Pro exhibition stand ideas to help your business gain a competitive advantage
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Research indicates a decline in our attention span over 15 years—from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8.25 seconds in 2015. It’s suggested we now lag behind goldfish, who maintain focus for 9 seconds. So, we’re looking at a 31% drop in attention span, or is there just so much fighting for our attention that our attention is split?
Now that I have your attention (hopefully), let’s dive into the crux of the matter. Capturing undivided attention at exhibition stands is a tough nut to crack. You can draw folks in, but making them stay is another story.
Modern Exhibition Stands In a Digital Era
Let’s get real. Despite being somewhat old-school, exhibition stands and kiosks haven’t lost their charm. Even as digital marketing soars, nothing replaces old face-to-face chinwags with industry mavens and product whizzes! The desire to touch and feel a new product before buying is still alive and kicking, and we get it—it’s human nature.
Take shoe shopping, for instance. Would you instead click through online images or stroll into a shop, feel the leather, slip them on, and strut around a bit? It’s a no-brainer.
Here’s the gist: If you’re in the business game, understanding what ticks your customers right from the get-go is crucial. This way, you can hit them with the good stuff before their minds wander off.
But first things first, you’ve got to lure them to your exhibition stand. How catchy and useful your stand is can make or break the deal.
We’ve got a few nifty ideas we’re itching to share.
So, how do you turn your exhibition space into a hub for brand recall, idea exchange, engaging chats and, eventually, more leads? Here are some nuggets of wisdom:
Make Your USP Shine Through Your Stand Your stand reflects your product.
Flaunt what makes you stand out. Your Unique Selling Point is yours alone; flaunt it.
Let Visitors Get Hands-On
Be it energy drinks, tech gadgets or sportswear, allowing people to try before they buy is a win. Create interactive games, quizzes or demos to make the experience memorable.
Design Reflecting Your Persona Your stand should echo your brand’s ethos.
Honesty attracts, and phoniness repels. Play to your strengths. If you’re a new organic snack brand, focus on the health perks over being tech-savvy.
Create a Casual yet Professional Ambiance Design a stand for inviting conversations. You want potential clients to linger, explore and chat.
Engage with Relevant Info
Equip your team with a well-prepped sales pitch and the flexibility to tackle offbeat queries. A quirky fact or story could make the interaction memorable.
Make Your Stand a Meeting Spot
If your stand becomes a chatty hub, that’s a good sign. Ensure comfortable seating and WiFi to keep the conversations flowing.
Encourage Idea Sharing
Why not a whiteboard for visitors to scribble their thoughts or feedback? It’s simple, interactive and could provide valuable insights.
Keep It Uncluttered
Especially with smaller stands, less is often more. Don’t overwhelm visitors with too much stuff.
Offer Memorable Experiences
Not Fireworks. It’s about how you make visitors feel. A positive interaction could be more impactful than a flashy presentation.
Maximise Floor Space
Using floor messaging leading visitors to or around your stand could be a quirky touch.
Stay Connected
WiFi isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Keeping your visitors connected keeps them around longer.
Flaunt Your Corporate Personality
Attract attention with your brand’s persona, not with flashy gimmicks. Stay true to your brand’s colour palette and messaging.
Keep Messaging Simple
Don’t overload visitors with complex messages. Create an environment that fosters interaction without overloading their cognitive load.
Encourage Social Sharing
Display your social media handles and offer photo ops for visitors to share their experiences at your stand.
There Is No Exact Science in Standing Out
Don’t get wrapped up in stand comparisons. Different stands appeal to different folks. Enjoy the experience; it’s contagious!
Follow-up with a Solid Call-to-Action
Engagement shouldn’t end at the exhibition. Offer valuable freebies, content or personalized advice to keep the conversation going post-event.
Exhibition stands are tried-and-true marketing assets. Leveraging them effectively could spell success in brand recall and lead generation.