CrossTech Partners

Trade shows are great ways to promote a product or the brand identity of thecompany. Apart from that, you can also use a trade show to measure yourcompetitors, there marketing tactics and their latest product developmenttrends. Many companies that cannot afford to go for extensive market research orthose who cannot directly communicate with the target market on a regular basisshould go for different trade shows.

However, it is not enough to participate in a trade show to get the most outof it. You must prepare well in advance to end the show successfully. Here aresome common mistakes done by many new companies along with tips to avoid themfor better result.

Social networks push human interaction to the utmost limits. In a comment Ileft at JulienSmith's blog, I talked about how time and friendship are being distorted bythe Internet. I want to elaborate on the ideas, and also talk about the math.

Internet Time and Interactions

In the old days, we'd see friends when we saw them. We'd write or call now andagain as well. The frequency of touch was far less often than today. With socialtools, we have far more opportunity for frequency of touch, and it's amplifiedby the fact that a lot of that touch is broadcast-style. Let me explain.

Still think social media is a fad?

Flowtown created this great graphicabout how culture and society is changing with time. Associations, brands andorganizations have taken notice of these statistics and some have entered thesocial space to listen and engage with customers.

Edison Research's February 2010Twitter Usage In America: 2010 report shows that:

I recently participated in a tweetchat sponsored byTS2 Show andhosted by Danalynne Wheeler ofSybase.  The purpose was to chat about virtual events, but started off byspeculating if face-to-face events will be replaced by virtual events.  Myanswer is NO ...but we live in an instant access and constantly connected societythat allows them to exist together.

In reviewing my tweets after the tweetchat, I realized that they composed ashort guidebook tovirtual events.
 
We started off by introducing ourselves:
Hi everyone! I'm Emilie Barta ...host/emcee for live, virtual, & hybrid events.Looking forward to tweetchatting with you!#ts2show

The other day I was at the store and decided to purchase a new comb.  OK- not so interesting - but follow me ...  I bought the one on sale - why -because it was on sale and in my mind - "a comb is a comb - can there really bea difference?"

Well - to my surprise - there was a huge difference.  This new comb wasawful - its ends spiked, the plastic was weak - bottom line - it was horrible. So it go me wondering - how can you market a comb?  Most consumers think ofthem as all the same.  Sure - the features are different - but imaginesaying - "buy my comb because we use better plastic and our ends do not spike!"- RIDICULOUS. 

But then what?

Think about it for a second ...

 Innovation is a key to success. Why is innovation important? Innovationchanges society.  Without innovation, we would not be living the luxuriouslifestyles we do today. Because of innovation, companies such as Apple havedistinguished themselves in an incredibly competitive market.  Changehappens.  Innovation can create a footprint for a company who mightotherwise waver at the sight of change.  Noticing small changes helps youadapt to bigger changes that are to come.

Most conference organizers see attendees as consumers of the conference's content and experience.

Little thought is given to seeing attendees as active participants in their own learning and experience.

Last week we talked about the sinister body language habits your booth staff may be exhibiting. This, as we mentioned may well add a negative to your company and brand image, however, a bad booth staffer can be the worst thing that ever happened to your trade show.

Interpretive Exhibits has been an environmentally conscious company since its inception. As more and more materials become available for exhibit fabrication, we discuss them with clients and make them available whenever appropriate.