Beyond the Sizzle: Why Your Event Video Needs More Substance

At Chicago Commercial Photography, we see a common trend in event video: the "Sizzle Reel." These videos are fast-paced, flashy, and full of high-energy music. While the client might think they look "neat," the person watching often walks away with zero new information. If your video is all sizzle and no meat, you've missed a massive marketing opportunity.

The true purpose of a trade show or convention video isn't just to show that the event happened—it’s to serve as your primary marketing material for the following year. To get people to come back (or attend for the first time), they need to see that your event is valuable, informative, and professional.

Marketing for Next Year, Today

When we capture your event, we don't just stand in the back. We focus on the meat of the experience:

• Real Interaction: We show attendees engaging deeply at trade show booths.
• Expertise in Action: We capture speakers delivering actual value, ensuring the viewer knows they will walk away more knowledgeable.
• The "FOMO" Factor: By showing the high level of information being shared, we create a "fear of missing out" for those who didn't attend this year.

Informative, Interesting, and Effective

Our goal is to make a video that informs. If it’s for a trade show, the viewer should understand exactly what that show is about and why it is a "must-attend" destination for their industry. We blend high-end production value (the sizzle) with the actual content of the event (the information) to ensure your video is a tool that actually works.

In our eyes, if a viewer watches your video and doesn't learn something new about your brand or your event, we haven't done our job. Let us help you show the world that your event is fun, professional, and—most importantly—packed with information worth returning for.