Tips for Generating Traffic In Your Exhibit Hall Create a Conference/Trade Show Theme, designed to increase interest. Set up appropriate action steps and target dates for implementation. Provide Exhibitors with complimentary/discounted Admission Registration forms to distribute to their customers. Set up a contest with Exhibitors where they write their Booth Number on Attendee admission forms-logging results and awarding prizes. Print up "join us at the Expo" stickers that can be given out to exhibitors, to be put on their invoices, letterhead or envelopes. Stickers to be given to association members, and on all Association correspondence, to create awareness of the show. Depending on prior events and lead time, create badges to be worn by key Association personnel (with catchy slogan - i.e.. see us at the show, I'm planning on attending, remember these dates...) Send out Press Releases to all industry publications and area newspapers and magazines, getting mention in their upcoming events section. Urge Exhibitors to supply a newsworthy article about their goods, products or services which can be sent out to the media for advanced publicity on the show. (Find out if Exhibitors have public relations firms under contract). Trades can be negotiated with Publications offering complimentary Booth assignments or a commitment to distribute their literature, for advertisement inserts. Allied Associations can be contacted and exhibit, meeting space, ad space, etc. can be offered in trade if they bring in their membership. Get the endorsement of allied associations with commitments to have them list your event dates/locations/Expo highlights in their newsletters or posted on their Internet sites. Contact Trade Show Directory listing services to insure that your Expo dates and locations are listed. Produce and Internet page or website (with domain name) and set up appropriate links (as many as possible) and register your name with Internet Directory Service providers (i.e.. Yahoo, Webcrawler, Lycos, etc.) Remember - the more you can get your name or Internet address out, the better your chances of being seen. Assemble a database of Fax Numbers and E-mail addresses. Weekly program of broadcast faxes and E-mails should be set into practice with updates on Exhibitors, seminars, show specials...news. Promote your Internet or Email address whenever possible, being as creative as possible. Offer incentives for early registrations - special prize drawings at the Show, admission discounts, invitations to special events, etc. Have Exhibitors prepare "show special" merchandise offers/products or services, and alert potential attendees of savings value. Encourage Exhibitors to conduct pre-show mailings, offering them potential attendee address listings as an incentive, or give them an opportunity to pick up Association costs of mailings with mention of their support. Conduct relevant and necessary seminar programs with Keynote speakers or allow Exhibitors to put on product demonstrations. Offer complimentary Meeting Space to exhibitors to encourage them to conduct their own user group sessions. Link up with a charity to get "complimentary" media advertising. Contact radio stations with the desire to conduct live "on the air" broadcasts at the show. Alert Television, Newspaper, and Radio Stations of your upcoming event with the objective of having them cover the first day of the show - to increase attendance for the following days. Look for tie ins from a national perspective - Does it showcase a new trend in your industry? Also, try to generate a story from a local angle - how are local companies benefiting from the fact that your event is being held in their town. Remember, the Press needs you as much as you need the Press. Establish an 800 # registration/information "hotline". Confirm all preregistered guests by sending out "reminder to attend" postcards, with direction sheets, show hours and highlights mentioned. Consider the use of posters, billboards, etc. If possible, tie in with another area event (concert, fun-run, baseball game, golf tournament, etc.) Use resources of host site to do co-op advertising, having them send out their own press releases. Set up "bring your boss" or "bring your colleague" programs with trial "free" admissions or incentive rebates. And the basics... increase traffic by planning coffee breaks, network sessions, meal functions, prize drawings, etc. in the Exhibit area. Don't forget... mass mailings and telemarketing campaigns work!!!