Halloween in San Diego
Halloween, what a great holiday. Only on Halloween can you knock on a strangers door dressed like Scooby Doo and have candy flung into your pillow case by good natured neighbors.
Remember the sweet joy of deciding on your costume, pulling together the essential elements, and then (if you were raised in the great white north like me) covering it all up with a parka and mittens.
Word would spread like wild fire of the house giving away full sized chocolate bars, children sprinting before the generosity ran out. Conversely, the lady who handed out popcorn balls, that took up sacred space in your sack, would be avoided.
Growing up, my mother worked for a pharmaceutical company that also happened to make toothbrushes. Every year we would be the first stop on every parents list. The disappointment from my school mates was audible, when their first glimpse of Halloween joy was a toothbrush, even if they had Muppets on them.
I went to the store yesterday to stock up on the full sized candy bars I insist we give out every year. I was speaking to the person in front of me (yup, I’m that girl) who mentioned that adults don’t really have anything like halloween. That got me to thinking.
Trade shows are a lot like halloween, but for adults and professionals. As attendees, we go to shows for the education, to network and to meet new vendors. We also look for the best giveaways. We all do it. No matter our position, our profession or our status.
As exhibitors we go to generate leads, network and target prospects. We want to stand out, be the first one seen while people are fresh. Get the hot prospects first. We train our reps and put our best foot forward. Then we wait.
Why not get proactive before the show? Give your reps something to be excited about, give your clients something to look forward to, create some buzz! Nothing creates a buzz like a fantastic, new, targeted promotional giveaway. A great giveaway drives more qualified prospects to your booth, which will excite your reps and keep them engaged.
Don’t have your reps handing out a click pen, the trade show equivalent of the popcorn ball. Don’t have your reps giving out slicks and heavy catalogs to bring back to the main office. Are they informative, and important YES! But they are also the toothbrush. Something easily sent after you have made an initial, lasting impression.
Have your reps handing out something they will be proud of. Something so cool attendees can’t help but talk about it in the hotel bar. Something that will drive the buzz to your booth, so you can present your offer. Be the candy bar house, and the characters will come running.