Expos Are Back! Here’s everything you need to know to plan, prepare and perform
After another challenging year for the events industry, we are thrilled to now see the return of exhibitions in 2022. Exhibitions are global events where brands educate, share, promote and connect with customers and other businesses.
There are 3 main benefits that an expo offers a brand:
- Promoting brands and products – exhibitions are a great way to get directly in front of your target audience, increase brand awareness and support the launch of new products.
- Networking – whether it’s other like-minded business owners, decision-makers or customers, expos are great for meeting people and getting connected.
- Learning – from seminars to panels to round tables, expos offer fantastic settings for business owners to understand their competitive landscape, learn from others and better themselves in their industry.
As experts in this field, we want to share with you all the things you need to know about exhibitions – from an industry point of view.
What does the current events and exhibition landscape look like and what do brands need to know?
There has been a shift in the events and exhibitions industry since the rise of the global pandemic. From an industry that was renowned for operating with flexibility, agility and speed whilst also having the manpower and production facilities, many businesses today struggle to be responsive to short project deadlines which seem to be a ‘reactive’ trend we’re seeing, as businesses slowly navigate their way out of the rift of the pandemic. This turn has shown us the importance of timing, staff retention and planning.
What COVID has done to the industry has made business less fluid and flexible. Up to half of the contractors from the installation market have left the industry due to the forced closure of the events and exhibitions industry and the uncertainty of the return of business – so staffing is scarce.
What should brands consider when looking to exhibit in 2022?
Meeting face-to-face with customers and suppliers is still imperative for brands to consider as part of their marketing strategies. When businesses invest in an exhibition stand and in-person events, those employees working the stands and involved in the process show passion and pride for the brands they represent.
As a business, it is important at all levels of the corporate hierarchy to not only invest in exhibiting at events and tradeshows, but it is also imperative that we excite and reignite employees and start to rebuild relationships through human connections. The return of exhibitions is so important for those brands looking to reconnect with consumers. Exhibitions will give brands the platform and space to implement this.
When should brands start planning for an exhibition?
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success” – Alexander Graham Bell.
Most importantly, secure your stands. Brands should leave themselves at least 6 months to start planning internally, to then start having conversations with us 4 months out, with key considerations being budget, stand size and exhibition type. Being prepared and doing the due diligence to get project briefs in early will help ensure the stand hire provider you work with is the right fit.
When should brands start planning for an exhibition?
Have your brief ready. For every business or brand, the definition of success varies. If Creative Hire understands YOUR measurement of ‘success’ and the overall business objective whether this is brand awareness or new product introductions or simply a platform to re-engage suppliers/wholesalers, these details will instantly help our team interpret the brief and propose the best exhibition display solution.
There’s a lot to consider when planning for any exposition. As one of Australia’s leading Exhibition Stand companies, we’ve got the experience, knowledge, and insights to turn your great ideas into reality. If you have an expo or two on the calendar and haven’t begun planning yet, talk to our team of industry experts today.
