5 Tips to Make Your Booth a Hit at the National Restaurant Association Show
Read time: 3 minutes
The National Restaurant Association show is where the who's who of the food industry gather to showcase innovation and ideas. But with over 2,000 exhibitors, it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd. However, don't worry, because we've got you covered with five tips to make your booth the talk of the town!
1. Make Attendees the Hero
Remember, attendees are the reason you're there. So, it's essential to focus on them and their needs. Give them a compelling reason to stop by your booth and spend their precious time with you. Let them know how your product or service can make their lives easier and help them solve their challenges. Engage with them and make them the center of your story, and you'll leave a lasting impression.
2. Offer Something Enticing
Ditch the cheap merch that ends up in the trash and opt for something that excites and entices attendees. Your offerings can be interactive, exclusive, or even educational, rather than just material. Let attendees know why they can't miss your booth, and make it clear and easy for them to understand what's in it for them.
3. Engage Before the Show
Don't wait until the show to start connecting with attendees. Reach out to your audience through social media, email, or customer lists to create buzz before the event. Share teasers of what they can expect at your booth, and encourage attendees to recommend their favorite restaurants and bars in the area. By engaging with your audience before the show, you'll spark interest and build anticipation.
4. Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
Your booth should be a haven where attendees can feel comfortable and engage with your brand. Offer quality seating, charging stations, or other amenities that will make attendees feel some genuine hospitality. Ensure your staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable, ready to answer questions and provide information. Strike a balance between creativity and professionalism which is memorable and meaningful.
5. Capture Content
Your booth is a golden opportunity to create social media-worthy content. Plan ahead to capture photos and videos that showcase your brand and the attendees interacting with your booth. Encourage user-generated content by creating photo opportunities, and don't forget to livestream and live-post your booth activities. Be sure to use relevant hashtags and engage with those posting from the show to increase your visibility.
In conclusion, by following these five tips, you'll be well on your way to making your booth a hit at the National Restaurant Association show. Remember to focus on the attendees, offer something enticing, engage before the show, create a welcoming atmosphere, and capture content. By doing so, you'll accomplish your goals and set yourself apart from the competition.
*Bonus Booth Ideas
Live cooking or beverage demo
Unique themes - beach party or a futuristic lounge
Custom cocktails or food samples (not just cheap fried food)
Use technology to create a virtual or augmented reality experience
Have a content booth with props that relate to your business
Engage with games, contests or quizzes
Restaurant Idea Factory is a weekly current affairs and breaking news show hosted by industry leading disruptors and content creators, Jensen Cummings, Shawn Walchef and Kyle Inserra.
Their combined content stats have exceeded 100 Million+ Online Engagements, 18 Million+ Episode Views, 760,000+ Downloads, 215,000+ Social Audience.
The RIF crew also produces Restaurant Influencers, Digital Hospitality, Best Served Podcast and the National Restaurant Owners Podcast
