Exhibiting at a trade show is an excellent opportunity for cannabis businesses to showcase their products and services and connect with potential customers and partners. But with so many exhibitors alongside you, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. If you want to make an impression with a trade show booth that other attendees won’t soon forget, follow these great tips.

1. Focus on a theme

A well-executed theme can help you to stand out from the crowd and make a memorable impression on attendees. Choose a theme and use it to guide your design and messaging. Remember that attendees are often busy, so be direct and to the point to ensure that your brand is communicated effectively. 

For example, you might choose the theme of “health and wellness” to promote the therapeutic benefits of your products. A booth with this theme might incorporate aspects like calming colors, comfortable seating, and even interactive elements like aromatherapy or a meditation area. Messaging could focus on the medicinal benefits of cannabis products and the importance of self-care, with branded giveaways that attendees can use at home during their own self-care routines.

2. Consider your design and space

Create a trade show booth that’s both visually impressive and functional. The design of your booth should reflect your brand and products or services, while also being visually appealing and easy to navigate. 

For example, if your business specializes in high-quality, environmentally friendly edibles, you might choose a theme highlighting the ingredients and craftsmanship of your products. You could use wooden crates or baskets to display your products and natural, earthy tones to emphasize the relationship between your product and the plant. 

3. Make it interactive

Creating an interactive booth experience is a great way to draw foot traffic over to your booth and kick-start that initial conversation about your company. Interactive elements can include hands-on product demos, promotions like raffles or prize wheels, or games that tie into your brand or products. By offering a fun and engaging experience, you can increase the amount of time attendees spend at your booth and give yourself additional opportunities to discuss your products and services.

For example, a cannabis testing lab could create a virtual reality (VR) experience that simulates a cannabis testing facility. Attendees could wear a VR headset and interact with a digital environment that showcases the company’s facilities and services. A fun and unique experience like this is sure to be the talk of the show floor too, directing other attendees to come to your booth and try it out!

4. Create buzz with cool giveaways

Offering cool, branded swag is a great way to create buzz and draw attention to your trade show booth. Swag items can range from simple giveaways like branded pens or stickers to more unique items like rolling papers or portable chargers. To make your swag stand out, consider offering items that align with your brand messaging or products. 

For example, if your business focuses on cannabis-infused beverages, you could offer branded tumblers or bottle openers, so the next time attendees are having a refreshing drink they think of your brand. Here are some other examples of cool swag items to consider: 

• Customized lighters 
• Branded tote bags or backpacks 
• Phone chargers or power banks with your logo 
• Branded candles or incensed 
• Cannabis-themed socks or hats 

Giveaways that are visible on the show floor, like tote bags or hats, are especially effective for getting your brand seen by other attendees.

5. Connect with attendees on a personal level

At the end of the day, people do business with people – not machines. While incorporating cool tech and interactive activities is an effective way to draw people in, it’s still vital to connect on a personal level to truly make a lasting impression. Make sure that your booth staff is friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable about your brand and what it has to offer. Make eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and engage in genuine conversation with booth visitors! By focusing on the human element of it all, you can create a memorable experience that goes beyond just a flashy display.

What about turnkey booths?

While some exhibitors prefer full control over their booth display, many others opt for turnkey booths to eliminate the upfront work and focus on other efforts instead. A turnkey booth is a pre-built, fully equipped exhibit space that is paid for and ready to go when you arrive at a show. These booths typically include all the essential components such as walls, lighting, carpeting, and furniture – making it easy for exhibitors to simply show up and start promoting their business. CWCBExpo offers turnkey booths for exhibitors – inquire with us for the next show!

Your booth is a hit — now what? 

Attracting people to your trade show booth is just the first step for a successful event. Once you’ve captured someone’s attention, it’s important to make the most of your time by engaging with attendees and building relationships that can lead to future business opportunities. Here are some ways to do just that: 

• Be approachable: Stand up, smile, and make eye contact to create a welcoming atmosphere. This will encourage attendees to approach your booth and start a conversation. It’s a good idea to look up and forward, and not look down at your phone, during quiet periods.

• Leverage social media: Show off your booth on social media and invite others to engage with your company online. This is a great way to extend your reach beyond the trade show and increase your brand’s visibility.  

• Collect contact info: Use a tablet, trade business cards, create a QR code, or offer a sign-up sheet to collect contact info from potential leads. This will allow you to follow up with attendees after the event and continue building relationships with potential clients or customers. 

• Follow up: Reach out to leads after the event via email, Linkedin, or other communication channels. This is a crucial step in solidifying relationships with potential customers and converting leads into actual deals.  

• Network with other exhibitors: If you have a team to operate the booth, take turns walking the floor and introducing yourself to other exhibitors to build new industry relationships. You can also schedule meetings during the show and attend panel discussions or Q&As.

• Attend post-networking events: Participate in post-trade show events to network and build connections with attendees and exhibitors outside of the exhibition hall. Post-show events are a great way to catch up with people you met during the show and reinforce that first impression.
  
  

Bring home a Best of CWCBExpo Award for your unforgettable booth

Ready to put these tips into action? This year at CWCBExpo, your booth could be nominated for a Best of CWCBExpo Award. Unleash your creativity for the chance to be voted the winner of one of six booth superlatives, including:

• Best Large Booth
• Best Small Booth
• Best Product Display
• Most Interactive Booth
• Most Unique Booth
• Best Booth Swag

Not exhibiting at CWCBExpo but still want to get in on the fun? If you see a booth you want to vote for in one of these six categories, simply take a photo of it and post it to Instagram with the superlative you chose in the caption — and don’t forget to tag @cwcbexpo as well. Winners will be announced Saturday, June 3 during the final day of the show, and each will receive a framed certificate commemorating their unforgettable booth!

Bring your best to CWCBExpo

CWCBExpo is the premiere trade show for cannabis companies looking to showcase their brands and network with other industry professionals. With the show right around the corner, it’s time to start prepping your booth, designing your swag, and perfecting your pitch. Whether you’re a first-time exhibitor or an experienced vet, following these tips will help you to stay ahead of the curve and make meaningful connections.