How To Make Sure Your Trade Show Display Provides Maximum Impact
July 23, 2009 by Trade Shows and Exhibit Display Tips
Filed under Booths, Displays & Banners
Your trade show booth only has a few moments to attract the attention of attendees through the noise and activity of the exhibit floor. If it doesn’t attract the attention needed, the time, effort, and money spent getting ready for the event is wasted. It is even worse if your booth attracts attention, but fails when it comes to delivering the right message. This causes attendees to lose confidence in your company’s ability to produce the solutions they seek. The use of trade show displays can either hurt or help you generate leads during a trade show. The following paragraphs cover the first steps to planning for a trade show event and how to make sure your trade show display provides maximum impact.
Identify Your Limitations
Each trade show is different and the space reserved is not always well suited for certain kinds of displays. Before deciding on the trade show display you want to use at the show, call the event organizers. Inquire about the size of your event table and booth. In addition, find out if you will have electricity and access to additional electrical outlets near your booth space. Many trade shows have limits on the acceptable height of displays. Find out all of the booth limitations, if any, so you can adequately prepare for the trade show.
Plan Your Display Before The Show
Base the type of displays you use at your booth on your budget and objectives for the trade show. Are you trying to put forth a certain image of your company? If so, design a display that supports this vision and is consistent with the branding of your company. Will you promote a new product recently launched by your company? If so, design your display featuring the new product while making sure it is consistent with your company branding.
Design For The Purpose
It is critical to use creative, attention grabbing design at trade shows. Attendees may only pass your booth once during a show due to a trade show’s massive size. Don’t limit the attention you attract. Make sure your display not only attracts attention, but also serves its purpose by yielding contact information from qualified attendees. Your trade show display should draw people to your booth and inspire attendees to speak with your staff and request further information.
Make A Fast First Impression
Many trade shows feature hundreds of booths decorated with bright, colorful displays and banners, all working to grab the attention of attendees. It is challenging to stand out from the crowd. Some exhibitors go so crazy trying to attract attention that they sacrifice their marketing message in the process. Your trade show display must attract attendees, but it should also make a lasting impression that drives them to seek additional information, take literature, and speak with your staff. If your display doesn’t make this impression fast, you will have wasted money and a valuable opportunity.
Locating A Trade Show Display Company
Whether you select Chicago trade show displays, or displays from a company in another city, it is vital the company delivers your trade show displays fast and on budget. The company should have plenty of experience working with businesses in the market of your business. This gives them the expertise to suggest themes, special elements, and visual designs that will communicate your company’s message and attract the attention from attendees you need.
Your trade show display ultimately supports your marketing strategy for the entire event. Your success in attracting the attention of attendees who become customers down the road depends on a trade show display that provides maximum impact.
Thanks to Christine OKelly for contributing this article to our Trade Shows blog:
Identify Your Limitations
Each trade show is different and the space reserved is not always well suited for certain kinds of displays. Before deciding on the trade show display you want to use at the show, call the event organizers. Inquire about the size of your event table and booth. In addition, find out if you will have electricity and access to additional electrical outlets near your booth space. Many trade shows have limits on the acceptable height of displays. Find out all of the booth limitations, if any, so you can adequately prepare for the trade show.
Plan Your Display Before The Show
Base the type of displays you use at your booth on your budget and objectives for the trade show. Are you trying to put forth a certain image of your company? If so, design a display that supports this vision and is consistent with the branding of your company. Will you promote a new product recently launched by your company? If so, design your display featuring the new product while making sure it is consistent with your company branding.
Design For The Purpose
It is critical to use creative, attention grabbing design at trade shows. Attendees may only pass your booth once during a show due to a trade show’s massive size. Don’t limit the attention you attract. Make sure your display not only attracts attention, but also serves its purpose by yielding contact information from qualified attendees. Your trade show display should draw people to your booth and inspire attendees to speak with your staff and request further information.
Make A Fast First Impression
Many trade shows feature hundreds of booths decorated with bright, colorful displays and banners, all working to grab the attention of attendees. It is challenging to stand out from the crowd. Some exhibitors go so crazy trying to attract attention that they sacrifice their marketing message in the process. Your trade show display must attract attendees, but it should also make a lasting impression that drives them to seek additional information, take literature, and speak with your staff. If your display doesn’t make this impression fast, you will have wasted money and a valuable opportunity.
Locating A Trade Show Display Company
Whether you select Chicago trade show displays, or displays from a company in another city, it is vital the company delivers your trade show displays fast and on budget. The company should have plenty of experience working with businesses in the market of your business. This gives them the expertise to suggest themes, special elements, and visual designs that will communicate your company’s message and attract the attention from attendees you need.
Your trade show display ultimately supports your marketing strategy for the entire event. Your success in attracting the attention of attendees who become customers down the road depends on a trade show display that provides maximum impact.
Thanks to Christine OKelly for contributing this article to our Trade Shows blog:
Christine O’Kelly is an author for Productive Displays, Inc., a prominent trade show display Chicago supplier and designer. They specialize in creating Chicago trade show displays, banners, and lighting solutions that make a lasting impression on trade show attendees.
My company bought a trade show booth from an employee who has their own company. They are sole proprietor and?
July 20, 2009 by Trade Shows and Exhibit Display Tips
Filed under More Trade Show Answers
Can you answer Stacey B’s question about Trade Shows?:
I was instructed to send 1099 to anyone we paid more than $600 to that is not incorporated. He said he never recieved a 1099 as we just bought something from him.
I was instructed to send 1099 to anyone we paid more than $600 to that is not incorporated. He said he never recieved a 1099 as we just bought something from him.
1099 or no?
How to Make Money Online
How To Attract An Audience To Your Trade Show Exhibits
July 17, 2009 by Trade Shows and Exhibit Display Tips
Filed under About Trade Shows
Many companies that exhibit at trade shows find that they need to do something extra to draw attention to their trade show exhibits. And, that’s not too hard to understand - just entering a trade show hall or convention center is an assault on the senses from all of the exhibitors vying for the attention of the trade show attendees.
So, how can you break through the crowd and have your trade show exhibit stand out in a way that draws the interest of prospects, media and key influencers?
Incorporate Visual Excitement
Incorporating movement, color, lights and action imparts a feeling of energy that draws attendees to your trade show booth. New technologies enable you to build drama and visual excitement using such techniques.
A good example is the use of 3D video/laser image displays suspended from above. Gobo lights that travel across tension fabric provide opportunity for changing color and evoking mesmerizing interest for your trade show exhibit.
Bring On the Big Guns
Bringing on big guns can run the gamut from hiring major sports figures to major Hollywood personalities to major recording stars for personal appearances. Or, perhaps bringing on a renowned guru that your attendees would flock to see would make more of a statement and draw more serious attendees.
In recent years, some trade show exhibitors have hired Tom Hanks, former San Francisco 49er quarterback Steve Young, and recording stars such as Foo Fighters and Maroon 5 have been feature attractions at major trade shows.
Not a fit for you budget? Try stealing some thunder with paid celebrity look-a-likes. Elvis may be departed but if he makes an “appearance” at your booth you will surely draw interest.
Showcase Your Company Website
Do you have a really compelling website? If your website is a winner, and particularly if it is the kind that trade show participants would find useful on an ongoing basis, it just makes sense to use this as bait.
Incorporate your website on a large backdrop using such techniques as holographics and waterscreen projections. Attract them into your show booth with participation in the interactive elements of your website.
Add Interactive Elements to Your Trade Show Exhibits
An interactive booth is a great way to draw in trade show foot traffic. Invoking multiple senses - touch, feel, sight and sound - is an outstanding way to attract them to your exhibit and to imprint a lasting memory on them. Experiential activity is far more exciting and longer lasting than one-dimensional trade show exhibits.
Leverage Your Energetic Trade Show Staff
Which booth would you want to visit? One that has a subdued, indifferent booth staffers milling around or one that has friendly, smiling and proactively engaging (yet not obnoxious) staff?
It’s simple really. Smiling, energetic and well trained booth staff can go a long way toward attracting and keeping the attention of trade show attendees. Pay attention to providing that training to your staff and making sure that it is maintained throughout the long hours of the show.
If you think creatively about this, you can take the task of attracting an audience for your trade show exhibits to a whole new level. Make a game out of it. Try a few of these techniques and notice the changes. Toss the ones that don’t work as well and try some new ones the next time until you hit on a winning combination of tricks to ensure that your trade show exhibits stand out from the crowd.
Thanks to Dick Wheeler for contributing this article to our Trade Shows blog:
So, how can you break through the crowd and have your trade show exhibit stand out in a way that draws the interest of prospects, media and key influencers?
Incorporate Visual Excitement
Incorporating movement, color, lights and action imparts a feeling of energy that draws attendees to your trade show booth. New technologies enable you to build drama and visual excitement using such techniques.
A good example is the use of 3D video/laser image displays suspended from above. Gobo lights that travel across tension fabric provide opportunity for changing color and evoking mesmerizing interest for your trade show exhibit.
Bring On the Big Guns
Bringing on big guns can run the gamut from hiring major sports figures to major Hollywood personalities to major recording stars for personal appearances. Or, perhaps bringing on a renowned guru that your attendees would flock to see would make more of a statement and draw more serious attendees.
In recent years, some trade show exhibitors have hired Tom Hanks, former San Francisco 49er quarterback Steve Young, and recording stars such as Foo Fighters and Maroon 5 have been feature attractions at major trade shows.
Not a fit for you budget? Try stealing some thunder with paid celebrity look-a-likes. Elvis may be departed but if he makes an “appearance” at your booth you will surely draw interest.
Showcase Your Company Website
Do you have a really compelling website? If your website is a winner, and particularly if it is the kind that trade show participants would find useful on an ongoing basis, it just makes sense to use this as bait.
Incorporate your website on a large backdrop using such techniques as holographics and waterscreen projections. Attract them into your show booth with participation in the interactive elements of your website.
Add Interactive Elements to Your Trade Show Exhibits
An interactive booth is a great way to draw in trade show foot traffic. Invoking multiple senses - touch, feel, sight and sound - is an outstanding way to attract them to your exhibit and to imprint a lasting memory on them. Experiential activity is far more exciting and longer lasting than one-dimensional trade show exhibits.
Leverage Your Energetic Trade Show Staff
Which booth would you want to visit? One that has a subdued, indifferent booth staffers milling around or one that has friendly, smiling and proactively engaging (yet not obnoxious) staff?
It’s simple really. Smiling, energetic and well trained booth staff can go a long way toward attracting and keeping the attention of trade show attendees. Pay attention to providing that training to your staff and making sure that it is maintained throughout the long hours of the show.
If you think creatively about this, you can take the task of attracting an audience for your trade show exhibits to a whole new level. Make a game out of it. Try a few of these techniques and notice the changes. Toss the ones that don’t work as well and try some new ones the next time until you hit on a winning combination of tricks to ensure that your trade show exhibits stand out from the crowd.
Thanks to Dick Wheeler for contributing this article to our Trade Shows blog:
Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with showrooms in Sacramento and Sunnyvale. Find more ideas for how to get the most from your Trade Show Exhibits in the news section on their site.
Innovative Ways of Attracting More Visitors to Your Trade Show Booth
July 13, 2009 by Trade Shows and Exhibit Display Tips
Filed under Booths, Displays & Banners
When operating a trade show booth, you have to do things that will make customers want to look at what you have. That requires you to be very creative, though. If you’re not creative, then you’re going to be doing the same exact things that everyone else is doing. If that’s the case, then you’re not exactly going to stand out amongst the rest. You’re going to be ignored just like the others who have not used their imaginations.
So what should you do to really make your trade show booth look really interesting? Try doing special things for your customers and dress up your booth to the point it cannot be ignored. That doesn’t mean that you need to paint it hot pink with neon green letters on it that say “Come to by booth and see my goodies.” You don’t want your booth design or even your other ideas to seem desperate. You just want your customers to enjoy what they see and have a great time.
Giveaways
The way to a customer’s heart is through giveaways. People like things that are free. You can even go as far as giving away bags of popcorn or items such as pens, pencils, key chains, mugs, and so much more that has your logo on them. If you give them something with your logo, then you are giving them a constant reminder that you exist. To them, they are receiving something free, but when they look at that item they will remember that you have something they need.
Here are some other things that you can do to make yourself stand out and attract more visitors to your trade show booth:
- Play games with your customers. Have a spinning wheel that they can spin to win a price. You can give them gift certificates that they can use toward a purchase at your booth or you can have prizes lined up.
- Have things for the kids. Something as simple as a balloon will make their day. Parents will appreciate anything you give their children to keep the kids pacified. Rent a helium tank, buy some balloons, and you’re in business. If you really want to make the balloons work for you, then you can have some printed up with your company logo on them.
- Do a raffle for a particular product that you’re displaying at the show. Let the customers know that you’re doing it at a certain time and let them know that they have to be present to win. That means they will come back to your booth. If they didn’t buy anything the first time, then perhaps they will the second time.
The booth
The booth itself needs to be dressed up for your customers. You have to be really creative with it to make it stand out amongst the many others at the trade show. This means using stage lights to highlight certain items. You may even wish to have special flooring around the booth so that the customers feel like they’re walking into an actual store and not just a booth. People who feel like they are in a store environment are more likely to feel comfortable being there. They feel like they are not amongst many people, but that they are free to browse as they please.
You can also use a booth with a curved wall. These types of trade show booths are very unique and they certain gain the attention that you wish to have. Incorporate all of these elements to have a trade show presence that will dominate on every level.
Thanks to Amy Nutt for contributing this article to our Trade Shows blog:
So what should you do to really make your trade show booth look really interesting? Try doing special things for your customers and dress up your booth to the point it cannot be ignored. That doesn’t mean that you need to paint it hot pink with neon green letters on it that say “Come to by booth and see my goodies.” You don’t want your booth design or even your other ideas to seem desperate. You just want your customers to enjoy what they see and have a great time.
Giveaways
The way to a customer’s heart is through giveaways. People like things that are free. You can even go as far as giving away bags of popcorn or items such as pens, pencils, key chains, mugs, and so much more that has your logo on them. If you give them something with your logo, then you are giving them a constant reminder that you exist. To them, they are receiving something free, but when they look at that item they will remember that you have something they need.
Here are some other things that you can do to make yourself stand out and attract more visitors to your trade show booth:
- Play games with your customers. Have a spinning wheel that they can spin to win a price. You can give them gift certificates that they can use toward a purchase at your booth or you can have prizes lined up.
- Have things for the kids. Something as simple as a balloon will make their day. Parents will appreciate anything you give their children to keep the kids pacified. Rent a helium tank, buy some balloons, and you’re in business. If you really want to make the balloons work for you, then you can have some printed up with your company logo on them.
- Do a raffle for a particular product that you’re displaying at the show. Let the customers know that you’re doing it at a certain time and let them know that they have to be present to win. That means they will come back to your booth. If they didn’t buy anything the first time, then perhaps they will the second time.
The booth
The booth itself needs to be dressed up for your customers. You have to be really creative with it to make it stand out amongst the many others at the trade show. This means using stage lights to highlight certain items. You may even wish to have special flooring around the booth so that the customers feel like they’re walking into an actual store and not just a booth. People who feel like they are in a store environment are more likely to feel comfortable being there. They feel like they are not amongst many people, but that they are free to browse as they please.
You can also use a booth with a curved wall. These types of trade show booths are very unique and they certain gain the attention that you wish to have. Incorporate all of these elements to have a trade show presence that will dominate on every level.
Thanks to Amy Nutt for contributing this article to our Trade Shows blog:
Create-it Displays offers trade show displays and trade show booths that are completely customizable and transportable for all of your trade show and convention requirements.
What do you notice/do/like at a trade show booth?
July 11, 2009 by Trade Shows and Exhibit Display Tips
Filed under Booths, Displays & Banners
Can you answer breakfastissexy’s question about Trade Shows?:
I’m in a few trade shows coming up within the next couple months, representing my home business with skincare and nutrition products.
I’m in a few trade shows coming up within the next couple months, representing my home business with skincare and nutrition products.
I’m wondering- what would you think is the most effective way to do this? Should I have lots and lots of products at the booth, or keep it simple? Has anyone done this before, and if so, what was successful for you?
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