If you want to organize an amazing event, first things first: You need amazing vendors. Empty booth space is lost revenue, and lost opportunity to make your event a more attractive experience. Here’s a list of ways to attract and retain amazing vendors for your next event.
- Know the target audience for your event and seek the vendors your customers want to see.
- Survey your existing vendors. Ask them three questions:
- What should we keep doing?
- What should we stop doing?
- What should we start doing?
- Advertise the event where your ideal vendors are looking. Where do they hang out or look for events?
- Other venues (chamber of commerce, visitor and civic centers, fairgrounds, and event centers)
- Similar events
- Your event’s website, newspapers, radio, tv, internet, and mailing lists
- Encourage your vendors to promote their participation at your event to their customers through emails, social media postings, and distributing flyers.
- Streamline the registration process with online vendor applications, space assignments, and payment processing.
- Communicate with your vendors. Make sure new vendors know where to go and when to be there. Include tips for first-time vendors. Follow up the event with a Thank You email or better, a handwritten note.
- Make it a priority to treat your vendors well – anticipate their needs and be willing to take extra time to make it happen. Appreciate them through simple, tangible, thoughtful ways.
- Use your website and social media to promote your exhibitors.
