Year after year since its inception in 1995, METALTECH MALAYSIA (MTM) has been THE event for the machine tool and metalworking industry. It has now re
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A business owner would need to gain as much exposure as possible. Expos and trade shows are ideal platforms to do that because you will be able to connect with a lot of traffic and among those who would be potential customers for your business. There are several types of events and expos that are available for businesses and joining the right ones will be crucial. This is because you need to plan ahead on what you want to showcase and if your products are relevant to your customers.
Calendar of Events
First you need to check your calendar. Then consider where the events will be held.
- Most convention centres and expo buildings will have a full-year of events planned out. Check and see if they are relevant to your business
- Consider joining the events that you have shortlisted
- Work out the cost involved and then the time needed to get prepared
Resources
As a business, everything you do out of your ordinary selling process will incur cost. When you join an expo, you will need cost for:
- Rental of space – This depends on the location and the duration of the expo
- Manpower – If the expo is very high traffic, you will need to employ more people to man the booth
- Location – Is it local or overseas? That will affect your cost tremendously
- Transportation – Both for manpower and the goods, to and from the location of the expo
Trade Expos
There are various types of expos and trade shows. In fact, not all shows are selling events. You need to consider:
- If it is a trade event, the concept is to map your business with suppliers or other businesses
- Trade event is meant for you to network and expand your business, not so much about selling yet
- You will naturally try to create more awareness and to tell more parties about your business
- Some trade expos are more concentrated in certain industries than others
Consumer Expos
This type of expos are mostly used for selling. Visitors to the expos are those who are ready to buy through cash-and-carry transactions. Among the popular types of expos in this category are Motherhood, parenting and gadgets, among others. If you join this expo, you will most likely:
- Be ready to sell, sell and sell
- Order a lot of stock for a spike in your sales during the expo
- Provide all types of transactions including credit card
- Mostly involve fast moving goods and products
- A great place to clear your aging stocks
Services Expo
This type is very focused in a specific industry. In most cases, you will want your customers to either buy your services or be able to know what you have to offer. Services that are popular include:
- Education
- Travel and tourism
- Hospitality and medical tourism
- Banking and Finance