started, define the goals you’re setting for the trade show. While your objectives might be specific to your business, there are several common ways to measure trade show effectiveness.
Channel your inner boy scout: Be prepared. In the weeks leading up to your trade show, lay the groundwork for a high ROI with thorough exhibition planning, training and promotion.
Optimize location. The old real estate adage applies to trade shows: Location, location, location. Not every business can afford a 20 x 20 island booth in the center of the show floor, but whenever possible, act fast to reserve a high-traffic spot. You want to boost the number of visitors that will see your booth. Look for places where two aisles intersect, spots near the entrance, or booths adjacent to big-name companies.
If you’re not sure how to upgrade your location at your upcoming trade show, don’t be afraid to reach out to the event organizer. Asking never hurts, even if it turns out there’s an extra cost for a supremely located booth.
Invite your audience. Often, you’ll have prospective clients in mind whom you hope to engage with at a trade show. Don’t leave it up to chance. Before the event arrives, send out invitations to your hopeful customers, encouraging them to visit your booth at the trade show. You might want to include customized offers or opportunities to meet one-on-one to ensure them it’s worth their time. The value of trade show marketing isn’t just interacting with people, it’s interacting with right people.
Get social. Social media is your friend. Before the event, hype your appearance on platforms like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, always remembering to use the trade show’s preferred hashtag. Tag other businesses expected to attend and reply to those also discussing the event.
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The members of your trade show booth staff are ambassadors of your company’s brand. To maximize your ROI, it is important that your team is prepared to represent the company in the best way possible.
The booth staff is vital to every step leads to meeting your goals: Attracting attendees to your booth, engaging visitors, obtaining leads and closing sales. For your trade show experience to pay off, it’s necessary to be knowledgeable and enthusiastic on the show floor.
Choose the best brand representatives. Don’t start from scratch: Make your job easier by picking staffers who are already informed and passionate about your products and services. A strong base of enthusiasm and knowledge will go along way when conversing with prospective customers and closing sales.
Stick to the script. Make sure your booth staff knows the key points to hit upon when engaging visitors. It’s OK for them to deviate from the talking points — conversations at a trade show should flow naturally — but it’s important to stay focused on the main selling points of your business.
Learn trade show booth staff etiquette. Learning how to effectively engage trade show visitors is a skill developed over time. But there are several musts that any booth team should know:
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At a trade show, getting visitors to stop at your booth is half the battle. But how do you make your booth stand out on the show floor? Making your booth an attractive and inviting presence on the show floor requires design, creativity and a personal touch. To make the most of your trade show investment, you first need to draw people to your exhibit.
Your message to trade show attendees should be concise and direct. This means your booth design needs consistent branding, with a focused color palette and a simple tagline that communicates your company’s strengths. If possible, have available samples of your products or three-dimensional models of them. You don’t want to miss an opportunity for potential customers to interact with your offerings.
Don’t skimp on ways to get your name out there. Some of the best advertising investments at trade shows include customized banners and fabric displays, unique branded giveaways and take-away literature that extols your company’s virtues.
Avoid wasting money on disposable, outmoded branded items like pens that will just get lost in the shuffle. Instead, think of something that people will actually use, including water bottles, travel mugs or computer accessories.
Instantly connect your brand to feelings of joy and excitement by setting up a fun activities like carnival games, spinner wheels or trivia contests. These will attract people to your booth — and keep them there.
Don’t forget to look to the future — technology like touch screens, augmented reality offerings and audiovisual displays will go a long way toward establishing your company as a modern, forward-thinking brand.
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Trade shows can pay off in a multitude of ways. While landing new clients may be your foremost goal, there are other benefits to steeping yourself in an industry intensive.
An industry trade show offers no shortage of high-performing talent from competing businesses. Sometimes even more than bringing in a single new client, finding the perfect person for an open position in your company can eventually pay dividends. An outside perspective joining your team can unlock new, more profitable and efficient ways of doing business.
Even if you don’t have an open position you’re looking to fill, trade shows offer unmatched networking opportunities. Meet major players and influencers in your industry, and plant the seed of the possibility of them working at your company down the line.
Exceptional outside talent can be difficult to attract — especially if they’re not actively seeking a new opportunity. A trade show offers a special chance not to see the field and pitch your company. Your trade show booth tells a story not only to new clients, but to the talent pool as well.
Whether hoping to land a new customer or a new coworker, a strong follow-up is a crucial aspect of ensuring your trade show investment pays off. After all the effort you’ve put into generating the lead, it’s important to stick the landing. While face to face interaction goes a long way, the work that makes for a successful exhibition continues after the event concludes.
This is why it’s essential to obtain contact information for quality leads. The goal is ensure your company makes an impression in their minds long after they’ve left the trade show. Email is good; a handwritten “Thank You” note is even better. Don’t dally — the longer you wait to follow-up, the lower the chance you’ll still be on their mind.
The interactions at trade shows are often hectic, so don’t forget to develop a system for sorting and keeping track of the most desirable leads as you accumulate them throughout the event. Mark down any specific promises you made to a hopeful client — such as sending samples — and always follow through promptly.
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A variety of methods are useful for measuring your trade show ROI. Depending on your goals, you’ll decide which is the best way to determine how worthwhile the trade show experience was for your company.
For any of these methods, the first step is to calculate how much you spent on the trade show, including travel expenses, shipping costs, staffing, materials and per diems. You’ll compare that number to the amount of value you’ve brought in through attendance.
Close rate and average sales amount: The most straightforward way to calculate the return on investment is to compare the revenue gained from the trade show to the total spend. Determine the number of the leads acquired at the trade show that became a closed sale. Then, calculate the average value of each of those sales. Multiple those numbers together to get your revenue. Compare that number to the investment to see how fruitful the event was.
Efficiency and savings: You can also recognize the trade show’s efficiency by counting number of sales meetings and face-to-face conversations with prospective leads. Calculate the cost, time and resources that each of those meetings would typically have required to secure individually. Then, compare that to the amount of your trade show investment.
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Some of the value that trade shows add to your business can be harder to quantify than a rigid formula. Nonetheless, it’s important to acknowledge the ways that these expos push your business forward.
Brand exposure: Don’t underestimate the value of getting your company’s name and branding in front of an interested audience. You might manage to gain press coverage from the event, as well. Keep an eye out for an uptick in web traffic, Google searches or email subscriptions for your brand during and immediately after a trade show. Use custom URLs on your trade show marketing materials and trade show-related social media posts so you can track how much interest the event drove to your business.
Innovative ideas: Part of the value of industry expos comes from getting a sense of where your field is headed — and how you can play a part in its future. Trade shows offer an uncommon look at the industry’s trends. Spending time at other booths can give you chance to separate the buzzwords and fads from the promising and fresh ideas.
You won’t see much of a return on your trade show investment if your materials don’t arrive safely. That’s why it’s important to enlist a trusted shipping company for the job. You can count on R+L Global Logistics fpr trade show booth shipping, as well as transporting products and more to the event safe and on time. Chat, email or call R+L Global Logistics at (866) 415-8986 today for more information about trade show shipping services.
