Trade Show Games That Attract Customers

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Trade Show Games That Attract Customers

Trade show games are more than just fun; they're a strategic way to draw in customers and create a memorable brand experience. Imagine your booth buzzing with engaged professionals eager to take on interactive challenges. Get ready to discover the best trade show game ideas that will boost your presence and keep people talking about your brand well after the show closes!

Challenge Attendees with Industry Trivia

Put your audience's knowledge to the test with fun and informative questions about your industry. This interactive game is a great way to:

  • Spark conversation and generate interest in your brand

  • Highlight your expertise and position yourself as a thought leader.

  • Make learning fun with engaging multiple-choice questions.

    How to Play

Use a user-friendly digital platform (or host a live trivia show, depending on your preference) where participants can answer questions and see the results displayed on a screen. Correct answers earn points and awesome prizes.

Put Your Skills to the Test & Win Big

Let the audience experience your products firsthand with exciting skill-based challenges. It's a fun way to allow your potential clients and partners to:

  • Discover the unique features and benefits of what you offer.

  • Get hands-on and see the products in action.

  • Fuel some friendly competition with your fellow attendees.

    How to do it

Design challenges that showcase the strengths of your products. The more you play, the bigger the prize! Offer tiered rewards based on difficulty levels, so there's something for everyone. Provide clear instructions and all the materials your players would need.

Level Up Your Networking with a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a unique way to engage with your audience while allowing them to explore the show floor. This game is a great way to solidify your business relationships with partners and suppliers. The idea is to:

  • Break the ice and help you network with fellow exhibitors

  • Solidify brand partnerships and attract positive attention.

    Here's How to Play

Each participant will be provided with a scavenger hunt card, complete with clues that will lead them to different booths across the show floor. Their mission? To collect stamps or stickers at each location, proving they've been there. But the real excitement comes at the end of the hunt when they return their cards and win some truly amazing prizes!

Step into the Future with VR/AR

Allow people to experience your product or service with a cutting-edge VR/AR experience like never before. This immersive journey will:

  • Transport them to another world where they can interact firsthand with your product or service.

  • Spark awe and excitement with the power of virtual reality and augmented reality.

  • Create a lasting impression that sets your brand apart.

    Ready to Dive In?

To create an unforgettable experience, all you need is VR/AR equipment and one or two games. Granted, this type of entertainment is expensive to prepare, but the results will outweigh the initial costs.

Strike a Pose and Share the Fun

Put your audience under the spotlight while allowing them to capture unforgettable memories at an interactive photo booth. This engaging experience lets them:

  • Snap pics and share the laughs instantly with printed photos or on social media using our special hashtag (#YourBrandHere).
  • Stay connected with your company by leaving their contact information for future updates and exclusive offers.

The interactive photo booth perfectly creates lasting memories and spreads brand awareness on the show floor. Not to mention, in this day and age, people take photos of everything, everywhere, all the time.

Win Big On Social Media

Don't leave the fun at the booth! Take the party online and create an exciting social media contest. You can ask your audience to

  • Follow you on [Social Media Platform 1] and [Social Media Platform 2] or
  • Share a special contest post and spread the word to their followers or
  • Use your unique hashtag (#YourBrandContestHere) to enter a contest.

Regardless of the social media challenge, the end goal is simple—win a prize. After the trade fair, randomly select the winners. Inform the players that the more they participate, the better their chances are.

It's a great way to stay connected with your audience even after the trade show ends.

Take a Spin and Win Big

Adding a prize wheel to your stand has a lot more benefits than you think. This classic game is an excellent way to:

  • Grab attention and draw attendees to your booth.
  • Spark excitement with the chance to win awesome prizes.
  • Grow your network by collecting contact information for future engagement.

The idea that every spin will grant a prize is a sure way to attract the crowds around your trade fair boot.

How to Choose the Perfect Activities

Ready to transform your trade show booth into a magnet for attendees? With these tips, you can choose the perfect trade show games that will attract attendees, boost brand awareness, and generate valuable leads.

Know Your Audience

By thinking like your ideal customer, you can tap into their interests and what gets them excited. Researching your target audience to understand their preferences and tailoring your games accordingly can lead to a more memorable experience. This knowledge can be a powerful tool in attracting the right attendees to your booth.

Align with Your Brand

Consider your games as a mini-brand extension. It is crucial to choose activities that reflect your company's values, image, and message. By avoiding anything that might seem out of place or clash with your brand identity, you can ensure that your games reinforce your unique selling points and create positive associations with your company.

Creativity with a Dose of Reality

Think outside the box with engaging game ideas, but keep it practical. Games need to fit your booth space and budget. Prioritize activities that offer the highest return on investment for your business goals.

Plan for Success

Planning for success is key. Don't forget the logistics! Consider the space limitations of your booth and any restrictions from the event organizers. Thinking about how long it will take to set up each game and how much it will cost is essential. Creating a budget and timeline will not only help you avoid last-minute surprises but also ensure a smooth trade show experience, leaving you feeling prepared and in control.

Track Success, Capture Leads

Set clear goals (KPIs) for your games. Integrate lead capture mechanisms and promptly follow up with leads after the event to nurture those relationships.

Turn Players into Leads

Make the most of your games by generating leads! Integrate elements that encourage attendees to share their contact information. Offer exciting prizes or incentives, like giveaways, in exchange for contact details. Capturing leads while attendees are engaged and having fun sets you up for future marketing success.

Always Be Learning

Never stop improving your trade show strategy. Gather feedback from attendees and staff, analyze data, and identify areas for improvement. Based on what you learn, adapt your games and overall approach.

What Type of Prizes to Offer

First and foremost, focus on what excites your audience. Once you understand your potential clients, offer them prizes that are truly enticing and relevant to them. Consider your budget; you don't want to give things you can't afford. Don't break the bank! While big-ticket items can grab attention, remember that even smaller, branded giveaways can be impactful. Think about things attendees can use every day, keeping your brand top-of-mind.

Here are some additional tips:

  • Tier your prizes - Offer a range of prizes, from smaller giveaways to a grand prize, to cater to different levels of engagement.
  • Align prizes with your brand - Consider offering prizes that showcase your products or services.
  • Think about utility - Prizes that attendees can use regularly will keep your brand in sight long after the show.
  • Get creative - Sometimes, unique or experiential prizes can be more memorable than traditional options.

How to Know If Your Game Strategy Was Successful

Measuring the impact of your games is crucial for proving their value and improving your strategy for future events. Track key metrics like:

  • Lead generation - How many leads did your games help you capture?
  • Social media engagement - Did your games encourage attendees to share on social media? How much buzz did they create?
  • Customer interactions - Did the games spark meaningful conversations with attendees?

These are just some of the metrics you can consider that will help you understand how to measure the success of a trade show. By setting clear goals (KPIs) upfront, you can easily assess the effectiveness of your games and make informed decisions in the future.

Key Takeaways

Remember, a successful trade show booth is all about balance. Think outside the box, identify your target audience, and make sure your games are fun and functional.

Interactive experiences are a powerful way to attract, engage, and convert B2B customers. There are endless ways to inject excitement, from trivia to VR/AR, prize wheels to skill-based challenges!

But the real proof is in the results. Implementing these engaging strategies will generate leads, boost customer interaction, and create a buzz around your brand. So get creative, brainstorm some winning game ideas, and prepare to take your next trade show by storm! Your future self (and sales team) will thank you. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating unforgettable experiences that keep attendees coming back for more.

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Fair Point GmbH has no legal or commercial connection with exhibition organisers. Fair Point is an independent travel management company. Fair Point does not operate on behalf of or with the endorsement of exhibition organisers. It is this status which enables Fair Point to contribute independently and objectively to the exhibition industry. The names and logos of the trade fairs and congresses mentioned may be registered trademarks to which Fair Point has no claims.