Are you at the right show?

With a big chunk of any b2b company's marketing budget devoted to trade show marketing, one of the ways to get the most for that money is to make sure the shows you participate in are the right shows.

Ask yourself two questions: Will the people you want to reach be there?  Will the show management be an effective matchmaker?

Here are the key questions to ask to determine if the people you want to reach will be at the show:

Why do you want to exhibit? ( Objectives are everything!)

Ask show management for the attendee profile from past shows. Are they potential clients?

Do previous exhibitors like the show?(Ask for some references from show management and call them)

To determine if  show management  will be an effective matchmaker for you, ask the following:

How will show management promote the show, and to whom?

How will show management help attendees find you? ( Is there preregistration? Is a show guide sent in advance? Does the schedule give people enough time to visit the exhibitors?)

What other services does show management offer to help exhibitors? (Ask how you can make the most of your trade show experience. They are there to help)

You can't expect the show management to do everything for you in promoting your presence at the show - you have the responsibility to help with that too, but you should expect more from the show than the real estate you've rented.

Let there be light...

 Think your tabletop or ten foot display doesn't need spotlighting at a trade show? Think again! Spotlighting is one of the most valuable things you can do to make your display more eye-catching.

Now, Nomadic Display has made adding lights to your display completely painless. Now, through August 31, 2004, Nomadic is offering a free set of Halogen lights with the purchase of a 10' display or larger.With the purchase of an 8' Nomadic display, you will get a set of halogen lights, and one free halogen light with the purchase of a Nomadic tabletop. The best display on the market just got more affordable!  (Mention this offer from the newsletter when you call to take advantage of this offer. No other discounts apply)

Congratulations!

A number of our clients were nominated for Mira Awards through Techpoint this year. Our congratulations to WalkerInformation, Thomas P. Miller and Associates, BioSentinel Solutions, Purdue Department of Computer and IT, The Possibility Network, eTapestry, Haverstick Consulting, Crew Technical Services, Flexware Innovations, Clarian Health Partners, and our friends at ExactTarget.

Find out more at www.techpoint.org.

Did you know... that the "boneyard" at a trade show is the name for the storage area for empty crates and contractor materials?

Get the most for your "giveaway" dollars...match the premium to your target audience. Ask yourself, "What would my target audience be likely to value, to hang onto, and use regularly or keep in sight?" Choose wisely and give wisely!

Thompson/Kerr Booth Camp

Yes, it's that time again! I know all your hard-working booths are looking forward to  the R&R they get each year at Booth Camp.

We'll clean 'em up, check 'em out, and send 'em back to you in tip-top condition for the fall trade show season.

E-mail for details on Booth Camp for your road weary Display!!  jthompson@thompsonkerr.com.