Seeing as conference and trade show season is upon us, I thought it appropriate to share some of my favorite “killer” trade show tips. Here are 10 great trade show tips we’ve come across that are sure to make your organization stand out at that next trade show. What are some of your favorite tips? Let us know in the comments.

1. Market your trade show exhibition.
   Depending on your budget allocation, market to target customers before the trade show. Use a short clear direct mail/email piece letting target companies know your company will be exhibiting, what the booth number is, where your booth is physically located at the show and what their benefits will be if they stop by your booth. Even better, send out personalized email invitations and get responses on who will be attending and who won’t.
2. Establish a Gender Balance in Your Booth
   Some people may feel more comfortable approaching your booth if it’s not just full of one gender. It mixes things up, and allows visitors to your exhibit to choose to relate on different levels. How often have you seen a booth full of all men, arms folded, and ready to hit you with their carefully rehearsed sales pitch? It doesn’t work for them and it won’t work for you.



3. Stay put.
   Make sure there’s always someone manning your exhibit. If you absolutely need to leave, make sure you have someone to cover for you. You can always wander around in the early morning before trade show delegates arrive, or later after everyone leaves.
4. Stand Out.
   This is a pretty basic one, but you’d be surprised how many people make this mistake. Make sure that you, and any of those staffing your exhibit are wearing similar attire. Even if you’re just a small company, a couple branded golf shirts, dress shirts, or t-shirts (depending on your market) in your company colors will go a long way to in standing out from minglers.
5. Stay on Budget
   Establish your trade show budget ahead of time and weigh the costs of the trade show over the benefits. Stick to your budget, and try not to get caught up in all of the excitement and last minute expenses.
6. Get Carded.
   Bring a healthy stock of business cards - at least twice as many as you think you’ll need. If its time to order new cards, consider a unique card design that is less traditional - if only for trade shows. Think about when you arrive home from a trade show and sort through your pile of business cards. Which ones do you revisit, and which ones end up in a box somewhere?
7. Promotional Items
   Take a look in your desk drawer. See all those pens, pencils, magnets, and clips you collected from your trade show visits? When was the last time you thought about half of those companies? Do you even remember what half of them even do? Go easy on the promotional items - and if you absolutely insist on giving something away, make sure its remotely useful…oh, and if its t-shirts you’re giving away, you probably don’t need that many LG or XLs.
8. Contests…
   Setup a ballot box and some ballots including their Name, Company Name, Email, and one unique thing about the person or company (favourite hobby, etc..). Not only will this help you to better analyze the traffic to your exhibit after the show, but you’ll also have an interesting tidbit to work into conversation.
9. Follow-up with your visitors
   Now that you’ve got some leads from all your contest entries, don’t just let them sit in that ballot box. Follow up with them in a personalized email within 2 days. Thank them for visiting your booth, ask them if they’ be interested in receiving your newsletter, or attending one of your other upcoming events.
   
   
10. And the number one killer trade show tip that is sure to get a good crowd over to your exhibit, coming from the depths of the blog of the master himself, Seth Godin:
    

    The easiest way in the world to attract a crowd at a trade show–hire some folks to film your booth, preferably with bright lights, Bauer battery packs and a big-ass camera. Sure enough, people will show up, like moths to a candle.