Construction Chat is a weekly chat on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. If you’re free, we’d love you to join us.
This week’s topic is trade shows for exhibitors.
Thank you to Ginny of Hager Company for co-hosting!
Below are the questions as asked during the chat and some responses.
Q1. How many trade shows do you exhibit at per year?
A1. We do more open houses, frankly, than trade shows. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
A1. We exhibit at 3-5 trade shows each year. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
A1. Across all business lines, we typically participate in 10-12 #tradeshows per year. #ConstChat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
A1. I don't exhibit that often but try to attend 6 to 10 per year #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) October 16, 2014
Q2. What do you do to try and make your booth stop-worthy?
A2. Make it fun & interactive. We had a cash booth before that was a hit. Be engaging. Promo items & giveaways are a big hit! #ConstChat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
A2. It's mandatory to have some fun giveaway at a booth. Keychains, mini-speakers for smart phones, etc. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
A2. Something interactive seems to make the booths more attractive like product demos #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) October 16, 2014
A2. Have a theme perhaps. #constchat
— rubyrusine (@SocialSMktg) October 16, 2014
Q3. Do you mail or email pre-show teasers?
A3; We email. Sometimes we also do mail, but email is more cost effective. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) October 16, 2014
A3. We haven't yet but this is something on our radar. The how is the question. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
A3. We email, tweet, post about our open houses, which are akin to trade shows. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
A3. We send emails & encourage our sales team to reach out to their contacts by email. We mail personal cards for special events. #ConstChat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
A3. Promote the exhibit in social media #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) October 16, 2014
@RigginsConst @SocialSMktg We once created our own Mr. Studs character. He was a hit at the tradeshow booth. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) October 16, 2014
A3. That is a good idea. Let them know where or how to find you in advance and what they'll get. #constchat
— rubyrusine (@SocialSMktg) October 16, 2014
Q4. Do you use Social Media to generate interest?
A4. Yes, for the open houses. Social Media rocks! Tweet and post all over. Rinse and repeat. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
A4. Yes, usually Twitter at the show, but then others after. We send updates and post photos using the event hashtags. #ConstChat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
A4. We do for all shows. But there are two shows were social media isn't used much. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
Q5. In what format do you send out post show information? Ie email vs. mail.
A5. We use a lot of email. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
A5. Email usually. Email is the fastest, most efficient, and most importantly, cost effective. #ConstChat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
A5. I just hand wrote 92 thank you cards for the #CONSTRUCT show. Will use email to follow up. Next year try something different. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
Q5b. Do you incentivize email signups at your booth?
A5b. Incenstivizing email signups is a very good idea! #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
A5b. It's nice to have a tablet with a sign up page available. #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) October 16, 2014
A5b. We use the shows lead retrieval system typically. They email a list in an excel format. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
Q6. How fast do you send out post show info after the show is over?
A6. We try to do it within the first week. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
A6. Generally within a few days of the show ending. Separate communications to those attending the booth vs. a special event. #ConstChat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
A6. It's best to send out post show info ASAP, before people forget you. Within a day or two if possible! #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
Q6b. Do any of you collect Twitter handles and follow up with those (and/or put them on a Twitter list)?
@SocialSMktg @RigginsConst Good idea, but no, not so far. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) October 16, 2014
A6b. I would collect Twitter handles and follow up with those (and put them on a Twitter list)! Good way to track people! #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
A6b. Lead retrieval systems need to add social media contact to their lists. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
Trade show attendees should display twitter handles on their name tag #ConstChat
— PSTL Designs (@pstldesigns) October 16, 2014
YES! YES! YES! @RigginsConst @pstldesigns
— Cherise Schacter (@CheriseSchacter) October 16, 2014
Our social media maven would love it. Not yet. Don't give her ideas. Q6b. MT Do any of you collect Twitter handles & follow up? #constchat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
A6b. i would prefer twitter over emails. too much junk in the inbox already #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) October 16, 2014
Q7. What giveaways do you find are most popular? Do you have a contest during the show?
A7. Gadgets are a hit. Anything that's useful tends to go over well and gives us longer brand awareness. iPads,TVs, gift cards. #ConstChat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
A7. We give away pens / pencils / flash drives / beer koozies / and typically one big prize. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
<~ collects pens at shows RT @HagerCo A7. We give away pens /pencils / flash drives / beer koozies / and typically one big prize. #constchat
— rubyrusine (@SocialSMktg) October 16, 2014
Q8. Do you use social media to promote your booth at the show?
@RigginsConst YES, YES, YES. #constchat
— rubyrusine (@SocialSMktg) October 16, 2014
A8. Should be a must. Host some special events for social engagers #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) October 16, 2014
A8. Best use of social media from the different shows we attend is #CONSTRUCT @CSIConstruction. They have tweet ups & contests. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
A8. We would live tweet, for sure. We have done that at the open houses. Tweet out pix, videos, little snippets of conversation. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
A8. Absolutely. It’s a great way to interact with customers and prospects. #ConstChat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
Q8b. Has anyone tried to do a scavenger hunt via social media at a trade show?
A8b. Haven't done that but would certainly get some interested people #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) October 16, 2014
I have wanted to try it. Get other mfgs that are exhibiting to join in. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
Q9. What is your favorite thing about exhibiting at a trade show?
A9. I love meeting new people! #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
A9. Making new connections #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) October 16, 2014
A9. Meeting new people & showing them the impact you can have on their business. Getting to put names with faces. #ConstChat
— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) October 16, 2014
A9. Meeting all the beautiful people! Talking to everyone. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 16, 2014
Bonus Tweets:
@RigginsConst @SocialSMktg We once created our own Mr. Studs character. He was a hit at the tradeshow booth. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) October 16, 2014
@RigginsConst It was very fun. We followed up with Mrs. Studs, too. Mr. Studs was actually more popular. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) October 16, 2014
There is a trade show in Anaheim next year we are looking at @RigginsConst #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) October 16, 2014
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