Choosing the Best Location for a Trade Show Booth

Have you ever left a trade show and wondered why you hardly attracted any leads?  Did you do something wrong?  Was your booth not attractive enough?  Did you not use effective signs?  Maybe the problem was the location where you setup your booth.

If you have previously worked a specific trade show, build upon your experience of that show and repeat your efforts when it is presented in the same exhibit hall again.  Were you satisfied with the amount of traffic and the number of quality leads?  If so, leave well enough alone and guard your secret diligently.  If your results were less than stellar, maybe it’s time to try a new strategy.

Look closely at the floor plan for the show.  This is probably available online.  Look for familiar companies and see where they position themselves.  Most shows have similar themed companies grouped together. You don’t want to set up too close to a competitor, but you also don’t want to isolate yourself and make it hard for visitors to find you.

Do not choose a space right at the entrance of the main hall.  You will receive a flood of traffic all at once that will overwhelm you and then everyone will pass on by.  When visitors have seen the rest of the show, they will be tired and probably have little time to stop and talk to you on the way out.  Do not choose a space that is close to restrooms or a food court.  Things like that have a tendency to distract people.  Do not choose a space in a side hall that is connected to the main hall by a door or hallway unless you just want some quiet time to reflect on your thoughts.

Take advantage of a space drawing for booth availability if it is provided and try to choose a booth   Choose the side that faces early morning traffic so that you attract the people who just rushed the entrance and then slowed down after passing the first few aisles to look around.  Use a company sign that is very specific in describing what your company offers.

that is close to the end of an aisle and near the front of the main hall, but at least two or three aisles away from the entrance.

Spend some time walking the show and take note of which companies have the largest crowd and how much time people spend at the booth.  It is a good idea to set up near them next time, but directly next to them.  You want to benefit from the large numbers of concentrated people, but you also don’t want your visitors noticing something interesting in a larger both and losing interest in you.  Pay attention to the companies who have annoying attractions or people in their booth.  Make a note of it and avoid setting up near them.  Annoying people usually don’t change their habits year after year and nothing is more aggravating than to have a talkative exhibitor from another company in your booth, distracting you while valuable potential customers size you up and then keep walking.  One last thing, if you are a small company and you transport your booth an set it up yourself, pay attention to the proximity of the loading area to your booth.  Being near the loading area can make a huge difference to you on the first and the last day of the show.