Your custom trade show booth is ready, and it looks amazing. Now comes the big challenge: how do you attract attendees to your booth and turn them into qualified leads?
One of the most effective strategies is to organize interactive contests and games. Contests are not only fun and engaging, they also help your brand stand out, encourage visitors to interact with your team, and create memorable experiences.
In this article, discover the best trade show contest ideas, from classic games to high-tech experiences, to boost engagement, capture leads, and maximize ROI at your next event.
Why organize a contest at a trade show?
Running a contest during a trade show is more than just entertainment. It’s a proven way to:
- Increase booth traffic: contests act like magnets, drawing in curious attendees.
- Generate qualified leads: collect visitor information (name, email, company, interests).
- Break the ice: games create natural, stress-free conversations.
- Build brand awareness: people remember fun experiences long after the event.
- Boost social media visibility: many contests encourage sharing photos and videos online.
Benefits of contests at a trade show
A contest is a great way to collect useful customer information such as name, email, or occupation. This data can later be used by your marketing or sales team for follow-ups and lead generation. People are also more willing to share their details when there’s a reward involved.
Contests give visitors a chance to experience your brand in a fun and positive way. They create memorable interactions that participants will associate with your company long after the event.
They also work as an easy icebreaker for attendees who might hesitate to approach your booth. Instead of a sales pitch, you can start with a friendly and engaging activity that builds genuine connections.
Finally, contests help boost your visibility on the trade show floor and make your booth stand out from other exhibitors.
What prizes should the winners get?
The success of a contest often depends on the prize. Consider offering:
- Cash prizes or gift cards : universally appealing.
- Tech gadgets : tablets, headphones, smart devices.
- Your product or service : the most strategic prize, as it builds brand awareness and can convert prospects into customers.
- Exclusive experiences : event tickets, free consultations, or training sessions.
Pro tip: Always choose a prize that aligns with your brand and attracts your ideal prospects.
A few tips before you hold your contest
Organizing a contest at a trade show takes planning. It should be attractive, well promoted, and create excitement before and during the event.
To make your contest successful, focus on:
- Visual appeal: use banners, booth lighting, and graphics that spark curiosity.
- Pre-event promotion: announce the contest on social media and highlight the prizes.
- On-site promotion: hand out flyers and remind attendees about your booth and prizes.
- Participant experience: keep the wait time fun with entertainment or refreshments.
A well-planned contest not only draws more visitors but also makes their experience at your booth more enjoyable.
Best Trade Show Contest Ideas
Here’s a complete list of contest and game ideas to inspire your next trade show booth.
Interactive & Gamified Contests
1. Spin the Wheel / Prize Wheel
A timeless classic. Attendees spin the wheel and instantly win discounts, branded swag, or small prizes. Quick, exciting, and guaranteed to draw a crowd.
2. Plinko/Prize Drop
Inspired by The Price Is Right, visitors drop a disc down a board to win prizes depending on where it lands. Fun to watch and play.
3. Trivia & Quizzes
Challenge attendees with fun questions about your industry or brand. Use tablets for digital quizzes or a physical board for live interaction. Great for both engagement and education.
4. Money Booth/Cash Grab
Participants step into a booth filled with flying bills or prize slips and grab as many as they can within 30 seconds. A big attention-grabber from across the trade show floor.
5. Mini-Games
Small skill-based games like mini-basketball, cornhole (bean bag toss), giant Jenga, or Connect Four are perfect for casual engagement and friendly competition.
Digital & Technology-Based Contests
6. Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR)
Transport visitors into an immersive brand experience. An AR scavenger hunt or VR demo can create buzz and showcase your innovation.
7. Photo Contest
Encourage attendees to take a creative photo at your booth and share it on social media with your event hashtag. Great for boosting online visibility and engagement.
8. Interactive Leaderboard
Use a touchscreen to track scores from games or quizzes. A public leaderboard encourages competition and repeat visits to your booth.
Low-Budget & Simple Contests
9. Raffle/Fishbowl Draw
Collect business cards or digital entries for a chance to win a grand prize. A simple but highly effective lead capture method.
10. Scratch-Off Cards
Hand out branded scratch cards with different prize levels. Quick, fun, and great for driving foot traffic.
11. Candy Jar Count
Ask attendees to guess how many candies or items are in a jar. The closest guess wins the prize — simple, cheap, and always popular.
Contests for a successful trade show
Contests are more than just fun activities, they’re powerful tools to attract visitors, create engagement, and generate quality leads at trade shows. By choosing the right game, planning carefully, and offering prizes that matter, you can turn a simple contest into a real growth opportunity for your business.
At totm exposition, we design and build custom trade show booths that make your contests even more impactful. With the right setup, your booth won’t just catch attention — it will convert visitors into long-term clients.
Ready to boost your next trade show? Contact our team today and let’s create a booth that stands out and delivers results.
President | Co-founder of totm exposition