Smarta Payments Ltd’s Post

Online platforms like FAIRE are a new way of doing business says Karen Alweil at Karen Alweil Studio and I welcome the competition. They’ve pushed us to improve our marketing and relationship-building, and our business has grown. However, trade shows are still crucial. The face-to-face connections we make at these events are invaluable. The stores that benefit the most are those that attend trade shows and use online platforms together. Watch the clip to learn more! #BusinessStrategy #RetailInnovation #TradeShows #Ecommerce #B2BSales #Relationships #eventprofs

Event Season...... 1. Can be tiring and overwhelming 2. Stressful 3. Can be expensive for new brands 4. Can put a lot of strain on your team if its small. But...... 1. Some of my best memories in this business happen at events. 2. Some of the best relationships I have - are a result of events. 3. Our team always grows stronger through shared misery :) 4. They allow for our team to come together 5. They are generally a blast 6. You get to conduct business and meet new buyers. At events: - Work Hard. - Be respectful of everyone including other brands. - Be very respectful of buyers and their space. - Buyers be respectful of brands and the hard work they have done. - Don't drink to much :). - Do your best to stand out by thinking through solutions that make your buyers and retail partners' job easier. IE: qr codes on your sales materials that lead to sales sheets and info. - Be respectful and creative with follow up. - Do what you can to add value to the entire community always and it will always be repaid. This was LA fit Expo right before Expo West. We made some memories. The Fit Soda and KOIOS booth had a line around it the whole weekend. #beverage #CPG #success #LA #brands #branding #food

Since the start of the year, we've participated in more than a dozen trade shows including some of the largest food, gift, toy, engineered components and other industry trade shows across three continents. 🌎    At these events, you have the opportunity to meet potential customers, representatives, investors, partners, suppliers and service providers.  Depending on a profile of the trade show, you might walk away with 60 booked orders or 100 leads. A lead can represent a boutique retailer or a global retail chain such as Walmart. Sometimes it takes just one contact to make your entire year.     Here are three major componets for making sure you have a succesful trade show:    1. Preparation 🌟      *Venue – make sure the show is a good fit and select the best location possible.   *Booth – research your competitors and make sure your booth is clear and attractive.  *Contacts – the more meetings you pre-arrange the better show you‘ll have.    2. Participation ✋    *Pitch – hone your message and make sure the entire team is on the same page.   *Samples/handouts – let customers try your product, offer promotional giveaways.  *Agressiveness – get out in the isle, strike up conversations, ask for business cards.  *Observe – take the opportunity to measure up the competition and take note of trends.    3. Follow up ✉️    *E-mail – reach out and follow up as soon as possible. Include clear marketing info.  *Call – most e-mails will not get answered so phone follow up is key.  *Close – persistance is key! Keep following up until you have a definitive answer.    Trade shows are great for meeting new customers but also for growing with existing ones. While you can not control everything, much depends on the quality of your preparation, participation and follow up.     If you are considering investing in a trade show but have questions, connect with us by droping us a message at [email protected] We’ll gladly share our experience! 💜   

Exhibiting at trade shows is a big investment in terms of time and financial resources. The following generalized formula to maximize the return on that investment is used by our teams globally. Natually, there are nuances related to specific industry, product category, market or even trade show format. Don't hesitate to reach out should you have a question related to your specific industry trade show in North America

Here's 3 things we learned from exhibiting for the first time at CHFA East this past weekend: With CHFA East being the very first trade show/exhibition we attended or exhibited at, there was lots to learn that we had NO IDEA about. 1. Walking around in bathrobes was a 10/10 idea! We were seen walking the show and tending to the booth in bathrobes and branded eye masks. While the Ideally Beverages booth was super simple, we got a tone of interest because of what we wore. People had to come over to say how comfy and fun our outfits were (talk about a good conversation starter). Beyond that, it was a great way to communicate what we do without saying a word. 2. It's not just the trade show We were shocked at how many other events were happening outside of show days. There were independent events, CHFA-sponsored events and tons of opportunities to meet with distributors, brokers, etc. So get ready for a BUSY weekend! 3. All input is AMAZING feedback We received some really interesting feedback and insights from the owner of a small natural health food chain in Toronto that changed how we are planning to expand our business (more on this later). It was also amazing getting feedback on our drink's flavour and packaging as we start prepping for our next run. Excited for CHFA West this coming spring!

Hot take: I believe trade shows and conferences benefit from being expensive for both attendees and exhibitors alike. Why? Because it creates a filtering mechanism for who really wants to be there. It cuts down on the noise to signal ratio. This is our 2nd National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Annual Meeting... It’s held at The Breakers in Palm Beach, which is one of the nicest hotels in the world. It’s $6k per ticket. $14k for a meeting table. And it and its related events run from Friday morning to Wednesday evening—straight through the weekend. Add in flights/hotels/food for multiple people, plus some trade advertising, and an emerging brand can easily spend $50k to be here. Of course, the big brands/companies spend way more than that. Last year, the first time we attended NACDS Annual, we almost backed out right before the event because I believed “there’s no way we were going to get an ROI on such a big expense for a show that doesn’t even have many merchants.” In hindsight I’m sure glad we didn’t chicken out… NACDS does such a good job pulling the leaders of the industry together that by the end of the first day of Annual we already made our money back by orders of magnitude through unlocked distribution. Alcohol-related health & wellness is a new category. Some merchants are afraid of what their bosses might think if they bring our product in. But we have found that if we get their bosses excited about Cheers, and then they bring it back as an idea that the merchant might consider, then our odds of getting in that chain go way up because the merchant has the blessing. It’s still the merchant’s decision, but now they aren’t worried about any potential internal stigma when making that determination. For us, NACDS Annual = unlock the distribution for the category/brand with retailer executives. And then NACDS TSE = present the brand/items to merchants and make it happen. Both Annual and TSE work together for an emerging brand to work with retail leaders to build out a novel category in their store. Because of NACDS we’ve gone from 0 to 11,000 stores in 2 years. And now we’re exploring Mass & Club. My only regret when it comes to NACDS is that we didn’t join earlier! Of course, while we joined mostly for retail distribution, the supplier-to-supplier networking alone makes it worth it. I feel like we’re playing a game of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” with Regis Philbin… except rather than one phone-a-friend per game, now we have multiple phone-a-friends per question!

Did you know that trade shows generate a staggering $15.6 billion in revenue for exhibitors each year? This isn't just a number—it's a testament to the immense potential and opportunities that trade shows offer. Whether you’re a seasoned exhibitor or considering your first event, the potential for significant business growth is enormous. 🌟 Why This Matters: 1) Revenue Boost: Trade shows are a powerhouse for generating substantial revenue. They offer a unique platform to showcase your products, meet potential clients, and close deals on the spot. 2) Brand Visibility: With so many attendees gathered in one place, trade shows provide unmatched exposure. It’s your chance to shine, make a lasting impression, and elevate your brand to new heights. 3) Networking Opportunities: The face-to-face interactions at trade shows are invaluable. They help you build relationships, foster trust, and create partnerships that can drive your business forward. #TradeShowSuccess #RevenueGrowth #Networking #BusinessGrowth #EventMarketing #B2BSales #Exhibition #MarketInsight

Retail events can be a great way to connect with potential customers and boost your sales. 📈 Here are 5 tips for successful retail events: Set clear goals and objectives. Choose the right location and date. Promote your event effectively. Create a memorable experience for attendees. Follow up with leads after the event. #DivinenineEmpire #RetailEvents #SalesBoost #CustomerEngagement #MarketingTips

Get Retail Ready The Food and Drink TechHUB Business Support Service are hosting a FREE Online Workshop on Get Retail Ready which will take place at on Thursday 10th October 2024 from 10am-12pm The online workshop will support F&D business at the start of their journey and considering engaging with retail, wholesale and large customers. Delegates will benefit from insight into the practicalities of trading with larger customers and some of the tactics to set them up for maximum efficiency, profitability and success. Often, we focus on securing the sale with the customer but what comes next and how can we sustain these relationships for the long term? Larger operators are often reluctant to trade with small businesses, perceiving them as lacking infrastructure and resource to trade efficiently. This workshop will help navigate and simplify these early interactions, instilling confidence in both customer and supplier. This session is designed for SME’s who are considering trading with larger customers. Key takeaways will involve. How to manage and exceed customer expectation Ensure your business is easy to trade with Efficiencies in supply chain and dispatch to simplify trading An understanding of possible compliance requirements mandated by larger customers Practical tips for sustainably scaling up and meeting growing demand. To register