New York SBDC Research Network

From MarketingProfs : For more than 50% of CMOs and marketing directors, space and location on the exhibit floor are most important in maximizing ROI. And that makes perfect sense. With an accessible location and a major source of foot traffic nearby, a booth is likely to attract a lot of attendees. The higher the number of visitors, the greater opportunities for a business to raise awareness, get leads, and build relationships. The location selection process, however, can be complicated, with various factors at play—from budget, to space requirements, to traffic flow and more. So here, in this handy guide, are all the important factors you need to take into consideration. Quick Tip: Reserve Your Spot Early

From MarketingProfs : You're at your first trade show. The booths are dazzling, industry bigwigs are here in the flesh, and potential partners are prime for the picking. Tradeshows can feel overwhelming, especially if you're there representing a startup or you're otherwise new to shows. Unless, of course, you have a few tips and tricks up your sleeve. Luckily, you know exactly what you need to do to make a fantastic impression thanks to an article you read about nailing your first tradeshow... 1. Promote the event like you're the host

You’re back in the office after the show. You’ve thanked everyone, collected all the leads–and even collected more leads this year. The show was a success! As you prepare next year’s budget and you think about why it was a success, and why your budget should be increased (or not decreased), you’re forced to justify your participation in each show and simply increasing leads isn’t enough. So what’s next? Prepare in advance for budget justifications. SBA provides 4 steps to guide you prepare your budget justifications. See part 1 and part 2 .

Tarsus Online Media...announced plans to launch the TSNN DataSite to provide in-depth information about the top trade shows in the U.S. The DataSite will be an online resource representing TSNN’s ten years of data collection on trade shows in North America. The announcement comes a little more than a month after the closing of Tradeshow Week, the industry’s only weekly print publication and publisher of the Tradeshow Week 200 Annual Directory. More info HERE .

Stolen from J.J. Hill Library blog because I found out about some sources I didn't know about before. Trade shows are a tried and true way of reaching out to and interacting with numerous potential customers in a short period of time. But they can take some finesse to do right. The Trade Show Handbook can help you put together that "just right" show. The site offers guides and tutorials for choosing and maximizing a trade show presence, links to directories of trade shows by industry , and a listing of convention centers by state . You'll also find lists of event planners and suppliers for help bringing it all together. Trade shows, as with any form of marketing, should be entered into with forethought and a solid plan. Formulate that plan with the Trade Show Handbook.