How to Get the Most Out of an Event as an Exhibitor: Easy Social Media Best Practices That Actually Work

Exhibiting at an event takes time, money, and a whole lot of planning. Booth fees, travel, staffing, setup, teardown. It adds up quickly. The good news? With a bit of intentional social media planning, you can extend the life and value of an event far beyond the show floor.

Whether you’re new to exhibiting or a seasoned pro, these simple social media best practices will help you get more visibility, more engagement, and more long-term value from every event you attend.

1. Start Before the Doors Open

One of the biggest missed opportunities I see is waiting until the event starts to talk about it online. Social media works best when it builds anticipation.

Before the event, you should be:

• Announcing that you’ll be exhibiting and where people can find you

• Sharing what you’re bringing to the booth (products, demos, giveaways, samples)

• Letting your audience know why it’s worth stopping by

This doesn’t need to be fancy. A simple post with your booth number and what attendees can expect is often enough to spark interest.

Tip: If the event has an official hashtag or has shared exhibitor graphics, use them. It helps your content get picked up by the event and other attendees.

2. Make Your Booth Social-Media Friendly

Your booth doesn’t need to be over the top to perform well on social media, but it should be easy to photograph.

A few small tweaks can make a big difference:

• Make sure your business name or logo is clearly visible from multiple angles

• Avoid clutter that distracts from your branding

• Create one simple spot that works well as a photo or video background

If someone stops by and snaps a photo, you want it to be instantly clear who you are and what you do.

3. Capture Content as You Go

You don’t need a full production setup or a dedicated content person at your booth. Some of the best event content is casual and in-the-moment.

Think about capturing:

• Booth setup and teardown

• Product close-ups or demos

• Team members interacting with attendees

• Quick videos showing the event atmosphere

Short clips and photos work perfectly for stories, reels, and recap posts. Even if you don’t post everything live, having content ready for after the event is a huge win.

4. Be Human on Social Media During the Event

Events are about connection, and your social media should reflect that.

Instead of focusing only on selling, try:

• Sharing what’s happening around you

• Tagging other exhibitors or partners

• Reposting content from the event or attendees who tag you

This kind of interaction builds community and makes your brand feel approachable and engaged, not overly promotional.

5. Don’t Let the Momentum Die After the Event

Once the event is over, many exhibitors go silent. This is where you can stand out.

After the event, consider posting:

• A thank-you post to attendees and organizers

• A quick recap of the weekend or highlights from your booth

• A reminder of how people can follow up with you

You can also reuse event content for weeks after. One good show can fuel multiple posts if you plan for it.

6. Measure What Actually Matters

You don’t need complex analytics to know if your event content worked.

Look at:

• Engagement on event-related posts

• Profile visits or follower growth during the event

• Messages or inquiries referencing the event

This helps you understand what resonated and what to do differently next time.

Exhibiting at an event shouldn’t be a one-or-two-day marketing effort. With a bit of social media planning, your presence can start weeks before the event and continue well after it ends.

If you’re already investing in events, your social media should be working just as hard.