TRADE SHOW TIPS III - CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHOW

Hi All!

Let's continue with the tips and tricks on trade shows. Now that you have already chosen the right kind of trade show displays and the graphics to go along that I was wondering why is it that we never discussed which trade shows to go to. 

Ideally this should have been the first question to answer but then -  better late than never. Let's begin with why trade shows in first place? Trade Shows offer you an opportunity to meet all your customers at one point. And mind you not just the existing but they are also helpful in attracting hoards of prospective customers.  Thus it becomes all the more important to choose the right trade expo to showcase your business to your prospective clients.

With so many shows and conferences to choose from, exhibitors need to determine which trade show will best meet their objectives. To choose the trade shows that best meets your marketing objectives you’ll need to do some research.

- If it is a new trade show, check with your suppliers, competitors and customers to see if they are supporting it

- Ask the organizers how many visitors they are expecting, how many are from your target market, and what mix of job titles and responsibilities are represented.

- Check out the current list of exhibitors

- Understand your total costs. What are the costs of the trade show booth space and what is included; trade show equipments, booth hardware and lighting, flooring upgrades, lead retrieval equipment, trash cans, carpet cleaning, etc.

- Examine the show organizes. how long have the organizers been in business, what other shows do they run, and how long have they been running those shows?

Once you answer all these questions you would automatically know whether you are going to profit from the next trade expo or not.

Don't forget to tell me how your trade show went and more importantly how did you decide which one to visit and which one to avoid.

Source: http://www.impact-displays.com/resources/tradeshow_tips.php

TRADE SHOW TIPS II: Trade Show Graphics

In the first part of this series of tips for trade shows I emphasized on the need of trade shows and the importance of choosing the right display for presenting your business to your customers.

Now you are ready to venture out and exhibit your business at the next expo. The next step in the process is the graphics that go on these displays.

Designing great graphics for your booth is critical to setting yourselves apart from the competition. Some important tips to keep in mind are as follows:

• The 15 foot rule. Make sure all logos and text can be clearly read from a distance of 15 feet (i.e. no squinting required even for us 40 and 50 year olds: )

• Limit bullet points to 10 words or less

• Limit text oriented charts to a headline and 4 bullet points

• Include plenty of visual images to extract emotion and make your exhibit memorable

• Don't scrimp on your company logo. Make sure it’s very very easy to spot even from a long distance away. You want to make sure that your target audience can find you in a glance. Hanging displays are key to improving your visibility.

• Look at using mural graphic panels and fabric backwalls to greatly increase the perceived value and emotional impact of your display.

These trade show graphics tips will surely help you stand out in the crowd and create a brand new presence for you in the minds of your customers.

Do let me know how this trade show went for you

Source: http://www.impact-displays.com/resources/tradeshow_tips.php

TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT TRADE SHOW DISPLAY

Hey All!

Being in the trade show business for more than 15 years, I for one know how important it is for a business to reach out to its customers and make profits. One such way to reach out to the customers are trade shows. Equally important is to stand out of the crowd at such trade expos so that it is your customers who find you and not you who goes out and find the customers. This is where we at impact displays come in and give you some path breaking tips on how best to present your business to your customers at these events. In the first of these series of blogs I would be telling you about the various trade show displays and how to match them to your requirements.

Once you’ve set your objectives and your trade show calendar for the year, the next step is to choose a display. The display decision should be based on your specific show objectives, your budget, and your corporate branding goals and guidelines.

If you’re the marketing director for a big company and want to position yourself as a leader in your industry, you’ll need a very large space and a custom or high end modular exhibit. If you’re a startup with a limited budget, you should consider an inexpensive popup booth or a rental exhibit. Most companies fall somewhere in-between these two.

• Pop-ups are the most popular booth option for 10X10 spaces and for sales events and conferences. There are a broad range of pop-up display available in the market today and most are available with podium wraps to convert the carrying case into a podium. Some of the key factors to look at in selecting a pop-up are durability, ease of setup, availability, fabric colors, and warranty. If you sometimes exhibit in smaller spaces you should also consider a convertible booth which can be easily converted to a smaller size. Be sure to deal with a customer service oriented dealer who’s been in business for a long time since there’s no margin for error in getting a booth to your trade show. Pop-ups can be complemented with shelving, peninsula counters, backlit endcaps, literature displays, and other accessories which can convert an ordinary pop-up into a standpoint display!

• Panel Displays are an alternative to pop-ups, and, depending on their quality and countertop options, can provide a higher end look than a pop-up. Panel displays generally hold more weight than pop-ups so they can work well if you have heavier products to display or a number of computer monitors.

• Modular exhibits are higher end exhibits that provide a custom look but can still be setup in a few hours, shipped in standard rotomolded plastic cases, and thus have a lower total cost of ownership than custom booths. Modular exhibits generally use higher end materials including tensile fabric structures, extruded aluminum frames, high end composites and laminates, and innovative bold designs. Modular exhibits will hold more weight and can also be used to hold large plasma screens and LDC panels.

• Truss systems. Truss systems provide a bold, innovative, and unique look to a display. They are also excellent functional components that can be used to mount lighting, projectors, and Plasma or LCD panels. The high weight bearing capacity of truss systems also makes them great for displaying heavier weight products like books, bowling balls, metals parts, etc. They also have a distinctive theatrical look that works well with certain target markets. Truss systems are often used in conjunction with other display structures like pop-ups and panel displays.

• Custom Exhibits. Custom exhibits provide the ultimate in branding and high impact. They are completely custom built so they can be designed to meet very specific show objectives and may include elements like rotating towers, theater spaces, conference areas, and numerous product/service display stations. Given the higher cost of design, construction, shipping, and install and dismantle (I&D), these exhibits are best suited for companies willing to spend $40,000 or more for their display. The payoff in a custom exhibit can be huge since it sets you apart from the competition and creates a locked in memory of industry leadership.

Source: http://www.impact-displays.com/resources/tradeshow_tips.php