Ten Easy Ways To Attract Visitors To Your Booth

Are you ready to bring new life to your current exhibit? Or are you ready to chuck it because no one stopped to see you at your last event?  Your answer is a few steps away - tips to attracting visitors to any booth.

1.   Improve your lighting

Any booth will attract attention if it is well lit. The human eye is naturally

attracted to bright lights - be the brightest on your block and attendees

will gather like moths to a porchlight.

2.   Color your world

Bright colors are pleasing to our eyes and exciting to our brains. Bright,

rich colors presented in high contrast attract visitors to your booth. But

be aware of the mood you put people in with the colors you use. Green =

nature, Red = excitement, Yellow = optimism, Black = authority, White =

purity, Blue = serenity.

3.   Use the soft touch

Upgrade to quality carpet and padding - your feet, your staff, and your

attendees with thank you. The soft feel under foot gives the impression of

quality and class. Tip - match your booth carpet color to the aisle carpet

and be sure there is no break between the two and you eliminate physical

and psychological barriers to your booth!

4.   Create an open atmosphere

Eliminate all other physical and psychological barriers to your booth by

making it open and inviting. Move the furniture to the back and sides to

create space for attendees to come into your booth for discussion

and ultimately sales!

5.   Make something move

Provide movement to att r acts attendees' eyes and in turn their bodies toward your booth. If your product doesn't move, toss a giveaway into the air (and catch it), move your arms, play with a yo-yo, or blow bubbles.

Activity attracts people's attention and piques their curiosity. Be sure to

involve your product physically or through a sales pitch or anecdote.

6.   Tickle the senses

The olfactory sense is ou r most powerful sense - smells often trigger

the most pleasant of memories. Put a drop of vanilla on a light bulb, rent

cookie baking equipment, warm brownies, or bake bread to attract visitors

to your booth. When was the last time you weren't hungry at a show?

7.   Personalize your exhibit

Your exhibit doesn't have to be all work and no play. Put a table lamp in

your booth, lay down an area rug, use props (holiday, seasons, sports, or

regional), or decorate with items you plan to give to key clients - all to

attract attention and initiate conversation.

8.   Invent a corporate dress code

Don't make the attendee search for your staff. Have corporate attire made so that everyone wears the same shirt, tie, scarf, vest, or jacket. Even a simple accessory will let the attendee know whom to approach in your booth or elsewhere on the floor.

9.   Go high-tech

Use all the tools at your disposal to provide information to your clients

and potential customers. Use websites, email blasts, fax broadcasts,

electronic product directory, weblinks, and PDA downloads. Don't pass

up these inexpensive and effective opportunities.

10.   Staff your booth with the best

While steps 1-9 are great ways to improve your exhibit, nothing will

inc r ease your ROI like choosing the right people to staff your booth.

Only send your best, happiest, and most outgoing staff - no matter their

position within the company. You need people willing and able to initiate

conversation with anyone, answer questions about you r product, and

record lead information.

If the idea of implementing all ten steps seems daunting, take it slow. Try out a few ideas to see how they work with your product and within your industry. Whatever you do, have fun and be comfortable with your exhibit, your marketing plan, and your staff. Your confidence and faith in your decisions will make a difference with your staff and that potential customer.

Look around your home, favorite coffee shop, or pub. What is it that makes you feel welcome? Use the same tricks of the trade that retail use - they stay in business and make you happy for a reason!

Bob Thomas, CME is Founder and President of Exhibit and Event Management - an exhibit management and consulting company based in Columbus Ohio . He is also Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Trade Show Exhibitors Association and has been managing trade show and marketing exhibits for more than 15 years.

Bob Thomas, CME

Exhibit and Event Management

3227 Mountview Road

Columbus OH 43221

614.538.9004

614.538.9019 fax

www.exhibitmanagement.com