Technological Trends That Revolutionize Your Trade Show Marketing

If you’re a business owner or a marketing professional, a strong presence at industry trade shows is essential. Because you don’t have a second chance to create a first impression, it is important to focus on a well-designed display. Customers are going to be visiting a lot of booths; you only have a few minutes to prove to them that you’re worth their time. This is where evolving technologies can be employed to attract and engage event attendees. They can also be used to gather customer data and provide a multi-sensory experience. In fact, technology is changing the way conferences and events are planned. Some of the things you can incorporate at trade shows to convert hot leads into sales include:

1. Wearable Smart Badges

Instead of using traditionally printed paper badges, smart badges are a great choice for speeding up attendee registration. The advanced near-field communication technology on these smart badges uses SSL encryption to save attendee information. You can also share promotional messages, digital pamphlets, and brochures on smart badges. This way people don’t have to leave the event with tons of brochures and pamphlets that are eventually trashed. Smart badges can also be used as an alternative to credit or debit cards for safe payment. They facilitate networking at conferences and help to make meaningful connections. Use smart cards to enhance the overall trade show experience for attendees, event organizers, and exhibitors.

2. Bots

Artificial intelligence can open up a wide new world for exhibitors, sponsors, vendors and potential customers. Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, chatbots, and other AI-powered software can be used to address FAQs. They can be used to direct staff towards other productive tasks. You can also use virtual sales assistance to identify ideal customers. AI can be used to find visitors looking for recommendations on similar products and services. Drones can capture real life, in-room views of the whole trade show space, allowing event planners and vendors to assess traffic flow. AI can help you track the number of attendees passing by your banner stands or the number of visitors attending one of your conference sessions. Additionally, it is a smart way to track traffic in key areas of your event.

3. Live 360° Video

Make your conferences a grand success, either by using 360-degree live video or pre-recorded 360° video. These videos can be used to engage and interact with your online viewers, helping them feel more connected with your brand. 360-degree streaming video technology uses specialized cameras, allowing users to get a complete 360-degree view of the event. Social media such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook support 360° live video—use them to showcase your products and services to those who were unable to attend the event. You can also prerecord this video to reach out to offline visitors.

Make use of the above technologies to connect with key decision makers on the trade show floor. Above all else, never forget the fundamentals—following simple rules such as using long-lasting retractable banner stands, gifting freebies, and including games and fun activities to stand out from the rest will always make for a successful experience.