Tradeshows are the most cost effective and efficient way for B2B suppliers to find new customers, showcase new products and speed-up the selling cycle. Making sure that your tactical execution matches your business goals is critical to make sure the "right buyers" visit your tradeshow or convention booth and to contain costs.

Find new sales prospects/leads--tradeshows are much more effective than "cold calls" and are an ideal complement to search marketing, social media, email marketing and direct mail.

Tradeshows are a most versatile marketing tactic:

• Demonstrate new products--single set up saves time and money.
• Find new customers--have them come to you at the event.
• See current customers--saves sales force time and travel expense.
• Reconnect with prior customers
• Recruit distributors or new employees--save recruiting time and expense.
• Conduct sales force/distributor training--save costs of setting up separate meetings.

Howard's Top 10 Ideas for Tradeshow Exhibitors: