Which trade shows are best to exhibit at for companies on limited budgets?
117417
The best trade shows are the ones that are most relevant to your sector, where your target audience goes, and your objectives for participating in a trade show. There may be cheaper trade shows or expos, but if it is not a place where your buyers go, then it is but a waste of resources even if it were cheaper.\n\nHere are some tips on how you can maximize your trade show participation from the article "Five Tips for Trade Show Success on a Small Budget" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol135/tradeshow.htm\n\n1. Have a sales representative exhibit your line at a trade show if you can't afford a booth and travel expenses\n2. Rent a temporary space at a wholesale gift mart or showroom\n3. Share a trade show booth and expenses with a related but non-competing business in your niche.\n4. Make over your current displays instead of buying new ones. \n5. Purchase used trade show displays rather than springing for new ones.
42299
I recommend you go to trade shows.  There are some that are just for the gift industry that would probably be helpful to you.  I've included the links to a few shows.  The best thing about purchasing from shows is that you get to see and touch the merchandise in person.  All you need is a business license and a tax id.  I hope this helps.  Good luck!
683770
Use the web, word of mouth, and see if local stores will let you put posters up.  Also, you can volunteer to be entertainment at charity or public events..that is good publicity.
1119056
If you are looking for something to sell or market then please see this company's presentation.
256518
comic book conventions or ebay...cause these are the kind of places collectors look.
513593
Go to the company websites Find out when the next demo day will be in your area.  Hit all of them and have the company rep fit you .  Do that several times until your happy.\n\nI have several of the companies web sites on my blog roll
168496
Find out what you like and a market.  You could sell scrub tops, shoes, specialize in electronics, the possibilities are endless.  There is a market for most things, and as long as you provide great customer service your business shall blossom.  Do combine shipping and donate some of your proceeds, and have buy one get one at so and so.  No matter what you sell make yourself standout.
225209
TSNN.com http://www.tsnn.com/ is the best directory of trade show, I think. \n\nOthers trade show directories include:\n\nhttp://www.expocentral.com/\nhttp://www.tradeshowbiz.com/\nhttp://www.tradeshowweek.com/\nhttp://www.expoworld.net/\nhttp://www.eventseye.com/fairs/event_l241.html\nhttp://www.biztradeshows.com/
215914
go to TSNN.com http://www.tsnn.com which is a free database of all expos and trade shows
578946
How about the websites of each of the companies you just mentioned.  Try investor relations, and/or checking out their press releases.
783577
I used to own a gift shop and in order to buy merchandise I attended trade shows.  At trade shows there are lots of independent sales reps that carry multiple product lines.  My advice is to attend as many trade shows as possible and bring samples of your product.  Meet some of the reps, see who you click with.  Some are really pushy and have questionable ethics.  Some are very nice and sincerely interested in acting as a liaison between suppliers like yourself and store owners like me.  Find reps by checking out their booths, seeing what other lines they carry and if your product would compliment their mix.  Then watch how they interact with potential customers that approach their booth.\n\nAnother possible sales tool is to go to your local yellow pages, and get the names/addresses of stores in your area that you think you would like to see sell your cards.  Then send them a cover letter with a free sample of your cards.  Envision how you would like to see your cards displayed and in what kinds of stores, then contact those stores and sell your vision.  Explain how you think your cards would sell themselves and how you would supply them.  Emphasize the good service that you can offer.  Keep track of who you sent samples to, and then a week or two after you mailed them, call the owner of the business to see if they received the sample and if they would like to see more.  You're selling by taking baby steps, which is more comfortable than cold calling.  If you believe in your product, then your enthusiasm for it will help you succeed.\n\nGood luck!!
734501
by offering solutions based on the current business model.\n\na friend of mines doing a collectable show this weekend, he wants a shop online to support after show sales and further orders. it's not going to happen. but i can offer him a temporary solution but hosting his current stocklist and a simple order form/contact page.
749753
Don't give up the day job. Start a second business in your spare time, such as selling things on eBay. Then when you've earnt more money, you'll be in a better position to start a business full-time. You'll also have some business experience, in researching what people want, what price to sell at, advertising, accounts and taxes, etc.\n\nThere are lots of people selling similar goods at similar prices. To maximize your profits, you need to put loads of effort into buying things cheaply for re-sale. For example, store closing-down sales, end-of-line clearance sales, last years model of something, goods imported straight from china, things that vary in price a lot during the year (such as christmas lights in January), etc. Second hand goods aren't much use, as you can't normally buy 100 of the same thing, and people prefer new stuff.\n\nOne business phrase that I remember is that 'You make money when you buy, not when you sell'. Your profit is the difference between the buying and selling price. Its better to buy cheaply than it is to spend loads of effort on selling things to people at high prices.\n\nYou could specialise in hard-to-obtain items, such as imported music, DVDs, books, fashion, artworks, etc.\n\nYou can get things made to order for you with your own design on it (such as t-shirts). This adds value to each item for very little cost.\n\nTalk to your friends and do research on the net to expand on these ideas.
782026
I know of a web site that you can present your items to a live audience. Best Cash Rewards is a new site in the start up that can do just that. You can book a confrence room and present your product. You are gaurenteed a viewing audience!!!\nhttp://bestcashrewards.com/affiliates/b.php?rid=1020\nThis is a great site!
472989
Try doing a presentation and a demo. Also talk in-depth about the product or service your selling be prepared to answer any question. Do tons of research first
519078
you might try attending a trade show in the USA related to your business. Or if you want to distribute directly to american consumers, advertising in media related to your product/service, or perhaps attending a conference or convention related to your product/service.\n\nYou gotta get your name out there!
432051
The best place where you can buy inventories to sell for your shoe stores, and one good source of information as well as networking contacts is trade shows. The following shows are a must for anyone in the shoe retailing business:\n\nWorld Shoe Association http://www.wsashow.com/ - the largest and most comprehensive footwear and related accessories event \nMagic Marketplace http://www.magiconline.com  - mainly apparel and accessories, though includes footwear as well\nFashion Footwear Association of New York www.ffany.org - largest shoe show in the East Coast\nShoe Market of the Americas http://www.smota.com  - held 3 times a year in Miami\nNorth American Shoe and Accessories Market http://www.northamericanshoe.com  - the 10th largest shoe show in the world\nLos Angeles Shoe Show http://www.californiamarketcenter.com  \nSouthwest Shoe Expo www.southwestshoeexpo.com - held 5 times a year at Dallas World Trade Center\nChicago Shoe Expo http://www.chicagoshoeexpo.com  - a small regional trade show held 4 times a year in Chicago\nMicam Shoevent http://www.micamonline  - international trade show for medium to high end footwear held twice a year in Milan\nGDS http://www.mdna.com  - the premier shoe event held twice a year in Dusseldolf, Germany