Attention Trade Show Exhibitors: Do your Homework!
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
You’re going to a trade show as an exhibitor. What should you do to prepare?
Well before the show, you should be able to access a list other exhibitors (or at the very least, the ones from last year).After a quick scan, compile a list of your competitors or other companies whose profile’s pique you curiosity.
Compile a list by owner of recent filings or add them to you watch list if you haven’t already. Looking at new trademark filings can give you insight into any new products you’re likely to see. They’ll probably be focusing on these new offerings at the show. For the most part, before companies spend money on ad material they’ve probably filed for one more more trademarks. Take the list with you to the show.
From experience, there’s a lot of down time (when potential buyers are off to various sessions, general meetings and so forth) use this time to walk around and see how (and if) some of those new trademarks, brands and so forth are being used.
Doing your homework can also help you decide what you may want to mention or focus on . With enough time you may even throw together a “me too!” component to what you’re selling!
Take Steps to Get to Know Which New Players Mean Business
It’s always interesting to track new trademark filings in your industry. To get an extra edge, try finding companies who’ve filed for the first time. By keeping an eye on recent trademark filings you can be the first to know about the new kid on the block.
Now, take this a step further. Gather all the trademark data you’ve collected over time (say six months) and see where those companies are at in terms of bringing their products to market. Have they done anything with their trademarks? What strategies have they used? Have they been successful? Voila, you’ve got a useful competitor tracking system.
