Social media, the growing phenomena that has captured the attention of the world - is your next greatest tool for driving traffic to your tradeshow booth. Let's look at how some businesses have successfully connected with their target audience and increased the number of prospects visiting their tradeshow booth:

 The Twitter Hashtag (#) method of organizing the up-to-the-minute conversation about your company and the convention allows you to communicate with your target audience. Here are just a few tips:

Weeks before the event, create a unique hashtag title and every time you mention the upcoming convention and your company's participation - make sure to include the hashtag. (ex. #exhibitsusaPHX)

• Tweet about your booth number and placement within the convention hall.
• Leave hints about your show discounts and offer special incentives to your Twitter followers.
• Create excitement by asking who will attend and asking for a retweet of your message.
• Tweet about the special programs that will occur during the convention; will the Batmobile be there? Are the Monkees making a come back during the lunch hour? With each message, include your unique hashtag.
• During the event, send out messages that include your booth number and offer hourly contests, incentives, discounts, etc. to drive traffic to your tradeshow booth.
• Invite attendees to tweet their comments about the event and your company.
• Take pictures of your tradeshow booth, large format graphics and attendees visiting your exhibit and include them in your messages .

Four Square is a destination social networking site that allows visitors to "check in" when they arrive at a location. Businesses can create destination Four Square pages, which work great for your business location; however, you can also create a Four Square brand page.  Create a brand page with information about your company, the location of the convention center, the date of the event and your tradeshow booth number.

Invite participants to visit your booth by offering incentives for Four Square participants.

"The first person to say the word 'peppermint' in our tradeshow booth receives a 25% discount of their purchase."

If your tradeshow exhibit will be over several days, communicate a different product or service focus for each day so that participants will be encouraged to visit your tradeshow booth multiple times over the course of the event.

Each time a participant signs in; they can leave a comment about your business and even include a picture!

YouTube.Once participants are in your booth, capture their visit on your Flip cam or other video recording device.

Existing customers that visit your booth may be willing to provide a brief (30 seconds to one minute) video testimony about your services and/or products. Always ask permission and have them sign a simple photo release form that allows you to use their testimonial.

Honest, unscripted video testimonials are a great way to build brand awareness and credibility. These casually produced videos will also help promote your participation in a similar tradeshow event in the future.

Upload the photo to your YouTube channel, Facebook page, Twitter feed or website.

Social media is used by more people in the United States and around the world than any other form of communication. Why not tap into its power to promote your brand and your tradeshow participation?

Have you used Twitter or another social site to increase tradeshow traffic. We'd love to hear your story. Leave your story on our Facebook page or email us at info@exhibitsusa.com.