Setting up an exhibit at a business expo is a time-honored tradition for many companies. Because they’re such a familiar strategy, many people take for granted the benefits that they receive from such an event. It can even reach a point where they expect nothing from their exhibit–if they set one up at all. Of course, these expos have been successful with good reason, so keep in mind these benefits that will always come to you when you set up.
It’s All About Networking
In a business environment that is saturated with technology, one of the first things we do is undervalue actual human contact. As efficient as it can be to communicate via email, text, or IM, a conversation will always flow more naturally in person. You never know what cooperators, partners, or new employees you might meet at an expo, so be prepared to talk it up when you open your exhibit.
You Could Be a Customer, Too
It’s always beneficial to find new and better ways to source your inputs or contracted services. Again, technology has conditioned us to think that we can find everything online, but search terms have their limitations. You will always have a better chance at success if you set up your exhibit, draw in interested people, and find out what they might provide for you.
It’s Fertile Ground for New Ideas
The daily routines of a business can bog us down and get us stuck in a rut. Setting up at an expo can re-energize your creativity, open you up to new customers who could trigger great ideas for new products, and forge partnerships that will bring in new revenue for everyone involved. The energy at a business expo–and you know you’ve felt it–has a powerful effect on creativity for people who are open to it. Let that be you!
It’s a Low-Risk Environment to Learn Regulations
As they say, it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission, but it’s even easier to avoid overstepping regulations to begin with. The conferences and general conversation at a business expo can prove very enlightening about what’s been enacted, what’s under consideration, and how you can get involved in the process of regulating your industry.
In the long run, technology will be viewed as an enhancement of the business expo experience rather than a replacement. For example, systems like Expo Traffic can draw more visitors to your booth for longer interaction. This gives you the best of both worlds by providing in-person contact with improved traffic movement, providing all the benefits of an exhibit with lean, targeted customer interaction.