We just returned from our first tradeshow experience. We showcased Muscle Relief Gel at the Natural Products Association 71st Annual Tradeshow in Las Vegas last week. What an experience! We rolled into Las Vegas two days before the tradeshow started so that we could set up the day before the event began. We were one of the first businesses to set up, but we had a lot of prep work to finish (stapling packets together, folding brochures, etc). It was pretty wild watching all of the other businesses slowly trickle in and set up. The large companies, like Xango and Now Products, were amazing to see. They must have spent tens of thousands of dollars on their tradeshow displays (not to mention several thousands they must have paid for their location on the floor!).
With our Kinkos banner and athletic event décor in hand, we set up our booth. The two days during the tradeshow consisted mostly of informing retailers and distributors about who we are, why we created/formulated Muscle Relief Gel, why it’s so great, and handing out samples and order forms. It was a lot of fun talking about our product and business, but by the end of each day we were exhausted!
We met a lot of very cool entrepreneurs including Michelle of Emani Mineral Cosmetics and Julie Breaux of Baby Breaux products. Meeting other women entrepreneurs is always a pleasure! Please check out their websites!
Being first time exhibitors we were unaware of the take down process at the end of the show. We thought we would just come back the next morning to break down our display. However, we soon found out what really happens. The tradeshow ended at 4:00pm, and at precisely 4:01pm the forklifts came out and the union workers started ripping up the showroom carpet. Even though we were ready to call it a day and head to the pool, it was actually nice to get everything done and cleaned up so that we could sleep in the next morning.
Overall, the tradeshow was a great experience. We made wonderful, quality contacts with retailers, distributors, and other entrepreneurs. And, we learned what we would change for our next tradeshow, and ideas for how to showcase our products better. Over the next few weeks I will be posting interviews and articles about some of the businesses we visited at the tradeshow!
