A trade-only day is a show day on which only registered trade visitors are admitted. It exists at fairs that also open to private visitors on other days.
Many trade fairs are aimed either at trade visitors or at the general public. Some combine both: on certain days the fair is open only to trade visitors, on others to everyone. The days for professionals are often at the start of the show.
On trade-only days registration with professional details is required, sometimes with proof. As a result there are fewer people in the halls, conversations are more focused and often last longer. The organiser publishes which days are open to whom on the fair's website and in the exhibitor manual.
For exhibitors with business goals, the trade-only days are usually the most important days of the fair. This is where you meet buyers, dealers and decision-makers, and where most leads are generated. Schedule your most experienced staff and your customer appointments for these days.
The atmosphere is calmer than on public days. That makes detailed consultations, demonstrations and negotiations easier. Make sure meeting areas are free and documents, samples and price lists are ready at the stand (booth).
If your fair also has public days, adapt staff and presentation: technical depth on the trade-only days, more action and short explanations on the days open to all. Many exhibitors split their team into two shifts with different tasks for this reason.
For photos and video, trade-only days are ideal when the focus is on conversations, advice and business scenes. The stand is busy but not overcrowded, and we can capture scenes that look credible for sales and LinkedIn.
We usually plan overview shots before opening and conversation scenes in the morning and early afternoon, when most trade visitors are walking the halls. The guide Photo and video schedule on show day describes which time slots work well. Tell us on which day your key appointments are and we will build the shooting plan around them.
For business scenes and customer meetings, usually on a trade-only day. If you also want to show the crowds, an additional session on a public day can make sense.
Usually yes, because only registered trade visitors are admitted. In return, conversations are more focused.
Tell us the fair, dates and hall. We take care of the shooting schedule on the day and deliver within 24 hours after the show ends.
We reply within 24 hours. During a show week, WhatsApp is fastest.
