Traveling the trade show circuit shouldn’t just be the trip to fish for a few business cards and potential leads. It can be so much more if you organize yourself. Here’s how…

Research your Trade Shows
If you’re going to invest in attendance to a trade show, make double sure it’s the right target. Identify your strongest opportunities and shoot for trade shows where you’re likely to find them.

Oldies but Goodies
Dust off last year’s business cards, because there might be a contact that has grown over the past year and can now make a difference in your budget.

Reach Out
If you want to bump into a particular prospect at a trade show, reach out to them and confirm their attendance before hopping on a plane. Call, email, or mail prospects your company’s information.

Differentiate
Prospects will look twice at booths that differentiate themselves from the masses. Remember to remain consistent throughout all your messaging.

Play Nice
A positive attitude goes a long way and helps contacts remember you. Be sure they don’t recall you for the wrong reasons: The-Ogre-At-Last-Year’s-Show shouldn’t be your claim to fame.

Follow-Through
Many people forget how important it is to send thank you notes. No one likes being an afterthought, and everyone likes feeling important.