the Cost of Trade Shows

We paid $500 for the booth rental. This included inclusion on marketing materials and use of 3 tables. There were several different packages available including different areas we could be included in. We bought a mid-priced package. We paid about $500 for our own marketing materials, decorations for our booth and freebies we gave away.

This was a bad experience. We were mislead about almost everything from the start. We ended up getting a table in an area different than the one we signed up for and were promised. The area we were supposed to be in was full so we had to go with the new area they assigned us. This area was a different product type than ours was. We were told we'd get a partial refund for this mistake but we weren't. Even if we'd been given the partial refund we were promised it would not have made up for the loss in business. We were also assured there would be a minimum number of people there that was not met. The advertising we were included on was poorly executed and the market was not saturated at all.

Do your research. See if you can find someone in a similar business who has experience at trade shows so you know what to expect and don't end up over paying. Insist that you get what you were promised.