| We've all come a long way in this business. | | | | pricing, or both. There's a certain level of honesty |
| Technology is putting our ideas into binary code | | | | that can be found in a customer who has been |
| faster than ever before, and the endless stream of | | | | slightly overwhelmed by the sensory assault of a |
| consciousness that makes up the tweets, chats, | | | | busy trade show, and if you can provide a moment |
| emails, blogs, sites, and forums have reached a level | | | | of pause for them, you might be privy to some |
| that was unimaginable by many of us in the | | | | highly valuable feedback on everything from your |
| wholesale, closeout, wholesale product and wholesale | | | | booth's appearance to the general impression of your |
| industries, as recently as five years ago. | | | | product, and how it measures up against the |
| TopTenWholesale.com[ has earned respect in the | | | | competition. |
| industry as the leading online wholesale directory and | | | | • Identify new market opportunities. Doing your |
| search engine for connecting resellers and buyers of | | | | homework during the show can lead you to a |
| general merchandise in the global and domestic trade | | | | goldmine of ideas, strategies, and inspiration to |
| directly with wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors, | | | | explore other opportunities you might not have paid |
| dropshippers, importers, exporters, and other types | | | | much attention to in the past. Trade shows can |
| of suppliers. However, we would like to point out | | | | serve as a real barometer for the trade environment |
| that there is one force behind all of this that makes it | | | | in your industry, and with this information you will be |
| succeed: the Human Factor. Connecting face-to-face | | | | able to make some educated guesses about the |
| with buyers and sellers remains the number one | | | | future. |
| method of securing commitments and partnerships at | | | | • See and experience booth display techniques, by |
| a far deeper level than any other method, and if you | | | | observing the others. There is an art and science to |
| are wondering what to do about getting involved | | | | the act of putting yourself in front of an audience in |
| with trade shows, take a look at our | | | | a setting that instantly gives observers a chance to |
| constantly-updated, categorized, and content-rich | | | | assess your viability in a few seconds. Watching for |
| section on Trade Shows[ for more information! Here | | | | the successful show-stoppers of the exhibition will |
| are some highlights of two main reasons to put trade | | | | provide you with market research that is hard to put |
| shows at the top of your list, as you continue to | | | | a price on. |
| search for new and innovative ways to broadcast | | | | • Gain knowledge and confidence when dealing |
| yourself to the millions of eager buyers that are | | | | within the international markets. Nothing replaces |
| looking for you! | | | | practical experience in this area, and in some |
| Wholesale trade shows are important for both | | | | countries, you will feel more detached and insecure |
| buyers and sellers! Anticipating year-on-year trade, | | | | than you could have imagined, and that's okay... since |
| quarter-on-quarter trade, or some more detailed | | | | we all have to go through it at some point, when |
| versions of valuable information through | | | | building up our foreign lines of trade. There's no |
| trade-by-sector can be rather daunting, especially | | | | better time than the present to hit the ground |
| when you're simultaneously dealing with a variety of | | | | running, and start learning what you need to know |
| goods and buyers alike. Why not give yourself an | | | | about how business is done in other parts of the |
| advantage over the competition by being physically | | | | world. |
| present at the shows that already attract buyers? In | | | | • Train your staff in ways that are nearly |
| essence, the function of a trade show, trade fair, or | | | | impossible without trade shows. Trial by fire, anyone? |
| expo is to simply put yourself in a position to | | | | You need salespeople who are able to blend in |
| showcase and demonstrate your services and | | | | seamlessly within any environment, and the best |
| products. However, the other functions of the shows | | | | proving ground for your staff to get their rapid-fire |
| are equally – if not more – important than | | | | presentation skills perfected is to put them in the |
| this, as attendance can give you a distinct | | | | middle of the action. Trade shows are not known for |
| opportunity to observe the activities of your | | | | being a relaxing and casual affair, and your team will |
| competitors, assess the trends of the industry, and | | | | develop skills and abilities that far surpass anything |
| perhaps find inspiration to augment your own trade | | | | they could learn from a textbook. |
| model and current strategy. | | | | • Build brand recognition instantly. All eyes are |
| Wholesale Trade Shows can Improve the Current | | | | upon you at the trade show, and if you launch a new |
| Business Position of any Wholesaler! Take a look at | | | | brand, or want to revisit and perhaps reinvent an old |
| our TopTen points to consider that can help you to | | | | one... this could be a great time to get more instant |
| determine if a trade show is right for you: | | | | feedback on your project, and its impression on |
| • Find access to a large number of buyers at one | | | | exhibition attendees. |
| time, and in one space. We all know how precious | | | | • Take a fixed cost, and maximize its benefit. |
| those minutes and seconds are, when attempting to | | | | Allocating funds for your annual, quarterly, or |
| capture your target market's attention. Trade shows | | | | seasonal shows can help keep your books in order. In |
| are a hotbed of activity, and if they're handled with | | | | addition, part of the payback on expenses that come |
| the right level of enthusiasm, energy, and | | | | along with exhibiting, travel, and client entertainment |
| organization... they can provide immediate results. | | | | are various opportunities to refine and analyze ROI. |
| • Learn about markets, products, trends, and | | | | • Create an environment of trust, rapport, and |
| product competition firsthand. What better way to | | | | appreciation with your customers. This is perhaps the |
| see what everyone else in your industry is doing, | | | | most important point. You are bringing yourself |
| than to watch them strut their stuff on the | | | | directly to the customer, and this is your chance to |
| convention center floor? If you had any doubts | | | | meet most of the new ones face-to-face for the |
| about what your competitor is capable of delivering, | | | | first time. Being the best at promoting a philosophy |
| this is the chance to experience it for yourself. | | | | of great service, support, and quality goods is worth |
| • Receive instant feedback on your product, | | | | it. |