Have you ever stopped to consider the time, effort and resources that you put into chasing new clients, suppliers and potential business partners?
Time that quite simply could be better invested in what matters most – running your business and driving sales.
Just imagine. No more faceless cold calls. No more hoping the person you want to speak to will be available – or if they’re not, waiting for them to return your call. No more employing costly telemarketing agencies.
Quite simply – no more hassle, stress or inconvenience.
Well, that imagination can easily become reality if you take advantage of the opportunities available to you from exhibiting at your industry’s leading trade show.
All your prospects under one roof – a captive audience on your stand, chance snatched conversations in the lobby or contacts forged over food and drink in a dedicated networking forum.
And if you’re not there, there’s no doubt your competitors will be. How can you afford to miss out?
For the wellbeing sector, a ‘must visit’ show is the Corporate Wellbeing Expo at London’s Excel Centre on March 9 and 10. .
In this post-pandemic world, the wellbeing of your staff is paramount to your company’s success. The pandemic massively accelerated a topic that was already on the tips of business owners’ tongues. Corporations have started to realise that workplace culture and employee wellbeing is fundamental in breeding an effective and efficient workforce.
Having a healthy and motivated workforce WILL result in better staff retention, productivity and absenteeism. Come and network with 10,000 business owners and learn how to create culture within your workplace and how to genuinely look after employee wellbeing.
Ask yourself this question:
How much would you need to spend on digital marketing to get yourself in front of 10,000 business owners?
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see where this is going.
The ROI achieved from a successful trade show is difficult – and often impossible – to match using other forms of outbound marketing.
The following ten reasons, each immensely relevant to your sales-driven business, explain why there’s absolutely no doubt that trade shows should be on your company’s radar.
Meet and connect with prospective customers
How often have you tried to follow up on a sales lead, only to end up leaving one message after another in their voicemail inbox? Getting your voice heard is the most difficult part of outbound marketing – and when your business is just one of many trying to gain a new client or customer, ignored messages and a lack of interest are the norm.
One of the greatest advantages of exhibiting at a trade show is meeting and connecting with prospective customers face-to-face instead of over the phone. Rather than just another voice, you suddenly become someone that they know, recognise, and want to connect with.
Strengthen your bond with existing customers
As well as connecting with prospective customers, trade shows also allow you to meet existing customers face-to-face. While most of today’s business is conducted over the email inbox or phone, face-to-face meetings are undeniably a fantastic way to do business. Trade shows are often a place for customers to approach you with their long-term plans and big orders – orders that can be incredibly lucrative for you as an exhibitor.
Learn about new developments in your industry
When you attend a major industry event, you’re immediately at the centre of the action.
Trade shows are a place for businesses to announce and display their latest innovations and developments – often developments that can have major effects on your industry.
In a competitive industry, would you rather be aware of your competitors or out of the loop?
Exhibiting at a trade show doesn’t just give you the opportunity to make new sales and connect with existing customers – it gives you the chance to look at innovative developments in your industry and the opportunities they create.
Because of this, it’s worth sending more than just sales staff to a trade show. Consider inviting your technical staff and let them attend presentations that keep you up-to-date with modern technologies, techniques, and industry trends.
Meet new companies that can help your business
Trade shows can be a two-sided opportunity for your business. You’ll have the chance to interact with both prospective customers and prospective vendors. This makes a trade show more than just an opportunity to expand your distribution, but a chance to expand your supply chain.
Close deals with new customers during the show
Speaking to a Purchasing Manager or Director on the phone, you’re often dealing with someone juggling a variety of obligations and deals in – as such, they’re understandably disinterested.
At a trade show, you’re dealing with prospective customers there solely to find good deals.
Strengthen (or establish) your brand
From free giveaways to trade show displays, there’s no better opportunity to give your brand a sizable boost than a trade show. Designing an exhibition stand that attracts the right type of attention, a single exhibition can be all it takes to change your brand from up-and-comer to established industry leader.
Learn what your competitors are doing right
In the world of business, it pays to keep your customers close and your competitors closer. Exhibiting at a trade show allows you to observe what your competitors are doing right and apply their tactics to your own business.
Whilst your sales team uses the trade show as an opportunity to meet existing customers and connect with prospective ones, you should spend a moment looking at the other exhibitors to see what they’re doing differently from you.
Rapidly expand your database of sales leads
While skimming through the internet might give you thousands of unqualified phone numbers, nothing gives you qualified leads quite like a trade show – prospective customers that you’ve personally connected with.
This gives your sales team a valuable resource to market your products or services to while you focus on fulfilling the deals that you’ve closed during the show.
Speak directly to your target market
Trade shows where you can speak directly to people within your industry allow you to solicit a huge amount of feedback that can help your business expand and improve.
Optimise your sales and lead generation strategy
Trade shows are an excellent opportunity to expose your sales team to hundreds of different prospects in a short period. In many ways, they’re advanced sales training on fast-forward – a quick experience that allows you to rapidly evaluate latest sales tricks and marketing strategies in a very responsive environment.
The Corporate Wellbeing Expo is open 10am to 6pm Wednesday 9 March; and 10am to 5pm Thursday 10 March; at London’s Excel Centre, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL. For further information, or to book a stand, please contact Ryan Treloar, Tel: 0204 517 8888, Email: ryantreloar@inspiredmotive.co.uk.
