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Tradeshow Entertainment Minnesota

That's Entertainment: Adding Show Biz to You Trade Show Exhibit

Local Companies

Modern Inconveniences
(952) 232-5308
541 West 98th St., Ste. 338
Bloomington, MN

Picnics Plus
(612) 767-4100
2117 West River Road
Minneapolis, MN

A-Sign & Screenprinting Co.
(612) 529-6617
708 Lowry Ave N
Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Credit Union Network
(651) 288-5170
555 Wabasha St. N., Ste. 200
St. Paul, MN

Fastsigns
(612) 338-2629
733 Marquette Ave
Minneapolis, MN

Accurate Press Inc
651-636-7023
1561 Old Hwy 8
St. Paul, MN

Fourth Dimension LLC
651-481-9036
1209 West County Rd E Suite 100
St. Paul, MN

Printing Industry of Minnesota, Inc
(651) 789-5500
1700 Highway 36 W., Ste. 510
Roseville, MN

Law Enforcement Resource Center
(800) 879-8273
1523 Nicollet Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Community and Technical College
(612) 659-6000
1501 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN

What makes one tradeshow exhibit memorable and another so-so? What can exhibitors do to get attendees talking after the show? What can motivate visitors who may have had no previous intention of visiting your booth decide that they definitely have to stop by?

Entertainment! According to tradeshow research, live presentations are the third most important reson why people remember the exhibit. Numbers one and two? Booth size and product interest. If you've got a limited exhibiting budget, hiring entertainment may be a cost-effective way to attract attention to your company without springing for the larger, pricier display space.

What are your options?

Entertainment options at tradeshows are almost endless. Any form of live presentation can work, including:

staged product demonstrations

theatrical skit

magician

game show

choreography

video

audio

robot

singers or musicians

The key is to have entertainment that acts as an integral part of your marketing message. To do this, you need to know a few things:

What type of entertainment will appeal to your target audience?

A robot that dispenses free samples might go over big at a tech show but fall flat at a pet care industry show. Conversely, those wired types might be more puzzled than pleased by a troop of trained terriers. Know your target audience.

How much product information do you want to convey via the entertainment?

Some entertainment formats are better than others for educating attendees about your products and services. Product demonstrations, especially those that draw participants from the audience, are a great way to get the crowd focused on what you're selling. Other acts focus on simply getting the company name and logo out there, such as a magician who uses the company's name as the 'Magic Word'.

What is your corporate image?

Any entertainment you select should positively reflect your company's image. This goes beyond a Western Wear company selecting a country singer to entertain the crowds -- attendees will hold you to a higher standard than that. Research the acts you're proposing to hire. Some acts may not be appropriate for mainstream companies -- ask to see a video of an average performance and ask yourself how would your customer base view the images.

With those questions in mind, decide what kind of entertainment you'd like to have and who will perform for the crowds. If you've decided on live product demonstrations, you may be able to use your own staff members, but other than that, you're generally better off hiring a pro.

How to Make the Most of Your Money

Hiring a professional entertainer is an expense. Ensure you get your money's worth by doing the following:

Identify how the presentation helps achieve your goals -- let the entertainer know clearly what you expect for them to do.

Create promotional activities centering around the entertainment. From pre-show direct mailings to on the floor interactions with attendees, make frequent mention of the event and have an incentive that will encourage attendees to visit your booth.

If your staff is not on stage, find ways to involve them in the presentation. Use them to gather the crowd or to capture and monitor pertinent information during the presentation. Let them know it's okay to be enthusiastic about the performance -- excitement is contagious, and you want an excited crowd.

What to Avoid

Good entertainment is expensive, bad entertainment can cost more than you will ever imagine. Protect your company's image and reputation by avoiding the following:

Crass, rude, or offensive acts. There are comedians who do very well with off color or hurtful humor, but the risk of alienating large segments of your consumer base by sponsoring one of these acts is too great.

Under-dressed entertainers. Scantily clad women and barely dressed men wiggling provocatively have no place at most shows. In fact, the aggressive use of "Booth Babes" has been so off-putting that some shows are banning them all together. Unless you're exhibiting an adult-themed show -- ie, one that caters to the sex industry or some travel shows -- have your entertainment keep their clothes on.

Acts that are clearly amateur. Tradeshow audiences are harsh. They won't be tolerant of second rate acts. Hire the best you can afford for better results.

Written by Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training.

Author: “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies,” and “Riches in Niches: How to Make it BIG in a small Market” (May 2007).

For a free copy of “10 Common Mistakes Exhibitors Make”, e-mail: article4@thetradeshowcoach.com; website: www.thetradeshowcoach.com.

Featured Local Company

Modern Inconveniences

9522325308
541 West 98th St., Ste. 338
Bloomington, MN

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Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History