Trade show ideas

[keenanbob]

I am putting a booth in a trade show. I am going to emphasis restoration but also want to keep the carpet cleaning side of the business visible . Who has some good ideas for trade shows . Any helpful ideas would be greatly appreciated .

 

[Carbonated Carpet Woman]

My son and daughter-in-law had some balloons printed with their logo and filled them with helium. It was a very effective display, attracted people to the booth, and they gave balloons to any kids who happened to be in attendance along with a free bottle of spotter and a business card (I know, who brings their kids?).

 

[Scott S.]

when we do shows, we use a tv hooked up to a laptop that cycles threw before and after pics, we always give away bottles of spotter, and have a drawing for email/address capture. And we actually give away what we are raffling off. go figure. some years it works great others it doesn't, but always give stuff away. and expect people to snark and say "i have a bissel", or "does this spotter work in my at home machine", and be prepared to deal with some crazies.

 

[Mike Pailliotet]

Puppies, cute kids and a wife with a big bowl of candy can't hurt.

Streaming video
Free spot cleaner bottles
Very visible testimonials from notable community figures... not from "Marge on 2nd street"..
Raffle for a free cleaning


Everything better look pro. If your stand up card board display looks like your kid's craft fair it will be a waste of time.

@TomKing

 

[mirf]

Mark did a home show and posted some great pictures. Spotters are to expensive to give away in my opinion.
We do give away wrapped red licorice that people like.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Man they can be great or can be a total bust.

The thing to understand is nobody wants to engage with you so you need a hook, an icebreaker to lure them in.

We've done blue imprinted helium balloons and gave hundreds of them to kids and some adults. They banned inflated ballons.

We imprinted train whistles and gave them out until they banned them too. My brother makes some tasty salsa and we handed out chips and Salsa on cake plates...until the banned that too.

We gave out popcorn too but Blow Pops and small candy have worked just as well.

Once the kids get whatever you're handing out, then you can passively ask them if they would like "to sign up for a raffle" "would like a discount coupon " or some other premium.

We've had shows where we had great sales afterwards and those where we wondered why we did the show.

We just spoke about whether we were doing them this year and decided to spend the money elsewhere this year. Time will tell if it was the right decision or not.

Good luck!

 

[Scott S.]

Marks Saigers Booth.

 

[PrimaDonna]

@Mark Saiger He does this very successfully and I'm sure will post some ideas and other videos.

 

[rick imby]

First off ---Attractive women will get a lot more response than a fat old carpet guy. Action helps a lot. Don't put the table between you and the walkway---you will end up hiding. If you can put some chairs for them to sit on to sign up---they might stay too long.---stools with a stool height table to sign up on work best.

With a big table have it at the back of the booth, pushed out so your people are standing/stooling practically right in the walkway.

Offer them a $2 bill if they will fill out a survey. 12 questions...

A raffle for a 42" TV is awesome and not that expensive---
A raffle for a $100 bill works great also. Matt and Frame it and lock it down....

If you have per room pricing make them get an estimate ---and give it to them to take with them in order to enter.
Never give away the product you are selling... People will hope they win and won't buy.

Offer an extra 10% off if they schedule right on the spot.
Give them a $10 bill if they schedule right on the spot.
Get workout bags---you can get them really cheap with your logo----and give them to anyone that books at the show.
Give away a box of Girl Scout cookies (boy scout popcorn) if they book at the show. Have a couple of cases sitting there.

If you have cool tools like rotovac, hoss, or Zipper have that on display so they can see it. Hands on.

Have a Picture of your wrapped TM blown up and use it for the backdrop in your booth.---Sometimes you could actually bring a TM and put it in your booth.

Have fun in the booth. Best joke contest?
Employee with the most entries gets a prize...

A dirty walk off mat that is half clean is really impressive to have on the floor. If you can clean your logo into a different mat with an upholstery tool that might be cool.

Some people can work a Show really well, others are duds---don't make me say Chavez's name again.

 

[Desk Jockey]

 

[Todd Millar]

@Mark Saiger He does this very successfully and I'm sure will post some ideas and other videos.

Thats Dave Saigers booth not Marks. Mark is there visiting and helping. You can tell by the logo, Marks is different. Nice set up !!

 

[Mark Saiger]

Hey guys and gals... Finally getting some Internet and WiFi again.

Will see if I have those pics with me of our booth and other info hopefully in the morning.. WiFi willing