How to Participate in an Expo

Taking part in an expo can be quite beneficial for your company's bottom line. Networking to show-goers and fellow expo participants can often bring new customers. Particiating in an expo can be a lot of work, though. From working with the expo's staff, to coordinating your own staff and preparing materials to give away, there are a lot of things that must be planned. Make sure you follow the steps to ensure you have everything needed to make your participation in the expo successful.

Instructions

How to Participate in an Expo

1

Contact the conference center, hall, or organization where the event will be held and register. Usually this can be done through snail mail or on the organization's Website.

2

Reserve a booth or, if it is a smaller event, reserve a table. Try to find out in advance what the floor plan will be and then plan accordingly. For example, avoid reserving booths in a small room that people likely won't notice, and go for a spot on the main floor.

3

Order electricity for your laptop or lights on your booth.

4

Find out the exact size specifications of your booth and the ceiling to ensure that the items you bring will fit.

5

Research unloading options. If you have really large equipment, you may need to use a loading dock. If not, simply locate the entrance closest to your table for easy unloading.

6

Research parking options and take note if exhibitors and visitors need a parking permit.

7

Inquire if there will be food on the premises for breakfast and lunch. If not, bring your own. Otherwise, it will be a long day.

8

Request the appropriate amount of tables and chairs that you will need from the conference center.

9

Create brochures and other handouts to provide information about your organization when people visit your booth.

10

Order promotional pieces as giveaways to entice people to your booth. You can order them from a marketing company. Some suggestions include pens, review mirrors for your computer, food, candy, sticky notepads or paperclip holders.

11

Order two bunches of balloons with your organization's name on them to put on each side of your booth. (optional)

12

Take inventory of the photographs you have to put up on your tradeshow booth and update them if necessary. Order a lightweight tradeshow booth that can be easily set up.

13

Prepare a PowerPoint presentation that can run on your laptop to highlight your organization. Or, if you have access to the Internet, plan on showing off your company's Website. (optional)

14

Recruit your co-workers to ensure a staff to cover the entire day.

15

Decide on a professional outfit to wear to the expo.

16

Identify tablecloths to bring with you or check to see if the expo center is already providing table skirts.

17

Prepare a camera to be used the day of the event. (optional)

18

Create an "emergency" kit to be prepared for small inconveniences. Include: band-aids, safety pins, bobby pins, tape, scissors, velcro, paper, pens and camera batteries.

19

Arrive early on the day of the event to set up your booth, put out literature and promotional items, and to ensure that everything is set. Take pictures throughout the day for future marketing materials.