Plan A Successful Exhibition

Planning an amazing exhibition that leaves guests wanting more takes time, effort and a lot of careful planning. Whether you’re organising a large-scale trade show or a smaller, more exclusive event, there are a couple of things to consider to ensure your event runs smoothly. Here are nine tips to help you plan a successful exhibition that will impress your attendees and leave a lasting impression.

Define your objectives

Before you hit the drawing board and begin planning your exhibition, it’s important to define your objectives. What are you hoping to achieve with this event? Are you trying to generate leads, build brand awareness or launch a new product? Once you have a clear idea of what your goals are you can start developing a solid strategy to achieve them.

Choose the right location

Choosing the right location is vital and by no means an easy undertaking. You’ll need to consider factors such as accessibility, foot traffic, parking and the size and cost of the venue. The venue should be easy to find and would ideally be close to both your suppliers and your guests. The venue should also be practical for the type of exhibition you have in mind, and have the necessary facilities to pull off everything you have planned.

Set a budget early on

Setting a budget is difficult, but sticking to it is often harder! You’ll need to consider several expenses such as venue rental, marketing, staffing and catering. Make sure you allocate your budget wisely from the beginning and keep track of all your expenses to avoid overspending. It’s always wise to set a portion of the budget aside for when that inevitable hiccup occurs and you need a bit of extra capital.

Develop a marketing plan

A comprehensive marketing plan is crucial if you want to reach a wide audience. You might need to consider a variety of channels if you want to reach your target audience. Social media is often an easy and inexpensive way to start marketing your exhibition. Captivate your audience by using eye-catching visuals that grab people’s attention and convey your message clearly.

Create engaging content

Make sure you offer something of value to your audience, such as educational sessions or interactive exhibits. Create an immersive experience for your attendees that they will long for once they leave. Things such as decor, entertainment and planned activities can go a long way towards creating a more exciting environment for guests.

Recruit the right people

When you have the right team by your side you can get things done quickly and react to crises in an instant. You’ll need a team of skilled employees by your side who can manage everything from logistics to marketing if you want to plan a successful exhibition. On top of that, you will likely need to deal with various suppliers and sub-contractors, so make sure you foster a relationship with the right people for the job.

Use events management software

Events management software can streamline your exhibition planning process and help you keep everything organised. Manage tasks such as registration, ticket sales and gathering attendee data on one convenient platform.

Prioritise Safety

Guest safety should be highlighted at any exhibition, and failure to do so can have far-reaching consequences. You’ll need to consider factors such as crowd control and emergency response and always keep to health and safety regulations. Make sure you have a comprehensive safety plan in place and that staff are properly trained to respond to different situations.

Follow up with attendees

You need to follow up with attendees if you wish to build lasting relationships. You can use different channels such as email and social media to stay in touch with your audience and continue building connections. Following up also gives you insight into your guests’ experience, which can be used to improve future exhibitions.

We hope you found this article helpful, and that it can help you plan a successful exhibition that guests will be talking about for years to come!