If you are attending your first trade show or even if you have been to many in the past, it is important to consider carefully what you are going to spend. Particularly if you are looking to save money as much as possible.

Trade shows can obviously be very beneficial to your business. However, the benefits could come at a hefty cost if you don’t keep a tight rein on the budget. There is a multitude of different things you need to cost when planning for a trade show including, but not limited to:

• Promotion
• Advertising
• Staffing
• Utilities
• Rental space
• Investing in promotional products for the event
• Delivery
• Design
• Equipment

Furthermore, by taking time out to attend and participate in a trade show, there will be a loss in earnings for you and whoever joins you.

Many of these expenses though, using good planning and preparation can be lowered or even completely removed from your budget. It is even feasible to put together a trade show exhibit or display for under £1000 or even less, meaning you still get the benefit of the networking, leads and advertising that comes from attending these kinds of events. Without it hurting your bank balance.

The following tips will help you to create and put on a cost-effective exhibit at that next trade show.

Choose A Modular Solution

By choosing an exhibition display stand that has a modular design, you can easily reuse it for different events. Although the size of the exhibition spaces will change from event to event, you can easily adapt this kind of design, meaning you will save money and it will essentially pay for itself eventually.

Switch-up The Graphics You’re Using

It can cost a lot of money to completely change your whole system. With that in mind, if you feel your graphics are tired and need to be updated, just change them rather than the whole thing.

Advertise on Social Media

Social media, like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Pinterest can be used as free advertising for your appearance at trade shows.

Find and Use Royalty-Free Images

Rather than pay a graphics editor lots of money or a photographer to create images for your designs, you could find and use royalty-free images instead.

Avoid Using Reps for Your Exhibit

Reps don’t know your business as well as you or your staff, so avoid using them. Either do it yourself or train your own stand to represent your company, brands and products or services at the event.

Avoid Investing in Unnecessary Promotional Products and Items

Rather than spending money on cheap and often tacky print and giveaways, you should create an email signer. Then, after the event, you can follow up on potential leads directly with your list of contacts.

Order Everything You Need as Far in Advance as Possible

If you are shrewd and order things well in advance weeks or even months before the event, you will not have to pay express delivery charges.

Keep an Eye Out for Discounts and Offers

In the run-up to the event, you may find that you are able to benefit from special discounts and offers for both the exhibition space itself and the stands you need to purchase or hire.

Only Participate in Local Trade Shows

Last, but certainly not least, rather than spending a lot on accommodation and travelling, always aim to attend and participate in trade shows within the local area.