Page 202 - 597 Business Ideas You can Start from Home - doing what you LOVE! (Beginner Internet Marketing Series)

Step 1 0. Prep for the Trade Show 1 95

there is no guarantee that those buyers will be there or that
they will stop at your booth if they are, but it is important
to see the names of the companies that usually attend. If
you are lucky enough to receive a list like this, try to make
appointments with buyers to introduce your line. Buyers
like to see new things at shows. Many times the trade-show
company will pay for the big name buyers to attend the
show and offer them premium travel and hotel arrange­
ments as well. This way they can promote the fact that these
buyers come to their show.
5. Stop by your local (or call the nearest big city's)

Merchandise Mart, which offer permanent showrooms.

These buildings are full of rep group showrooms (retailers
come into the building to see new products from a variety
of companies all under one roof) that display all different
types of product lines. Sometimes these Marts have their

own shows within the bUilding. (Visit www.merchandise
martproperties.com for more information.) Walking through

the Mart can be a great experience because you can go into
the showrooms and talk to the rep groups. You may need
credentials to get into the building; call the local Mart to
find out.

Here are some websites for Marts in the major trade­
show cities:

• www.lamart.com (Los Angeles)
• www.americasmart.com (Atlanta)
• www. merchandisemart.com (Chicago)
• www.41madison.com (New York)
• www.lasvegasmarket.com (Las Vegas)

Also consider timing when choosing a show. Industry trade
shows tend to be scheduled at the same time every year. The venues
change for some shows, but the timing is usually the same.