Each year, trade shows in every sector create not only the interactions that make businesses successful, but also the conversations that move our economy forward.

Chances are that you may even have your bags packed, ready to go make it rain in your industry. But before you set up your booth, consider a few tactics that will help you maximize ROI for your trade show appearance and get a little closer to conquering the world in the process.

Plan Ahead to Meet Great People

Last month, one business writer at Huffington Post pointed out something we know but sometimes forget in the digital age: people matter. No matter how awesome your website, or compelling your online sales numbers might be, getting in front of people helps build relationships that last. Certainly, trade shows are one excellent place to do that.

The tech crowd at ZD Net agrees. In a recent post, social media expert Paul Greenberg writes that asking questions, engaging a variety of people and even having lunch with folks you don't know can spur new opportunities.

More importantly, there are probably a few people you know about and would like to meet at every trade show. Set up appointments in advance to meet ideal contacts and potential customers before you arrive. Chances are, they are there to meet like-minded business people too and the trade show provides for an open, comfortable forum to talk business one-to-one.

Get Social

Most businesses have some sort of social media at work, whether it is a Twitter account, Facebook page or a corporate LinkedIn page. Even if social media is not a heavy part of your regular business operations, many organizers of trade shows and public events avidly plug hashtags on their channels.

Examples include #ASIChicago, #SXSW and #CES2016. The hashtags are put out there not for vanity, but to index all messages related to each trade show. By including hashtags in your tweets or posts, you actively participate in the relevant conversation, while getting noticed by those with an interest in the event.

Show and Tell

If your business is one that sells products (versus services), then you already know that trade shows are a great place to show off updates to existing products or launches of new items.

Better yet, product demonstrations are a way to gather a crowd of potential buyers and create buzz for your business. One checklist published by Modern Salon on trade shows heralded the importance of demonstrations as something attendees value.

Depending on the setting and your products, a recurring demo at your booth may draw consistent traffic. If your product is more technical or, perhaps if you’re in the services business, make sure to contact event organizers about specific time slots allotted for planned demos by exhibitors.

Giveaways are Great

New relationships and great conversations all increase the potential for future business ventures. But let’s face it, trade show attendees and fellow exhibitors love free stuff. Being armed and ready to go with branded promotional products will help put your company’s name in your customers’ hands — literally.

Classic giveaway items such as wearables are always popular. You can feature everything from caps and t-shirts to cool and useful items such as oven mitts and aprons (for the avid grill masters) and fanny packs (for the fashion-conscious nerds). Other promotional products to consider are branded drinkware, quality pens, and convenience items like snacks and lip balm.

The Better Business Bureau talked up themes in a recent post, stating that tying your specialty advertising items specifically with the interests of trade show attendees is a good practice. “If you're attending a convention with a specific theme — pet owners, for example — consider bringing leashes or pet bowls branded with your company name,” writes the Better Business Bureau. “If it's an education fair, bring notebooks, backpacks, pencils and erasers emblazoned with your company logo.”

Every arrow in your company’s marketing quiver should be designed to hit your ideal target. Trade shows are no different. Before booking your ticket, consider your audience and all of the things that you can do to connect better with them.

Idea Custom Solutions will help you imprint or decorate items with professional logos and graphics through our vector artwork and embroidery digitizing services. And if you need well-designed handouts for those trade shows, we stand by ready to help there too!