Without a doubt, Las Vegas is the number one place in the entire world to have a convention, trade show, or seminar. Not only is the convention capital of the world, but it’s one of the top places to do business and close deals. If you are trying to get your brand and your products in front of people, then this is the city to do that in!
People flock to Sin City from all around the world to attend trade shows and do business, giving you the ultimate opportunity to expose them to your products and in a setting that is like nowhere else.
But for all the benefits of having a trade show in Las Vegas, there can be some challenges – specifically, getting noticed in the never ending halls of exhibitors. Las Vegas conventions can be extremely competitive and trying to get discovered amid a sea of booths can be a challenge. If you’re going to spend the time and money on a trade show booth, you need to make sure you are doing everything you can to have a successful show.
How to attract prospects to your convention booth and capture leads!
A successful trade show is all about capturing attention, generating buzz around your products and services, and most importantly generating as many potential leads as you can. To ensure your time here in Vegas is more than just downing shots at the numerous after parties, there are some things you can’t afford to ignore.
Your Trade Show Booth Location is Vital to your Success!
According to one of the top convention services companies in Las Vegas, one of your first and most important considerations when planning an exhibit at a Las Vegas Convention is to make sure you pick a good location.
“The location of your booth can mean the difference between going home with a couple of decent leads, and literally leaving the show with thousands of highly qualified leads.”
We suggest talking to the trade show organizers and finding out which areas of the show floor receive the highest amounts of foot traffic.
“Look for areas with high foot traffic, that have the least amount of direct competitors. Then, make sure your booth shines. Sponsor happy hours and pay the extra money to lure people into your booth. But don’t just hire a bartender and call it a day. Make sure every one of your employees is front and center, gathering leads, answering questions, and making sure the event is as memorable as possible.”
Keep in mind, prime locations often sell out quickly, and some spots are actually reserved years in advance, so start early and make sure you pick a spot where you will have heavy foot traffic flows throughout the entire show.
You Booth Needs to Capture Attention
Tradeshow attendees spend all day walking through a sea of exhibitors, so if you’re going to spend money exhibiting at a trade show, you need to make sure your entire booth is designed to attract visitors.
“Simply showing up is not enough; and simply having a booth does not guarantee people are going to stop or be interested in what you have to offer.”
Take the time to sit down with a professional tradeshow exhibit company that can help steer you in the right direction. A good exhibit should attract attention, have strategically placed booth staff who are ready to answer questions and capture attendee information, and it should be highly approachable, allowing attendees to feel comfortable when walking up to the booth.
Don’t Neglect Pre-show Marketing & Outreach
To help ensure a successful event, you need to start reaching out to potential leads before the show ever starts. That means putting together a pre-show marketing plan that includes things like hyping up contests that you will have during the show, show-only specials that you promote via social media, and since it’s Vegas, happy hour and after hours show events.
- Integrate your social media marketing strategy with your tradeshow plans. The two should act seamlessly together to ensure potential customers show up at your booth.
- Send out pre-show invites to your prospects, sales reps, and vendors.
- Don’t forget the press: Most conventions will invite important media contacts to the show, and many tradeshows will provide you with a preshow list of registered media and their email addresses. Use this list to invite PR reps and media contacts to your booth.
Set Appointments right at the Show
Trade shows aren’t just about showcasing your products—they’re about seizing opportunities in real time. Too many companies make the mistake of thinking the goal is just to get people to stop by their booth. Sure, that’s step one. But the real win? Ensuring those conversations don’t end when the show does.
Your team should be laser-focused on capturing leads and turning interest into action. Have every booth rep or model equipped with tools to scan business cards, collect contact info, and schedule follow-ups on the spot. If you don’t have enough staff to handle the workload, invest in professional salespeople or booth models who are trained to engage attendees and convert curiosity into commitments.
And don’t just stop at gathering information—take it further. Use the energy of the event to set after-show appointments while the interest is fresh. Whether it’s a demo, a deeper conversation, or a meeting to close the deal, securing time in their calendar right then and there means you’re already ahead of the competition. At a trade show, every second counts, and so does every lead.
Sponsor or throw an After Party
Trade shows are about more than just what happens on the floor—they’re about relationships. And let’s face it, some of the best business happens when people let their guard down a bit. After-parties give you the chance to connect with potential clients, partners, or even competitors in a more relaxed and personal setting. It’s where the real conversations happen, away from the hustle and noise of the main event.
When you sponsor or host an after-party, you’re creating an environment that’s uniquely yours. You control the vibe, the message, and most importantly, the guest list. Offer great food, fun drinks, or even an activity that ties back to your brand—it’s not just a party, it’s an experience. This is your chance to make your company memorable.
And don’t underestimate the power of a good networking event. People remember who hosted the event where they made a great connection or laughed over a shared story. By investing in this social aspect of the trade show, you’re not just collecting leads—you’re building relationships that can lead to long-term business opportunities.
