Push Promotions have over 10 years of experience providing trade show staff to UK trade shows. We can work with the trade show venue, trade show organisers, and individual exhibitors.
But First Things First, What Actually Is A Trade Show?
A trade show, otherwise known as a trade fair, is an exhibition where businesses within the same industry gather to showcase their latest products and services, network, uncover market trends, and scrutinise their competition.
Trade show exhibitors are usually businesses, while trade show attendees are company representatives, distributors, resellers, suppliers and industry media (e.g. relevant magazines). Unlike a consumer exhibition when all members of the public are permitted, and encouraged, to attend, a trade show is reserved for professionals. It is usually a business-to-business event.
They can take place for nearly every imaginable industry. Such as cosmetics, dental care, gaming, cardiology, architecture, specific fashion areas, and more.
Where Do Trade Shows Take Place?
Trade shows can take up huge amounts of space. For example, an engineering trade fair may have large equipment on show. Huge venues are therefore required to host sch events. Commonly used venues include:
- The NEC Birmingham
- London ExCel
- London Olympia
- Scottish Event Campus (SEC)
- Telford International Centre (TIC)
- Exhibition Centre Liverpool
- Manchester Central
Such venues need to have good transport links and nearly accommodation to lodge such high numbers of people. Trade shows can receive upwards of 10,000 visitors.
What Happens At A Trade Show?
Trade shows, like any other exhibition or large event, follow an event program made up of expert speakers, Q&A panels, workshops, and more, as well as a large space for individual business stands of course. Common trade shows activities include:
- Speakers- Expert speakers in the industry will give talks on pre-specified topics.
- Workshops- Discussions and activities revolving around an industry theme, often led by an expert. This allows people to learn more from their peers and about industry breakthroughs and trends.
- Breakout Sessions- These often take place during or after a workshop where smaller groups ‘break off’ to discuss their ideas and thoughts in more detail.
- Media Opportunities– They may be opportunities to discuss your business, products or services with media outlets such as TV, magazines, newspapers and Internet broadcasters. Often media channels associated with the trade show industry will attend, they, therefore, have an audience already invested in your industry.
- Networking Opportunities- Trade shows are designed to get those within a specific industry to meet each other and network. Sometimes trade shows, or their partner organisations, will host specific networking events such as after-show parties or dinners.
- Awards- Some trade shows use such a large gathering of industry professionals to hand out industry awards to businesses and individuals.
- Product Demonstrations- Newly developed products and technology are often unveiled at trade shows and demonstrations are given.
Trade Show Stands
There are many things to consider when planning a trade show stand or booth. You may be spending significant time and money to host a stand and so you want to ensure that you stand out from the crowd, grab attention, and make an impact.
1. Location
You may simply be given a location in the tradeshow to set up your stand, but if given the choice, choose a location with heavy foot traffic. Although seemingly undesirable, being near the toilets will guarantee lots of foot traffic past your stand- with whom you can spark conversations. Additionally, being near a big famous brand will guarantee nearby foot traffic which you can capitalise on.
2. Trade Stand Presentation
There may be upwards of 100 different companies and brands presenting themselves at your chosen trade show, so you need to stand out from the crowd. You will only have a few seconds to capture the attention of trade show attendees before their eyes skip to the next stand, so you need to be inventive and think outside the box. Your stand should promote engagement and participation- whether through product testing, product sampling, games, competitions, photo opportunities, or simply offering seats for attendees to sit down!
Trade show attendees can be on their feet for hours at a time, so simply having seats in your area could attract attention and entice the attendees to stop for a few minutes at your stand.
Don’t be afraid to be different! At trade shows everybody works within the same industry, and therefore may be selling similar services. You need to be unique!
Trade Show Staff
Trade Show staff are the most important part of your trade show ‘tool kit’, You can have the perfect stand, location and products, but if your staff are ineffective then attendees will disengage with your stand and simply leave for another. Staff need to be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and effective communicators. They represent your brand and leave a lasting impression on trade show attendees, influencing how your brand is perceived.
Push Promotions have extensive experience supplying trade show and exhibition staff to UK events. We have staff with specialist knowledge in various industries such as gaming and cosmetics, so we will aim to source staff who already have knowledge in your given industry. We have experienced sales staff, data capture staff, product demonstrators, promotional models, hosts & hostesses, and more! No matter what you need, PUSH can deliver!
So as you can see, there is more to a trade show than meets the eye! Get in contact with us today for a free and transparent quote about our promotional staff teams.
