Today, more people are doing business and setting up meetings directly from their phones, so it is no surprise to me that the convenience of this technology is now being used in trade shows to reach out to a larger audience. What could you be doing to draw in a larger crowd and be remembered long after the event is over? The answer is right under your nose. Here are several products that can be used to your advantage at the next event.
iPads
These sleek, lightweight versions of the traditional laptop have been creating quite a buzz from the moment they came on the market. iPads are carried around the convention floor by both exhibitors and attendees to make it easier to load all literature, presentations, and videos instead of carrying stacks of brochures and pamphlets. Qualifying leads is also much simpler because you can input the attendee's information into a form, as well as a few qualifying questions and can send the form directly to the marketing or sales department.
Mobile Apps
There seems to be an endless array of apps you can add to your smart phone, and now there are apps to enhance the success of your trade show displays. Before the event, post when and where your trade show booth will be on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. During the event, let your fans and followers know what's going on at the convention. Use hash tags with the name of the event and keywords to make it easier for tweeters with similar interests to find your posts. Start up conversations with other exhibitors and attendees to increase their chances of stopping by your display system.
Not only are these social media apps a must, but there are some designed specifically for the trade show industry. Here are just a few of those mobile apps:
• Pathable - This mobile app brings sponsors, attendees, and exhibitors together in the palm of your hand. Attendees are able to see what exhibitors are going to be at the event and everyone gets the opportunity to participate in discussions to enhance your trade show experience.
• ChirpE by a2z Mobile - Three different applications are available to enhance your convention experience: ChirpE Mobile, ChirpE Facebook, and ChirpEvite. ChirpE Mobile allows you to check out the trade show floor plan, find out what exhibitors and products will be at the event, and view conference sessions. ChirpE Facebook lets you share exhibitor profiles and reach out to a much larger target market. ChirpEvite is a great way to send out an invitation to those colleagues or customers who aren't members of the existing social networking sites.
• Square - This app is intended for the iPhone and allows you to take credit card payments at the convention and sends the customers a geo-tagged receipt.
Kiosks or Monitors
Inform your trade show exhibit visitors of what your business does by displaying a presentation or video on a monitor attached to your display booth. It will draw in attendees as they are walking by your convention exhibit. Another excellent way to use these trade show accessories is by allowing booth visitors to check their email or browse your website. If you have enough space in your display system, have several kiosks available to use at their convenience. As attendees begin to enter the trade show exhibit, engage them as soon as they enter your display system to let them know you are available for any questions they may have. If you notice someone is using the kiosk to check out your website, approach them and ask if there's something you can help them with. This will definitely draw in a crowd.
Technology is more developed today than it was yesterday, so there will definitely be more products and apps available to make it that much easier to do business outside of the office. A stunning trade show booth will definitely get noticed, but with the use of these tools, you can now engage your target audience both at and outside of the convention.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristin_Hovde
iPads
These sleek, lightweight versions of the traditional laptop have been creating quite a buzz from the moment they came on the market. iPads are carried around the convention floor by both exhibitors and attendees to make it easier to load all literature, presentations, and videos instead of carrying stacks of brochures and pamphlets. Qualifying leads is also much simpler because you can input the attendee's information into a form, as well as a few qualifying questions and can send the form directly to the marketing or sales department.
Mobile Apps
There seems to be an endless array of apps you can add to your smart phone, and now there are apps to enhance the success of your trade show displays. Before the event, post when and where your trade show booth will be on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. During the event, let your fans and followers know what's going on at the convention. Use hash tags with the name of the event and keywords to make it easier for tweeters with similar interests to find your posts. Start up conversations with other exhibitors and attendees to increase their chances of stopping by your display system.
Not only are these social media apps a must, but there are some designed specifically for the trade show industry. Here are just a few of those mobile apps:
• Pathable - This mobile app brings sponsors, attendees, and exhibitors together in the palm of your hand. Attendees are able to see what exhibitors are going to be at the event and everyone gets the opportunity to participate in discussions to enhance your trade show experience.
• ChirpE by a2z Mobile - Three different applications are available to enhance your convention experience: ChirpE Mobile, ChirpE Facebook, and ChirpEvite. ChirpE Mobile allows you to check out the trade show floor plan, find out what exhibitors and products will be at the event, and view conference sessions. ChirpE Facebook lets you share exhibitor profiles and reach out to a much larger target market. ChirpEvite is a great way to send out an invitation to those colleagues or customers who aren't members of the existing social networking sites.
• Square - This app is intended for the iPhone and allows you to take credit card payments at the convention and sends the customers a geo-tagged receipt.
Kiosks or Monitors
Inform your trade show exhibit visitors of what your business does by displaying a presentation or video on a monitor attached to your display booth. It will draw in attendees as they are walking by your convention exhibit. Another excellent way to use these trade show accessories is by allowing booth visitors to check their email or browse your website. If you have enough space in your display system, have several kiosks available to use at their convenience. As attendees begin to enter the trade show exhibit, engage them as soon as they enter your display system to let them know you are available for any questions they may have. If you notice someone is using the kiosk to check out your website, approach them and ask if there's something you can help them with. This will definitely draw in a crowd.
Technology is more developed today than it was yesterday, so there will definitely be more products and apps available to make it that much easier to do business outside of the office. A stunning trade show booth will definitely get noticed, but with the use of these tools, you can now engage your target audience both at and outside of the convention.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristin_Hovde
No comments:
Post a Comment