The Independent Education Expo is your opportunity to meet thousands of parents and families. Here are our top tips for exhibiting successfully at the Independent Education Expo.
Be clear about why you are there
Set yourself some clear, measurable objectives then everything you do should be focused on achieving these objectives.
Dedicate some time and effort
Events are hard work but you will reap the rewards from meeting people face to face if your time is well spent.
Produce a budget
Decide on the stand space needed and the costs involved - but remember that the stand cost is just one element of the overall budget, ensure you budget for everything else – graphics, subsistence, brochures, electrics, furniture, etc.
Plan for success
Appoint a co-ordinator, draft a timetable, decide on visitor interaction and follow up and in particular read the exhibitor manual. These essential elements lead to successful exhibiting.
Maximise the opportunity
Use our expertise as event organisers, we will try to use any quotes, photos and press releases to promote the event. Get a hyperlink from the event website that links to your site and find out any other ways that you can be involved in the marketing campaign to raise your profile.
Be innovative
Something intriguing, a gimmick or give-aways – it does not have to be expensive it could have your contact details for parents to keep or an activity to amuse children so you can talk to the parents. All ice breakers are worth considering but it is your stand staff that count.
Tell people you will be at the Independent Education Expo
As event organisers we will attract as many of the right visitors to Alexandra Palace as possible but once they are there we cannot influence them to visit your stand. A mail/email shot to your parents and contacts, details on your website and a hyperlink are all things you can do to make visitors want to find your stand.
Stands don't sell – people do
Choose your team carefully and pick staff that are willing as well as able. Brief them thoroughly and establish some basic stand rules such as always smile, don't sit behind a desk and never eat on your stand. Practise some open questions and draw up a rota so that the team get regular breaks to keep them happy and alert.
Plan your follow up
Decide how you will follow up before you go to the event. Then make it happen as soon as you get back.
Evaluate effectiveness and re-book for next year
Did you meet your objectives? Evaluate what worked or what you would do differently next time. Debrief with the whole team, their feedback will be invaluable. Produce a post show report that details your conclusions, recommendations, final budget, photos, etc. this will be a great start for next year or for your successor should you move onwards and upwards.
Give us your feedback, we want to improve the negative and use the positive to give you some free PR!
If the event was successful and you met your objectives, don't miss out on the chance to be involved again. Booking early will ensure a great stand location and offer you maximum benefit from the marketing and PR campaign.
