Archive for the ‘Trade Show Information’ Category

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The Importance Of Having A Knowledge Staff Working Trade Show Booth

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

Having a knowledgeable, friendly, reputable and upbeat staff manning your trade show display can be just as valuable as, possibly more valuable than having anything a trade show display can offer.

Quality staffers are worth their weight in gold, because they enhance your product by promoting your message. Your staff can really play a significant role in how people perceive your company, brand and product. Imagine removing all staffers and personal from every booth and letting attendees work through the trade show alone, without any interaction. It’s a safe bet to say that people would leave the show gaining a minimum amount of information.

Some valuable traits of a strong staffer include understanding the show and its surroundings, knowing their purpose and the expected attendees, their strengths and weaknesses and finally how to adapt to any situation.

Great booth staffers aren’t made and don’t come along often so don’t expect someone to throw someone into the fire for the first time and have them become the best. Put them into situations where they aren’t overwhelmed, before having them make the jump to the bigger shows. This will pay off in the end, because they will have the opportunity to make mistakes and understand what it takes to be a strong booth staffer.

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Protection Tips For Purchasing Your Pop Up Display From Hot Pepper Display

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
10' Graphic/Fabric Pop Up Displays

10' Graphic/Fabric Pop Up Displays

One of the more popular displays in the trade show industry is the various styles and sizes of pop up displays. Ranging from six-foot table top displays to 20-foot modular displays, these displays are portable and serve as a functional method to market your product and company.

Just about every trade show company, distributor or manufacture has a display that is a pop up, that is why it is important to know what can distinguish a good pop up display with a bad pop up display.

Every pop up display starts with a frame and is usually the best indicator for quality of the product. Fully erect, the frame should be very sturdy with limited wobbling. The frame should also be easy to erect and should be able to pop into place on its own about when opened about halfway. There are also different metals that frames are made of. Typically aluminum frames are the best because they can hold they are the lightest and also most durable.

Next, look at the channel bars of the pop up display that will provide stability to the overall frame and allow you to place fabric or graphic panels up. Higher end pop up display will only six channel bars for a 10-foot, while lower end models with have 24 channel bars. Also, higher quality products will have channel bars that snap on to points in the back instead of slid on.

Another important note about channel bars is the quality of the peg on the top of each that allows graphic or fabric to be fastened to. You want to look for metal, instead of plastic, which is more prone to breaking or wearing down.

Graphic or fabric panels are the final step in looking for quality. Fabric should feel like a high grade twilled and should be available in many colors if it is high quality. Graphic panels that are high quality should be expensive thanks to the protective material it is printed on.

Finally, ask about the case. Some pop up displays ship in cases that are soft plastic. You are better off searching for someone who provides a hard case. The obvious difference is protecting your investment and ensuring its life.

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Place Trade Show Orders Early To Ensure Smooth Process

Monday, January 19th, 2009

With the start of the trade show season quickly approaching more companies are beginning to place orders for its trade show products. Making sure to plan out your schedule of needs and beginning the process early is the cautious way to ensure your products arrives in time for your trade show without any trouble.

Many times companies make last minute decisions about purchasing a new display or product for its existing trade show booth, but find out that the price for rush ordering is too expensive or that the product won’t even be ready by the time they need it.

Three weeks is usually the minimum for trade show companies to be able to properly work with you to ensure a high quality product.  This will give enough time for manufactures and distributors to put together a formal quote and be able to work with you on graphics and design, if needed.

So remember to order early and start weeks ahead of your trade show to ensure a smooth process, which also goes for any hand outs, promotions or anything else that will be an intricate part of your booth presentation.

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Banner Stands Useful In Filling Up Empty Trade Show Booth Space

Friday, January 16th, 2009

bannerstand_ipodnanoTrade shows usually provide exhibitors with a standard 10×10 area on the floor and about 50 percent of that space goes unused by most companies. A common mistake that businesses make with unused space is that it allows the shows audience to be able to see the main display more easily.

However, having just one person standing at your trade show booth may be blocking important information about your company for someone else. This is why it is important to fill up empty space, especially in front of the booth, with displays that are less likely to be impeded by people visiting your booth.

The most popular displays to achieve this goal are banner stands, extending graphics attached to a poll that can be placed just about anywhere, in this case towards the front of your booth space. Several styles and sizes gives companies the chance to place the banner stand that they believe can be the most effective to draw even more interest to its booth.

Retractable banner stands are usually the most popular, due to the protection it provides to graphics during shipping, durability and ability to use interchanging graphics. Other common banner stands include double sided, table top and scrolling.

Creativity is also another feature about the banner stand that most display can’t provide. Banner stands can also be an effective display for a lobby of a hotel, terminal in an airport, outside of a business, show rooms, waiting rooms and just about any other place you can think of having one.

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The Worst Locations On The Floor For Trade Show Displays And Booths

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
Caution Tape

The three most important things about real estate can be applied to the location on the trade show floor. All things being equal, conventioneers will always choice the booth with the best location. The best positions on the floor are arguable, whether it is near the front door or the place where the largest contributors to the show may be.

In most circumstance you have some control over where the booth is located is placed by registering early and/or paying additional fees for a higher profile area.

Since most people in the convention arena can’t seem to agree on the best locations, there seems to be a consensus as to the worst locations on the floor. The following are five of the locations that you should try to avoid at any trade show or convention.

Dead-End Aisles
The far depths of any convention can be a lonely place for conventioneers and traffic. Located far away from the front door and away from the conventions biggest hitters, driving traffic to your booth can be a challenge, one that is usually extremely difficult.

Loading Docks/Receiving Doors
Loading docks and receiving doors usually make for a tough location for a booth. The loading and unloading of displays, booths and trade show materials can create a lot of unwanted noise. Also loading docks and receiving doors can also create drafty conditions, making it uncomfortable for you and any visitors to the booth.

Restrooms
At first being located near a restroom may seem like a beneficial way to generate traffic to your booth, since people will undoubtedly visit these areas at one point during the show. However, it will do little to create interest in your product because people who are in search of restrooms have one thing in mind and will most likely ignore your booth, even when leaving these areas.

Obstacles
Obstacles on the floor can range from water pipes, fire equipment, pillars and columns. These will not only block traffic from being able to possibly visit your booth, but will also create visual blocks to those people who may be scanning the convention floor from a distance.

Adjacent To Stages
Being located nearby a stage or other area where presentations are being made can be deadly. When these areas or being used people’s attention are focused solely on the stage and usually not the surrounding areas. When these areas aren’t being used, traffic is usually very low. Having a location like this can be beneficial when you sponsor or participate in the show itself, since people will hear about your product and can visit your booth instantly. Stages and presentations tend to create noise and possibly making it tough to attract an audience.

If you happen to be located in one of these areas try talking to the show or floor manager to see if there are other spaces on the floor that are available. If there are no available locations try to make the best of it, by using the obstacles, avoidance and distractions to your advantage.

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Two Seconds To Make An Impression With Your Audience

Monday, January 5th, 2009

Research indicates that you have just about two seconds to catch someone’s eye and help them decide whether or not they are interested in what you are advertising.

That is why at any trade show is it important to focus your message and clean it up so people can have a positive feedback about your display, become interested in your product, visit your booth and hopefully become a consumer rather than another lead.

Keep this phrase in mind when trying to influence your audience’s decision – “K.I.S.S.” which stands for “Keep It Simple Stupid,” or maybe the phrase “Less is More”.

Having too much information, graphics, colors, words or anything else you want to cram on your display will take away from your overall message. If that message happens to be please don’t visit our booth and learn about our products than you will succeed. If you are trying to get people to become interested, find ways to cut back on the bells and whistles and worry more about the message and the product.

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Common Questions About Trade Show Displays, Booths, Exhibits and Products

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

We pay tribute to the end of 2008, by answering some of the more popular questions that we were asked this year about trade show displays. We have in no particular order or fashion, taken four of those questions and provided answer for them. Happy New Year!

What is the most popular style of trade show booth?

This is a very subjective question because everyone will have differing opinions on this topic. It also really depends on how big the trade shows you attend. Generally speaking the most popular booths are hybrid systems like the Alumalite or pop up displays. This exhibits usually allow for customize graphics as well as size, styles and shapes. They are also very affordable and are lightweight, which cuts shipping costs. Other popular products include banner stands and table throws for smaller companies. Custom displays are popular but are normally reserved for companies who have a considerable marketing and trade show budget.

I am submitting graphics to be included in our display. Do I need certain graphics or files?

Any time you submit graphics, anywhere, you want to provide a file that has been created in Photoshop or Illustrator, the two standard programs used for design. Also make sure you submit files with the highest resolution possible, which will help create larger more clear files you want to give them a file with a high resolution, which basically means the original file and not something downloaded from the Web site. Most companies will be able to tell you before printing if the graphics will work for you or provide you with a proof. Companies also provide services for graphic design, which eliminates the problems and time it could take for creating the graphics yourself.

What can I do with my old trade show displays?

Do not just pack your display up and throw it away. The trade show industry is the second most wasteful commerce in the United States and it is important that we reduce as much waste possible. The most popular approach is to recycle your old display by using a qualified trade show display recycler. Using any recycling center won’t ensure the proper recycling of all materials. Most trade show display recycling services have dedicated centers and will also provide you with an itemized list of what was recycled at the completion of the process. You can also see if there is any avenue for people who are looking for a used trade show display or look into the option of changing out your graphics, if possible.

How do I know I will be getting a quality trade show product that will be durable and long lasting?

First and foremost do your research. A lot of companies use the same manufacture, but will have small differences in how they ensure the quality of the product. Some companies will honor a longer or even life time warranty. Other companies will have different cases and options for protecting your displays. If you are unsure of the quality of what you may be getting, you can ask for samples or even a reference for the display. If you find a product with a much lower price it may be a different manufacture that is making a cheaper product that is similar to another company. Ask what kind of displays they carry and gauge if that is the industry standard by shopping around.

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Custom Displays Help Maximize Trade Show Impact

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
Custom Trade Show Display

The old saying goes, “to make money you have to be willing to spend money.” And that really goes for the trade show industry where capturing the shows audience is part of the battle.

Within that battle is the fight for having the most attractive and trend-setting trade show display at your show, which hopefully attracts your audience like a moth to fluorescent light.

If you have a product or company that has a lot of competition, creating a custom trade show display may serve as a great avenue to gaining a better share of your market, thanks to the extra attention given to your booth, which in turns brings awareness to your products, message and company.

However, you have to be able to justify spending the amount of money it takes to create a custom display, which can range from a few thousands to several thousands, even upwards of a million dollars. Here is an example of how you can rationalize spending more for a custom trade show display.

If you spend $10,000 on a non-custom trade show display and it generates $50,000 in sales you earned a 500 percent return on investment or five dollars earned for every one spent.

If you spend $20,000 on a custom trade show display and it generates $200,000 in sales you earned a 1000 percent return or 10 dollars made for every one spent.

Again this is only a hypothetical situation showing the possible increased sales and exposure of your company and product. The unknown is whether you will see a higher return of investment with a custom exhibit. To measure this impact you need to spend a great deal of time examining your industry, marketing strategies, company, competitors, and current and past displays.

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Pre-Planning Tips For A Successful Trade Show

Friday, December 19th, 2008

Everything is in place. You have bought the right booth, redefined your message, coached your booth staff and have picked out which trade shows you will be attending. Don’t let all that planning, energy and money be wasted by not putting together a pre-show plan to drive interest to your booth.

Proper pre-show planning can either break or make your company and give you the exposure to your targeted audience like never before.

A report from the Centre for Exhibition Industry Research found that 76 percent of attendees at trade shows arrive with an agenda, so your company needs to find a way to get on that list.

Make Your Presence Known Ahead Of The Show
The most popular way to let attendees know that you will be exhibiting at certain trade shows is extending a formal invitation to them, asking them to drop by your booth and check out the new products or services. Be creative in your request and include incentives for people to visit your booth. Also get in touch with the event coordinators, who may be able to provide you with a list of people will be attending.

Reach Out To The People Covering The Show
The exhibit hall will do its job to bring people to the show, but it is up to you to make sure your products are covered by the media in attendance. To improve your chances that they do want to report on your products make sure you have on hand a media release and media kit, as well as giving them any additional they need. The media release will go a mile in giving them the most useful information regarding your presence at the show, while the media kit will give a general idea of the company’s history, product line and mission. If you have a big announcement, think of holding a press conference. And always keep yourself open to interview requests.

Advertising Through Print And Web
The oldest, but still very popular, form of pre-show promotion is advertising in either a local market or trade magazine. Another traditional form is adding advertisements on either the show’s Web site, trade Web site or your site. You can also write press releases to submit to article sites and other industry locations to let them know you will be attending. Also, remember if you attend trade shows frequently to have an area on your Web site where you list your upcoming show schedule.

Think Out Side The Box
Pre-show planning is your chance to let the creative juices flow. Ideas can either come from existing products, company logos, trademarks, or off the board completely. Creating a unique announcement can generate interest in those who may have little interest in your booth or company. Whatever ideas you come up with can be tied into all of your pre-show invitations and advertisements and make sure to do it with a splash.

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Enhance Your Trade Show Display With Color

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
Trade Show Display Color

Have you ever wondered why McDonald’s choose to use red, yellow and orange as colors for their restaurants, signage and even for its mascot Ronald McDonald?

Whatever answers immediately jump to the forefront of your mind, the colors were picked after an extensive study by McDonald’s marketing group. They concluded that a red-yellow-orange color scheme would create an eye catching design, which would bring people in and get them out as fast as possible. That basic color scheme lasted for nearly three decades before McDonald’s announced in 2006 that they would be move into a new direction.

The new design will be more inviting and lounge friendly moving away from getting people out the door as fast as they came in. This rebranding is geared towards creating a more lounge friendly place where people can hang out. However, they will be using the same colors that have been used since the 1970s.

Alright so the answer to the aforementioned question is that human nature perceives colors and attaches psychological emotions to them. With the proper research and marketing you can create a more vibrant and attractive booth by just using colors.

Imagine the power of color in your booth and how it reflects not only on your product but your company as a whole. Here are the meaning of the most popular colors, according to Barry Siskind in his book Powerful Exhibit Marketing.

Blue
Reputable, loyal and cool. This is the color of truth, serenity and harmony. It helps soothe the midn. Blue can generate a sense of well-being.

Green
Links with nature and is solid. This is the color of harmony and balance. It is a restful color that promises hope, stability and peace.

Red
Dangerous, strong, aggressive and dynamic. It is the color of energy, excitement and vitality.

Black
Elegance, power and individuality. This is a deep, sophisticated and dramatic color. It can also be powerful, aloof and intimidating.

Yellow
Bright, optimistic, envious and greedy. It is a warm color that is also the color of intellect. It can be used for mental simulation. Its cheeriness can stimulate activity.

Orange
Stimulating and energetic. It is a warm color that represents ripeness, warmth and happiness. It can promote a feeling of happiness.

Brown
Solid and links with nature (Earth). It is a conservative color.

Purple
This is the color that connects to the spiritual self. It is also associated with noble traits, love, truth and justice.

White
Brightness, clarity, purity and cleanliness. It symbolizes light, innocence and joy. It can give an atmosphere of coolness.

Gray
Neutral, modest and unobtrusive. Silver is the color of peace and gray is like white in its purity. Together they represent a rich, strong image.

Gold
Majesty, glory and pride.

Pastels
Soft, sweet, gentle and romantic. These are colors of equilibrium, especially pastels such as pink, mauve and lavender. They can be soothing colors.

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