Have
you ever walked up to a trade show exhibit or booth that didn’t
have any items to hand out i.e. promotional items? Maybe the exhibitor looked interesting from a distance, but when you approached and moved closer you found that they seemed unprepared. They had very few marketing materials. People were there to answer questions (hopefully) but there
was still a feeling that something was missing. How did you feel about that company? Do
you have a positive image of the company when this happens?
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| Need Items for your Next Trade Show? |
While it’s not written in stone that companies give away
promotional items at trade shows, it's come to be an expectation that there
should be some sort of takeaway item. Not
because people are greedy and need to be given something to do business with a given company. But because having promotional items is an indication that the company has given their visitors some forethought, they're prepared, and they have a clear marketing message that they are supporting with a take away item.
When promotional items, samples and/or marketing materials
are present, the exhibitor has taken
advantage of the opportunity to not only have face to face conversations with
groups of potential buyers, but it also presents an opportunity to get these items into the hands of their target audience. Why would a company want to pass up on that opportunity?
Trade shows are a great opportunity to learn more about your industry, rub elbows with experts and most of all learn about your customers. Make the most of the experience and use the opportunity to distribute items that will
give the visitor a way to remember you after the event is over. Armed with giveaway information, potential buyers
have a way to better absorb and learn more about your company, set an appointment or make a purchase.
When a company appears to be unprepared, it leaves one with the need to fill in the dots on their own. It may not be a deal breaker, but it puts more pressure on the folks in the booth to provide a compelling reason to do business. If no one is in the booth to have a discussion or answer questions, that sends a strong message as well. The Promotional
Products Association International (PPAI) conducted research that shows the
following:
- · 62.6% of trade-show attendees stated they had received a promotional product.
- · 71.6% of attendees who received a promotional product remembered the name of the company that gave them the product.
- · 76.3% of attendees had a favorable attitude toward the company that gave them the product.
Their
findings indicate that most companies surveyed (maybe some of your competitors) are giving
out promotional items. And it confirmed
that they help visitors remember the experience they had with the company after
the event is over. Most importantly, it helps to improve the attitudes of
customer toward the company that gave them out.
Trade shows are happening all the time, and Spring shows will be in full swing in the coming months. We have plenty of items for your
next event, including Quick Ship items. Contact us and take advantage of these tips and a wide selection of promotional items.
