One of the biggest mistakes that small business trade show marketers make is waiting too late to start planning for a trade show. I would recommend to begin planning at least 3 months prior to your event. Here is a partial checklist.
- Evaluate your Display - What kind of display do you need for this event? Are you using a new exhibit, or perhaps you need new graphics? Now is the time to get moving.
- Prepare your Graphics - If you're going to produce a new display or graphics, make sure you prepare your booth graphics as soon as possible. This way you can tie all of your other marketing messages to your backwall. One trick we've used in the last couple of years at our shows is putting a picture of our booth into our pre-show mailers. This makes it easy for prospects to spot us at the show.
- Develop a killer show theme - If you wait until the last minute to plan your trade show marketing plan, you simply will not come up with a good theme. Spend time brainstorming and bounce ideas off of your co-workers. The right theme can make a 10' x 10' the star of the show.
- Fill out your show forms - Make sure you get all your show forms in early so you take advantage of the early bird discounts.
- Ship to the advance warehouse - get your exhibit done early and ship to advance warehouse. You won't waste any energy worrying about your shipment and your booth will be in your space ready to setup when you arrive at the show.
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