Creating Business Partnerships for Trade Shows

There are several reasons a trade show can be successful. You’ll expose your product to attendees who may become customers. You’ll also get the chance to appeal to other businesses that you may want to partner with in the future. There are certain steps you can take to forge successful partnerships with the businesses of your choice. However, you’ll need to come up with a plan before the actual show to ensure your next trade show will be even more successful.

Work with Your Team

Have extensive meetings with your team about all aspects of the trade show. Talk about the display rentals you want to use.
Consider corporate events you’ve attended in the past and assess the success of these events for your business. If you’re thinking about partnering with another business, consider what the other company has to offer. However, you should also consider what you’re offering to your potential business partner as well. Come up with a clear plan for painting your professional attributes in the best light. Research the business or businesses you want to partner with as well. This will let you know how to approach the company and increase the chances of a successful partnership. It may also be necessary to assign specific members of your team to handle certain aspects of trade show preparation. This will ensure you have a designated team that will reach out to other businesses on behalf of your company.

Select the Right Businesses

Business partnerships entail more than incorporating the right exhibit design solutions to attract other companies. While this can certainly be helpful, selecting the right businesses to partner with is what’s most important. Choose companies with a similar customer service philosophy and work ethic. This will give attendees a positive impression about both companies and increase business for both organizations.

It’s also a good idea to select companies with services and products that complement yours. If you sell software, partner with an installation and tech support company. If you sell organic foods, ask an organic tea or coffee company to partner with you. This makes shopping more convenient for consumers and makes them feel as though they’re getting more for their money.

Communicate Effectively

Reach out to the businesses you want to partner with months before corporate events. Explain your partnership plan in detail. Communicate the benefit for both businesses clearly. It’s also a good idea to send these companies promotional products. This will give potential partners a look into the services you offer and help to sway their decision. You can also request promotional items or product samples from potential partners. This will give you and your team a chance to try out the products and give the partnering company your honest feedback.

Don’t Forget to Follow Up

Make sure you meet up with the businesses you want to partner with at the trade show. Talk to company representatives and follow up on the promotional packages you’ve sent to each other. Try to get a little familiar with show management systems from the other company as well. This will give you an idea of how things will go if you decide to do a trade how together.

After the show, follow up with these partners again. Ask them about their overall opinion of the show and get feedback on your exhibit. Talk about the partnership again and ask how the business owners would like to move forward. It’s also a good idea to follow these businesses on social media and interact with them often. You can also agree to cross-promote on each other’s social media pages to increase brand recognition and get customers interested in the upcoming partnership.