Are you fully aware of what you need as a vendor at a trade show? In order to plan the best you can, here’s a helpful trade show checklist, that includes renting a tent! Read more below for details.
Attending trade shows as a vendor can be overwhelming. True – it is an opportunity to make yourself known within your industry. At the same time, though, you are just one of many. This means, if you want to shine, you need to figure out how to do it – otherwise you may find yourself lost in the mix. So, how will you stand out? How will you make yourself visible?
While you are figuring that out, you have to remember that you also need to…
- Order your promotional supplies.
- Create a call-to-action plan for the trade show.
- Determine your approach – and rehearse your pitch.
- Have giveaways in addition to your regular promotional supplies.
- Get supplies together, such as a power strip and extension cords, pens, tape, and anything else you may need.
- Decide on refreshments to entice attendees to stop at your booth.
- Design an approachable booth.
And that is just the tip of the iceberg. There is just so much that goes into a trade show. So, while you are focused on everything listed on your checklist – knowing you have invested in a tent rental could take some weight and worry off your shoulders.
Protect Your Booth
Is your trade show indoors? Is it a huge trade show that will leave you bumper to bumper with your neighbors?
Investing in a tent rental means that you can protect your booth. See, tents can come with sidewalls, allowing you to have protection all the way around the tent. If you are participating in a trade show that takes place outdoors, then you will be subjected to all sorts of elements – rough weather and not. Having the tent overhead and the sidewalls will allow you to be protected no matter what comes your way. It could be heavy rain or heat from the sun and everything in between.
But, what if your trade show is housed indoors? Why would you need a tent? Well, first of all – there will be A LOT of people at a trade show, both vendors and attendees. If you have a display to set up, you will want to keep it protected. Having a tent allows you to close it up while you are away and gives an increased level of safety to your space and equipment.
Keep Your Booth Organized
Organization is a great quality to have. If you are trying to entice attendees that they need to stop at your booth – and that they need what you have – then you need to keep your space organized. First impressions are everything. Therefore, offering a space that is highly organized and well put together reflects on your business.
Would you want to buy from someone who had stuff everywhere in a completely disheveled manner? Didn’t think so.
By including a tent, you are setting the boundaries for your space. As mentioned above, there are a lot of vendor booths at trade shows. Depending on the space, each booth may be very close together. This can make the area appear very cluttered and disorganized. The tent boundaries will allow you to maintain your area – and make it known that you and your business have it together.
Get Noticed
Did you know that you can customize tents? Well, you can! You can get them in various colors and include your logo. In fact, you can create your tent to just about say or look like anything. There are certain colors that draw attention more than others. So, when you have many vendors and a high number of attendees in a wide-open space, eyes are generally darting all over the place – just looking for something to latch on to.
Let it be you.
Customize your tent to be one that will draw in the gaze of attendees. In a room of a thousand, be the one to get noticed.
Be Recognizable
Just as a tent rental can help you get noticed at a trade show event, it can also help you get recognized. If you have been working on your brand awareness, then those in attendance can look for you – and find you – by looking for your tent. After all, tents can make big and bold statements in a crowded room.
Let’s say you have been taking advantage of social media leading up to the big event. You have been getting your name and your logo out there – focusing on those who will likely be in attendance at the event. When they walk through those doors, however, are you going to rely on them to search your name on a list and then try to find Booth #598? Or, will you have a tent that is customized with the same logo they have been seeing over the last several weeks?
Help people find you, recognize you, and feel like they know you – all with a tent rental.
Create an Enticing Display
When you sign up to be a vendor at a trade show, you are assigned a specific amount of space to work with, generally 10’ x 10’. What you do with the space is up to you. Well, as long as you follow the venue rules, of course.
So, why not create an enticing display that will get you conversions? For instance, you can turn the space under your tent into a sort of coffee shop. Offer a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and provide cushioned chairs for attendees to sit down and mingle. While they are there – you start talking. Or, how about having games or a movie experience with popcorn while watching a short video about your product?
The tent gives you space to do this. Decorate it and entice attendees.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. As you create your checklist months in advance to prepare for your trade show appearance, don’t forget to include a tent rental. Remember, it can help you define your physical boundaries, protect your space, and help you remain organized. The most important part? A customized tent can help you stand out among the many other vendors. And, that’s an incredibly important first step.
