The Exhibitor 2011 Show ended yesterday in Las Vegas. The mood was more upbeat than 2010 and most of the people seemed cautiously optimistic about 2011 and beyond. It seems that companies are beginning to go to trade shows again - and spend money on new displays and graphics. Lucky for them, because there’s a new crop of displays in almost every category - from banner stands to pop ups and modular systems. There’s a lot to choose from - the following will try to help you sort it out.

In banner stands there are new options for fabric graphics in both retractable banner stands and standard (non-retracting) banner stands. Keep in mind, if you’re accustomed to thinking of fabric as the kind you see on modular systems, you’ll be disappointed. These fabric graphics are thinner and feel more like paper - or vinyl. But, they do have texture and if that’s important to you, there are options. There are also new green banner stands with 100% PCR (post-consumer) PVC as media. Check them out if you want to use recycled material - they look and perform as well as virgin materials.

In pop up displays, the words are “value-oriented options” which means you’re going to get more for less. If you bought a pop up display in the past 3 years, the new pop ups will blow you away with features, options and accessories. There are slick monitor mounts for screens up to 37″ - these sit neatly behind the pop up but don’t require any holes in your graphics for cables. There are all kinds of shelves - full width, accent, tilted. There are great new pop up header assemblies that give your pop up that extra “oomph.” We see a lot of direct printed graphics - we’re still cautious about these and we are recommending laminated and encapsulated graphics to all of our pop up display customers unless they know they will dispose of the graphics after one show. But this option is available and can save 20% or more on the graphic panels.

In fabric displays there is a profusion of cool frames - straight, top to bottom curves, convex curves - and now a lot of options. We’ve always been fans of fabric backwalls with their tight fabric graphics. But the disadvantage used to be that they didn’t have a lot of shelf, table or monitor options. No more - you can really get almost any type of display accessory that you would on a pop up with the new fabric backwalls. And we were able to get a look at the new fabric displays from Agam - complete kits with tool-less assembly. Very slick. A higher price point than the majority, but perfect for the company that wants the tip-top in design, aesthetics and durability.

In modular systems there are an increasing number of frames at the lower end. This is great if you’re interested in a modular system - you will have a lot of choices for entry level systems in the $2k-$3k range. Where these systems are cutting corners (or cutting costs) is in the modularity and expandability. With many of them, you may be locked into the form factor you buy and you won’t be able to reconfigure. So be careful and ask a lot of questions if you think you’ll want to reconfigure your modular trade show display.

If you’re in the market for a new trade show display, there’s a lot of new models. Choose carefully and get to the trade shows!

Impact Displays offers a full range of trade show displays, trade show graphics as well as tips to make your next trade show a success. Impact Displays is located at 1934 Junction Avenue in San Jose and can be reached by clicking here, by calling 877-217-6850 or by emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Exhibitor conference is the main trade show in the trade show business (seriously). And as it was cranking up for the past month as they always do, companies with new products were announcing them and touting their advantages. The industry has been through some very tough times - small businesses closed doors or stopped going to trade shows and larger companies significantly scaled back their trade show booth size and their staffs. After years of escalating budgets, eveything had stopped. Well, companies are again spending money to go to trade shows, host events and sponsor promotions. But it feels different now than it was - more restrained. Certainly, there will be a group of companies that have to build a new custom trade show booth every year. But more and more companies have begun to ask for trade show displays and graphic solutions that are less expensive, more portable, more versatile and greener. And the industry finally seems to be catching on - at least certain companies are. Below is a preview of what we expect to see today and tomorrow at Exhibitor in Las Vegas.

Banner stands. Pity the lowly banner stand - it’s an after thought to many exhibitors. It shouldn’t be - it’s an incredibly versatile and cost effective display. Offering about 20 square feet of graphic or messaging area in a package that’s a about 3 feet long and 6 inches in diameter. You can buy a slick one that looks like it was made on a CNC machine or a basic one that is purely functional. Either way, at a few hundred dollars, it’s the best value in trade show displays. In the past few years we’ve seen replaceable banner systems - so users can have a different set of graphics and swap them in the field. We liked the idea and carried some systems but in practice it didn’t work. And prices for banner stands have come down a lot so that we don’t think these systems make sense for users unless they are doing more than 3 or 4 graphic changeouts per year. If they’re doing fewer than that, it makes more sense to buy a new banner stand and recycle the old one. But Exhibitor will have a lot of new cassette systems as vendors try to work around patents in the field. We also expect to see better quality fabric graphic banner stands this year in Las Vegas. One of the chief complaints about a retractable banner stand is that the graphic can look well, less polished than pop up or fabric graphics. Banner stands have vinyl graphics and even though they should look great, they often don’t. The issue has been roll-ability - better graphics are often thicker and these don’t roll well on retractable banner stands. But new fabric printing techiques have made good progress and there are new fabric banner stand systems on the market worth checking out. Overall, banner stands are very cost effective displays and should be given a lot of consideration by exhibitors and coordinating elements in a trade show booth.

Thin fabric display systems. These types of trade show displays have seen a lot of growth in the past few years. Much of the growth has been driven by kits and pre-defined display designs that have made ordering easier. Traditionally, display companies have stocked components and built fabric frame displays as one-off or custom offerings. But the extrusion manufacturers (Agam, Octonorm, etc) have begun to kit up and pre-package frame systems, making product presentation and ordering much easier for companies looking for this type of display. It’s now possible to get a 2 inch wide fabric frame with nearly any dimension your company needs. The other big advance has been the “silicon edge graphic” or “SEG” finish for the graphics. As the name implies, these fabric graphics have a durable but pliable silicon runner that fits into a slot in the frame system. Getting the graphic in place can require more work than pole pocket graphics, but the result is a taught, clean finish that looks better than the rest. Thin frame systems are used in place of fully configurable modular systems for situations where expandability and modularity are not necessary, where cost is a primary concern but where fabric graphics are preferred. There will be a lot of new fabric frame systems at Exhibitor 2011.

Modular display systems. It used to be that only large companies could afford modular extrusion displays - the fancy aluminum frame systems that usually have fabric graphics. That was because although the systems were basically aluminum tubes and connectors, they each needed to be cut, mitered, etc. No more - now systems are available in pre-packaged kits as well as expandable units. These trends are the result of new companies entering the market with systems that are much less expensive (even if they are not completely reconfigurable) and also the major vendors beginning to evolve products into full modular display systems (rather than a collection of components). So smaller companies with less money to spend now have a range of custom modular display solutions to choose from for their next trade show. There will be many new modular display systems at all price points in Las Vegas this year.

Good things are happening in the trade show industry to bring lower cost, more portable more versatile trade show displays and graphics to trade show exhibitors. If your company is considering an upgrade or is buying its first trade show displays, now if a good time to be in the market for a new display.

Impact Displays offers a full range of trade show displays, trade show graphics as well as tips to make your next trade show a success. Impact Displays is located at 1934 Junction Avenue in San Jose and can be reached by clicking here, by calling 877-217-6850 or by emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.

If your company has made all the decisions necessary for the booth space, trade show display type and graphics for the upcoming show, it’s time to start thinking about how to work the show to your best advantage. It probably seems like you’ve done everything you can by choosing a great pop up display or truss exhibit, but you’ve really just tackled the easy stuff. You need to think about who is in the trade show floor in your booth and how to manage traffic and prospects. Here are some pointers.

First, this guide assumes that the trade show your company is exhibiting at is not a consumer-oriented or retail expo or convention - it’s not one where you are taking orders or actually selling on the floor. Those types of trade shows usually have a customer engagement pattern that mirrors what happens every day in your company and presumably you and your people know how to handle that. But in a business to business trade show, where your company is promoting products and services, you will probably attract leads that you have to convert after the show. This guide will help you think through the best people to do the lead qualification and help you think through the optimal engagement strategy.

Most companies will use a combination of marketing and sales people on the show floor and in the trade show booth to work the audience. You can add technical or engineering expertise if your company has a highly technical service or product. But remember: most companies that do well are not trying not close sales on the trade show floor. And most attendees are not in a position to place orders on the floor anyway. So don’t overdo the technical people - put people in the trade show booth that can qualify, position and follow up. It’s better to get 30 leads than close 1 sale, since your 30 leads will probably generate more than one sale.

So in your pop up booth you will want a mix of marketing people and real sales people. Think of the marketing people as the first line. They’re good at the 10,000 foot explanations and they are great at positioning. And they should literally be the first people that do the meet and greet when a prospect walks up to your pop up display. They should hand a prospect off to a sales person if the prospect seems real - if they’re worth a longer pitch in your trade show booth and a follow up afterwards. Keep in mind - the main goal when working your trade show booth is figuring out which prospects are not worth your time and moving them out of your trade show exhibit quickly. So the guy who says he’s there because he’s a reporter may not be a good person to spend time with, while a VP with a 3 month time horizon to buy can be a great prospect. You can also consider having a person with business development responsibilities in the trade show booth, if your company has this function and you are expecting potential partners to be in the audience at the trade show.

So you have the right people but how do you engage the attendees and make the engagement useful? First of all, your staff - even if it’s just you and another person - need to understand that not all prospects are equal. So at every opportunity they (and you) need to ask “is this person a potential customer or am I just wasting my time?” If you end up with a looky loo, be polite but exit the conversation. Say “thanks so much for coming by our booth and feel free to contact me after the show.” Give your card, walk them out of the booth and be done with it. How do you know if they are a looky loo? They have no product spec, time-frame, budget, etc in mind. Anyone that’s a serious prospect will know these things. And the more time you spend with a looky loo the greater are the chances you miss the real prospects - they may walk right by if you were at your cool trade show display but you were busy with your looky loo.

Ok, so you have a potential prospect and they seem qualified. How do you handle this? First, try to get actionable information from them and either take notes or make mental notes that you will transcribe immediately. What do they like about what your company offers? Dislike? What other companies are they looking at? What company do they use currently (if any)? When will they make a decision? Who else is involved in the decision? What role do they play in the decision (information gathering, evaluation, recommendation, final say, deal blocker?). Also, find out why they’re at the trade show - are they well down the evaluation path or just getting educated? Are they going to make a decision based on what they see? Do they want a quote after the show? Answers to these questions tell you (a) how much information to give the prospect, (b) how much time to spend with the prospect and (c) how to follow up with the prospect after the trade show. A rough rule of thumb - your “best” prospect should get no more than 15 minutes of your time. This is a person with purchasing authority or great influence that has done a lot of research and is planning to buy within the normal selling cycle. If the prospect is “good” but not the best - maybe they are not buying within the normal selling cycle or they aren’t the decision maker, they get 5-10 minutes before you move them out of the trade show booth. And if they’re just an “ok” prospect - they’re at the trade show just getting smart - they get just a few minutes. And to repeat: if they’re just a looky loo, be polite but move on right away. There is no upside in spending more time than you have to, and there may be valuable opportunities lost while talking to them.

Even if you’ve made all the right decisions - from trade show graphics and banner stands to accessories - you still have to prepare well to have success on the trade show floor. But with the right approach you can have a great show, identify leads and generate sales.

Impact Displays offers a full range of trade show displays, trade show graphics as well as tips to make your next trade show a success. Impact Displays is located at 1934 Junction Avenue in San Jose and can be reached by clicking here, by calling 877-217-6850 or by emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.

If your small business is going to a trade show, sometimes the EASY part is deciding on which trade show display to buy. The HARD part ends up being what messaging or artwork you put on the trade show graphics. Because when you get right down to it - especially for small companies that will not have a “wow” trade show booth with two stories and a lot of extras - the messaging and artwork become the memorable features of your trade show booth. Here are some tips to make your trade show graphics as good as they can be.

First, decide on a theme or a message for the display. If yours is a new company, you may want to focus on what your business does, how its different, etc. If your company has been in business for a while and is known but is either expanding or offering new products (or services), you may want to focus on these new elements. But the messaging should have a theme - to make the discussion concrete let’s assume you’re expanding.

Next, consider your trade show display and the area and form factor it gives you. A banner stand, for example, has a specific vertical orientation and about 20 square feet of usable area to get your message across. So on a banner stand you will want to consider how you engage the trade show attendees, get them into your trade show booth and hear what you want to say about the expansion. Many companies have success with this basic formula for a banner stand: brand or image at the very top, high value text/images in the middle, supporting/less important text or images near in the lower third (this assumes these elements are not necessarily integrated - they can stand alone) of the retractable banner stand. Generally you want to avoid using the bottom of the banner stand for text - it’s inconvenient to read that low - and use this for imagery, a company logo, etc. - or a bleed out area.

If you’re using a pop up, you have several options for pop up graphics. To use the maximum available area (and at about 90 sq feet, why not, really), use full mural front panels and printed end-caps. Generally your main message about your expansion will be on the 4 main mural panels and you’ll want to concentrate on messaging on the upper 2/3rds of the the pop up area. You can create a seamless image and text to discuss your company’s expansion (location, benefits, timing, etc) or use panels of alternating text and images - maybe a picture of the new facility. Save the top portion of the front mural panels for branding - log or image or simply the company name work well here to grab the attention of trade show attendees. On the end cap panels, you can print web address, email address or phone number vertically - or “bleed out” the imagery on the front mural panel graphics. If you are using less than full murals - multiple detachable graphics that adhere with velcro, you will want to stick with images or photos as words tend to consume too much space.

If you are using a modular trade show display - either an extrusion system or a truss display, you have many options and a lot of area to work with (up to several hundred square feet). Use the taller portions of the trade show display for branding and logos - these areas are visible from farther away and will be directional locators. Use the different main areas of the display - either the backwall or the satellite areas - to emphasize multiple different messages about the expansion. And with all the opportunities for messaging that a modular system provides, narrate a message at each station and integrate in a central space (if your trade show display has one).

Lastly, don’t forget trade show display accessories as message carriers. You have cabinets, podiums, tables and flooring, most of which will accept releasable vinyl or laminated detachable graphics. These locations work well with branding and logos - don’t try complicated narration on a podium.

There are lot’s of great ways to add a cohesive, compelling message to your trade show booth, no matter what you’re using at the trade show. The most important thing about the trade show is the message after all - make it interesting and well placed and you’ll get better qualified leads into your trade show booth.

Impact Displays offers a full line of trade show displays and custom graphics for companies attending trade shows and hosting promotions. Impact Displays is located at 1934 Junction Ave in San Jose CA and can be reached by clicking here, by calling 877-217-2681 or by emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Most customers face this situation: they need a trade show display that is durable and well made, but they don’t want to pay more than they need to or get features they don’t use. Obviously, this isn’t unique to companies buying displays - all businesses face this challenge. But the trade show display industry often does a bad job of explaining why one display is better or costs more than another. This guide may help you make sure you will get what you need and understand the difference between the various display options and price points.

One of the first questions you need to answer is how often and how intensively your company will use the trade show display. If you only use a banner stand once a year and you are the person that sets up and takes down, you can probably go with a budget banner stand from most manufacturers. Usually, a budget banner stand will do fine for several years of use, particularly if it’s well cared for and stored carefully. The same goes for a budget pop up display or a budget modular display - if they are used once a year and you can ensure they are treated right, they are probably the best value for your company. Keep in mind that when you buy a budget trade show display, you usually can’t find options for it that are available for mid-priced and premium displays. So the banner stand will likely be a fixed height (non-adjustable), the pop up will probably not be available with options like shelving and the modular display may not be as reconfigurable as more expensive mid-priced modular displays. And your company may not need these features. But do assess the expected future needs - you will often have to replace your entire pop up display, for example, if you decide you need a monitor mount.

As you move into the mid-priced trade show display class, you will see displays that have more options (shelves or lighting, for example). These displays are also generally built to last longer and withstand more abuse. Keep in mind - durability isn’t usually something you can perceive when products are brand new. If you put a budget and a mid-price banner stand side by side (or a pop up display, for that matter), you would have a hard time discerning differences in durability. But over time, mid-priced displays that are designed for more frequent use will last longer. Moving parts don’t wear out as quickly as they do on budget displays. Generally, a mid-priced display is a good choice if you plan to use it several times per year or if you can’t always be sure that the display will be treated well and stored appropriately. Mid-priced trade show displays are also a good choice if need accessories - or expect to need them - not found on budget displays. You can expect to pay 25% more for a mid-priced display than for a budget display, although this will depend on the specifics of the design, features, type of display, etc.

Premium displays represent the top of the line. They have more options and accessories than mid-priced displays. They are also designed with more user-friendly features in mind. For example, while a banner stand in the mid-priced category might include a 3-part pole, a premium banner stand will often include fully adjustable pole that adjust to an infinite variety of heights. This can be helpful if you might want to use the banner as a table top display, for example. Or a premium modular display - it will have more options and configurations than lower priced versions. Premium trade show displays are also designed with the maximum durability in mind - they will give you years of trouble-free service even under heavy use. Most companies consider premium trade show displays when they are using them 4 or more times per year - or if the trade show staff might treat the displays in a rough manner. Generally, premium displays will cost 25-30% more than a mid-priced display.

It’s essential to make sure your company is getting the features and durability it needs while not spending more than it has to on unnecessary product attributes. A thoughtful assessment of how your trade show display will be used can help your company make sure it has what it needs.

Impact Displays is a full-service trade show display company located at 1934 Junction Ave in San Jose CA. Impact Displays offers a complete line of displays in the budget, mid-priced and premium categories to make sure your company can find what it needs at the right budget. Impact Displays can be reached by clicking here, calling 877-217-2681 or emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.

For companies attending trade shows in a medium size (20 x 20) trade show booth or larger, you have options for increasing your company’s visibility. In a smaller booth, it’s simply not possible to do much that’s differentiated to get the attention of trade show attendees. But with a larger booth space, your company can use the enhanced height allowances in the booth itself to create signage that is high above the trade show floor and gets attention. And, because larger booths often justify this expense, your company can also consider a hanging sign. Both of these options are good for attracting attention and getting visitors to your booth.

Larger booth spaces at trade shows often have increased height allowances - typically 14′-20′ depending on the venue. To be sure, check with the show organizer to find out what you are allowed to do in your booth. But unlike smaller booths, you can build a taller display and attach signage - giving your company a unique advantage for capturing audience attention and getting visitors to your booth.

Generally, a trade show display that will accommodate a tall sign must be considered well in advance of the show, since some elements of the design will be specific to the signage requirements. And since it’s necessary to design the display to meet these requirements, you will want to consider other design factors to make sure the display has everything you need (monitors, shelves, lighting). The best display for a tall sign structure is a truss trade show display. Truss is very stable at heights up to 20′, depending on the design. And a truss can accommodate fabric, laminated, vinyl or rigid graphics, making it versatile and efficient. Typically, a truss will be designed as a perimeter or an island to support a tall sign in the center or on the booth perimeter. And with a large (50 sq ft or greater) sign, you are sure to attract visitors to your booth. You can also use modular extrusion displays for tall displays. Although these displays are convenient and lightweight, they will usually need special support if they are built to be greater than 12′ tall. So think carefully about the special design considerations if you want to use an extrusion system, and make sure your supplier knows what you have in mind.

Another way to “get above” the trade show crowd and attract attention is to use a hanging sign that - quite literally - hangs from the ceiling of the event hall. These signs are typically made of a lightweight tubular aluminum frame and have either a fabric or a vinyl graphic that attaches to the frame. The advantage of a hanging sign is that it can be placed even higher than floor standing sign attached to your display. It will be suspended high over all the other displays and signage and will be easy to see. Few companies go to this trouble, and the ones that do are rewarded with a relatively unique marketing advantage during the trade show. Keep in mind - hanging signs require the assistance of the trade show services staff to elevate and secure your sign. So you need to get an assessment of these costs if they might influence whether you use a hanging sign or a display mounted sign.

There are other ways to attract attention and to “get vertical” at trade shows - flags and banners can be used. But none are as effective as tall signage or hanging signs. If you have a trade show booth that’s 20 x 20 or larger, you might consider a hanging sign to give you an advantage at your next expo.

Impact Displays offers a range of trade show displays and graphics, including hanging displays and signs. Impact Displays is located at 1934 Junction Ave in San Jose CA. Impact Displays can be reached by clicking here, by calling 877-217-2681 or by emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Companies that are exhibiting in small booth spaces at trade shows have a new option for their main display: the tension fabric display. Although the basic tension fabric design - essentially a fabric cover on a tubular aluminum frame - has been around for 10 years or more, it was only available in expensive, large, custom configurations. Recent fabric printing advances have made this trade show display cost effective for smaller booth spaces. Small business trade show exhibitors that are interested in a different look than a pop up display or a modular display should consider a tension fabric display.

Most companies that are exhibiting in a 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 space will use a linear trade show display - a basic backwall to create graphic space. There are a lot of solutions for this layout. Banner stands can be made to work in a 10 x 10 space. But the most popular 10 x 10 display is a pop up display. These are popular for good reason - they are lightweight, easy to set up and portable. The disadvantage is that a pop up display will give you a generic exhibitor look and there are aren’t many ways to vary the basic concave shape. Exhibitors in a 10 x 20 trade show booth have more options, but the structure will be a linear design.

Tension fabric displays can add differentiation to this scheme. First of all, a tension fabric display looks different and that alone will be eye catching to attendees. The fabric completely covers the frame (wraps around, in most cases), making this type of trade show display the most effective at presenting a large graphic area. And the graphics are fabric - they will look great, especially if your artwork contains vibrant colors and compelling imagery.

A tension fabric display has two parts - the tubular aluminum frame and the fabric graphic. The display frame consists of a series of interlocking 1-1/4″ lightweight aluminum tubes that snap together to form a larger rectangle (the backwall). The frame will have inegral support feet to allow it to stand upright - a tension fabric display is only a few inches wide. The fabric graphic is usually a continuous piece of fabric with artwork printed in a dye sub process. The fabric graphic is sewn together to match the shape of the frame and enclose it completely. The graphic has zippers along several sides and when it’s fitted to the frame, it is tight (hence “tension” fabric) not only making it look great but also adding stability to the frame and the entire display. The process of setting up a 10 x 10 tension fabric display takes about 20 minutes and can be done without tools. Tension fabric displays are comparable in price to pop up displays.

Recent new designs make tension fabric displays more appealing - and more useful. You can configure one with a “top-to-bottom” curve or a “side-to-side” curve. These displays can also be configured to hold monitors, product shelves or cases.

There are a lot of things you can do with a tension fabric display to get a different look than a pop up display or a basic modular display if your company is exhibiting in a 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 booth space.

Impact Displays offers a range of trade show displays and graphics, including tension fabric displays. Impact Displays is located at 1934 Junction Ave in San Jose CA. Impact Displays can be reached by clicking here, by calling 877-217-2681 or by emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.

For companies attending trade shows, there are a lot of decisions you’ll have to make if you’re thinking about buying a new trade show display. It’s easy to get sidetracked with details about the hardware. And these are important considerations - how big a trade show display, what style - potable or modular, a pop up display, truss exhibit, etc. But one of the most important decisions is often the most overlooked: the trade show graphics. Graphics may be the most important decision you make, so here’s how you can make sure you get what you need without spending more than you have to.

First of all, why are trade show graphics so important? For starters, it’s really the first thing customers and prospects will see and it will leave a permanent impression long after they’ve left the show. So as you think about what to put on your graphics, make sure it has lasting impact - your customers will have a mental image if it for a long time. And the graphics position your company and communicate the most important message at the trade show. So it makes sense to spend time and effort making sure your graphics look great at your show. There are basically two types of graphics that are popular at trade shows: fabric graphics and inkjet graphics.

You will most often see fabric trade show graphics on tension fabric displays, hanging signs, truss exhibits and certain modular exhibits. Fabric graphics are printed using a process known as dye sublimation (”dye sub”). There are different ways to accomplish dye sub, but the end product is a fabric panel that looks “garment dyed” and customized. The fabric itself is usually a grade of polyester that has very limited stretch. Dye sub fabric graphics look great when they are done right - so it’s important to work with a vendor that has a lot of fabric printing history and experience. A poorly measured, dyed or finished fabic graphic is a bit like clothing - if it doesn’t look great, it can look terrible: too baggy on curves, too tight at corners, not aligned throughout. So make sure, if you’re getting fabric graphics, that the company you work with has sourced or produced graphics for your particular trade show display. The other advantages of fabric graphics include their light weight, ability to be folded when stored and their resistance to dirt, scuffs, dents, etc (since they are flexible).

The other type of graphics - inkjet - are more common on pop ups and banner stands. Inkjet graphics use the same basic technology: ink is sprayed on top of an impermeable media panel. The ink sits on the surface of the panel and doesn’t get embedded into the media substrate. So inkjet graphics don’t usually have the depth of color saturation and warmth of fabric graphics for deep color. But inkjet graphics excel at combinations of color, imagery and text. They are sharp and crisp and can create highlights and sharp image distinctions.

Because inkjet graphics deposit ink “on” the graphic (not within fibers), they have to be treated carefully. For banner stands that retract, this is not a problem since the graphic is stored in a protective housing at the base of the banner stand. For pop up displays and modular displays that use inkjet graphics, the best finishing method for inkjet graphics is a laminated and encapsulated process, where the graphic is sandwiched between two pieces of polycarbonate material (or equivalent) that protects the graphic. The lamination on the back of the panel is often a lightblocker, so that the trade show graphics don’t bleed light from the back side and look bad. A less robust finish is called “direct printing” or “DuraPrint” and involves printing inkjet graphics on a substrate and curing the ink quickly by using UV (ultra violet) light. Because the ink is cured very quickly, the ink can be applied more uniformly and consistently than traditional inkjet. However, since direct print graphics do not have a protective lamination layer, they are very susceptible to scratching, gouging, etc. Just imagine everything that would scratch ink off - since the ink is unlaminated it is always exposed to these risks. There’s nothing inherently wrong with unlaminated graphics - they can look quite similar to laminated graphics, and they can be as much as 25% less expensive. But they are ideally used for single shows - they are likely to be damaged before a second use, given the abuse in packing, et up, re-packing and shipping that occur during a trade show. So make sure you know what you are paying for - laminated or unlaminated inkjet graphics - and make sure you have the right expectation for them.

Make sure your company considers the various graphic options available for trade show graphics - they may be the most important part of your trade show display.

Impact Displays is a full service trade show display company located at 1934 Junction Ave in San Jose CA. The company offers a full line of trade show display graphics and has other helpful trade show tips on its website. Impact Displays can be reached by clicking here, by calling 877-217-2681 or by emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.

When you’re planning for a trade show, it’s very easy to overlook the details that will really improve your image and make the show better for your company. You will spend a lot of time getting the main display - your pop up, banner stands, modular display, etc and graphics together (and making sure the people that need to be at the show make it there!), so it’s understandable that little details can fall through the cracks. The attached list of trade show booth accessories may help you get organized for the next trade show and make it a success.

A counter, workstation or podium. If you’re doing any demos on a laptop or you want to, consider a counter. We prefer ones that are at least 38” high. You can splurge of stools, but they’re not really necessary. In fact, what you really want is a place where people can continue standing while they watch the demo. If they have to sit, they may not do the demo (and they can be harder to move along when it’s done.). If you want to mount a monitor and have room for a keyboard, consider a workstation. Counters start around $500 to buy, but try renting one – at $250 or so per show, you’ll figure out if they’re a good investment or not. These go equally well with pop ups or modular displays.

Literature stands and racks. I’ll come right out and say it: most companies overdo the brochures and marketing literature at shows. It allows prospects to “grab and go” without a discussion (which is the whole point of face to face marketing). But if you must have some collateral, make it look neat by putting it in a literature rack. These are inexpensive, portable and go with almost any style of exhibit or display. You can position them in the corner of your trade show booth or next to your display. There’s nothing worse than a kiosk littered with paper.

Display Cases. Many companies have products but just putting them on a table often doesn’t do them justice. Consider a display case to showcase (and protect) your merchandise. It’s a professional way to complement your trade show display. And you can find a display case to go with any style of booth - from pop up to truss exhibit.

Carpet and flooring. Carpet is easy to overlook – you stand right on it. But after a long day working the booth, you’ll really appreciate a good, padded carpet. And if you don’t get a carpet, you’ll be left with whatever the trade show hall is covered with (sometimes cement, sometimes generic, thin carpet.) A carpet can be rented for about $2.50 a square foot ($5 psf to buy) and it’s a great way to set off your booth and get attention from the trade show crowd.

When you’re going to your next trade show, make sure you don’t forget accessories and options for your booth – they’re great investments and will make your next trade show a success!

Impact Displays is a full service trade show display company located at 1934 Junction Ave in San Jose CA. The company offers a full line of trade show display accessories and has other helpful trade show tips on its website. Impact Displays can be reached by clicking here, by calling 877-217-2681 or by emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.

If your company is like most, you come back from your trade show or expo exhausted. When you dig out from all the things you missed when you were away and begin following up on the leads you developed. And your trade show display or exhibit - be it a banner stand, a pop up display, a truss or a modular - gets stashed in a garage or storage room pretty much exactly as it was when it was packed up. And the next time it gets opened up is a week or two before your next trade show.

There are many reasons not to neglect your trade show display this way. The most obvious is that if anything has broken or been damaged on the display, the best time to have it fixed is on your return. This way, if there’s an out of stock repair part or you need to ship the display to have it repaired, you have plenty of time. The second reason to keep your display in good condition between trade shows is that it will look better and last longer if it’s well cared for. Below are some guidelines for maximizing the life and preserving the appearance of your trade show display.

1. When you return from the show, unpack and arrange all the parts – the display, graphics, accessories, connectors, etc. Take an inventory and make sure everything came back from the expo. This is easy if you have a pop up display and more complicated if you have a modular display.

2. Inspect the major components. Are any areas bent, dented, scraped and need a cosmetic fix? Are any of the functional elements damaged? Are the pop up mag bars in good condition? The cases in good shape? The lights work? Make a list of any repairs or replacement parts needed.

3. Clean the display with a wet cloth and mild detergent (liquid dish soap is effective). Let it stand so it will dry. If your graphics are laminated, lightly wipe these down also.

4. Carefully repack the trade show display and accessories. If your graphics store in the same case – like a pop up – put these in the case. If they are stored separately – like fabric graphics on a modular system – bag them in protective plastic and put them in a soft pouch.

5. Take care of the list of repairs or replacement parts right away – it’s easy to get busy and forget otherwise.

When storing your display, you also want to make sure your display and graphics are stored appropriately. Make sure the display won’t be stored in temperature extremes. Either too hot or too can be damaging to graphics, Velcro, magnetic tape, etc. And if you store your display opened (set up), as in a lobby, make sure it’s out of direct light. Most displays are not designed to withstand repeated exposure to sunlight and graphics will fade, bleed, etc.

Proper display clean up and storage can be an difficult after a busy trade show. But with proper care and maintenance, you can get years of valuable service from your trade show display.

Impact Displays is a full service trade show display company located at 1934 Junction Ave in San Jose CA. The company has other helpful trade show tips on its website. Impact Displays can be reached by clicking here, by calling 877-217-2681 or by emailing info@impact-displays.com.

Copyright Impact Marketing Displays LLC. All Rights Reserved.