Exhibitor Information
Quick Linx
What's included in the AAM/NBM Small Business Resource Expo?
The paramount B2B marketing event for strategically targeting the small business demographic
Together, AAM and NBM plan to make the Small Business Resource Expo the premiere event of the year. Here's how.
- Convenient Event Schedule – Small business owners have insane schedules. We get it. That's why we've timed the Expo with the attendees in mind. Allowing a more flexible schedule and less structured education time, attendees will have more time to visit with the exhibitors. The show will give entrepreneurs and business owners the opportunity to attend in the evening if they have daytime obligations; and if they have evening commitments, they can attend during the day. Or, they can choose to attend the entire event from 1:00 - 7:00 pm.
- New Business Minnesota – Brings a powerful marketing punch to this new event partnership between AAM and NBM, reaching over 32,000 readers during a 4-month ad campaign.
- Networking Reception with complimentary appetizers and cash bar. Appetizers will be placed out at 3:00 pm and again at 5:00 pm. The cash bars and appetizer tables will be located inside the exhibit hall.
- Startup Meetup – New Business Minnesota's successful networking event comes to the Expo! According to the social networking site Meetup.com, it's the world's largest group in the 'Just Start' category (over 700 strong). Connecting startups and new businesses with resource vendors, idea sharing and advice to overcome hurdles and achieve success. Complimentary appetizers will be served. Cash bar will sell beverages throughout the day. Open to all attendees wanting to network.
- Marketing Partner Network – Area Chambers of Commerce, Networking Groups and Non-Profits acting as discount admission ticket outlets to further promote the event and drive attendance.
- Promotions – The Expo promotions are underway and many people have already saved the date and will be attending.
- Workshops – Educational programs are planned with time for attendees to visit the Expo floor and meet the exhibitors. There are two workshops planned: Show Me the Money and Give Me the Business.
- Date – Avoiding other popular events in May, the Expo has been moved up a month to allow everyone to attend other events.
- Location – Earle Brown Conference Center provides a convenient location with easy access to I-694/I-94/Hwy. 100.
- Parking – Plenty of unlimited free parking.
The biggest benefit for exhibitors is that unlike large, mega-thousands consumer tradeshows, which attract the "bag-toting hordes" collecting trade show free-stuff, attendees to the Expo are there for a purpose, not killing time from work. These are the decision-makers looking for product or service vendors. It's not about the quantity of participants, but the quality. A unique aspect of the event is that the contact-to-qualified-lead ratio is very high. A typical observation from a past exhibitor:
"I have done many of the large trade shows and always track my results. I usually have to talk to 500 people to get 30 good leads for follow-up. Today at the Expo, I spoke to 105 people and got 60 qualified leads and I hear others are doing well." D. Fredell - Fredell & Associates, Computer Consultant
In 2006, the national average cost to exhibit at large trade shows is $1,274 for a 10' X 10' patch of concrete - EXPO Magazine, March 2007. The Small Business Resource Expo delivers tremendous value for exhibitors with 8' x 10' convention center booths starting at $275.
Why should your company consider exhibiting at Expo?
Trade shows offer exhibitors and a unique opportunity to meet with and present your products and services to qualified buyers you may otherwise not meet. According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR):
- 88% of attendees have not been seen by a member of your company’s sales staff in the preceding 12 months
- 7 out of 10 attendees plan to buy one or more products
- 76% asked for quotes and 26% signed purchase orders (average all shows)
- 72% of show visitors say the show influenced their buying decision
- 87% of attendees will share some of the information obtained at an exhibition
- 64% of attendees tell at least 6 other people about the event
- 58% attend only the show in which you are exhibiting
- 40% are first-time attendees
- It costs 31% less to contact a potential buyer at a show than it does through traditional field sales calls
- 54% of exhibitors do not set objectives, and a much larger percentage have no formal process to either measure objectives or report about what happened at their events
- The national average cost of reaching a visitor at a trade show is $212 compared with $308 to visit a prospect in the field
- An average of 1.6 personal follow-up sales visits is needed to close a sale originating from a trade show lead compared to the 3.7 visits required to close a non-show lead
- Over 71% of trade show attendees can authorize or approve the purchase of products or services and out of those over 70% are owners, managers or professionals
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Register NOW
Full Booth Space
8' x 10' |
Early-bird
thru 2/15/09 |
Full Price
thru 4/1/09 |
Late Registration
(includes $50 surcharge) |
| Member |
$375 |
$405 |
$455 |
AAM Partner Booth
Prepaid thru Partner Package |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
Marketing Partner
|
$595 |
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New Business MN Advertiser
651-389-3030 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
| Non-Member |
$475 |
$505 |
$555 |
| Optional Electrical Service (includes sales tax) |
$75 |
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Shared Booth Space
8' x 5' |
|
|
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| Member-(both exhibitors MUST be AAM members) |
$275 |
$305 |
$355 |
| Non-Member |
$325 |
$355 |
$405 |
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