Introduction
Trade Shows are an excellent way to market your company and its products or services. According to jobsinmarketing.io, trade shows were the second largest source of B2B revenue in the US before the pandemic. And, statista.com estimates that value to climb back to 14.5 billion dollars by 2024.
Along with the financial viability trade shows offer, they also provide an opportunity to meet new people, network, and build relationships. But staffing an event can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a lot of employees. That’s where outsourced staffing for your events comes in.
Organizing large-scale events requires a significant amount of pre-planning and coordination. Once the event is finalized, businesses still face the daunting task of executing their event strategy to maximize ROI.
Part of this strategy has to include making sure there is enough staff on hand to manage the booth, answer questions, maximize visibility, attract attention to your exhibit, and promote the company’s products or services. Of course, you also have to make sure that someone is available to actually close sales.
If your company doesn’t have enough employees to cover the event, outsourced staffing could be a viable option for your trade show marketing strategy. Be aware, however, that there are pros and cons to using outside people, so it’s important to weigh all your options before making a decision.
Read on to learn the 6 key ways using outsourced staffing for trade show event may be the critical element you’ve been missing.
What is Outsourced Staffing?
When you outsource staff for your trade show or promotional event, you are hiring a team of professionals to help plan and execute things for you. This can be a great option if you don’t have the time or resources to do everything yourself or want to save time and money by using someone else’s expertise.
According to EXHIBITOR Magazine Online, there are 9 staffer roles you should consider outsourcing, depending on your needs:
- Hosts/hostesses
- Promotional models
- Greeters/receptionists
- Product specialists/demonstrators
- Crowd gatherers
- Lead generators
- Sales assistants
- Master of ceremonies
Most of these job titles are self-explanatory, but you can check out our blog on The Different Types of Event Staff for a full rundown.
The Pros of Outsourced Staffing
1. Cost-Effective
Trade shows can be expensive. Booth space alone can run as much as $20,000, depending on the size of your exhibit and its location. Not to mention the costs associated with the design and construction of your booth, shipping, promotions, and all the miscellaneous costs involved.
With the cost of using your own staff being the second highest average expense in your trade show marketing budget, hiring an event staffing company could be a more cost-effective option than sending your own employees.
For example, if you sent two employees from your company to work a trade show, you would have to pay for their travel, accommodations, and per diem. Additionally, you would need to pay for the cost of their time away from work. By hiring an event staff company, you can avoid these expenses and still have knowledgeable and professional representatives working your booth.
Short-term cost comparisons are also important to consider. When staffing a booth, time is of the essence. You want people who are experienced and can generate leads quickly. Outsourced staffing allows you to get the most out of your trade show investment by freeing up your employees’ time so they can focus on sales rather than administrative tasks.
Ultimately, outsourced staffing is a more cost-effective option for businesses of all sizes. Staffing companies offer a wide range of services that are customizable to meet your specific needs, which makes them an excellent value for the money.
2. Increased Productivity
When you outsource event staff, you free up your employees’ time, so they can focus on sales rather than setting up and working the booth. This increased productivity can lead to a higher ROI for your trade show investment.
Your employees are the experts in your product or service. They know the ins and outs of your business and can answer any questions that prospects may have. However, they may not be the best at working a trade show booth.
By hiring an event staff company, you can be sure that your booth will be staffed with knowledgeable and experienced representatives, freeing up your people to focus on closing deals.
3. Professionalism
Professionalism in an office environment differs from professionalism in a trade show environment. When working a booth, it is important to have staff members who are outgoing, friendly, and know how to draw in attendees.
Event professionals are experts in generating leads and closing sales. They know how to work a crowd and can effectively represent your brand. This level of professionalism is important in making a good impression on potential customers and clients.
Plus, outsourced staffing allows you to tap into a wider pool of talent. Staffing companies have access to a large pool of qualified candidates, which gives you the ability to find the perfect match for your company’s needs.
Your employees may be the best salespeople in your company, but that doesn’t mean they are the best equipped to work in a trade show exhibit. Outsourcing event staff allows you to have peace of mind knowing that your booth will be run by knowledgeable professionals who are skilled in event promotions.
4. Expertise In Event Technology
The post-pandemic era has led more and more companies into a hybrid event model, utilizing a combination of both in-person and virtual trade show experiences for attendees. Because of this, the utilization of event technology is a critical element in today’s trade show marketing strategy. Staffing companies have access to a wide range of technology services that can help make your trade show experience more successful.
By working with a staffing company, you can avoid the hassle and stress of planning and coordinating your own event technology. Staffing companies have years of experience in event tech. They work with the latest innovations and have the resources to handle any size event. Whether you need help setting up a hybrid event or you need assistance with your onsite lead gen, staffing companies can provide the services you need to make your trade show experience a success.
5. Increased Brand Awareness
Outsourced staffing can help to increase brand awareness for your company. When you have knowledgeable and experienced event professionals working your booth, they will be able to effectively promote products and services by drawing in crowds, handling sign-ups, and directing people where to go.
The event professional is also skilled at interacting with crowds and keeping the atmosphere lively and upbeat. With all the hustle and bustle of a trade show atmosphere, having people dedicated to attracting passers-by is crucial to your brand awareness efforts. As we all know, higher brand awareness ultimately increases sales for your company.
6. Flexibility
As a business owner, you know that things can change at a moment’s notice. As Mile Tyson so famously put it “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. What do you do if members of your team have an emergency and can’t work the event? With outsourced staffing, the management company has lists of people ready to jump in and take over that vacancy.
Another flexibility benefit of outsourced staffing is not having to train new employees on how to work your booth, should circumstances change. You have the ability to increase or decrease the number of staff members by simply notifying the management company.
As Mile Tyson so famously put it “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. What do you do if members of your team have an emergency and can’t work the event? With outsourced staffing, the management company has lists of people ready to jump in and take over that vacancy.
Using outsourced staffing also allows you to be flexible with the type of event staff you need. If you need additional help with customer service or sales, or if you want someone to dress up in a dinosaur costume and walk around the showroom floor handing out flyers, you can simply request that the staffing agency provide people with those skills.
Conclusion
Overall, outsourced staffing for events is a cost-effective option that can help increase your overall brand value, as well as your trade show ROI. However, It is important to do your research and make sure you are working with a quality company that meets your specific needs before you make a decision.
For more on this topic, check out 5 Undeniable Reasons NOT To Use Outsourced Event Staff to see the potential negatives of outsourced staffing, and what you need to know to avoid them.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and check out the rest of our tips, tricks, and advice to make your events shine at The Shine Blog from Divine Shoe Shine Models!
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You get…
1. An event model;
2. A booth attraction service;
3. A spokesmodel for your brand;
4. and custom trade show marketing materials
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