How to Prepare for Your 1st Trade Show

Against a white backdrop, we see a pile of grey, green, blue, yellow, and red roto-molded trade show shipping cases.

Trade shows are phenomenal events for vendors to attend and spread the word about their brands. But before you can attend your 1st trade show, you need to get your booth equipment there first.

Part of the preparation process when attending your 1st trade show is finding the best trade show shipping cases that will protect your displays and booth components from damage in repeat transit.

Your trade show booth equipment is what draws people to your space. Your booth and displays are their first, and most likely last, impression of your products or services.

A damaged backdrop or flat screen display will certainly draw the attention of bystanders, but not the kind of attention you need. It’s vital that your booth is as presentable and appealing as possible.

After you’ve registered for the show and arranged the proper transportation and lodging, it’s time to engage with your followers and create excitement for the show. Give your followers teasers with posts and photos on social media and email announcements of what you’re planning to showcase.

Plan and perfect what products, displays, brochures, giveaways, and SWAG you want to present. Arrange pre-show meetings, social networking events, and giveaways to create more customer engagement and build relationships.
Prep your show team on using badge scanners and tagging with relevant notes and be sure to follow up within 48 hours after the show’s conclusion with any contacts for the highest chance of connection development.

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How Does a Trade Show Work?

Think of a trade show like a grade school science fair: Your “science project” is your business and the teachers, parents, and classmates in attendance are your industry colleagues and clients. You network and make connections with others in similar businesses while sharing, demonstrating, and discussing the latest products, services, and improvements.

What Should I Bring to a Trade Show?

For your 1st trade show, it’s useful to get the dimensions of your display area and exactly what the venue will provide you for your exhibit area. It’s also extremely helpful to set up your booth or display area ahead of time and take pictures of how everything should be arranged. Make sure the tables will fit all of your materials and your extension cords can reach any mounted monitor or TV. It’s a good idea to make a checklist of everything you used or will need to use for your setup, like:

  • Banner or signage
  • Media display
  • Power cords
  • Your business cards and their containers
  • Badge scanner (for larger events)
  • Promotional items
  • Office supplies
    • Pens
    • Markers
    • Tape
    • Scissors
    • Sticky notes
    • Paper clips
    • Zip ties
  • Personal care items
    • Water
    • Snacks
    • Breath mints
    • First aid kit
    • Comfortable shoes
  • Hand sanitizer and sanitation wipes
  • Foldable dolly or push cart

Whether it’s your 1st or 50th trade show, locally or halfway around the world, you’ll want to protect your display and booth components when in storage and in transit. An elaborate exhibit backdrop or banner would need a reliable shipping case to safeguard your business’s branding.

Your media display monitors or TVs that will capture attention need to be protected from loading and unloading mishaps with a hard-shell case that’s safe and durable as well as easy to pack, ship, and maneuver.

What Should I Expect at a Trade Show?

Major trade show attendees travel internationally and gather in major city hubs in convention centers while more local events are typically held in arenas or hotel halls. Trade shows are sometimes called trade fairs or expositions and commonly provide an exhibit hall or area, workshops, presentations, demonstrations, evening social gatherings, and other networking events that typically conclude with a presentation of awards.
Considering that trade shows are long-term investments, expect to invest a lot of time, energy, and money in the immediate future while networking with competitors and customers. Making the right connections at the trade show will generate the ROI needed to make the upfront investment worth it.

How Effective Are Trade Shows?

Fifty-one percent of attendees at trade shows are attending for the first time and 13% represent a prospective client to exhibit companies. Eighty-one percent of attendees have purchasing authority and 51% request a meeting from an exhibitor after a show.

When it comes down to it, trade shows give you the chance to connect with thousands of people you wouldn’t normally have the chance to connect with.

Protect & Insure Your Booth with Trade Show Cases!

Getting into the trade show world can be exciting, but it’s an adventure that requires the proper protection. Shipping your trade show equipment with custom-made or stock trade show shipping cases won’t only add a professional look to your marketing setup but prove to be an insurance policy on your equipment that will protect your banners, merchandise, TV displays, and the rest of your trade show equipment throughout its entire time in transit.

Make the smart choice for your 1st trade show and protect your trade show equipment with Philly Case! Call 1.800.505.8179 or email us at sales@phillycase.com. The Philly Case experts will walk you through all of your shipping, material, and accessory needs.

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