Skip to content

Quick Tips to Prepare for a Successful Conference as a Booth Sponsor

inner-banner-image

Quick Tips to Prepare for a Successful Conference as a Booth Sponsor

Author: Colleen Judge, Head of Marketing at Matrix Applications & South Street Securities Holdings, Inc.

Colleen Judge, Head of Marketing at Matrix Applications & South Street Securities Holdings, Inc.

Preparing for a conference can be a daunting task, especially in the fast-paced world of fintech and financial services marketing. However, with the right strategies in place, you and your team can ensure that your next conference experience is not only successful for raising brand awareness and deepening customer relationships, but also capturing new sales leads or targets. Here are some essential tips to help boost your confidence through timely and effective preparation:

1. Clear Signage

Ensure that your booth and event areas have clear, professional signage. This helps attendees navigate the space easily and find your organization without confusion. Use bold and large fonts that align with your brand to catch attendees’ attention and make your expertise clear. As the saying goes, “less is more.” Be clear and concise about your company and product/service offering.

2. Utilize QR Codes

Incorporate QR codes into your marketing materials and signage. This allows attendees to quickly access your website, product information or contact forms seamlessly on their smartphones. It’s a great way to engage participants.

Did You Know? Canva has a free QR code generator. Learn more here: https://www.canva.com/qr-code-generator/

3. Engaging Merchandise

Offer interesting and useful merchandise that reflects your brand. Consider items like tech gadgets, eco-friendly products or unique merch that attendees will appreciate and remember. This not only promotes your brand, but also creates a positive association.

4. Pre-Conference Marketing

Promote your presence at the conference through email newsletters, social media, blogs and your website. Share what attendees can expect from your booth, including any special presentations, demos or giveaways. This builds anticipation and encourages more visitors.

5. Networking Strategy

Develop a networking strategy before the conference. Identify key individuals or companies you want to connect with and set goals for your interactions. Identify target connections and briefly research their backgrounds. Use LinkedIn to reach out and schedule meetings in advance.

Not sure how to share your LinkedIn profile? Follow these steps: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a539937/sharing-a-profile-with-connections-and-coworkers?lang=en 

6. Follow-Up Plan

Create a follow-up plan for after the conference. Collect contact information from leads and personally reach out. A great way to save time and energy is to leave space for professionals to drop their business cards, although some may argue that business cards are “archaic” nowadays. Personalize your follow-up messages to maintain engagement and nurture relationships.

Interested in a virtual business card? HiHello is a free alternative to paper business cards. Learn more: https://www.hihello.com/ 

7. Staff Training

Ensure that your team is well-trained and knowledgeable about your products and services. They should be prepared to answer questions and engage with attendees confidently. Role-playing potential scenarios can be beneficial.

A person standing behind a table with a table full of items

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

8. Feedback Mechanism

Set up a way to gather feedback from attendees about their experience at your booth and the conference overall. This can be done through surveys or informal conversations. You can make a form (e.g. HubSpot, Google, SurveyMoneky) to collect new insights. Use this feedback to improve future events and marketing campaigns.

By implementing these tips, you can enhance your conference preparation and ensure a successful experience for both your organization and the attendees.