Tag Archives: trade show displays

Trade Show Tips for Success

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At the height of the trade show season, which (hint, hint), we’re in, you’re company is probably consumed with what it already has planned. Optimizing the trade show or trade shows it has already committed to. Good for you. But that’s probably not enough. Read on.

Once those trade shows are done – when your trade show display is packed away, your leads are followed up on and are in your lead management funnel – your next trade show will be upon you. So now is the time to get a strategy in place to make sure next season goes well. Here’s a checklist.

Are you going to the right trade show(s)? This is a question that requires you to answer a few questions: How much visibility can you get? How many qualified buyers go to the show? Can you get their attention? This often boils down to how big the show is and whether you’ll be dominated by bigger companies. For example, if there are 50,000 attendees, that may be worse than if there are 1,000 attendees and your company has a larger relative presence. Or the audience is better qualified. Think about the potential realistically and you might find a better (smaller) show has more.

Do you have the right message? What do you want prospects to remember? Are you new? Better? Have a longer history? Is your company bigger? Is your product a better value? Think about your prospect, back in the home office – what do you want them to remember?

Is your pre-show marketing effective? You will see a 3-5x return on pre-marketing. Actually, it can be a lot higher. Fact is, you can spend money smarter. So look at your pre-marketing – who are you marketing to and what are you sending? The message needs to be consistent with your show message and prompt a visit or a meeting. The prospects should be the target qualified buyers – lists from prior shows can work. Industry directories can be helpful.

Is your trade show display adequate? Budget plays a role here, but even within a budget, your trade show display can perform very differently. At a minimum, even if your display – a pop up display, truss display or modular display – should be in good condition. It shouldn’t need maintenance. It should be positioned well to give attendees an opportunity to enter the trade show booth space without feeling besieged. If you can’t say this about your trade show display set up, think about a new trade show display. And if that’s not in the budget, think about a trade show display rental.

Are your trade show graphics fresh and vibrant? Once you get to the trade show, graphics are your best display oriented investment. They hook prospects, communicate your message and get attendees into your booth. If your trade show graphics are tired, lifeless or worn, replace them.

It’s easy to get tunnel vision when you’re in the homestretch of a trade show season. But that shouldn’t stop you (if you are smart) from planning for success next season.

Impact Displays has trade show displays, graphics and accessories for companies in all price ranges. Contact through our web page or give us a call at 877-217-2681 and let’s get started on your trade show display.

 

The Critical Path for Trade Show Planning

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We often emphasize early preparation as enhancing your success at trade shows. More advance planning, more preparation, etc – these make you more likely to generate leads. And while this is true to an extent, we wouldn’t want companies NOT to go to trade shows just because they didn’t get a jump on things. So we separated these tasks into “must” “nice to” “not necessary” to get done early as a way of determining if you have missed the opportunity to plan adequately. Use it as a rule of thumb also for determining the critical path to your next trade show.

Must Do Early. Reserve your trade show booth space – if you don’t get this, you can’t set up. Sure, you might get a great deal if you wait, but with attendance in 2012 up 9% over 2011, that’s probably not a good bet (unless you don’t need to go). Reservations will start at least 6-9 months before the trade show and most will be booked no later than 3 months before. Next, have your trade show display ready, or get one. If you have a good pop up display, use it. If you need a modular display or truss display and plan to buy it, give yourself 3-4 months – it will take that long to manage the internal approval process. the display itself will usually only take a few weeks from order to delivery. Hotels – book early. They will sell out 3 months before. Flights – it depends on where you are flying from. A general rule? 6 weeks. Pre-marketing to existing customers and new prospects. We can’t stress this enough as it’s probably the single biggest determinant of trade show success. Start 6 weeks before with a mailer, followed by emails 3 and 1 week prior.

Nice To Do Early. Staff training. It will get everyone comfortable, but isn’t critical. Booth staffing and participation – not critical, but nice. Budgeting on social, etc at the show – same thing. Changes to trade show graphics, etc – nice to do if you have the time. But trade show graphics aren’t a long lead time item – you should be able to get them in a week.

Not Necessary To Do Early. Meeting planning at the show with customers – it’s not practical to do more than a few days before the show since everything changes. Ditto with off-site lunches, dinners – get those on the calendar no earlier than a week before. Packing up trade show displays and accessories – do this the week prior to make sure you’ve walked through configuration details and set up with your team – for this one, later is actually better.

As you can see, you don’t need to plan EVERYTHING early to get to a trade show. And you can have a great trade show even if you don’t get to all these tasks. the important point is to GO TO THE SHOW.

Impact Displays has trade show displays, graphics and accessories for companies in all price ranges. Contact through our web page or give us a call at 877-217-2681 and let’s get started on your trade show display.

Details that Make or Break Your Trade Show Display

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We focus a lot on helping companies that are exhibiting at their first trade show make the experience go smoothly – or companies that haven’t gone to many trade shows raise their game to a new level. For the most part, they need basic guidance and a road map, since there are a lot of details and the process isn’t always straight-forward.

But even experienced exhibitors can take some pointers. And probably the area we see the most need is in the details. You see, when companies are inexperienced exhibitors, they tend to obsess about details – getting the graphics color perfect, making the lighting on the pop up display just right, etc – and that’s the right approach. We find that experienced exhibitors can get blase about these details. And while it’s true that there are more important things to worry about, details matter. Remember – your trade show presence communicates to attendees (your prospects) how you feel about your company and about them. Companies that don’t focus on the details tend to look sloppy and the signal that prospects can pick up is “we don’t care all that much about looking good.” This is an unfortunate mistake, especially since looking good can be inexpensive and easy. Here are some tips.

Examine your trade show graphics. Stage your display and graphics before the trade show. Give it an honest appraisal and ask others in your company to also. If you have a pop up display, do your graphic panels line up so the images look continuous? Are the panels damaged at all? Look especially at corners and other edges that can get abused in shipping and set-up. If you have fabric graphics, are they damaged, dirty, worn? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, think about new graphics. Nothing – nothing – works harder to bring prospects into your booth, so leave nothing to chance with graphics.

Examine your podium or counters. Remember, you and your booth staff will do a lot of talking at the podium or the counter. It should be in good shape – not dirty or beat up. Check the top or surface, especially, and the edge, since these can look work over time. If you have a podium graphic, this should be in great shape, fit well and look nice. Get a new one if it doesn’t

Evaluate your display frame. Depending on the type of display you have, the frame may not be visible. For example, prospects generally can’t see your pop up display frame. But it should be straight and it should be sturdy. If it’s not, get it repaired or replaced. A sagging frame will make the best graphics look….awful. If you have a trade show display with an exposed frame – like a truss display or a modular display, make sure it isn’t dented, scratched or worn. For some reason these displays attract stray tape, Velcro strips, magnetic take and labels of all kinds. Make sure it’s nice and clean before it goes to the show.

Examine your trade show flooring. That’s right – the floor. It’s easy to make a bad impression with a worn floor. A high density foam floor will resist abrasion and scuffs – but it still needs a good scrub to look good. Other floors -carpets, vinyl, low density foam – all need a bit of care too to look nice. If you can’t make it look good, you should replace it.

Look at your brochure stands and literature racks. These take a lot of abuse and a trend towards lighter weight (and less durable) stands make these easy to damage. If yours is damaged or worn, replace it. These are inexpensive brand ambassadors for your company.

With a bit of extra prep, your trade show display and accessories will look great and help make your next trade show as good as it can be. Check out all the trade show displays that Impact Displays offers – or contact us through our website or give us a call at 877.217.2681 to learn more about our displays.

How to Tell If Your Trade Show Display Should Be Retired

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We have all attended trade show events and have seen that one display that just begs to be updated.  Some of these exhibitors have no clue why they get the odd look from various attendees.

The question come up, “How do you know when your trade show display needs to be put out to pasture”?  What clues are there that it’s time to send your display to the junk yard and start over?  Many times companies go to trade shows with the same tired display.  The excuse I have heard most often is “Hey, it worked last year, 5 years ago, in the “70’s, if it isn’t broke, why fix it”?

Come on folks, join the 21st century.  You know it is the time to update that Trade show exhibits.

If not, you’ll know it is time to update your booth if you have experienced any one of these situations:

  • The colors are faded and the panels don’t match…
  • Your Trade Show pictures look like a Saturday Night Fever costume competition…
  • Sales appointments tend to be scheduled away from the display
  • Event attendees compliment the 1970’s retro feel of your display
  • Two words, “Duct Tape”
  • There is more carpet-like fabric than trade show graphics images on your back wall displays
  • Attendees to your booth only compliment you on your rented carpet

If you’ve had to endure any of these embarrassing moments, or experience other similar awkward episodes, perhaps it’s time to investigate purchasing or renting a new trade show exhibit.

Contact Impact Displays on the web today or call us at 877-217-2681 for help with your trade display.  We will help you get with the times with and modern display and eye-catching graphics.

 

First Time Trade Show Exhibitor Tips

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Are you currently in the process of setting up a display at a trade event for the very first time?

Congratulations!  Event displays are one of the best ways for any Company to introduce their product or service to a targeted environment. Businesses in virtually every industry and vertical market have long since relied on trade show events to allow the prospective buyer a chance to get a close, personal look at what they have to offer.

While displaying at an event does deliver a load of benefits, reaping those same benefits requires pre-event strategizing and at-show focus.  All too often, business leaders assume that they can set up their banner stands and displays, then sit back and wait for the buyers to start buying.

There are many marketing pitfalls to avoid when preparing for your first show, and exhibiting:

Never overdo it with your event display:  While a few bells and whistles are nice, make sure most of your exhibit stays focused on informing the crowd.  A well composed video on a constant loop monitor is a great way to draw a crowd.

Never underdo it with your event display:  This is the first impression that prospective clients will have of you, and your business.  You do not want to skimp on the display.

Never Wing-it with your pitch:  Always train your team to ensure that they are prepared to best represent your organization no matter who peeks into the booth.  When your staff begins to ad lib, the display message will become lost, as will the prospective clients.

Never Miss an opportunity to peruse the event:  Always take the time to scope the show and investigate the competition.  Make sure there is at least 1 or 2 staff members manning the exhibits at all times, but it’s important that the team has the opportunity to walk around and check out the competition.  This is an added benefit and should always be a priority.  In addition, make sure that you and your team make rounds and network!

Remember, there are positive aspects to being a first-timer at events, too.   You bring a fresh enthusiasm to the show and will see things that veterans may not.  Combine that insight with these tips and you can make your first trade show a success!

Call us at 877-217-2681 to discuss the best trade show display and graphics for your first event. Or browse our extensive offerings at Impact Displays for all of your event needs!!

Drive Your Trade Show ROI Through the Roof

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In almost all vertical markets, a trade show is one of the most cost effective ways to market a company to the most people at one time.  This said exhibiting is not the least expensive way to market a company.  There all sorts of “hidden” cost that can increase the cost of exhibiting.  These costs include transportation, tips, entertainment, etc…  Many costs on the other hand can be controlled, if not curbed all together.

With the following tips to reduce theses costs, your exhibit can succeed at a much with a much higher ROI then other companies in your same situation.

  • Renting instead of buying:

If a company only does one, maybe two events a year, RENT!!  The cost is much less than buying taking into consideration shipping and storage cost.  A company purchases the graphics which can be reused and stored much more easily than an entire display unit.

  • Buy used:

Consider purchasing a used display instead of a new one.  Trade show display shops are always trying to move last year’s model that has been a demo unit on their showroom floor.  Or purchase a rental unit at a fraction of the new price.

  • Be aware of shipping cost:

Remember that the shipping cost of a display can become a major expense without planning ahead.  UPS or FedEx ground shipping usually guarantees shipments to arrive in up to 7 days anywhere in the country.  The longer you wait to ship your display, the more expensive it will be.  If you are running behind on the graphics, ship the heavier hardware ahead of time, and hand carry or ship the lighter graphics expedited.  Also consider setting up the display on your own versus using the event labor.  This will save quite a bit of money.

One last thought for you, if you are not displaying a lot of product or samples, use a series of banner stands as the back wall.  Not only can they can create a vibrant colorful back wall, they can be broken down for hand carry anywhere and can be used for smaller events as a single banner display.

Controlling display costs can great affect your overall event ROI, in a positive way. Keeping the cost in check will allow your booth staff to focus on exhibiting, instead of being preoccupied with budget issues.

Contact Impact Displays at 877.217.2681 and speak to one of our trade show experts for all of your display needs.

Make Your Table Top Trade Show Display Outstanding

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The following are some of the ways to make your table top displays look outstanding.

1: Know Your Setting

If you are working in a small trade show space, then know each and every detail of your assigned area. You must know the exact dimensions of every corner and the kind of surface the table will have. You must also know the available resources nearby.

2: Hide the Table Itself – Don’t Leave Your Table Visible

Your display must have something underneath them more than the table itself. A simple cloth may also work as well. Or a printed table cover that also displays your logo or brand.

3: Draw a Clear Focus

When you go with a small space, it may be difficult to fit everything within that given amount of space. In such cases, the most persuasive technique is to analyze what is most important and leaving some empty space to highlight your key features.

4: Use Planned Text

The content on the actual surface must be very tempting to make your displays a disorganized jumble of words. Don’t try to stuff too much of text. Add photos and other template elements to break up any paragraphs that you include.

5: Provide Easy Access to Take-Home Literature

Don’t put a lot of text on the trade show display. Use these displays to give brochures and distribute them widely.

6: Stop Traditional Table Top Display Format

In order to stop your setup from looking like a science project, use innovative styling.

7: Look At Your Table’s Shape

You can also use the bottom of the table top surface. It is very effective to hang the literature holders along with the edge of the table, providing easy access. Depending on how much of a crowd you expect, a sign might also be wise.

Maximize the return on your marketing investment with a “High Impact” trade show display and trade show booths. Call now to speak to our trade show display experts – 877-217-2681! Or click here to request more information or a quote from Impact Displays.

 

10 Tips to Make Your Trade Show More Successful

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Trade shows are the best marketing medium to invest your billions of dollars. In order to be engaged, you need to have some fun, because if you are bored, it will act as an invisible barrier.

Here are some suggestions to look make your trade show more successful:

  • Look out the Visitors and Convention website in order to do all the fun activities.
  • Have dinner with the person who is staffing the booth.
  • Have a look at your competitors at the show and ask them what they don’t do well.
  • Take giveaways from your fellow persons, and give them back to different persons.
  • Chat with your friends via Face book, LinkedIn or other social media.
  • Try to create some funny things around your booth which helps to get your messages to visitors.
  • Always try to smile at your booth visitors.
  • Try to provide surprises and create some fun activities for your booth visitors.
  • At last thank everyone who had helped you with the show such as your booth staffers, your exhibit house, your manager, the show owner etc.

To know more visit Trade show displays and panel displays - or call us at 877-217-2681 and talk to once of our product specialists!

Avoid Making These Common Trade Show Mistakes

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Major trade show exhibit mistakes to avoid are:

Picking the Wrong Trade Show

Being distracted by hectic work schedule and shortage of staff and over worked, made trade show decisions to exhibit in an upcoming trade show can backfire. Due to lack of amount of time to analyze about your trade show will wound up with the wrong targeted audience. Without proper analysis to know about the qualifications of the trade show attendees and how they match up with your marketing goals, you are subject to missing your target and having an unrewarding trade show experience.

Picking a trade show booth with no intrigue or style

The trade show exhibit without attractions, audios, interactive activity, sensational giveaways and prizes, fresh brewed coffee and hot buns, looks like a drape.

Having your trade show booth staff poorly trained

Your trade show exhibit staff should be able to communicate with its audience in an informative, intelligent way. Don’t allow your booth staff to waste time by talking to unqualified prospects. Identify and classify products and services that the visitors are interested in buying. If you do not identify the hot leads and filter out those, then your trade show exhibit staff will only be spinning their wheels.

Maximize the return on your marketing investment with a “High Impact” trade show display and custom-printed graphics. We’re your one-stop shop for high quality trade show displays, trade show exhibit booths, pop up displays, tabletop exhibits, banner stands and exhibit graphics. Buy or rent your trade show display and graphics from Impact Displays and enjoy our outstanding customer service.

Call now to speak to our trade show display experts – 877-217-2681!

To learn more visit impact-displays.com

SPI’s Plastics Industry Trade Association

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The Plastics Industry Trade show Association has been teamed up for the next three annual SPE ANTEC conferences in order to attract more corporate exhibitors, visitors and sponsors.

This annual conference was associated with SPI’s triennial NPE2012. The agreement between SPE and SPI combines the SPE’s expertise as the organizer of plastics technical conferences with SPI’s strength producing the triennial NPE show.

The third, ANTEC 2015, will collocate with NPE2015 in March at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando at United States.

The event includes:

1) To produce “Business of Plastics” to be held alongside SPE’s technical conference

2) To sell exhibit space, as well as promotional opportunities for corporate sponsors

3) To contribute marketing of the entire ANTEC program.

This agreement between SPE and SPI will benefit both the organizations by creating new avenues for the growth of organization,” said Willem De Vos, SPE’s CEO.

Our trade show efforts will increase the attendance of session visitors, expands the trade show held during ANTEC in non-NPE years, adding valuable content towards the session, and to support SPE’s strategy for international diversification.”

Carteaux said SPI is delighted to make this program as an annual event by creating amounts of new product stream and increasing our visibility as a provider of educational content.  At the same time, our sales and promotional work will also generate new marketing opportunities and ideas for the companies that make up with our own membership.

In this trade show convention hall, 623 presentations has been planned to provide in order to attract 1,432 attendees. The ANTEC trade show in 2011 included 84 exhibitors and hence it will be held again in joint with ANTEC 2013, April 22-24 in Cincinnati, and ANTEC, April 27-May 1 in Las Vegas.

To know more visit impact-displays.