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Video

Exhibition Hall

Top Ten Preparation Tips when Exhibiting

Would you like to attend a trade fair, exhibition or local pop up market but the thought of attending of it and all the admin and preparation overwhelms you? Fear not ! I’ve drawn up a checklist of all the things you may want to prepare in advance of exhibiting at a trade show or fair of any kind and remember there is always a Virtual Assistant on hand to make the whole process less scary. I spoke on one of my Facebook lives about this and if you want to listen to the video you can watch here or keep reading.

At the start of November 2001 (terrifying calculation in itself), I had just started my first ‘proper’ job working for Ulster Carpets, a large custom carpet manufacturer in in Northern Ireland who make carpets for hotels/cruise ships and large public areas worldwide. I was the Sales Administrator in the Export Department and travelled with the Sales team to The Equip’Hotel Trade Fair in Paris which sells an extensive range of products and services for hotel, restaurant and catering. Attending that event was really nerve wracking for a new employee and language graduate like myself but it was also an invaluable experience and since then I’ve helped lots of businesses prepare for exhibitions from local fairs to large exhibitions in Asia.

Expanding your brand awareness should be part of your overall company strategy and careful consideration should be given as to why,  where and when or even if! you should take a stand at a trade fair or even your local pop up market. Here is a link to a list of Trade fairs worldwide that you can filter by country/sector as well as a list of the UK Top’s Exhibition venues.

Here are 10 things to think about once you have decided where and when you want to exhibit:

  1. Branded pop up -do you know the size of the stall you booked and worked out what size of pop up will work best? Maybe you want something out of the ordinary? Make sure you book in plenty of time and have time for back and forth with the graphic designer to work out text/images/positioning.
  2. Branded clothes-do you have a t-shirt/hoodie so that everyone passing by can readily recognise you? Visitors and exhibitors alike.
  3. Branded material-do you have leaflets with all necessary details to hand out and do you have enough for the anticipated audience numbers?
  4. Branded goodie bags-have you something memorable to give out to customers. I was talking to a branding expert recently who said on average a pen passes through hands of 9 people which is something to remember!
  5. Data capturing-what type of data do you want to capture from your audience? If you want to post a physical brochure, make sure to get full postal details. If you want to send something out by email, make sure to get their email and name and their permission to send it! Can you offer interested parties an incentive to sign up to your mailing list in the first place? If are conducting some kind of survey have you an online form set up via Google forms or Type form that you can simply ask people to fill out online when they are with you? Have you got a spare iPad with plenty of battery life? Remember to capture as much data electronically so you don’t’ waste time afterwards retyping (which opens up room for errors) or trying to decipher unintelligible handwriting! (like my own!)
  6. Check with the exhibitor especially if it’s a large exhibiting space if you can send marketing material in advance. A virtual assistant can help you get shipping quotes from freight companies for this.
  7. Block rest time before the event -standing all day long or over several days at an exhibition can be exhausting so try to pencil in some time before to rest and also for last minute emergencies.
  8. Block time for follows up after -one of the reasons to exhibit is getting your name out there beyond your usual audience so make sure you block time after to follow up within a few days all the potential new leads you have met-if you don’t some of your competitors might get in there before you!
  9. Arrive in plenty of time -If the exhibition is in a different country arrive well in advance the day before so even if the plane /train is cancelled, you have time to make alternative arrangements and make sure you have ordered a visa in plenty of time if you are travelling far.
  10. Dress appropriately – comfy shoes and layers are a must in case you are in a location which is either freezing or roasting! and make sure to bring plenty of water with you or maybe a hot flask and stay hydrated.

Useful links branding companies

Nettl have a range of boards, banners and signs especially for exhibitions

https://www.nettl.com/uk/shop/?keywords=exhibit

AA Promotional Products also have a wealth of knowledge

http://www.aapromo.co.uk/

I know Jeremy from Nettl through the ABC business network as he did our pop up for us and I know Anthony from AA Promotional Products through the Bizmerang Belfast meetup and can highly recommend them both.

 

If you have any questions or need help for an upcoming event please let me know

alison@virtuali. uk

November 5, 2019 / No Comments /  

How to Get your Buzz Back?

Have you lost your business buzz? And would like to get it back ? Sign up to my free 4 week course today which starts 29th July 2019. This will be the BETA version and therefore for one time only will be free. Don’t miss your chance! Hear more here

July 19, 2019 / No Comments /  
Alison on Zoom

Pressed for Time-what about conducting meetings virtually instead?

Pressed for Time? Would you like to cut out hassle of travel time for meetings and be in the comfort of your own home? Have you ever used Zoom the video conferencing platform? Do you have lots of client meetings during the day, committee or other types or meetings to organise? Maybe you want to do podcasts or have lots of people to interview for your dissertation? whatever your scenario the Zoom videoconferencing platform is a very easy and cheap way to make calls without even leaving the comfort of your living room! Watch my how to video on how to schedule and setup a call. I’ll do another one this month about what to wear/where to look/extra features and if you have any other questions please let me know
Keep an eye on my VirtuAli Administrative Solutions YouTube channel as well for other how to videos

http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_video?ppub_lang=en&msg=9&ar=3&nv=1&v=qXrnLJKg0Tk

 

July 11, 2019 / No Comments /  
Alison +Virtual =VirtuAli

Video-Real versus Virtual what term virtual assistance means

Do you know what the term Virtual Assistant means? Being a ‘virtual’ assistant doesn’t mean a faceless voice like Siri or Alexa. I’ve made this video to explain #Fatherted style the difference between real and virtual!

to explain #Fatherted style the difference between real and virtual!

 

November 2, 2018 / No Comments /  
Image of Alison

Video-People buy from people so Who is Virtuali

Who is VirtuAli? The skills I have acquired over a long career have forged the services I offer and how I now help to take away the admin pain from a diverse number of businesses

May 31, 2018 / No Comments /  
Image of Alison

Video-VirtuAli What a Virtual Assistant can do for you

What a Virtual Assistant can do for you. The 3 most common questions I’m asked as a Virtual Assistant are: 1)What is a Virtual Assistant? 2) How does a VA benefit my business? 3) How does hiring a VA work in practice?

May 21, 2018 / No Comments /  

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  • Exhibition Hall
    Top Ten Preparation Tips when Exhibiting November 5, 2019
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