Are Trade Shows Worth It?

So you’re doing an in-person event— like a trade show— and you’re asking, “How do I make money at this? Are trade shows even profitable?” We’ve been there. Our team at Trellis Marketing has worked hundreds of trade shows and we’ve unlocked the secret to make them profitable. Here’s how we do it.

Problem

If you’ve ever been to a trade show, you already know what the problem is. You walk around the exhibit hall, and what do you see? Beautiful booths. Freshly pressed tablecloths. New, branded materials passersby collect on their way by...

But what’s happening behind the tables? 

A few bored people glued to their phones. They don’t talk to you. They don’t even make eye contact when you walk by. It’s an enormous waste of money. And honestly, it’s a little insulting. If I were their boss, I’d feel like those employees were stealing from me. That’s unacceptable.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. 

Solution

A trade show is like anything you do in life: you get out of it what you put into it.

If you want to make money at a trade show, you need a plan. You can’t just show up, throw some generic giveaways on the table, and hope for the best. Here’s what works:

1. Connect with people: Train your team to connect with people. Shake the hand of everyone that walks by. Start conversations. Engage! 

2. Offer a targeted giveaway: Not just any giveaway— a giveaway that your target audience actually cares about and wants to participate in.

3. Collect contact information: Every lead should be captured. Names, emails, phone numbers— you need it all.

4. Follow up with leads: After the show, give all that contact information to your sales team. Follow up with every lead quickly and consistently.

If you plan everything last minute and staff your booth with people who won't communicate— it's going to be an enormous waste of money and you probably shouldn’t go at all. 

Success

So, are trade shows worth it? Absolutely— if you do them right.

We’ve participated in over 500 trade shows, and we've learned how to make sure they convert into real sales.

With the right plan, a clear message, and a focus on engaging your audience, trade shows can absolutely be profitable for your business.

Now What

If you want to learn more, let’s talk. This is what we do, and we’d love to help you create a plan that makes your next trade show a success.

Schedule a free discovery call, and let’s make it happen!