Trade shows and conferences are a great way to connect with buyers. You'll probably spend some time planning what you'll do there. If your company is exhibiting at a booth, you'll be thinking about what the most effective attractions or giveaways might be to draw visitors. One thing to keep in mind is that you can maximize your time and impact at an event by using social media. It can be essential to the success of your company's appearance at a highly competitive trade show or convention. You won't capture your desired audience if you don't create enough interest in advance and maintain it throughout the show.
One of the most popular forms of social media marketing is Facebook. This ubiquitous social media platform has more members than the population of the United States. By creating a Facebook page devoted to your company and announcing your appearance at upcoming trade shows, you can create immediate buzz. Networking with other, non-competitor companies that will also have a presence at the event is a great way to reach untapped buyers with your trade show marketing.
Blogs can immediately expand the reach of your convention marketing dollars at no additional cost to you. YouTube can also help you create interest if you'll be offering a new product or service. Create a demonstration video that can be used as a teaser to draw potential visitors to your booth to learn more.
During the show, keep in contact with interested buyers via Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare. Use Twitter updates to keep interest high throughout an event. Post audio or video clips from the trade show floor. If you're going to be doing specific product demonstrations throughout the day, tweet your followers to give them a heads up when something is about to happen so they won't miss a thing.
After the show is over, you can cement your new relationships by following up through social media. Send out a quick “nice to meet you” or "thanks for stopping by" message via Twitter or post an update on Facebook that mentions the success of the event. Remind your new contacts to visit your website for product news and updates. Buyers often make their purchasing decisions based on who they know and are comfortable with. Your social media connections will give you the edge over your more anonymous competitors.
Federal Buyers Guide is involved with trade shows, conferences and training sessions nationwide. Our publications are distributed at these events to help businesses reach government buyers even if they’re unable to physically attend themselves. Here are a few of the events that we're involved with:
4/4 - 4/6
Information Assurance and Security
Key stakeholders across the information security community will address the ability to secure government and military information effectively.
4/6
The 8th Annual Alliance South Small Business Procurement Fair
Buyers and contracting officers from major military bases and large companies can network and discuss business opportunities.
4/11 - 4/14
9th Annual Maritime Homeland Security Summit
Departmental policy makers, uniformed service leaders, law enforcement and industry partners will come together to exchange and share best practices and opportunities to improve the security of our nation’s maritime borders.
4/18 - 4/20
4th Annual Tactical Vehicles Summit
The nation’s foremost tactical vehicle event will address the strategy, procurement, challenges and opportunities with both an exhibition floor and summit for the tactical vehicle fleet.
4/26 - 4/29
UAV Summit
The summit will offer a comprehensive overview of the rapid technological advances of unmanned aerial vehicles and their expanding role on the future battlefield.
5/1 - 5/5
The 2011 Department of Defense Intelligence Information Systems (DoDIIS) Worldwide Conference
DoDIIS Worldwide provides a unique opportunity for defense intelligence community members and industry peers to come together for knowledge sharing, training and discussion of current and future information technology (IT) challenges and requirements.
5/23 - 5/25
2nd Annual Irregular Warfare Summit
Take a closer look at military strategies for irregular warfare, the latest advancements and requirements for the industry, and make acquisitions decisions.
5/23 - 5/25
2nd Annual Border Management Summit Southwest
Thought-leaders and key policy-makers will discuss current and future border security initiatives—a must-attend event for homeland security experts across all agencies and levels of government.
5/23 - 5/25
10th Annual DoD Architectures
Architectural challenges and strategies will be shared to understand the latest approaches to improving and using architecture to add value.
6/6 - 6/8
Army Aviation Exhibition & Conference
The leaders in Army aviation will gain the most relevant experience, intriguing ideas and feasible solutions to best support our nation’s warfighters.
6/6 - 6/9
ArmorCon
The premier forum for the military armor community to discuss new armor technologies, challenges, developments and recent research.
6/14
The 9th Annual Alliance Texas Small Business Procurement Fair
Buyers and contracting officers from major military bases and large companies can network and discuss business opportunities.
6/27 - 6/29
Cyber Warfare Summit
With a primary focus on cyber warfare and security, attendees can discuss and debate on the framework of collaborative efforts with leaders from the Military services, government agencies and leaders in industry and academia.
6/27 - 6/30
Military Logistics Summit 2011
This summit will help U.S. forces and their industry partners tackle the challenges involved in rapid transportation and product support through dangerous territories.
6/29 - 7/1
3rd Annual Command and Control Summit
This joint-service conference will provide warfighter needs assessments, mission command migration timelines and current development of C2 systems.
9/27 – 9/29
Modern Day Marine
The premier military equipment, systems, services and technology exposition.
11/2
The 6th Annual Alliance Baltimore Small Business Procurement Fair
Buyers and contracting officers from major military bases and large companies meet to discuss networking and business opportunities.
January 2012
Marine West
Get the latest technology and prototypes aimed at preparing the Marines for today’s opportunities and challenges.
