Trade Show Hack #1: Tell People You Are Going to Exhibit

Exhibit Associates
2 days ago
2 min read

One of the most overlooked parts of trade show success happens before the show even begins. Many companies invest heavily in booth design, logistics, and staffing, then assume attendees will simply discover them on the show floor. In reality, most people plan their time in advance. If they don’t know you’re exhibiting, they’re unlikely to find you. Telling people you are going to exhibit is one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase booth traffic.

The Show Starts Before the Show

Trade shows don’t begin on move-in day. They begin weeks, sometimes months, earlier when attendees are deciding:

Which booths to visit
Which meetings to schedule
How to spend limited time on the floor

If your brand isn’t part of that planning phase, you’re relying on chance instead of strategy.

Use the Channels You Already Have

You don’t need a massive campaign to make this work. Start with the platforms you already use:

LinkedIn
X (Twitter)
Facebook
Instagram
Email newsletters

A simple message works: “We’ll be exhibiting at [Show Name]. Find us at Booth #___.”

Consistency matters more than creativity here. Repetition builds awareness.

Give People a Reason to Stop By

Telling people you’re exhibiting is good. Telling them why they should visit is better.

Consider sharing:

A product launch or announcement
A live demo or experience
A meeting opportunity
A problem you help solve

Clear expectations make it easier for people to prioritize your booth.

Make It Easy to Find You

Every post or email should answer the basics:

Show name
Dates
Booth number
What they’ll experience

Removing friction increases follow-through.

Final Thought

Trade shows reward preparation. Telling people you’re going to exhibit isn’t marketing noise. It’s a signal. It tells your audience you’ll be there, you’re prepared, and you’re worth the stop. Before you worry about standing out on the show floor, make sure people know you’ll be there to begin with.

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Custom trade show exhibits and booth design by Exhibit Associates | Expert exhibit design and build for trade shows, corporate displays, museum installations, and experiential brand environments | Kansas City trade show designers driving engagement & ROI for events nationwide — https://www.exhibitassociates.com/

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