Mini Trade Shows

Trade shows are a great marketing tool! Why are not more small businesses participating in them? Is it the expense of a booth or the lack of places to have an exhibit?

In this blog I want to offer an alternative. Let’s focus on having Mini Trade Shows. A Mini Trade Show consists of having 8 to a max of 15 exhibitors. The requirements are as follows:

• The exhibitors should belong to a group of some kind.
• The group should be more than just a casual networking group.
• The group members should be committed to support the overall success of the individual group members.
• Select a name for the show aimed at the target  market (Business to Business or Business to Consumer)
• Participants commit to bringing at least 10 people to the mini-trade show.
• In addition, each participant agrees to send it to their data base.
• Print 500 flyers and ask each participant to also hand out 50.
• As an example, if there are 10 participants, there would be at least 100 people in attendance.
• Each exhibitor will have the time to show off their products or service because it is a smaller venue.
• The duration of the show should not be more than 2 to 3 hours.
• Where to hold the event:
  • Find a venue that would like some exposure such as :
    • A gym
    • A dance school. (Adult or kids)
    • A restaurant or bar with a dance floor that may allow a morning sshow.
    • The lobby of an office building
    • Outside shows like
      • A shopping center
      • City park
    • A homeowners association
    • Places that have meeting rooms /halls that have events
  • With a little imagination this list can grow.
• Since the venue will be free, ask each participant or the “host” to help pay for water, soft drinks, cookies etc. $10 to $20 per participant

The participants will get to know each other better and over time, this type of show can add education and other attractions to keep people coming back.