How To Ensure Trade Show Success In Post-Pandemic?

When everyone was suddenly asked to shut the offices, close the door, and lock themselves inside the house, millions of people adapted to the virtual world. Several tradeshows worldwide got canceled or postponed, while others tried to make the best out of the virtual experience. ​
​When everyone was suddenly asked to shut the offices, close the door, and lock themselves inside the house, millions of people adapted to the virtual world. Several tradeshows worldwide got canceled or postponed, while others tried to make the best out of the virtual experience. 

​A Complete Guide To Ensure Trade Show Success​In the pandemic, people learnt that most trade shows are best to attend in person. It increases the further responsibility of the organizers to plan the best tradeshows ever. These points are the answer to “how to ensure tradeshow success in post-pandemic?”
Planning​Planning is the key to every event’s success. Whether it is a small house party or a large show, planning plays the most important role. It is a point which is always stressed upon. Planning requires outlining everything you need, where to start, what to book, who will be your airline partners, hotel partners, catering partners, etc.

Post-pandemic, flights are cheap, and numerous places are available for booking. These industries have suffered most during the pandemic, and they are all boosted up for work once again.

​Plan the venue, collaborate with hotels, airlines, and move on to the next step.
Collaborate With ExhibitorsThe tradeshow is nothing without the industry pioneers and the talented emerging players. Once you have decided on the dates and location, contact the exhibitors. Send them a mail, contact over the phone, or ask to attend a meeting for the same. Calling a meeting is the best idea so everyone can understand the ​event, ask questions, give suggestions, and talk about setting up their booths. 
​Take confirmations from the exhibitors and ask for a deadline from the rest to confirm their presence. You can then use this to your advantage by promoting which industry players are attending the event to lure in other exhibitors. If you have a certain theme in mind about the tradeshow, you can share it with your attendees, so they can prepare their booths accordingly.
Guide Your TeamFor every event, you should have a separate team that includes experts from all the departments, such as logistics, catering, security, designing, decorations, VIP services, marketing, etc. Have separate meetings with every department’s head and share the important guidelines.
Assign the tasks and ensure a regular follow-up with the team heads. Make an emergency team as well, for everything that can go wrong and how you can cope with it. A strong team is a foundation for tradeshow success.
Market The Event You must decide if it will be a tradeshow for companies, industry partners, press or it is a public event. Deciding it at the first stage is important, so that you can prepare accordingly. For marketing, it is crucial to know the scope of the event. 

​Since it is a post-pandemic event, many people still have doubts about attending an in-person show. Your marketing strategy should emphasize the precautions you are taking and what preventive measures will be ensured at the event. 
Take the help of social media, mold your marketing plan and make it attractive. Share your content, the names of the biggest industry players attending, what is it in the event for different classes of customers, the additional benefits they will receive, etc.

You can also open a registration window online on different events websites, social media platforms, influencer’s pages, etc., and ask people to register. 
Virtual SetupAfter the pandemic, many people are still wary of stepping out in public. You cannot exclude this class of users. So, make a distinct plan for the virtual show as well. Those who can’t attend in person but wants to be a part of the show can join the event via meetings. 

It will also help you In case of an emergency. If an exhibitor or team gets infected, they can be a part of the show during isolation. It is another step to be prepared for the foreseeable future. Going the extra mile for the virtual attendees can hit the right chord, contributing to your goodwill and ensuring the tradeshow's success.
Rules And RegulationsAfter the pandemic, there are stricter rules and regulations in place. If you are organizing an international event, their importance increases manifold. Talk to your collaborators and learn about their rules and regulations so your attendees don’t face any problem after arriving at the venue. Dispatch a list of the rules and regulations to every attendee team, and help them complete their paperwork. You can also create a special ​team to handle the paperwork and ensure regulatory compliance.Safety​Since you are organizing this event, the responsibility of making it as contactless as possible, ensuring that no one catches an infection, and installing every measure in place lies on you. Many people would like to maintain social distancing and ensure that you only allow vaccinated people to enter. Install a scanner where everyone scans their vaccine QR. Install sanitizer dispensers, keep masks and gloves at the entrance, and hand out the exhibition layout to them. Assign safety representatives in place who can ensure that every COVID guideline is being followed.
FeedbackNo matter how well you perform, there is always a chance of improvement. Post-pandemic, it will be new learning for most people to adapt to the changed circumstances. Reach out to the attendees and talk to your team about how well you performed as a team, what areas you need improvements in, which areas have been appreciated by the attendees, and what ​can be changed in the future. Pat some backs, share the negative feedbacks and learn together. 
​Tradeshows offer great opportunities to make contacts. Send appreciation mails to exhibitors and attendees and keep their contact information. Stay in touch with them as they can generate future business for you.   
Wrap Up​So, are you ready to plan your post-pandemic tradeshow? Follow these points, and your tradeshow will be a success for sure. Hoping this guide has answered, “how to ensure tradeshow success in post-pandemic?” for you. If you have anything to add, please feel free to make this post better.