The best way to prepare for technology trade shows in the constantly changing world of technology is to stay on top of the latest tech trends and partner with the best technology rental provider. The top tech trends are always a major part of successful tradeshow displays for innovative exhibitors. When you use technology at a trade show, it gives you a leg up on your competition. Engagement is the key buzzword when planning marketing strategies for tradeshow events, and new technology helps enhance recognition for brands, products and companies. Gain attention of your prospects with the latest tech trends being used at trade shows.
Top Technology Trends in the Trade show Industry
Mobile apps help companies capitalize on the short time frame of a tradeshow. They allow exhibitors to Geo-locate attendees and track consumer behavior. Apps can send targeted notifications based on the location of a smart device, and notifications can be sent with iPhone rentals. Impressions will be high, and you’ll know all about your customers.
Lead generation, face-to-face marketing, planning and execution are crucial to success and ROI at a tradeshow event. During the planning process, event software can provide an effective timeline for project managers to stay on track. Tablet rentals, laptop rentals, iPad rentals and computer rentals can be used for targeted event software programs. Event software programs will streamline communication and allow your company to be detail-oriented. Get it done without wasting time and resources.
Touch Technology & Digital Signage
Touch technology is creating more ways to facilitate tradeshow attendees. As a matter of fact, it’s hard to imagine a world without touch-activated smartphones. Rent an iPad to even market to multiple niches at the same tradeshow event. It broadens your customer baseline.
The hashtag is still alive! Use it on Instagram and Twitter to promote brand recognition before a tradeshow. You can have constant communication and use social media to capitalize on instant exposure. Today, social media is where it’s at.
Incorporate digital signage as part of your trade show plans. It’s a common trend that provides versatility. An LCD monitor can be used instead of wasteful brochures and will last for years. Adapt content from show to show and provide new content with digital signage.
Computers, Charging Stations & Wearable Technology
In addition to computer rentals and laptop rentals, rental phone charging stations will keep booth visitors with charged batteries. Rental phone charging stations can be customized with graphics for tradeshow displays that will create a moment branding opportunity. Get a slick design.
Wearable technology has created an innovative solution to time-consuming information collecting at tradeshow events. A simple touch between a wearable prompts date transfer. Name tags and lanyard combination can be placed anywhere in a booth space and allows the visitor a hassle-free way to download content for later review. RFID chips in badges can also track consumer behavior and provide market analysis.
“In 2014, the tradeshow industry spent $25 billion on displays and exhibitions. Trade show marketers must adapt to the technology that sways our society in order to capture the attention of the new, tech-driven generation. Applying tradeshow trends will enhance not only the visitor experience, but also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing plans.” Do you want to make your tradeshow event a success? Do you want to increase brand recognition for your company or product? If so, you need to plan ahead and embrace the new, tech-driven generation. Leave them out and you lose.
Marketing an Event and Event Apps
Want to know what tradeshow marketers are doing to promote their event? Want to know how event apps have an impact? Check out some of the statistics as follows. You’ll be both surprised and impressed.
45% of marketing and communication professionals use event management to increase engagement
42% growth expected in the event management software market between 2016-2020
75% of marketers use email to promote their event
55% of US marketers use real-time marketing tactics to promote their events
86% of marketers use the phone as a channel to promote an event
84% of event marketers say that email is the most effective event marketing channel
88% of event professionals said using an event app had a positive impact on attendee satisfaction
44% of attendees use mobile event apps
7% of event professionals use live response apps during their events
82% of event professionals reduced or removed paper printing by switching to a mobile app
Must Read Trade Show and Event Marketing Industry Blogs
TSNN is a global news leader in the trade show industry with current news from around the industry. Their blog is filled with posts from trade show experts who relay their years of experience to readers. Plus, it is a virtual encyclopedia on exhibiting.
Trade show events can be tough endeavors for both the novice and seasoned planner. Here’s a list of some top trade show and event marketing blogs that will provide you with some “tricks of the trade.”
The proprietor of “The Trade Show Guy” blog is an informative source of trade show knowledge. You’ll find articles filled with tips on how to have a successful trade show by using the digital world. Plus, you can even download whitepapers on topics like “Tips to Maximize Your ROI with a Trade Show.”
Event 360 is a leader in trade show marketing and a great resource. Their blog features articles covering how to select the right event for your company, staffing your booths and using social media to reach out for events.
Marketo is a pioneer in the trade show industry, and their trade show marketing blog is full of useful information. Written by their experienced and knowledgeable staff, you’ll be able to garner fresh new viewpoints on event marketing and trade shows. Their site also has many other marketing resources to up your stake – all of which can help you with preparing for your trade show event.
Live Marketing is an event marketing company focused on creative B2B marketing. Their blog deals with issues revolving around trade show advice, planning events and trends in the B2B community. If you want to stay abreast on the best practices and principles of face-to-face marketing, this blog is definitely a must read.
Exhibit and Event Management Association is a well-known thought leader and content producer in trade show marketing. Their blog has many categories each filled with useful posts on a wide range of current industry topics, including Apple computer rentals and tablet rentals for trade shows. Got a few hours to kill? Check out the Exhibit and Event Management Association blog.
Bartizan Connects is a pioneer in lead capture technology, and they have a blog with wonderful trade show related content. Their blog has daily posted articles covering every topic imaginable in the trade show world. They also have a library of whitepapers on related topics that you may find helpful in preparing and planning for a trade show event.
The Trade Show Coach is a blog operated by Susan Friedmann, a trade show consultant with over two decades of industry experience. Her posts are based on experiences in the trade show universe, so there are plenty of practical bits of advice inside of each of her post. If you need a no-nonsense, straightforward blog for tradeshow help, this blog is the place to visit.
The Experts Weigh in on 2017 Technology Trade Shows
The year 2017 is set to be a big year for trade shows, according to industry experts. There’s plenty to get excited about. According to Vice President Jeff Chase, sustainability will be embraced with the design of equipment used at trade shows. Popular structures, such as LED back-lit smart fabric walls will be a mainstay at many trade shows.
Event technology expert Raj Jain of Aria Technology solutions feels that trade show formats are changing, too. More and More event planners are choosing to replace the old technology with latest immersive computer technology that features activities, video content, interactivity and more. This was originated by TED events but is gaining ground at events of all kinds.
Education in the exhibit hall is becoming just as much of a draw as the educational sessions, particularly in tech. Companies traditionally exhibiting large equipment, like computer racks and airplane engines, now have more digital-based products. This is leading exhibitors to have smaller digital demos, featuring the newest digital equipment that associations don’t show in their training sessions.
And VR will begin to happen in a bigger way, too — it will become so much more than just a pair of goggles and one experience. Companies will start building a library of VR content for all channels, not just trade shows, giving them a large set of content that can be swapped in and out as needed.”
The Many Benefits of Exhibiting at Technology Trade Shows
There are many benefits of exhibiting at a trade show. From increasing brand recognition to credibility, exhibiting at a trade show has a boatload of benefits for your business. Establishing a presence, whether big or small, for your company at a trade show gives you a strong platform for meeting new clients, reaching out to your existing customers and building a stronger and reliable brand. With the right strategy and technology, every trade show a business participates in is an opportunity to drastically substantially increase your business’s customer baseline. The folks who attend trade shows tend to be very inquisitive in the products or services your business features and are often ready to commit to a purchase on the spot. There’s just nothing better for cash flow than a ready buyer. Don’t you want more money in your wallet?
Branding At Technology Trade Shows
Branding is a big factor of business success, especially in industries that depend on trust and reputation. Exhibiting at a trade show is the ideal way to tell your industry that your business is serious, reliable and big enough to afford its own presence at major trade shows.
By using your trade show exhibit strategically, you can position your company as being a leader in any niche within your market. Positioning your booth next to your industry’s ‘blue chip’ businesses displays a powerful psychological image that can help your business move from ‘startup’ to ‘established brand’ in the eyes of your potential customers. With the correct strategy, even a small startup can develop its brand’s name by exhibiting at a trade show.
Displaying a product or service at technology trade shows gives your company’s sales team a unique opportunity to gain access to important prospects, without the bad feelings and suspicion that typically occurs in traditional direct sales. Frequent objections disappear as customers are in a buying frame of mind. Why is it smart to capitalize on this opportunity? Because many prospects are willing to give up their valuable time at a trade show. It’s a chance to seal the deal and leave the trade show with qualified sales leads. Just make sure to take the time to research and choose the right technology trade show for your company. More and more, businesses are recognizing the effectiveness of exhibiting at a trade show. Looking to cultivate brand awareness, attain valuable leads and make for sales? Gear up for success with an exhibition at a trade show. If done right, you won’t regret it.
Event Technology Rental Resource
Looking for the right event technology rentals for your next trade show? Turn to ETR – Event Technology Rentals. ETR offers latest computer technology for trade show events. You can rent Apple iPads, Android tablets, PC/Mac laptops and computers. Service is fast and hassle-free. They will also customize a package to meet your unique needs and deliver it with the correct software. And a2z, Inc provides powerful cloud-based event management and marketing tools that grow your brand by accelerating booth sales, helping boost revenue, and enhancing engagement and value for event participants.
Topics Discussed: Technology Trends, Mobile Apps, Trade Show Statistics, Digital Signage, Computers, iPads & Laptops , Event Marketing Publications & Blogs, Expert Opinions, Branding & Trade Show Benefits, Event Technology Rental Resource.
About the Author:
Jim Jain is SVP at Event Technology Rentals, a leading national provider of iPads, Laptops, Tablets & Computer rentals for Events, Trade Shows and business meetings..