Trade shows offer a great opportunity to gain exposure and emails for both business and non profits. Here are the best ways for non profits to leverage trade shows.
Have a Booth
This is the most obvious thing to do at trade shows. You can have a booth to promote your organization, sell merchandise, or collect donations. I have also seen organizations sell art work done by those they serve. Whatever you are doing, make sure you are collecting name and emails so you can convert the people who you talk to into volunteers and donors later on. Do a giveaway to collect leads. Your giveaway can be a gift baskets with your branded swag, bottles of wine, or anything that you think the trade show audience would like.
Partner with a Business who has a Booth
Does your non profit have a business that ir normally partners with? Ask them if they are attending the show and have a plan on how you can partner with them. Do you split the cost of the booth? Do you bring in an audience that the business would not normally bring in but wants to have? Does the business want to sponsor your booth and you will give them credit for the sponsorship along with tickets to the event? Can the business set up a donations box in their booth and promise a match?
The thoughts on this are endless and can be lucrative for both parties. A business can showcase their commitment to the community while you gain exposure and donations.
When you do approach a business about partnering with them, make sure that you show them what is in it for them.
Partner with the Trade Show
I have attended many trade shows that have a non profit associated with them or they rotate the non profits. Trade Show Management will donate a certain percentage of the ticket costs to the non profit and provide space for them to accept donations and spread the word. Again, this arrangement can work for both parties. When you reach out to Trade Show management you need to showcase what they will be receiving from the partnership and how the partnership will benefit them.
No matter how you decide to leverage trade shows, always make sure you have clearly defined goals that link back to your yearly goals. Knowing these goals can also help your partners decide how they can help you and what is your best move.
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