Top 6 Tactics to Keep Exhibitors Happy and Coming Back

May 16, 2014

How do event organizers keep exhibitors happy and coming back every year? Here are six new ideas to consider.

1. Strive to solve top exhibitor pain points: cost, confusion, lodging, and shipping. Discover their expectations.

2. Rewards Program: Ways to reward loyalty beyond priority booth selection: local discounts, perks, discounted sponsorships.

3. During move in and move out offer free snacks and drinks to weary exhibitors.

4. Minimize pages and fine print in exhibitor kit. Limit rules and guidelines and consolidate suppliers.

5. Consult all year long, be available on social networks, ask questions, and listen. Post pictures, attendees and exhibitors love their faces. Include their booth logos to extend their exposure.

  1. Make your event a “lead machine.” Be a matchmaker, link attendees to exhibitors.
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Some other things to consider if you haven’t already: exhibitor training – their success is your success. Provide free webinars, handouts, and checklists. Improve communications; let exhibitors know about events outside show floor. Help them network with a gamification app. And when in doubt – think free food and coffee. Coffee is inexpensive and appreciated.

If you have afternoon or evening exhibitor setup and breakdown, what’s wrong with some free beer? Nothing. Nothing is wrong with free beer. It’s also a traffic builder during exhibit hours. Build traffic on the show floor by offering free food and drinks to all – a proven winner.

Provide your exhibitors with tips that will convert those leads to sales. Free Checklist: 17-Point Exhibitor Follow-Up

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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.