Beyond the Booth-5 Trade Show Alternatives Ideas
Exhibiting at a trade show?
Usually businesses trying to increase their brand awareness or obtaining qualified leads will exhibit at trade shows by purchasing a booth space on the expo floor.
If you find that you just:
- don't have the right personnel to man the booth,
- don't want to spend the money or,
- just don't have the time to plan a thorough marketing plan for an effective exhibit
Why not think outside the box or the booth!
Here are top five trade show alternatives to participate at conferences outside of the expo floor:
1. Sponsor an event.
Whether its a cocktail reception, customer appreciation game night, or the dinner; get your name and sales force out there! Plan a small cocktail reception in a hotel suite and give a small, brief presentation. Add a few competitive games to create a contest for the duration of the conference. Whatever it may be, make it fun!
2. Book space across the street or in the parking lot.
One year at the E3 Show, Ouya decided to rent out part of the parking lot across the street from the Los Angeles Convention Center and put up banners to attract passer-byers. Not sure it created more sales, but it did create free publicity. Have a eye-opening interactive activation that you can brand for a high through-put. Check out our Football Pass Challenge or Soccer Kicking Challenge for those really big conventions for as a trade show alternative to a booth.
3. Engage Social Media with a targeted goal
New Balance recently launched a relay-race mobile app promotion in New York promoting their flagship store. Integrating running and batons in the app resulted in 75 million media impressions along with engaging over 1000 app downloads along with exceeding their goal of selling $250,000 in first month (40% increase of their retail sales goal). This was not used at a tradeshow, but the premise still applies. Tie-in your marketing message to any event you host or spread your message with your social media platform.
4. Snag a speaking role at the tradeshow.
Have someone from your company speak at the show. This shows the attendees that you and your company have been vetted by the show committee or public relations firm in charge of the tradeshow and of course that you are a thought leader in your industry. And don't forget to have your sales or development team available in full force to assist in any questions not to mention to capture all to add to your social media outlets.
5. Become a greeter at the show
Engage the attendees with energetic greeters dressed with your logo'd shirts that hand out logo'd bags to attendees which include a USB loaded with your company info and contact person. Include a qr code on the greeter's shirt to drive attendees to a custom company page!
Even though you haven't spent money on a booth and its related costs, you still have invested time and money in the above. You typically will not close the deal at the show, but in the followup. A must is to schedule a follow up meeting or call as soon as possible while the tradeshow buzz is still fresh in the attendees' mind.
If you need help with your appreciation night or VIP suite, we're here to help! Good luck and let us know if our suggestions helped you!
Kick off your trade show with trade show alternatives - arcade game rentals from Phoenix Amusements
If you’re inspired to use games at your next activation or customer nuturing event, you have a trusted event rental partner in Phoenix Amusements. Based in Atlanta and serving companies nationwide, Phoenix Amusements has been helping companies and event organizers alike craft amazing experiences since 1959. From foosball to air hockey, a rental from us will make sure your brand stays on attendees’ minds long after they go home.
Need some more details on choosing which game to rent? We’re here to help and we love finding the perfect game for you! Contact Phoenix Amusements today to see how we can help you make your next trade show one to remember.
