Trade shows aren’t just for industry leaders. In fact, they can be extremely beneficial for small businesses across all industries and stages of growth. Today, we’re talking about some of our favorite trade shows for small businesses that you should definitely check out. We’re also discussing the top benefits of trade shows for small businesses and offering our top tips for choosing the perfect trade for your company. Grab your booth tables and your outdoor swag giveaways, and let’s talk all things tradeshows!
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Best Trade Shows for Small Businesses
Not sure what trade shows you should be considering? Here is a selection of our favorite trade shows for small businesses to help you kickstart your research process:
- Small Business Expo: The best way to meet other small business owners in person, the Small Business Expo is coming to 15 different cities all over the U.S. in 2022. Registration to attend is free, but exhibiting does cost a fee.
- The Big Week for Small Businesses: Held online by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, these online events are the perfect way to connect with fellow business owners without having to leave your office. Dates for 2022 haven’t been announced yet.
- South by Southwest: This festival and conference attracts attendees from all over the world, including prominent names in the tech world, making it a unique opportunity for small business owners. It was held on March 11th through 20th in 2022; dates for 2023 haven’t been announced yet.
- WBENC National Conference and Business Fair: Join the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) from June 7th to 9th in Atlanta, GA for three days of networkings, exhibits, learning sessions, and more.
- Consumer Electronics Show: Mark your calendars for the “most influential tech event in the world,” which will be held on January 5 th to 8th in 2023 in Las Vegas. There will also be a digital option for those who can’t attend in person.
- National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention and Expo: If you work in retail, definitely save the date for the NRF’s annual convention, which will be held January 15 th to 17th in NYC next year.
Benefits of Trade Shows for Small Businesses
If you’re wondering whether attending a trade show is worth some of your precious money and time, the answer is yes! Here are some of the benefits that you will get from attending a trade show as a small business owner:
- Interact with customers: There simply is no better way to interact with your current and future customers by attending a trade show. This is a huge advantage for small businesses whose products or services really shine in in-person demonstrations.
- Vet the competition: Your competitors are probably attending a lot of the same trade shows as you, making this the perfect opportunity to scope them out and see what they are up to.
- Meet potential partners: Not every business out there is a competitor, and trade shows can be an excellent way to network with potential partners, whether those are manufacturers or marketing agencies that specialize in small businesses.
- Grow brand awareness: Exhibiting at a trade show is a unique, effective marketing opportunity that just can’t be replicated by online platforms. If you’re looking for a way to grow brand awareness fast, definitely consider attending a trade show.
- Get feedback: In the early stages of a small business, getting feedback from users is invaluable. Attending a trade show to demonstrate your product is an excellent opportunity to get feedback on it quickly.
- Make sales: Trade shows aren’t just for lead generation; they can also lead to sales directly. It doesn’t always happen, but don’t be surprised if you sign up some new clients at the trade show or shortly thereafter.
How to Choose a Trade Show for SMBs
Every single small business has different needs, which means that the perfect trade show for you might not work for your neighbor. Here are our top tips for choosing a great trade show for your small business:
- Select your goals for attending: From the very beginning, you should set your goals for attending a trade show and use that to guide your decisions. If your goal is to network with potential partners, that might prompt you to attend a different trade show.
- Set a budget for travel: Trade shows can get expensive, especially if you plan to exhibit. Set a budget for all your associated costs, including airfare, meals, and promotional products to give away.
- Find upcoming shows: Search for upcoming trade shows, limiting them to your regional area if you want to save on travel costs. Some of the bigger trade shows sell out months in advance, so if you’re set on attending or exhibiting at a popular one, get a jump on that now.
- Look within your industry: Choosing more specialized trade shows that specifically cater to your industry will increase your chances of connecting with your desired customers. Don’t be afraid to attend a more niche conference; it might give you a significantly better ROI than a more popular yet more generalized one.
- See where your competitors are going: Many companies announce what trade shows they will be attending in advance, in order to notify their current customers. Browse your competitor’s past posts to see where they have gone in the past and do some research on those trade shows to see if they might be a fit for you as well
Have you attended a trade show that you think would be a great fit for other small businesses? Drop the name below so you pay it forward and we can all learn from each other.