Want to make a lasting impression at your next trade show? At Garden Media Group, we've seen firsthand what works (and what doesn't). With Valentine's Day around the corner, relationships are top of mind, making this the perfect time to discuss four ways to build genuine connections.  

From the moment someone – a potential client, media contact, or industry partner - steps up to your booth, they're sizing up your company, products, and team. Is your space inviting, professional, and easy to navigate? A great booth isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating the right vibe. And just like on a first date, first impressions matter.

But winning hearts doesn’t happen by chance—it takes preparation. Here’s how to make sure your booth sets the stage for real connections.

Read more to learn how you can prepare for that all-important first impression

In the ever-evolving and expanding landscape of the horticulture and gardening industry, brands must seek opportunities to meet and partner with like-minded individuals. 
One avenue that provides this benefit and other opportunities is attending garden-related trade shows near (or far) you.

From the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) in January to Cultivate in July, these shows offer fertile ground for green businesses to cultivate success from many angles, from sales leads to education and scope out what is new on the market.

Feel overwhelmed? Don’t fret!

Read more about the three significant reasons industry trade shows are essential for growing and establishing green businesses and tips for navigating them!

Trade shows can bring in hundreds, if not thousands, of like-industry individuals from vendors and publicists to influencers and general admission attendees, and everywhere in between.

And we know catching the eye of folks in the midst of the crazy trade show floor can be chaotic and sometimes impossible. So hosting dinners and after-parties are a great way to connect with specific folks you want to and get them to pay special attention to your brand or product. At Cultivate this year, we opted for a Breakfast with the Stars.

---Read on to see what we learned from hosting an intimate breakfast prior to the trade show and how it benefited our clients. ---

Events, conferences, trade shows, it’s a common tool for buying and selling in the green industry. But it seems like every week we hear of another show cancelling due to COVID-19. Many are choosing to go virtual.

Yes, virtual events can be a headache to attend and plan for, they do offer some unique opportunities to build brand value and trust. The internet can be a strategic resource that can help your business pivot and adapt.

Event marketers agree (97%) — going forward, the most rewarding events will have a virtual component

Read on to discover how you can use online events in your digital marketing campaign and profit from them.

Every company, small business, family, and individual has been tuned in to the news to stay updated on the growth of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). Gatherings have been postponed and many have been cancelled. Some organizations are finding ways to move to an online way of functioning, including public schools, colleges, businesses, and churches. 

There are steps that need to be taken to professionally and successfully make major changes to your event, including cancelling it.

Read more to learn what we suggest for postponing or cancelling an event.

Social media has become increasingly important over the past five years as an integral part of your overall trade show strategy.

Social media can be a great way to drive traffic to your booth at the show when used properly. It is in your best interest to cut through the noise and not only be active on the show floor, but also active online in the coming weeks and days before the show. 

By taking a proactive approach before the show, you are allowing yourself the opportunity to meet as many people as you possibly can.

During the show, we suggest assigning someone to “real-time” social media monitoring. This person can monitor the show chatter as it’s happening, drive traffic to your booth and quickly respond to photo tags and direct messages. This is usually someone who is not onsite, but able to dedicate his or her undivided attention to reaching out to as many people as possible during the show. It is an investment in time and resources, but one that can make a huge difference in your brand’s visibility during the show.

Read on to learn five ways you can utilize social media to start spreading the word and drive foot traffic to your booth at the show before you’ve even set it up.

Trade shows are one of the best places to learn, network, garner new business, attract new customers and interact face-to-face with trade show attendees.

They are also a huge investment. Are you making the most out   of every dollar that you're putting into garden industry trade shows? 

Chances are, your garden business could be doing more. 

Mastering the art of PR at a trade show is not easy.  You will  have a lot of balls in the air if you're trying to both sell and  market at the same time. 

But, don't overlook marketing! It is just as important as selling.

Read on for 10 tips for to master garden industry trade shows, conferences and events

Garden Media had a blast at the Garden Writer’s Annual Conference & Expo in Atlanta this week. In addition to mingling with old friends, touring beautiful gardens and hosting an unforgettable party for our clients, the GMG team got to honor Katie Dubow as Emergent Communicator of the Year.

Continue reading for highlights from #GWA2016

Last week, Garden Media saw Martha Stewart speak at IGC East. During her talk, she stressed the importance of individuality and pushed for garden centers to appeal to the industry’s new consumers: millenials.

We touched on some things you didn't know about Martha in Part I of this series. 

Continue reading for Pat II and to learn more about Martha Stewart’s talk at IGC East. 

Garden Media Group had the opportunity to see Martha Stewart as the keynote speaker on the first day of IGC East.

In her talk, Martha opened up to the audience about her home in Maine, her grandchildren, her new Chow Chow puppy and all the new things Martha Stewart Living is up to.

In the first post of a two-part series, we introduce Martha’s secrets to success.