Guest post by Jessica Kane.
If you are like most business owners or managers, trade shows are part of your marketing plan for the coming year. In 2017, 79% of U.S. marketers generated sales using event marketing, and 80% said live events are critical to their company’s success.
But live events are expensive endeavors. So, you need to get the most out of your participation in every trade show. A key element in optimizing trade show participation is proper advance planning. Here’s a solid countdown protocol that you should consider utilizing when it comes to trade show preparation.
Six to 12 Months Out
Even as far out as a year before a trade show, there are three tasks you need to begin undertaking. Chief among them is deciding what trade show or trade shows you will attend during the coming year. The best practice is to be deliberate about selecting trade shows to attend, researching what type of companies, competitors, and media will be at each event.