TOWN & COUNTRY
TRADE FAIR 2012
The Claresholm Trade Fair Committee (sponsored by the Claresholm & District
Chamber of Commerce) invites you to participate in our annual Trade Fair.
Friday & Saturday
February 3 & 4, 2012
This year we will have free WIFI for debit machines and other online uses.
Entertainment featuring Larry Ford and the very popular golf swing analysis.
Registration Package Here
Where: Claresholm Community Centre
When: Friday, Feb 3th from 1 pm to 9 pm.
Saturday, Feb 4th from 10 am to 4 pm.
Booth Size: 10’ x 6’ with electrical outlets available, table (8’ x 2’) with skirt & 2 chairs.
Security: Provided both Thursday & Friday nights.
Set Up Times: Thursday, Feb. 2rd from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Friday, Feb 3th from 9 am to 12 noon.
There will be approximately 75 booths available for rent inside
as well as outdoor display space available for vehicles and farm implements.
If you require any special requirements for equipment & accessories please indicate on the application form so arrangements can be made.
There will be an exhibitors’ lounge available for rest periods.
All exhibitors are invited to a social get together (no host bar) following closing time on Friday night. This will be a great opportunity to meet the other exhibitors and do a little networking.
We will have a few added attractions including entertainment throughout the show. A concession will also be operating during Trade Fair hours.
Door Prizes!
We will be drawing winners for door prizes near the end of the show on Saturday and we will be happy to announce all booth draw winners from participating exhibitors at the time as well.
First Come – First Served
The Trade Fair Committee maintains a policy of giving priority to booth choice to those exhibitors who submit their contract forms and full payment first.
Make sure to get your application in right away.
Registration Package Here
If you require further information:
The 2012 Claresholm Trade Fair
will be held on Friday, February 3 and
Saturday, February 4, 2012. For more
information on how to register, contact
our new email address:
claresholmtradefair@gmail.com, or
fax us at 403-625-2939. All forms can be dropped off at the Claresholm
Public Library.
The time for
exhibiting at the Claresholm Trade Fair
is rapidly approaching, and you may be
wondering if your participation will
result in enough business to make it
worthwhile. Trade fairs are events where
just about everyone in a 100 km radius
drops in at least once, especially if
they have kids. Your challenge is to
stand-out from all the other exhibitors,
offer a product or service that people
want, offer it at a real discount
(leaving a profit for you), and either
sell it right there at the fair or
arrange for a home/office close that
evening or the next morning.
 Trade Fair
Information
2012 Trade Fair Map
Trade Fair Contract
Trade Fair
Rules
Trade Fair Waiver
Trade Fair
Tips (brochure)
PITFALLS...
Exhibiting at a trade shows can be one
of the most successful activities in
which you can participate, providing you
follow some proven guidelines. Your
booth visitor is busy, may only have
time for one pass through the display
area, and typically will give your booth
about 3 seconds before moving on to the
next. He or she wants and needs as much
information about you and your products
as it’s possible to gather in that 3
seconds, doesn’t want to hang around for
a sales talk, and probably will throw
out much of the literature they collect
as soon as they get home. If you follow
the guidelines below, you stand an
excellent chance of making your booth
experience
economically satisfying.
THE BASICS...
Make the go/no-go decision, then get
started. Pay for the booth space. Arrange for Internet access,
electricity, tables, (no chairs -
sitting is not a preferred way of
selling) and any other items you need to
display your goods. You will pay more
for these, so make sure you need them.
Check to see when you can begin setting
up your booth, and what assistance you
will need. You will be required to pay
for renting a piece of carpet, or bring
your own to add a more professional look
to your booth. Ask about booth security
before and after show times. If you can,
visit similar shows in your area to
determine what works and what doesn't,
then make your plan modifications
accordingly.
BEFORE THE SHOW...
Print four times as many business cards
and brochures as you think you will use.
The show promoters will have some idea
of the total number of visitors, so use
their figures (between 1200 and 1500).
Design your brochures with pictures,
descriptions and prices on the same
sheet, stapling a business card to each.
Use color if possible. Keep your
material simple, but not plain. Send
announcements of your planned
participation to past, present, and
prospective customers inviting them to
your booth. If you are going to offer
the same old stuff, your customers will
wait till the show to buy, so make your
offer different! If you have the money,
run an ad in the trade fair flyer.
MECHANICS OF YOUR BOOTH...
Put up your own sign, but focus it on
the offer, not on your name! Use vivid
colors, lights, and movement to attract
attention. Hang extra large product
pictures on the wall. Use carpet, but
tape it down securely. Have a
video/computer running showing your
product in use. Be creative. Stand out
from the others, but keep things simple
and uncrowded. Use a very long narrow
table at the back of the booth so
prospects will have to walk into your
area to view your offer! Have a draw for
a meaningful gift, but try to include on
the entry form some valid marketing
questions that will benefit your
business.
DURING THE SHOW...
Arrange for twice the help you feel you
need, you'll need it; standing there
(don't sit) for two hours at a stretch
is about all anyone can take. It is your
personal task to visit every booth,
determining what works for others and
what doesn't. Your give-away premium (if
used) must be more than the usual
pencil, key chain, ruler, or other
throw-away and completely forgettable
items. Most everyone will have a pen or
a basket of candy as a give-away, and
most visitors will take these without a
thought of doing business with you. Each
evening take the entries from that day
and put them into some form of contact
data-base program on your computer. Send
each person a letter thanking them for
visiting. Include a different brochure
listing all your products or services, a
pre-paid return postcard where they can
indicate their interest (don’t forget
your phone number), along with a repeat
of the show special.
SELLING OPPORTUNITIES...
These types of shows offer an
opportunity for instant sales, either
right there at your booth, or for an
immediate store or home visit. Ask
everyone who fills out an entry form for
your give-away if they are interested in
having a product/service expert (that’s
you) visit them in their home or at
their office.
AFTER THE SHOW...
Analyze show results and make notes for
next time. If the sales at the booth
even approached break-even, the
publicity you receive may be great
enough to do this again and again.
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Trade Fair 2012