Close your eyes and picture a hustling, bustling trade show. Instead of an exhibitor, imagine yourself as a visitor to the show. With so much to see and do, you probably won't be able to check out every booth. The exhibitors know this, and they're all vying for your attention. They've all constructed their exhibit with one goal in mind: high visibility.

Now open your eyes and come back to reality. You are one of those exhibitors, and you're competing against dozens or even hundreds of fellow exhibitors for the attention of the trade show attendees. How are you going to make your booth stand out from the crowd?

Some exhibitors opt for flashy lighting and loud music. Some even hire B-list celebrities from the 1970s to sign autographs. Sure, people will stop and gawk, maybe even wait in line to have their picture taken with a former cast member of The Love Boat, but that's not the kind of visibility you really want.
You want visibility that's backed up by substance. Promotional products are the solution. Promotional products will attract attention in a way that enables you to engage the visitors to your booth and evaluate them as future prospects. Something as simple as a Wired Pen is all you need to attract visitors and start forming a crowd. Key chains are another can't-miss promotional product, especially if you choose one with cool features. The Ilite Key Chain, for instance, features a bright red safety light.

That's something wacky stunts and pyrotechnics can't accomplish. Visitors will stare from afar and move on. When you have a valuable promotional freebie to hand out, visitors will walk directly up to your table. By physically handing over the promotional product, you're making direct contact. Personal contact helps make you more memorable.

For an added impact, have a promotional product on hand that you reserve for especially promising prospects. The Milano Pocket Jotter, for example, will make a lasting impression.

The other type of visibility you're after is visibility throughout the trade show floor. You want your name and logo to be seen by the attendees on the opposite end of the convention center. That's where your promotional products start to pay dividends.

When attendees spot one of your promotional products being carried around, they'll have an incentive to go visit your booth. They'll actually be the ones seeking you out, rather than the other way around.

Nothing offers higher visibility than logo tote bags. In all likelihood, however, several other exhibitors will be handing out tote bags as well. You need something with a higher perceived value, such as the Non-Woven Sports Pack, to get a leg up on the competition.

Don't forget about post-tradeshow visibility. All of those trade show attendees will be returning to their regular lives with your promotional product in tow. Their friends, family members, coworkers and clients will all be exposed to your logo. You'll be surprised at the advertising bang you'll get from something as small as a Handy Cutter - Box Opener.

Promotional products are a one-time investment to gain high visibility both during and after your next trade show.