A trade show company can help you set the stage for a professional exhibit at your next trade show. However, it’s up to you to use your business skills to make the most of this experience. Here are the business skills you should be ready to engage when attending a trade show, and in what capacity they’ll be useful.

Finances

This is crucial in business, so it’s just as crucial for generating new business. Your financial acumen will be important for things like creating your total budget for the trade show, such as travel costs, having the exhibit designed, delivered, and constructed, cost for accommodations, sales collateral, and other expenses. Financial skill is important so as to ensure you get an actual return on your investment for what can easily be an expensive venture. Tracking spending, particularly expenses for yourself and personnel, will be important here.

Logistics

Unsurprisingly, because so much of a trade show event involves traveling and commissioning work to be constructed, shipped to another location, and then assembled there, logistics play a big role in success. Be prepared for either you or your staff to frequently rely on logistics skills. You’ll need to think about arranging for travel and accommodations, as well as organizing the transport and assembly of your exhibit. Staying on top of logistics ensures that you know where everything is, where it’s going, and where it’s supposed to be. It’s the best way to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Marketing

Perhaps most important of all, when you go to a trade show, you are there to promote your product or service and generate new business leads. This means that you and your staff will need to be ready to exercise marketing skills frequently and forcefully. This will happen in a variety of ways as well. Be prepared to take business meetings with clients where one-on-one negotiations and interpersonal skills will be crucial. You’ll also need to be able to handle drop-in visitors from people at the trade show who visit the exhibit. This may also mean leveraging social media to connect with others at the trade show through strategic hashtags and other promotional activities.

Marketing is a varied activity with many different approaches. Ensure that you and your staff are ready to confront the numerous different situations that will arise, whether that is general promotions or specific business meetings.

If you want to work with an experienced trade show company to ensure you get a good return on your investment, contact Lighthouse Exhibits.