A great way of attracting people to your trade show display is through sense of smell.

1. Attract Visitors to Your Trade Show
Exhibit with Smell
Kristin Hovde
Smash Hit Displays

2. Having trouble getting people to your
booth?
 Sense of smell is a powerful tool
 Allows you to get attention from across the
trade show floor
 But be careful… some scents may be
offensive

3. Some scents to be cautious of
 Fresh cut flowers or grass – Some people
may have allergies, so this may cause
attendees to run from your display instead of
drawing them in.
 Perfumes – Some perfumes may be too
overpowering for some people. What you
think is a great perfume may be offensive to
others.

4. Scents that are welcoming at
conventions:
 Baked goods (i.e. cookies, cakes, pies)
 Calming scents- lavender, vanilla
 Coffee and tea

5. Baked Goods
 Hours of walking the trade show floor can make you
hungry.
 Keep a small portable oven or popcorn machine at
your convention booth to keep your goodies warm
and keeping the freshly made smell around your
display.
 Of course, check with the venue’s regulations to
make sure it is ok to have a portable oven.
 Great smells include popcorn, cookies, doughnuts

6. Coffee and Tea
 Trade shows can physically drain you of any
and all energy you may have had.
 Just the smell of coffee can perk up just
about anyone.
 Give the attendees a variety by offering tea,
water, or juice.

7. What demographic likes what smell?
 According to Exhibitor Magazine:
Age 18-35: Heated plastic, bubble gum, baby powder, Axe-like
colognes and body sprays, coffees, teas, and mojitos
Age 36-50: Play-Doh, Pez, Crayola crayons, Keds, Sweet Tarts,
mimeograph sheets, chlorine, bubble gum, baby powder,
suntan lotion, and vanilla
Age 51 and over: Grass, trees, hay, horses, wood, sand, the
ocean, and snow
Male: New car, tires, fresh-cut grass, and spicy and woody scents
Female: Lavender, vanilla, floral, and sweet and musky fragrances

8. Before choosing a scent…
 Think about your target market.
 For more trade show tips, check out
Smash Hit Displays’ Blog.