Choosing to hold exhibits at the right events or tradeshows which will obtain most benefits for your business will be a major contributor to your return on investment and your overall success.

The right events will contain the target market youre looking to tap and can also help you see what your competition is up to, giving you a better idea how you can gain the upper ground on them.

Many regions will offer lists of the top upcoming trade shows, organized both by location as well as by industry. However, dont rule out the chance to exhibit locally and dont rule out travelling as an option either. In other words, keep all of your options open so you can find the right show for your objectives and your trade show budget.

Here are some tips to consider when planning your upcoming event and tradeshow exhibit schedule for the upcoming year:

Budget

Exhibiting isnt cheap. This is why its important to understand what you can afford and what you need to be able to afford to make the event worthwhile, so that it meets your goals. Budgeting for a trade show requires multiple facets, so plan ahead and understand what you need for marketing, promotions, staffing, giveaways, event fees and, of course, your exhibit display.

Know your audience

Understanding what motivates your consumer base plays a major role in the success of all your marketing initiatives, this includes your trade show exhibits. Several companies assume that their target audience only attends functions that are specific to their industry, which isnt true. This is why you should consider local events, which can get you in front of the right crowd of people without all of the competition that is found at an industry-specific function.

Experience the show as an attendee

One of the best ways to determine if an exhibit makes sense for your organization to participate in is to visit it as an attendee. This will give you a chance to walk the room and see firsthand every opportunity offered at a specific function, so you can decide with certainty if its worth your participation in the future.

These are only a fraction of the factors it takes to know which show is right for your participation in an exhibition. However, they are a starting point. Communicate with your sales and marketing teams openly to collaborate on objectives, needs and other factors that will decide which tradeshows and exhibits to be a part of.