Exhibiting at a major event like the AMI Plastics World Expos is a significant investment of time, resources, and effort. To ensure you achieve a strong return on that investment, strategic planning and execution are crucial. Here’s how your team can make the most of your presence at the show:

1. Pre-show planning: tick those boxes early for maximum impact

Success at an expo begins long before you set foot on the show floor. Getting administrative and marketing groundwork done early frees your team to focus on high-value activities when it matters most.

• Complete essential paperwork: Don't let compliance issues create last-minute stress. Get your Health & Safety Assessment form, Certificate of Insurance, and any other required documentation submitted well in advance. This ensures a smooth setup process.

• Order exhibitor passes: Ensure your entire booth team has their passes ordered and ready. This prevents delays on Day 1 and allows for quick access to the show floor. Register for your exhibitor passes online and print them during the move-in period from 2pm on Tuesday. This will allow you fast track access to your booth from 8am on Day 1.

• Finalize your online company profile: Your company's online profile is often the first impression potential visitors get. Make sure it's fully completed and optimized with your latest products, services, and contact information. This is where attendees will discover you before the show. Visit the Exhibitor Resource Centre >

• Strategic pre-show marketing: Once the administrative tasks are handled, shift your focus to promoting your presence. Leverage email campaigns, social media posts, and personalized outreach to existing and prospective clients. You can find suggested copy for all of those marketing channels in your Exhibitor Toolkit, which you should have received via email. Also, use Map Your Show to schedule meetings with key targets before show day. This ensures valuable face-to-face time.

2. Smart logistics: secure your comfort and efficiency

Logistical headaches can drain your team's energy and divert focus from your primary goals. Proactive booking is key to a seamless experience.

• Book hotels early: Prime hotel rooms, especially those within walking distance of the Huntington Convention Center, get snapped up quickly. Our room blocks are already filling up, even four months out! Don't get caught scrambling for a hotel 10 miles away just weeks before the show; it's an unnecessary hassle that wastes precious time and energy, including parking or taxi fees, and forcing your team to get up earlier or get back later. Book early to get rooms at the best price and within walking distance of the venue to save time and retain your energy whilst at the show. View our recomended hotels >

• Reserve restaurant tables: Cleveland boasts a fantastic restaurant scene. If you have a booth team of more than four, or if you're planning client dinners, look to book tables about a month out from the show. This ensures you won't be eating pizza every night in the hotel room, or be waiting around for a table all evening.

3. Lead capture & booth engagement: make memorable connections

Your booth is your stage; make it inviting and efficient for capturing valuable leads.

• Set up lead capture technology: Don't wait until you're on-site to figure out your lead capture system. Closer to the show, you’ll also be able to purchase the Lead Capture app from our reg partner Cvent, allowing you to scan badges of visitors to your booth. Get this set up well before arriving onsite, so you’re all set to welcome your first visitors to the booth on Day 1, and not scrambling around trying to get the app working on the Wednesday morning when you could be talking to potential new customers. The Expo is a focused 2-day show, so every minute counts during show open hours. You can purchase the Lead Capture app from our Exhibitor Resource Centre around 4 weeks before the show.

• Sustainable giveaways & engaging interactions: Booth giveaways and visitor interactions always go down well, and if done well, visitors will remember you long after the show has taken place. Make booth giveaways sustainable and re-usable so your logo lives long in the memory of the visitor who takes it home or to their office. Interactions to entice the visitor to your booth are always a hit: free popcorn, free ice-cream, competitions, raffles. View our traffic promoters here >

4. Post-show follow-up: convert connections into business

The true value of exhibiting lies in what happens after the show. A robust follow-up strategy is critical for converting leads into lasting relationships and business.

• **Organize and prioritize leads immediately: **As soon as the show concludes, or even daily, ensure all captured leads are uploaded, categorized, and assigned. Prioritize hot leads for immediate follow-up.

• Personalized outreach: Generic follow-ups rarely convert. Reference specific conversations, shared interests, or questions asked at the booth to personalize your emails or calls.

• Distribute content: Send out any promised brochures, technical specifications, or case studies promptly.

• Track your ROI: Implement a system to track the progress of leads generated from the expo. This data is invaluable for assessing your return on investment and planning future exhibition strategies.

By implementing these strategies, your company can transform its participation in the AMI Plastics World Expos into a highly productive and successful endeavor. We look forward to seeing you thrive in Cleveland!

Register for free now >