Anyone who’s been to a few trade shows knows they can feel a little redundant after a while. Booth after booth, brochure after brochure, pitch after pitch...it all blurs together. Breaking the monotony with fun trade show activities is a great way to generate some buzz, attract visitors, and gather leads.
Here are five unique, interactive trade show activity ideas that are sure to surprise and delight the crowds!
1. Meet Your Match
This one is a huge hit as it blends excitement, social interaction, and the thrill of the hunt.
The goal of this game is for a participant to find another trade show attendee wearing a sticker that matches their own, and come back to your booth together to claim a prize. Here’s what you do:
- Print stickers with your logo and a unique symbol, picture, number, etc. You’ll print TWO of each unique symbol.
- Pass out the stickers at the entrance, and explain the game. You’ll want to make sure that eventually, each sticker will have a matching symbol somewhere in the crowd.
- For an added level of excitement, include an entry in a high-value prize drawing for participants who bring their match to your booth (along with a smaller participation prize).
Why it works:
Your players will keep you in mind as they walk around, keeping an eye out for their match. All while other trade show attendees will see everyone wearing stickers with your logo, and most importantly, wonder how they can get one too.
Buzz, excitement, engagement...check, check, check.
2. Major Key
Have someone stand at the entrance and pass out (branded!) lanyards with a key at the end of it.
Tell them the key opens one of several lockboxes at your booth, with varying prizes inside. Incorporate the boxes into your trade show booth design so they fit in with the theme.
Why it works:
Participants will definitely make a stop at your exhibit to try their luck, and there is ample opportunity for engagement as they take the time to attempt each lockbox. Not to mention, you’ll have plenty of attendees advertising/sporting/showing off/marketing/ your logo on their lanyards!
3. Duh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh BATMAN!
Send out your own Bat-Signal.
Spread the word that whenever your logo is projected onto the ceiling or high wall, the first 10 people to get to the booth with receive a prize.
Why it works:
Trade show attendees will learn your logo, scout your booth location, AND flock to you periodically. Pretty sweet setup!
4. Picture This
Make your attendees the center of attention with a selfie station!
All you need is a fun branded backdrop that fits in with your trade show booth design, some props, and a few selfie sticks. Unlike a typical photo booth, this fits well in a smaller exhibit. Have attendees post their selfies and tag (@mention) your company to enter a prize drawing.
Techie bonus: screenshot the selfies and display them slideshow-style on a monitor to encourage more participation. You could also print the photos and hang them up, encouraging visitors to come back to pick up their selfies.
Why it works:
What’s everyone’s favorite topic? THEMSELVES. With little effort on your part, people will be sharing photos featuring your company name and logo with their networks. You’ll have plenty of smiling faces appearing on your social media accounts, and you can engage online in real-time (for example: “Sweet selfie! Swing back by the booth with a friend and pick up some swag.”)
5. Top Secret
Send a stealthy secret agent into the crowd with some clues that lead to your booth.
For example, hand out treasure map drawings to lead visitors straight to your booth, then greet your successful treasure hunters with a special prize! Another twist is to create a cryptogram that, when solved, instructs visitors to come to your booth for a reward.
Why it works:
People love the thrill of solving a mystery. Not only will you draw people to your booth, but they’ll also likely enlist the help of a friend to solve the puzzle...double the contacts!
Fun trade show activities take your booth from “I’ll pass” to “can’t-miss”. If you could use some guidance on attention-grabbing trade show booth design, reach out to the gurus at Exhibit Options. We’re here to assist!
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