Setting up a Booth at a Local Sales Meeting 3

[waytsh]

I have been asked by a local manufacturer to set up a booth for my engineering firm at their annual sales meeting. I can't say that I have seen any engineering firms do such a thing. Are there any regulations against this? Obvioulsy I would not present any false advertising and would only be stating the name of the firm and the services offered. I would appreciate any input on this matter.

Thanks,

 

[greenone]

This is what trade shows are all about! Depending on the audience, it can be a waste of time, or a way to get your firm's name out there.
I see lots of engineering firms doing this.

 

[waytsh]

I think the audience is going to be pretty good both as far as size and as far as companies that will be looking for services like mine.

 

[JStephen]

It's not at all uncommon for consultants to have displays/ booths at trade shows where there is an appropriate audience.

As far as legalities go, check the wording of stuff to make sure you're not offering services in places you're not licensed.

 

[IRstuff]

You should also come up with a display with some "punch." A couple of guys just sitting there at the booth is rarely an inviting scenario.

TTFN

Eng-Tips Policies FAQ731-376

 

[MiketheEngineer]

ONE of the best ways to get business....

Have a nice booth or table - clean and bright
Have Good literature - and too much may not be enough.
Have many business cards handy
Dress accordingly - coat and tie maybe - depending on your audience.
Wear rubber soled shoes if you will be standing on concrete all day.
Drink lots of water
Eat a few snacks - peanuts, rasins, etc
Know your product!!
AND don't be afraid to stick your hand out and introduce yourself!!


Did it for years!!! Good Luck

 

[zdas04]

I go to a lot of these things (as a visitor, not in a booth) and they are a grown-up version of Halloween. You see all these staid professionals running around with a bag collecting tons of letter opener's, pens, and other useless crap. One engineering firm had a great response to giving away canvas bags with their logo on them. I pulled one out this week (I must have picked it up 6 years ago) and got their phone number off it. I hired them for about $10k of work that I didn't have the resources to do.

I see engineering consultants at these things all the time. Some do a great job of presenting themselves and the shows are worth the money. Others do a lousy job and should have stayed home.

David

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

http://www.muleshoe-eng.com

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

The harder I work, the luckier I seem

 

[IRstuff]

Longest line I EVER saw at a trade show was to get an autographed photo of a Playmate of the Month.

TTFN

Eng-Tips Policies FAQ731-376

 

[SomptingGuy]

Take a piece of recognisable hardware as a talking point.

 

[zdas04]

It used to be that the longest line at any tool show was the Rigid Tool Calendar. In today's PC world I'm not sure they still make it.

David

 

[JStephen]

The calendar is still out there- note the spelling of "Ridgid".

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Calendar/

Generally, the engineering type shows tend to be pretty professional, and a "booth babe" (Dogbert's term) that wasn't familiar with the product wouldn't fit in too well.

 

[jmw]

At one trade show two of the biggest competitors were right opposite each other and it was like being in a war zone... great entertainment value. Of course, it being the nature of things, one company boutght the other a few years later and you can guess what happened to the combatants from the losing side.
The best draw was a year or so ago when one stand (marine radar or something) had this great blond sax player come out and play every so often. Boy she was hot.
But in general, always have some give-aways. I attend enough of these things that I haven't had to buy a pen in the last 20 years.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com