Swapcard’s Post

Exhibitors are leaving money on the table: leads go untouched, meetings unanswered, and profiles left half-empty. 👇 Here’s how to turn those missed chances into real ROI.

Every Moment Matters… But you have to believe that At tradeshows, there’s always that quiet moment when attendees are in their sessions. Exhibitors face a choice: 👉 Do I stay at the booth, just in case? 👉 Or do I use that time for something else? The same thing happens on social media. As a company, you have the choice every day create content that shares how you’re helping those you serve… or sit back and watch while others do it. Last week at Exchange 2025 powered by Smile Source, I saw this play out in real life. I stopped by the exhibit hall when it was almost empty. Just one doctor was walking through, and he ended up at one booth..Maritza De La Cruz - Alford’s booth with Phoenix Imaging. That conversation mattered. That moment mattered. And that’s the thing Most of the time, the difference between being seen or not, building a relationship or not, comes down to showing up even when it feels small. One conversation. One post. One connection. It all adds up. Ari Kontkanen

Ever notice how the word 'event' means different things to different people? I see this confusion daily in our industry: → Trade shows with hundreds of booths → Conferences packed with content → Galas with single focal moments All called 'events' but completely different beasts. This matters because: - Wrong tools get purchased - Features get oversold - Success becomes hard to measure And don't get me started on 'exhibitors' vs 'sponsors': → Conference sponsors drive visibility → Trade show exhibitors drive conversation → Hybrid events blur lines even more The solution? Start with clear definitions. Match tools to actual needs. Measure what matters. Because when language is clear everyone wins: - Organizers deliver better experiences - Vendors position tools correctly - Participants see real value Thoughts?

Here’s what happened when a contact told me how implementing exhibitor lead capture for the first time at their annual conference was used: 👉 A third of exhibitors loved it. 👉 Two-thirds ignored it. Why? Because exhibitors are short on time, sceptical of “new processes,” and fall back on what feels safest: yes paper forms and business cards are still a thing! (Notice this had nothing to do with the tool itself). In other words, adoption more often than not isn’t a feature problem, it’s a behaviour problem. What actually helps: ✅ A short pre-event demo that shows how scanning/export works in under 10 minutes ✅ A simple booth-day checklist to keep it top-of-mind ✅ A follow-up guide that proves ROI within days, not weeks When exhibitors see value quickly, the switch to digital becomes obvious. Although digital lead capture has been around for many years, many events still haven’t made the leap! Do you offer sponsor and exhibitor lead capture at your events, what finally tipped the scales for you? A couple of ideas that may help drive adoption at your next event! 👇

🔍 What’s Really on Your School’s Energy Bill? As a K-12 administrator, you know #energy costs eat a big slice of the budget. But here’s the harder question: what’s the cost of inaction each month? Join our webinar to explore how districts are uncovering hidden costs, turning bills into insights, and redirecting dollars back to classrooms. 📅 Reserve your spot today! Sept. 12th 9:00am. CST #K12Education #SchoolBusinessOfficials #EnergyEfficiency #DataAnalytics #SchoolDistricts

Your attendees don’t want the event to end… and now, it doesn’t have to. ✨  Our latest whitepaper explores how to transform one-off events into thriving 365-day communities. Inside, you’ll find strategies, real-world case studies, and practical insights to maximise ROI through the ROE (Return on Events) model. Download the whitepaper now. Link in the comments section. 👇

Early planning is the simplest ROI lever most exhibitors still ignore. Forbes makes a straightforward point: 📋 Plan months ahead and you improve booth placement, visibility, and results. The piece is from June, not breaking news, but the principle is still shaping outcomes this season. In practice, “early” is not a mood. It is a calendar decision. What we don’t plan will not happen. Early choices also unlock the hidden 30% many teams never tap. ✔️ ✔️ Two quick moves: 1. Reserve your space 9–12 months in advance and trade for a position near traffic magnets (main stage, coffee, primary aisles). 2. Lock your activation plan now: one memorable micro-experience, one clear lead-capture path, one off-booth meeting strategy. If you want a fast sanity check before your next show, I’m happy to weigh in. Which decision could you move forward this week? Source: Forbes, “How To Maximize Trade Show ROI—In Public Relations And Beyond,” Nancy Marshall, June 3, 2025.

Are you feeling the pressure to demonstrate ROI for your events? It's a common challenge. Data is the key to proving value and enhancing participant experience, but knowing which metrics truly matter can be a minefield. Join Ade Allenby and Chloe Richardson on Wednesday, 24th September for Grip's latest webinar. Learn how to move beyond vanity metrics and use data to craft powerful experiences that deliver genuine commercial success. Don't miss out. Register for the webinar here: https://hubs.ly/Q03Hk89X0 #EventProfs #EventTech #DataDrivenEvents #Webinar #Events #Eventmarketing

Thinking about Post-Event ROI Measurement? The work doesn’t stop when your event ends. The real challenge is in measuring and maximising the ROI after the fact. Are you analysing your event data, evaluating it against your KPIs, and calculating the true value generated? Our guide offers a step-by-step approach to ensure you capture every bit of value your event has created. Don’t just plan events—plan for success. Check out our latest insights! https://lnkd.in/ediGYaDn #EventROI #PostEventAnalysis #EventSuccess

Hey #EventProfs, can you give me a hand and some 10-ish mins of your time? We are running our annual Meetings Market survey, and it's important to have your voice reflected so that we can build a realistic industry benchmark. Help me and the team out! The link is below 👇