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View Full Version : trade show tips
anet
04-27-2006, 08:24 AM
HI
i have gotten several PMs and seen a couple posts here about finding trade shows.
I will share what I have learned, and I hope other people will add to it, then all the info will be togehtersmileys/smiley1.gif
Places to look for trade shows:
Local convention center calendars, mine has events and the listings usually have links to the organizing group, then you can contact them about being a vendor. we have the big Cincinnati one, but also a smaller one up north. That one is easier to get into, and is usually cheaper. Also, some of the larger hotels host trade shows, you can try their websites or calling their event coordinator.
Newspaper health calendar-I found this recently in my newspaper it lists all the health related events. You can get contact info from these listings.
Health food stores-look on the bulletin boards as you leave the store, they often have events advertised
alternative/holistic press. My city has magazines you can find at grocery stores, book stores etc as you leave, the freebie kind.
I did a holistic health care show and had a good response, some of the vendors were way out there and freaked me out a little, but the attendees are already aware of chemical ingredients, natural hormone etc. Lots of vegetarians there, too! My mom takes a yoga class and found out about it there.
Stick business cards up on bulletin boards if you can find them. (wait, now I am not sure if we are allowed?)My mom did and we got asked to do a spa night at a local synagogue. it was free.
COSTS: I would not pay more than $200-$250
I paid $100 for the nurses fair, I got a nice table, all skirted and everything for an all day event 9-3. I got a lunch and we could have 2 people manning the booth for that price. Bigger tables and/or more consultants would have cost more
$200 for the holistic fair. I got a nice 10 x 10 booth with curtained dividers. 2 of us were included, so we split the cost. It was all day 11-7.
Things to find out:
What is included in the price. SOme make you pay extra for tables, cloths, electricity, chairs, advertising in the listing
Ask how many people they expect, and if you will have access to the mailing list afterwards. (the nursing fair I did, they were required to sign in and for $30 we can get a copy of the listing)
they often overestimate, so ask about past numbers if you can
Ask if you can do a drawing/raffle at your own table. The holistic fair asked up to donate one door prize to get a small mention in the brochure, but we could do our own as well
Ask if they limit the number of consultants from the same company. Most will not let two booths from one company there, so it is first come, first serve.
Ask what other types of consultants will be there, and how they place tables. I was between Mary Kay and estee Lauder yesterday, which I really didn't like. I would have rather been away from the other cosmetics/skin care people.
Ask about water source location if you plan on sampling salt scrub. you don't want to have to walk too far to refill/rinse
I would suggest making a list of trade shows you see and planning ahead for the upcoming year. Sometimes, by the time they are advertised, they are full, and you are too late. If you get the contact info and put it on your calendar for 3-4 months in advance to check next year, you can get in.
i have gotten several PMs and seen a couple posts here about finding trade shows.
I will share what I have learned, and I hope other people will add to it, then all the info will be togehtersmileys/smiley1.gif
Places to look for trade shows:
Local convention center calendars, mine has events and the listings usually have links to the organizing group, then you can contact them about being a vendor. we have the big Cincinnati one, but also a smaller one up north. That one is easier to get into, and is usually cheaper. Also, some of the larger hotels host trade shows, you can try their websites or calling their event coordinator.
Newspaper health calendar-I found this recently in my newspaper it lists all the health related events. You can get contact info from these listings.
Health food stores-look on the bulletin boards as you leave the store, they often have events advertised
alternative/holistic press. My city has magazines you can find at grocery stores, book stores etc as you leave, the freebie kind.
I did a holistic health care show and had a good response, some of the vendors were way out there and freaked me out a little, but the attendees are already aware of chemical ingredients, natural hormone etc. Lots of vegetarians there, too! My mom takes a yoga class and found out about it there.
Stick business cards up on bulletin boards if you can find them. (wait, now I am not sure if we are allowed?)My mom did and we got asked to do a spa night at a local synagogue. it was free.
COSTS: I would not pay more than $200-$250
I paid $100 for the nurses fair, I got a nice table, all skirted and everything for an all day event 9-3. I got a lunch and we could have 2 people manning the booth for that price. Bigger tables and/or more consultants would have cost more
$200 for the holistic fair. I got a nice 10 x 10 booth with curtained dividers. 2 of us were included, so we split the cost. It was all day 11-7.
Things to find out:
What is included in the price. SOme make you pay extra for tables, cloths, electricity, chairs, advertising in the listing
Ask how many people they expect, and if you will have access to the mailing list afterwards. (the nursing fair I did, they were required to sign in and for $30 we can get a copy of the listing)
they often overestimate, so ask about past numbers if you can
Ask if you can do a drawing/raffle at your own table. The holistic fair asked up to donate one door prize to get a small mention in the brochure, but we could do our own as well
Ask if they limit the number of consultants from the same company. Most will not let two booths from one company there, so it is first come, first serve.
Ask what other types of consultants will be there, and how they place tables. I was between Mary Kay and estee Lauder yesterday, which I really didn't like. I would have rather been away from the other cosmetics/skin care people.
Ask about water source location if you plan on sampling salt scrub. you don't want to have to walk too far to refill/rinse
I would suggest making a list of trade shows you see and planning ahead for the upcoming year. Sometimes, by the time they are advertised, they are full, and you are too late. If you get the contact info and put it on your calendar for 3-4 months in advance to check next year, you can get in.
nhgirl
04-27-2006, 09:34 AM
I have also found some listings at eventlister.com
I have gone to the "event calendar" of area newspaper websites as well.
I have gone to the "event calendar" of area newspaper websites as well.
