Blog
22 April 2010
Anyone that has ever schlepped a Trade Show Display, to a show, paid for shipping, set up and all the other associated costs of owning your display, has wished that they had considered renting.
19 April 2010
Trade Show exhibits are a major investment. When you first start out, in business, or if you already have an exhibit but it is in use at a conflicting show, you may want to consider renting an exhibit.
19 April 2010
In business, planning is the single most ignored area. Many people start a business, get funding, decide upon a product and decide to advertise at a Trade Show. They have the idea that, "If I just get the product 'out there', people will beat a path to my door"
WRONG!
19 April 2010
Todays modern lifestyle, of plug and play, enables us to work, play and live wherever we want. This development has engendered a lifestyle where many people are full-time trade show booth managers.This has increased the competition, at these shows, exponentially.
19 April 2010
When it's time to create new exhibit graphics, examine artwork and photography from current and previous marketing campaigns before you reinvent the wheel.
Granted, sometimes the resolution or quality of other existing images may not fit your large-format needs, but simply checking your existing files could save you oodles of time, money, and creative energy.
19 April 2010
It's happened to you. You get back from a show, and the only thing you know about the host city is that the Holiday Inn had a passable continental breakfast and the convention center was larger than you expected.
19 April 2010
Problem: My company pays for carpet rental each time we exhibit. However, I recently saw a company that placed its exhibit directly on the concrete floor for a more industrial, unfinished look. Can we go au naturel at most shows, and what are some other ways I can cut costs on carpet rental?
19 April 2010
Why pay vacuuming charges when a sticky solution can save money and effort?
Rather than cough up exorbitant fees or lug its own vacuum to clean its booth, Fortress Technologies cleans up with an adhesive roller. The compact and inexpensive device, normally meant to remove pet hair or lint, works just as well on debris littering exhibit tabletops and floors, especially in small booths.
Look for rollers with long handles to avoid hunching over as you clean.
19 April 2010
Has your exhibit been around the block a few times? Here are some quick and easy fixes to help make it look new again.
- Brush on nail polish to hide scratches on hard materials.
- Smooth bubbling or peeling laminate with a Chamois cloth.
- Use caulk to fill in gouges on hard surfaces.
- Apply automotive paint to disguise large chips or cracks on most hard surfaces.
19 April 2010
Question: Following each show, I create a PowerPoint presentation for management, which includes oodles of show photos. However, my photo files are so big that they slow down my entire presentation. How can I quickly downsize my photos?
Answer: While each version of PowerPoint is slightly different, there are two basic ways to downsize photos for your presentation...
19 April 2010
After all the work that goes into creating an exhibit, remember to bring a camera to your next trade show so you can document your hard work.
You can use the pictures to show off your exhibit to colleagues who could not be there, to give yourself a reference point for next year, and even to hang examples of your handiwork on the wall in your office.
Remember to take pictures of things you want to change, so you can remember what not to do next year.
19 April 2010
You don't need a mammoth-sized exhibit or piles of money to make a big (and memorable) statement at your next show. Use these five tactics for getting the biggest bang out of your small booth.
- Use lighting. According to industry research, lighting can increase awareness of your exhibit by 30 to 50 percent. Renting a portable lighting system or using product spotlights will give your small exhibit the extra exposure it needs.
19 April 2010
Question: Our designers have asked me for a layered file of our product illustration. What is a layered file?
Answer: Digital product illustrations and other graphical elements are usually set up in layers. Designers want the original file so that they can make changes to one or more elements in the document without affecting the rest of it.
For example, let's say you have base art, such as a photograph, along with other elements, such as text or a logo. If these elements overlap, they each constitute an individual layer. The base art is one layer, and the text and logo make up the other two layers.
If the text or other content changes, it can be easily modified from a layered file without destroying the original image. If you have to make changes to the final artwork, a layered file saves you time and money.
19 April 2010
Nervous about presenting in your exhibit? Worried that you'll make your audience as nervous as you are? Here are some simple rules of thumb that can help put you, and your audience, at ease.
- Avoid coffee and alcohol. Both affect your nervous system and can contribute to feelings of anxiety.
19 April 2010
Unfortunately, theft and vandalism are not uncommon occurrences at trade shows. But there are security precautions you can take to reduce your risk, such as:
- Keep small, theft-prone products in locked showcases. Attach large and valuable items to immovable objects using security cable.
- Cover products before and after show hours. Use Velcro to secure the fabric over the products and keep them out of immediate eyesight.
19 April 2010
Hanging a banner may seem like a no-brainer, but consider the following steps so you don't hang yourself up to dry.
- First check with show management to determine what restrictions, if any, the convention center imposes on overhead banners. Some venues restrict banners completely, and others restrict the size of banners and the height at which they can be hung. While your show manual should spell out all possible restrictions, it's always a good idea to verify your plans with show management (in writing) before you arrive at the show.
- Investigate the cost to hang the banner, as costs can vary significantly from city to city and even venue to venue. Remember, banners don't necessarily have to be suspended from the ceiling, so be sure to investigate other, potentially cheaper options, such as floor-based pole systems.
19 April 2010
Question: My company exhibits products with metallic finishes that glare under the booth lights. How can I reduce the glare and present our products in a better light?
Answer: Products with shiny surfaces often produce harsh reflections from light sources, reducing visibility and causing reflections. Reflected glare gives the appearance of hot spots on an object's surface. Veiling reflections can also obscure graphics or text.
Here are some suggestions for reducing glare...
19 April 2010
Your booth staff is arguably the most important factor in the success of your exhibit. But do they know it? And do you show it? Here are 10 ways to treat your booth staff like VIPs.
- VIP Check-In - Set up a special registration desk at the show hotel where arriving staffers can pick up their badges, show shirts, and last-minute information.
- Private Bus - Charter a bus to pick up staff at their hotel door and take them to and from the show each day.
19 April 2010
While you certainly need effective staffers in your booth - after all, trade shows are all about face-to-face marketing - you can still cut personnel costs without drawing blood.
- Consider hiring local talent for basic booth tasks such as greeting, crowd-gathering, and basic pre-qualifying. You'll save money on staff travel and per-diem expenses, and will free staffers to focus on closing sales and meeting with hot prospects.
19 April 2010
Your booth staff will be more effective once they've conquered the basics. Here are some helpful reminders to share with your staff before the show.
- Be professional at all times. When attendees see exhibit staff, they see your company. So whether you're talking to co-workers in the restroom, participating in an industry panel, or simply riding the elevator, every word and action represents your company. The minute you board a plane bound for the show, it's show time.
