Trade Show Displays > Trade Show Tips > Get Out of Your Rut

Get Out of Your Rut

Want to shake things up in your trade show program, but are so deeply stuck in a rut that you can't see outside it? Start first by shaking up your own daily routine, treating your senses, and jump-starting your brain with some experiments that will invigorate you and add fuel to your resourcefulness:

Drive a different way to work
Chances are, there are several viable ways to drive from home to your desk you never take. Get out the map or go to www.mapquest.com and plot a new route. You'll see shops, buildings, and sights you never knew -- and they're all in your home town! You may even find a faster way to get to work. But even if your commute is few minutes more, it will be worth it for the whole new perspective.

Listen to a different radio station
Do you push the same few buttons on your car radio? Try stations further up or down the dial. Always on FM? Try AM and its multitude of talk radio. Or go to the internet ( tvradioworld.com ) and experiment with some fresh sounds you can't always get from AM and FM, like World Music or College Radio. You can even listen to a local radio station from across the country or across the world (like, in the city of your next major show). You'll hear new things, instead of the same-old, same-old.

Try a new restaurant, or a new dish at an old one

We dull our taste buds (and experiences) by blindly going to the tried-and-true restaurants. Instead, ask a co-worker to lunch you never eat with to take you to their favorite restaurant, and try their usual, rather than yours. Or, instead of looking at the menu, ask the waiter what's his or her favorite dish they serve. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Feel good? Like the rejuvenation that comes with exploration? Now apply the same motivational energy to your trade show program:

Find new shows to exhibit at

Look at new shows to exhibit at with those fresh eyes of yours. If you only go to your big national industry show, try a major show in your best vertical market. The audience may be smaller, but higher quality. Or ask your management what countries they want to expand sales and distribution in, and find shows in those countries with tsnn.com. You'll surprise - and impress - your management.

Consider a different size exhibit

Did your last booth feel too cramped, but you just ignored it? Did you have too many prospects for the space during the rush times? Perhaps you should try a larger booth space. You can experiment by renting the add-on exhibit property you need, or even renting an entire larger exhibit. Remember, if you're in a 20' x 20' island, you're in the same space as a 10' x 40' inline, but you get twice the aisle space.

Try a new promotion

Put away the fishbowl and get creative with a promotion that will attract more attendees and reinforce your brand and marketing message. Or, stash in your booth a smaller number of higher-quality giveaways that you give to thank your best customers. You'll be surprised at the new business opportunities they suddenly remember to tell you about once you've given them their treat.

Take your new willingness to experiment into other areas of your trade show program. Recruit staffers from a new area of your company, like Customer Service. Ask your boss, or your boss's boss what information they'd like you to include in your post-show summary reports. Keep looking for ways to experiment - and improve.

Remember, if you don't try something new, you're actually falling behind. Get out of your rut, and into a groove!

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