The pandemic has everyone on edge and nervous that close contact will cause the virus to spread further. Fist bumps, elbow bumps, handshakes, and high fives are just a few of the social victims of COVID-19. Keeping people safe is the top priority of event organizers, and trade shows are no different. There are many different ways that you can interact with your clients that don’t include close contact.
The Future of Trade Shows Post COVID-19
Are trade shows hanging in the balance? Not exactly, although mass gatherings are still a touchy subject among the general populace. The events industry goes to great lengths to ensure that all trade show attendants are safe and secure from the moment they step foot in the auditorium to the minute they leave. As an extension, booth operators should have a plan of action when it comes to client interaction. Shaking hands and having a candid conversation in person is more difficult when you’re social distancing in a big crowd of people. When you add masks, sanitation rules, and a barrage of safety information to the mix, people are liable to get confused quickly.
Trade shows will evolve and many people will do away with traditional handshakes. We will see more open space, more virtual events, and broader trade show floors to provide adequate movement and setup room. It’s up to you how creative you get with your handshake alternatives, but various choices convey the same meaning without the physical contact.
Live Long and Prosper
There are many different alternatives to handshakes, both physical and metaphorical, that you could use during a trade show to bring in more prospects. Many of these options don’t require physical interaction either, keeping everyone safely spaced while still providing some measure of face-to-face interaction.
The first option is LeadConnect, Gateway’s own digital lead generation tool. Using LeadConnect, you can have visitors and potential clients wirelessly sign up during live events or online shows to be a part of your marketing list. These are fully customizable and provide you with a method of reaching out and tracking any visitors to your booth without a sign-in sheet or a complicated application.
The second method involves digital content delivery through methods such as RFID technology. Using beacons, radio frequency identification allows you to log and track visitors to your booth, giving you a comprehensive list of future clients and allowing them the option of opting into your marketing services or not.
Third, facial recognition can be used to categorize and recognize prospects. This allows you to easily sort users between current clients, potential customers, and those that refuse to join your service lines.
Finally, digital signs and online booths are an option that allows minimal physical interaction with the same marketing energy as before. They don’t need to be in the same room to understand your services, so provide them with flashy marketing materials and online avenues to connect and learn about the solutions you offer, germ-free.
There are many different alternatives to handshakes, both physical and metaphorical, that you could use during a trade show to bring in more prospects. Many of these options don’t require physical interaction either, keeping everyone safely spaced while still providing some measure of face-to-face interaction.
Worry-Free Guarantee
Gateway understands the necessity of personal interaction in a trade show setting. You can’t draw in potential clients without getting to know them, but when you don’t know how to begin the conversation safely, it quickly gets tricky. When you need trade show advice, asset assistance, or marketing expertise, Gateway is the expert to lean on. We have a wide variety of services tailored to our clients’ needs, from storage and shipment to booth setup and LeadConnect, our sales assistance asset that helps your lead generation soar without the need for physical interaction or lengthy sign-up requirements. When you’re ready to see the future of trade shows with your own eyes, contact Gateway.
