With so many trade shows to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one is best for you! The right trade show can position your brand to capture new prospect leads, generate brand awareness, and increase traffic to your website. On the other hand, attending the wrong trade show can end up costing time and money.

To ensure that you get the biggest bang for your buck, let’s discuss the ways that you can determine which trade shows are best for your industry.

Check the History

It’s best to choose shows that have an established history. This way, you can get a better idea of how successful the show was in the past and if you can benefit from attending. Some of the factors to consider are:

• How many attendants does the show normally get?
• How many vendors pay for booths?
• What do veteran vendors have to say about the event?
• What types of sponsors promote the show?
• Does the event organizer do a good job of marketing the event?

Know the Audience

Part of choosing a show is getting your products in front of the right audience. As you narrow down your options, consider the audience that will be at each event and if they will help you reach your goals. If your goal is to increase sales and revenue, you must put your brand as close as possible to the people who can make purchase decisions. If you’re interested in raising brand awareness, the options aren’t as limited.

Contact Past Vendors

It can be helpful to reach out to vendors who have attended past trade shows but are not your direct competitors. Ask them if they felt the event was effective. By speaking with vendors, you can also gather important information such as local hotel accommodations, pricing, booth size. and more.

Check Space Availability

Sometimes, it all comes down to the practicality of the event. Is the space the right size and layout for your needs? Can you ship your custom exhibit display to the show, or do you need to have a new one designed? If the space is conducive to your needs, it may not take much work to get yourself there. However, if you need a new exhibit, you’ll have to factor in time and cost to determine if it’s worth it.

Trade shows can help your brand reach specific goals, such as boosting sales, raising brand awareness, or increasing traffic to your website. Take the time to research the various trade shows in your area to determine which one will put you in front of the right audience.