Participating in a trade show is a unique opportunity for your company to generate new and powerful leads. While the banner stands and other items that you use certainly matter, nothing can replace good, old-fashioned human interaction. Knowing how to win over trade show attendees is going to be a huge part of your overall success or failure at any given trade show. Whether you're located inside trade show booths or venturing out of them, the way in which you interact with others can make or break your primary goals. The following tips will help you enhance the success of your trade show booths.

Smile!

Sure, it's been a long day; you may even be feeling a bit discouraged. Still, the last thing that you should do is sit there with a dull or unhappy look on your face. No matter what, make an effort to smile at everyone who comes within earshot of your trade show display. When people sense friendliness and approachability, they are likely to respond in kind. That's the way contacts are made!

Talk to Everyone

If you think that you should only target "certain kinds" of people, think again. There's no telling where your next big lead will come from, so it pays to talk to anyone and everyone on that trade show floor. People are more likely to approach trade show booths when the people running them actively invite them over. Besides, who doesn't enjoy getting a little attention? As long as you aren't too over the top about things, engaging as many different people as possible is a great strategy.

Show Enthusiasm for Your Products

People can sense when enthusiasm is forced or faked. If you can't stand behind your product, why should anyone else? Trade show booths should be staffed by people who genuinely like the products within them. Genuine enthusiasm will pique people's interest and generate plenty of buzz. There's no need to be in people's faces about things, either; low-key, true-blue enthusiasm speaks louder than anything.

Tell Your Story

Everyone loves a good human interest story. Come up with a compelling story to explain your involvement with your company. Relate it to those who stop by your booth, or use it to highlight the displays on your banner stands. Better still, share stories about how your products or services were developed. Inject a little humor into your stories to really reel people in. If you're not a natural storyteller, bring along someone who is. Before you know it, you will be attracting a ton of attention.

Remember That You're Always "On"

Trade show days tend to be long ones. When you're on your lunch breaks or when you otherwise step aside for a minute, always remember that you're still representing your company. Nothing can ruin the effect of well-designed trade show display quite like an employee who clearly doesn't care. Wherever you go that day, be on the lookout for additional opportunities; connections aren't strictly made on the trade show floor - they often happen in restaurants, bars and other places, too.

Dress to Engage - Not to Show Off

You know your industry well. Do people typically dress to the nines, or is a more casual approach usually taken? You want to impress those who attend the trade show, but you don't want to alienate them. Therefore, take pains to dress in a way that makes people comfortable with you. If your ideal customer dresses impeccably, do the same; if he tends to dress down a bit, do that, too. Your own appearance is an important part of your trade show booth.

With the preceding tips in hand, you should be ready to mingle with success. Use these tips in combination with a smartly designed trade show display to make the most positive and profitable impression possible. You're sure to be amazed by the results!