Home and Interior Design Shows... tips and success stories!

Hey everyone!! We do a lot of trade shows, as I am sure most of you do, and I thought it would be good to start a thread about what does and doesn't work for you.

We are going to be at the Vancouver Home and Interior Design Show Oct.15-18th this year and what I found on the past is that our product is not as easy to sell compared to the "Sham-Wow" Just curious to hear how you get leads at these events, do you take contact information, spend more time mingling with other vendors etc. etc.

Kristina! How was the Calgary Show for you?

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Permalink Reply by Kristina on October 7, 2009 at 9:23pm: Tip number one: when you see a gorgeous, to die for pair of purple high heel shoes that you would normally never buy but the look of everyone around you influences you to do so.....DON'T WEAR THEM while working in your booth!! I broke my own cardinal rule to always wear comfy shoes. I sacraficed my feet for style. Ahhhhhh......but they're pretty shoes!

The show went really well for me. I also did the Calgary Baby Show just this past weekend so I'm worn out when I need the most energy now!

I do get sales at the shows, but I don't actually sell stuff on site as it's all custom. I offer 10% off to anyone who orders at the show so I find that helps people make up their minds if they were waffling to begin with.

I do take contact info from other businesses that I may be interested in working with. I also do spend a lot of time mingling with other vendors. Even if their business is only indirectly related to mine you never know when someone might pass along your name. My big thing this year is to get known. With all the social media, networking, trade shows etc it's working.

I don't want to be a place to get hand painted room decor. I want to be THE place!; ▶ Reply to This