Marketing ideas for a exhibition
Discussion
Hi
We are not able to have a stand at a major exhibition in our industry, but we want to try and do something to market ourselves to the people attending the exhibition, we have the obvious ideas like standing outside with fliers. But I'm sure there are better ideas, I was wondering if you guys have any clever or fun ideas that won't get us in trouble that are not expensive!
We are not able to have a stand at a major exhibition in our industry, but we want to try and do something to market ourselves to the people attending the exhibition, we have the obvious ideas like standing outside with fliers. But I'm sure there are better ideas, I was wondering if you guys have any clever or fun ideas that won't get us in trouble that are not expensive!
Oceanic said:
It's the marine industry and it is Southampton Boat Show we are looking at.
Yes I know it well, I go most years as my step-dad has a stand.So, marine industry, what is it your company actually do/make?
One idea.....most people going have a boat, or are interested in getting one, one thing my step-dad always has on his keys is a flotation keying, so if his keys go overboard they float, this is sign written with company details, he always has his keys on him, so must see that companies details many times every single day.
Do you have any suppliers or customers already exhibiting that you can join/partner?
Presumable potential customers that can afford these expensive toys stay in prestigious hotels nearby, hotel meeting room free drinks and presentation. These often allow some thing, branding/directions poster in the lobby as part of their meeting rooms offering/deals. If B2B then industry networking at mainstream hotel chain, or different one each evening.
Mailshot existing customers, if visiting show call in and see us at ...
Look out for or even instigate business networking meetings (e.g. http://www.meetup.com), whatevery you do in the real world mirror and publicise on social medial.
Presumable potential customers that can afford these expensive toys stay in prestigious hotels nearby, hotel meeting room free drinks and presentation. These often allow some thing, branding/directions poster in the lobby as part of their meeting rooms offering/deals. If B2B then industry networking at mainstream hotel chain, or different one each evening.
Mailshot existing customers, if visiting show call in and see us at ...
Look out for or even instigate business networking meetings (e.g. http://www.meetup.com), whatevery you do in the real world mirror and publicise on social medial.
Edited by 4x4Tyke on Thursday 7th July 11:52
sidekickdmr said:
Yes I know it well, I go most years as my step-dad has a stand.
So, marine industry, what is it your company actually do/make?
One idea.....most people going have a boat, or are interested in getting one, one thing my step-dad always has on his keys is a flotation keying, so if his keys go overboard they float, this is sign written with company details, he always has his keys on him, so must see that companies details many times every single day.
We are a new website / app offering charter boats - the aim of the marketing will be to market the website to consumers rather than other businesses.So, marine industry, what is it your company actually do/make?
One idea.....most people going have a boat, or are interested in getting one, one thing my step-dad always has on his keys is a flotation keying, so if his keys go overboard they float, this is sign written with company details, he always has his keys on him, so must see that companies details many times every single day.
I kind of agree with the person above, to me your potential client isn’t someone that owns a boat, or even who doesn’t but is interested enough in buying one to spend £30 on a ticket and a day to look at them.
Your client is a non-boat person, who loves the idea of chartering a boat for a day/event/weekend.
So I wouldn’t be looking at the boat show, think more car shows, nice hotels, marina restaurants, Goodwood FOS, Henley regatta.
You want to sell the romanticism of charting a boat, how about handing out paper/disposable captains hat's with a tag line like "Charter a boat and become a real captain of the sea's"
Have a bottle of champagne and strawberries on your table, not to drink but just to sell the lifestyle, some glossy pictures
Perhaps even dress up as a proper captain yourself when you do the promo, will catch peoples attention and people will understand what you are selling before you even open your mouth.
Your client is a non-boat person, who loves the idea of chartering a boat for a day/event/weekend.
So I wouldn’t be looking at the boat show, think more car shows, nice hotels, marina restaurants, Goodwood FOS, Henley regatta.
You want to sell the romanticism of charting a boat, how about handing out paper/disposable captains hat's with a tag line like "Charter a boat and become a real captain of the sea's"
Have a bottle of champagne and strawberries on your table, not to drink but just to sell the lifestyle, some glossy pictures
Perhaps even dress up as a proper captain yourself when you do the promo, will catch peoples attention and people will understand what you are selling before you even open your mouth.
Will the T&Cs of your attendance ticket not prevent you hawking too aggressively? There must be something to "persuade" delegates to take an expensive stand rather than just pitch up dressed up in a silly costume with a load of flyers for the price of a ticket?
When I have attended exhibitions and events before where we did not think the cost of a stand was worth it I just tried to speak to as many people as I could on the stands and leave them with some basic info and/or business cards, although trying to identify good contacts and decision makers was not easy.
This year we are looking at running a seminar at the exhibition/event as the cost of room hire for 45 minutes is much cheaper than booking a stand for 2 or 3 days, plus you get to speak straight to the more important delegates.
Effective for the area which I work in, but not so sure about a boat show.
When I have attended exhibitions and events before where we did not think the cost of a stand was worth it I just tried to speak to as many people as I could on the stands and leave them with some basic info and/or business cards, although trying to identify good contacts and decision makers was not easy.
This year we are looking at running a seminar at the exhibition/event as the cost of room hire for 45 minutes is much cheaper than booking a stand for 2 or 3 days, plus you get to speak straight to the more important delegates.
Effective for the area which I work in, but not so sure about a boat show.
s2kjock said:
Will the T&Cs of your attendance ticket not prevent you hawking too aggressively? There must be something to "persuade" delegates to take an expensive stand rather than just pitch up dressed up in a silly costume with a load of flyers for the price of a ticket?
Yes there, which is why I am looking for ideas I can run from outside of the show premises. Get B&Q to deliver 3 tons of sand directly to where people will be walking past. Set up an inflatable pool , get some inflatable sharks , palmtrees etc and get your super hot friends to stand around in beach wear.
Get a boat digitally printed with branding and hashtag and place about 10 feet on front of beach. Get other super hot friend to take pics for people who are walking by.
Event organiser will go nuts, ignore them. Lots of people smile!
Get a boat digitally printed with branding and hashtag and place about 10 feet on front of beach. Get other super hot friend to take pics for people who are walking by.
Event organiser will go nuts, ignore them. Lots of people smile!
I can tell from personal experience if you walk into an exhibition and start to sell your products you will be thrown out, in know as I have been 
punters are there paying good money to sell to you, not the other way around!
I would suggest good targeted marketing, have a great website that reflects your business and potential clients.
punters are there paying good money to sell to you, not the other way around!I would suggest good targeted marketing, have a great website that reflects your business and potential clients.
4x4Tyke said:
Johnnytheboy said:
Google "TVR Earls Court 1971".
A very different age and reminds me of James Hunts antics. Can you imagine what modern sponsors would make of this sort of thing.The event is a forum in a hotel either in Budapest or Berlin with lots of like minded companies desperate to see people.
Our (my) idea worked
Expect to get moved on by security pretty quickly. You can't hand leaflets out (outside) even if you are exhibiting. People inside will be paying £££ per sqr meter and might also get annoyed with your guerrilla marketing tactics, if people chuck the leaflets on the floor you can be blamed. I've seen people hit the car parks with flyers under the wipers but again my guess is they have paid to do it.
Good luck, how much is a boat to charter?
Good luck, how much is a boat to charter?
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