18 Commandments for a Successful NACE 2020

Promote the event like it’s your own … because it is! Publicize your booth number ahead of time with a postcard or personalized email. Tell county road officials a little something about your company.

Use a banner or banner stands that are energetic, eye-catching, and engaging. Choose words that speak to our attendees.

Proactively engage our attendees. Some engineers are introverts. (Did we just say this?) Don’t sit down. Stand in front of your booth to introduce yourself and your company’s solutions.

Show your expertise. Offer something of value like a white paper on the state of the industry, top 10 list of products, or newest trends.

Strut your new stuff. Promote a new product to draw in traffic, then also talk about established products.

Let attendees play in your booth. Have monitors and touch screens available.

Offer a show discount or special offer. Make your potential customers feel privileged.

Hand out useful giveaways to increase your traffic. Pens, hats, mugs, thumb drives, note pads. Your company will be visible when attendees return to their county offices.

Have a contest with drawings. You can announce your winners during the show which will give your company extra exposure. Have attendees leave you something in return—a survey or business card.

Give away gum or a snack in a company customized wrapper.

Present or sit on a panel. And let our attendees know when you’re presenting. We offer speaker preference to our corporate members and sponsors.

Host a meeting, breakfast or dinner. Monday night is open for NACE State Affiliate dinners. Our smaller affiliates might not have a host yet.

Pre-arrange appointments at your booth. It raises the level of importance if an attendee has a time to meet with you.

Prepare so you bring a good amount of supplies—business cards, brochures. You don’t want to run out of important literature.

Trade leads with your competitors. Yes, this strategy can be mutually beneficial.

Reach out on Facebook. This seems to be the preferred social media of our members.

Stick around to the end. Someone on the floor at closing time is serious and knows you have time to meet. It also shows you're a committed company!

Respond promptly to all requests. Set appointments right at the show so you’re on your prospects' calendars.