9 Practical Tips to Prepare a Successful Exhibition Stall

Exhibition shows offer massive benefits to companies and brands. You get to network with vendors, high-ranking professionals, entrepreneurs, even government officials. But participating in exhibition shows isn’t without its fair share of hard work. To get the most out of your experience, here are nine practical tips to help you prepare.

1. What are your exhibiting goals?

Before you decide to participate in a show, it's important to cement your expectations from the show. It is essential to base your exhibition stall design on your business goals. Are you planning to promote your brand, or showcase a new product, or get new vendors and customers are different?

2. Have you researched your competition?

Before you commit to buy or rent a stall design, take the time to check up your competitors

• Do they participate in exhibition shows? • If no, then is it due to lack of opportunity or awareness • If yes, what are they doing, and how can you do it better?

Competition analysis provides you with new avenues to get relevant exhibition stall design ideas for your stall design. You are also likely to pick up some valuable insights which can help to differentiate your brand from your competitors.

3. What stand type have you planned?

After you have done your research, the next question is to rent or buy exhibition stall in India. But before that, here's a brief explanation about custom exhibition stall, a reusable exhibition stall or shell scheme stall.

• Custom exhibition stalls require you to hire an experienced exhibition stand designer. It is built to be unique to your brand and exhibition show. But since they are made from scratch, they can't be reused, and their costs fluctuate on the higher end.

• Reusable stalls are utilized just like custom exhibition stalls, and they can be customized to your brand. Its portability and reusable build are its unique features. A reusable exhibition stall uses flexible components that can be easily dismantled and rebuilt to accommodate different sizes and floors. The only drawback is that they are slightly more expensive than custom stands, making it unfeasible for one-time exhibitors to buy one.

• Finally, if you are on a budget or you are confident that your offerings are niche and unique enough to grab your target audiences instantly. Then, you can rent a shell scheme stall from organizers at the show. They are the cheapest and the most basic options.

4. How are you planning your graphics?

Graphics make a crucial contribution to the visibility of your stall, but here’s something most exhibitors fail to consider; print quality. Print quality makes a huge difference, how vivid and visible your stall is dependent on it. Dye-sublimation technology offers the best color consistency and pattern continuity for large scale prints. If your budget allows for fabric prints, then choose fabric because, unlike vinyl, it's crease and fade resistant.

5. Do you have a plan to engage audiences?

You can have the most attractive exhibition stall and still lose visitors to your competition. You stall can only grab the attention of your audiences and make them visit your stall. But it would help if you gave visitors a reason to stick around. That's where elements like staff interaction, games with prizes, and AV presentations come it play. Some exhibitors prefer to use passive methods of engagements such as using giveaways or incorporating a lounge/workspace, for visitors to relax.

6. How do you plan to utilize social media?

Once you’ve finalized your stall design and confirmed your place at the show, it's time to promote your show appearance. There are several social media platforms you can utilize to get your message across. Whether it's Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram, get in touch with people who are following the show’s page and let them know that you have a stall at the show. Perhaps you could offer a redeemable gift code, to attract them to your stall.

7. Do you have your staff trained?

Before your staff participates, ensure that they are fully briefed and understand your business objectives. Educate them on what will happen during the show. Train them to manage skills like how to approach visitors, what questions they should ask, and how to gauge how to set a follow up with a potential customer.

8. Did you handle your transport and storage before-hand?

While labor is cost-effective, the time-investment for managing your stall’s transport and storage is still expensive. So ensure that you talk with your chosen stall designer and figure out the best routes and timings to transport your stall to the fairgrounds. It's better to reach several hours early than to get delayed due to a last-minute traffic jam. Some stall designers provide storage and transportation for your stall either as part of their exhibition package or for an additional fee.

9. Don't forget to follow up?

After the show, it becomes essential to follow up on your leads as soon as possible. As exciting as the show was, most visitors will have a hard time remembering who they met at the show.

Exhibition shows are a huge investment, so keep these tips in mind, and you'll be become better prepared for your show appearance.