Top 5 Ways the iPad can be used at Tradeshows

Why is the iPad So Great?

-  The iPad is an inexpensive yet powerful tool. The iPad can cost as little as $499 (with16 Gigabytes of memory) or as much as $829 (with 64 gigabytes, plus 3G). While not cheap for consumers, they are relatively cheap for most trade show budgets. When you take into account all of the expenses at a tradeshow, the iPad is a high impact bargain.

-  For less than the cost of renting carpeting you can buy a powerful business tool that you can take show to show. Plus it's useful at home.

-  For product demos, nothing else displays your content in such high definition.

-  And there are other great benefits: You already know how to use it. No interface is more intuitive—navigate with your fingers rather than with a keyboard and mouse.

-  You’re always connected to the web where Wi-Fi is available.

-  You can switch from app to app, from LinkedIn to Facebook to Dictation.

-  You get super long Battery Life—up to 12 hours of continuous video playback.

Here are our Top 5 Ways the iPad can be used at Tradeshows:

-  #5: On-the-go Product Demos Unlike laptops, the iPad is extremely portable. You can pick it up. You can rest it in your lap. You can pass it around. You can tuck it in a bag. You can one-hand it while reading on a train. It is ideal for travelers—and lots of people travel for tradeshows. Exhibitors can carry the iPad all over the booth, no electricity needed. The screen quality is amazing. The touch screen is so super bright and super crisp that it looks bigger than its real dimensions. Offers interactivity because of the touch screen – involves attendees.

-  #4: Go Green Literature Display and Distribution. Show off literature and other sales related info in a digital format. Save money on handouts that are rarely read by prospects and are often just thrown out. Email prospects demos and marketing materials immediately after meeting them, rather than giving them printed materials. iPads' large screen offers excellent readability. Using an iPad on a stand, create an information kiosk to allow prospects to read detailed information or watch promotional videos.

-  #3: Branding Opportunities Galore Sponsors can brand their logos on iPad cases, there can also be logos featured on tradeshow specific apps. There is a lot of screen real estate for including innovative sponsorships—beyond banners.

-  #2: Promotions, Giveaways, Raffles. Why not play a game to win a prize on an iPad to draw traffic to your booth? Random Digital Prize Draws can be accomplished using an iPad. Certainly for shows, over the next few months exhibitors will attract attention just by having an iPad running iLeads in their booths.

-  #1: Lead Retrieval The iPad’s touch screen, advanced capabilities, vivid LED-backlit IPS display and expansive onscreen keyboard are perfect for lead retrieval, surveys and product demos. iLeads is the first lead retrieval app on the market and is the recipient of the 2010 Breakthrough Award from TSEA. Using the easy touch screen display, exhibitors can enter attendees badge numbers, and then they are prompted to add a note, a qualifier or to take a survey. Can capture and qualify tradeshow leads anywhere and anytime, on the show floor, at parties even at the airport. Developed in response to complaints about traditional lead retrieval, in particular barcodes and unqualified lead lists.

The iPad will change the way we experience and participate in events. There is no better device to consume content and tradeshows have never been more content rich than they are today.