As your small business grows, you may come across more and more opportunities to get your brand out there. One of the best ways to do this is by getting involved in small business expos. If you pay attention to what expos are coming up, then you can get the most out of them. 

In short, a business expo (or exposition) is an organised event that is designed around a specific theme. They include workshops, seminars, and plenty of space to set up a stand and showcase your products. 

Choose the Right Expo

The first tip is to choose the right expo for your business. As mentioned earlier, different events are catered around different themes or industries. If you have a business selling honey, then there is no point in attending a business expo designed around tech businesses. Even if you can get a place when you apply, you aren’t getting involved with the right customers or networking with the right businesses.

In order to find an upcoming expo that suits your business, you need to do your research. Find out what events are coming up in your area, and apply for space well in advance. In some cases, you might need to travel to find an appropriate business expo for you.

There are some expos designed to uplift small businesses and startups. These are a great place to start because you aren’t competing with larger companies. Also, it’s generally easier to apply and find a place. 

Marketing and Networking

Business expos are great for two things. First, they are a fantastic way to network with other people in your industry. By making connections, you can potentially improve your business. On a more mercenary level, you also get to look at your direct competitors and potentially learn from them.

A business expo is also a great marketing tool. While many attendees will be from other businesses, you will also find potential customers in the crowds. You need to start marketing your business and its appearance in the business expo sooner rather than later. 

As well as marketing to the people attending the business expo, you can also use it to create content for social media and blogs. This will allow you to mine the business expo for as much marketing opportunities as possible.

Preparing Your Display

If you want your brand to stand out, then you need to prepare your display well. First, if you can get a good spot on the site, then you will have an immediate advantage. Some spots are assigned beforehand, but some expos work on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

You also need to create attractive signs that draw people in. Depending on the rules of the expo, you might be able to have some employees walk around your spot and offer free samples, which can draw people in. Depending on the type of expo and the crowds there, you might have to use some tools for crowd control such as retractable belt barriers to protect your display. Always speak to the expo organisers first, as you need to keep them on your side.