For those in the transportation industry, attending conferences and trade shows allows you to engage with a large segment of your customer base at once. It is a key strategy that should be included in the overall marketing plan for your business. Yet, many companies may be tempted to skip this particular marketing outreach opportunity due to the investment required.
Here are 3 key reasons why your company should prioritize having a presence at industry events.
- It allows you reach a large segment of key influencers at once. Investing in these events allows you to meet decision makers from other organizations that you hope to work with. Event marketing can provide you with a quick list of potential leads to follow up with.
Perhaps you are a travel bus company that wants to grow the number of schools that utilize your services. Selecting a few key conferences for athletic directors or school principals could help you reach a large group at once. You could host a giveaway at your booth that would provide you with the contact information for a large group of potential customers. It also keeps you front of mind as these decision makers are planning upcoming trips for their school.
- It personalizes your organization. According to Hubspot, 95% of marketers believe that in-person events can have a major impact on achieving their company’s primary business goals. In today’s world, so much of how we interact with others is solely digital. At a trade show or conference, you are able to meet your potential client face to face. This in turn will create a more meaningful experience that will differentiate you from your competitors.
In-person events provide you the opportunity to meet and engage with clients, providing a tangible experience with your company. Rather, than simply reading about your business, they will have the opportunity to hear from you directly about how you can best serve them. It also establishes a relationship that will build trust and loyalty in the long term.
- It provides you the opportunity to receive feedback in real-time. Smart businesses take feedback from their intended target market and apply it to decisions moving forward. By meeting with lots of people in your industry in a short amount of time, you are able to collect substantial feedback about your product or service. Whether it is feedback regarding what routes to offer or what amenities mean the most to your potential clients, this information is invaluable to maintaining a competitive edge.
As a business it can be easy to get “tunnel vision” and assume that you know what your audience wants. By keeping an open mind and asking those you meet at the event for their feedback, you will learn more about how your company is perceived. This information will optimize your offerings and drive growth.
Event marketing is an effective way to reach and grow your business. On Your Mark Transportation can help prioritize which conferences, trade shows, or seminars to attend. If staffing is a challenge, our team can provide additional representatives for your organization to ensure you have the support you need. We can also develop a marketing plan for following up with each new lead you collect at the event, converting them to clients!
Learn more about how we can partner with you here.
