[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5491″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_menu menu_id=”17″ fullwidth_menu=”on” active_link_color=”#000000″ logo=”https:\/\/www.boothsales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/D2Pshows-logo2017-SMALL.png” logo_max_width=”150px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” menu_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” menu_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”10px||5px|40px|false|false” custom_css_main_element=”z-index:100″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_menu][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(255,255,255,0.5) 0%|rgba(255,255,255,0) 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(255,255,255,0.5)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/www.boothsales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/12\/show-page-head-2.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” background_blend=”screen” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”180px||0px|” bottom_divider_style=”slant” bottom_divider_color=”#ffffff” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_intensity_slide=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”26px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”Montserrat|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”40px” header_line_height=”1.2em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.8)” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” animation_style=”zoom” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_zoom=”10%” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.2em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”32px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Connect with Customers Prior to the Show<\/em><\/p>\n Communicate to your target audience and current customers which trade shows you will be participating in.\u00a0 Make sure to include city\/state\/hall location, show dates, booth number, and a link to register for the show. Increase the frequency of reminders and announcements as you get closer to the show.<\/span><\/p>\n Event Marketing Touchpoints<\/span><\/p>\n Booth Display\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The design and layout of your trade show booth needs to be planned out prior to the show.\u00a0 With the right combination of banners, media screens, and displayed parts; you can truly make your company stand out amongst others.<\/span><\/p>\n With the right visuals and consistent branding, your booth should instantly communicate who you are and what services you offer.\u00a0 Keep your message simple and direct, while creating a memorable impression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Display Opportunities for Your Booth:<\/span> <\/p>\n If you are in need of a custom booth display prior to the show, we do offer design services specifically catered for manufacturers.\u00a0 Visit <\/span><\/i>d2pgraphics.com<\/span><\/i> for more information.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Understand Your Target Audience<\/em><\/p>\n Put yourself in the attendee\u2019s viewpoint walking the aisles of the show, and decide what would catch your attention as someone looking for manufactured parts and services. Many exhibiting companies in design and contract manufacturing will be there offering similar services, so what makes your business stand apart? Use that method of thinking when working your booth and talking to potential leads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Questions you should ask yourself:\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>\n \u201cWork\u201d the Booth<\/em><\/p>\n Actively approach and engage attendees as they come to your booth.\u00a0 Don\u2019t stand back and wait for them to approach you.\u00a0 Ask open-ended questions about what services they are looking for and determine if you can help offer a solution for them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few essential skills to keep in mind:\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>\n Follow up on Show Leads\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Shortly after the conclusion of the show, organize your show leads and have them added to your CRM.\u00a0 These contacts need to be followed up on as soon as possible.\u00a0 This is what separates those that are very successful and get positive ROI, versus those that do not.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Review each lead and segment them by grade (A, B, C, etc.) based on factors such as:<\/span> <\/p>\n Be Active and Continue to Touch Base<\/em><\/p>\n One of the biggest mistakes after a show is waiting for prospects to respond back.\u00a0 You need to actively pursue each lead, and continue to market yourself if they do not respond in a timely manner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some useful tips to remember after the show:\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”additional reading head” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#0C71C3″ header_font_size=”45px” header_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_font_size_phone=”25px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.d2p.com\/boothsales\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/ntma-for-the-record-cover-jan-2026.jpg” url=”https:\/\/ntma.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/The-Record-January-2026-PROOF-compressed.pdf” url_new_window=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/ntma.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/The-Record-January-2026-PROOF-compressed.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download PDF” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#E02B20″ button_border_radius=”10px” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#0c71c3″ hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”ul {margin-top:0px}” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n By Grace Kellogg, Originally published in For The Record<\/span> You hear it every year: \u201cYou\u2019d be a perfect exhibitor. The networking will pay off big time.\u201d They\u2019re probably right, but trade shows can be a big investment \u2014 and ROI isn\u2019t automatic.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why the best exhibitors treat trade shows like a system, not a gamble. Yes, the costs add up, but so does the opportunity. The \u201cgood\u201d shows are the ones that consistently produce a measurable pipeline. But how do you guarantee that consistency? After more than 50 years on the show floor, we\u2019ve seen the same three-phase approach drive results every time: win the before, work the during and nail the after. Master this process, and every show gets better.\n
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DURING THE SHOW<\/h2>\n
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AFTER THE SHOW<\/h2>\n
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Additional Reading<\/h1>\n
FROM BOOTH TO BUSINESS:
\nThree Phases to Trade Show Success<\/em>
\nPage 9<\/h2>\n
\nMarketing & Communications, Design-2-Part<\/em><\/p>\n
\nNational Tooling and Machining Association | January 2026<\/em><\/p>\n
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