Trade shows are a fantastic way of generating new business, and they have kept their appeal even as businesses move more of their marketing operations online.
Don’t believe us? We’ve researched the topic using a variety of sources and come up with the following list of 20 trade show statistics that will blow your mind!
Visitors at trade shows are often influential people within their companies making trade show an ideal shop window.
Sоurсе: CEIR: Thе Sреnd Dесіѕіоn:Anаlуzіng Hоw Exhіbіtѕ Fіt Into the Ovеrаll Marketing
Cost (54%), trade show industry (40%) and geographical location (38%) were seen as the next most important factors.
Many attendees pick and choose their shows, representing how trade shows often have a specialist audience.
Source: Freeman Exhibit Surveys 2015
22% start planning 2-4 months before the show, whilst 18% are very prepared, getting ready 4-6 months before the show.
Exhibitors should try and launch a new product at their shows when possible..
Source: CEIR: The Role and Value of Face to Face
There are lots of opportunites for fresh prospects at trade shows.
Source: Exhibit Surveys 2015
The advantage of face-to-face contact with your lead means you can close sales more quickly.
Source: CEIR: ‘The Cost effectiveness of Exhibition Participation: Part II
Most attendees explore the venue thoroughly, but it's always better to grab a good location to maximise your exposure.
Calling leads after the show was also important with 68% of respondents reporting that they use this method. A fast riser was social media with 27% of exhibitors using this means to follow up their leads.
The second biggest is the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China at 400,000 square metres.
Source: Event Manager Blog
21% of exhibitors spent only between £100 - £500 on their displays.
Not attending the key events in your industry can be more damaging than you think.
Other skills gained were product knowledge (46%) and staff bonding (38%).
Respondents spoke of the importance of face-to-face communication, generating brand awareness and positive ROI.
More and more exhibitors are choosing to create video content at their shows which they can use in their marketing throughout the year.
Source: EventTrack 2016 Experiential Marketing Report
For smaller businesses who don't have huge advertising budgets, networking events such as trade shows are an effective means of generating new business.
Source: Display Wizard SME survey 2015
Live events such as trade shows give exhibitors an opportunity to explain how their product or service differs from the competition.
Building brand awareness (63%) and meeting existing customers (44%) were also seen as some of the main advantages of exhibiting.
This brand personalisation is far greater than digital efforts and TV advertising as methods of recognizing and learning about a brand.
Source: EventTrack 2016 Experiential Marketing Report
This was followed by giveaways (34%) and social media (31%) in terms of popularity.
