When it comes to planning your promotional merchandise needs for an upcoming event or trade show we recommend the following.

1. Identify your objectives and audiences at the Trade Show.
Be specific about what you want from the show and promote. Is it to increase visibility, gain exposure to a lot of people who may be interested or anything else? With solid goals you can determine the value of the event.

2. Develop a simple key message for your Counter / Booth
A clear simple theme or message will be remembered. A detailed theme or message will not be! Its important to convey a single strong message to draw in prospects.

3. Design an open, inviting booth.
Things that obstruct such as tables are uninviting. A layout in a way that maximises walking around as well as having a logo that can be seen from a good distance is a great start. Use of interesting graphics are also great as well as a smart use of promotional items to:
- capture Passerby Attentions
- Create interest and conversations
- Retain Attention

Its also handy to have a separate higher quality range of promotional merchandise reserved for genuine interested clients

Small laptops and flat screen monitors save space and comfortable chairs if your booth is big enough for prospects to linger are also a good idea.

4. Remember to Advertise that you are there!
News releases, invitations to editors to stop by at your stand, email distribution to existing customers and other methods are a good way to start.

5. Order all necessary supplies, including brochures and promotional giveaways early.
Plan in advance for brochures and custom branded merchandise. These are absolute essentials in tradeshows. Simple stuff such as promotional mouse pads and promotional stress toys, promotional bags or branded flash drives with your web address and a catchy slogan can be very effective. These products take time to print and delivery. Stock may not always be available. So to avoid disappointment plan in advance.

Remember what you giveaway at trade shows and conferences is important. The idea is that you want the customer to remember you. With promotional flash drives the benefits are that you can print and branded on them plus have preloaded data and pdfs inside. Also you need to remember you have enough branded merchandise. Excess is better than not enough.

6. Presentations & Demos
Simple sharp presentations look great will draw attention and will communicate you effectively to many people all at once.

7. Create a unique identity for your staff at the trade show.
Decide on the uniform for your staff. Custom printed apparel will make your representatives easily identifiable.

8. Train your staff before each show.
Communicate to your staff on all the key items and knowledge they will need to present and demonstrate your product or service.

Good Luck! Hope your next event will be a success.