What IS a Real Trade Show in 2021?

By: Shelley Allen, Owner | March 25, 2021

Yesterday I got the most exciting email I have seen in a long time! It was an invitation to an in-person tradeshow! I could hardly believe it! As a matter of fact, I read through every word on the email to make sure I wasn’t reading it wrong. I’m so excited! It’s one I have always attended every year in Chicago, so being able to go back this year is very exciting!

It got my brain a-whirring. I wonder if there are any other tradeshows that are going to be held this year in the pre-COVID norm of face-to-face, in-person, real live people fashion. Google to the rescue!

This is what I found out about the future of trade show events

Experts believe that we will start seeing more and more in-person events as the year progresses and as more people get vaccinated. This doesn’t mean that virtual events will be a thing of the past. Experts speculate that hybrid in person/virtual events will be a very common type of event so marketers can reach a broader audience.

It's the truth that virtual events will never fully go away. As an introvert, I can’t say I’m disappointed. I’ve attended 3 virtual events for the promo industry this year with each one being different. None were a real trade show as we know it, but there were positives to each one.

One of my favorite new options was a networking “room” where you would be randomly connected to someone else whether a vendor or another distributor. I really enjoyed that because it’s not something I normally do at in person events. I made a couple of pretty good connections that way.

Are you ready for … spring?

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but temps are on the rise and that means spring is around the corner! I’m pretty excited about warmer weather but I am a southern girl that gets cold easily. I am always on the lookout for warm. And whether you are thinking about spring or attending a trade show, you need to get ready.

With warm weather comes lots of sunshine and everyone loves a nice pair of sunglasses on a sunny day while you’re planting some flowers in your garden!  

While I’m on the subject, don’t forget sunscreen! I don’t know about you, but this fair skinned girl burns super easy, especially in the early spring.

With all the things that you like to have in the springtime, don’t you think that others like those things as well? What better way to promote your business than with those things people are using now and are excited to be using?

Besides the virtual “networking room” for introverts, one of my favorite things to do is to brainstorm with my clients! You need to be ready for whatever form your industry trade show events take. Call me at 317-76-4309. Let’s set up a time to brainstorm.

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