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[T1208]Trade Show Display Booths

by Dick Wheeler, Dic

When you work with an Install and Dismantle (I & D) company at your next trade show-- and every exhibitor must hire an install and dismantle company-- it is important to have full communications with them so that your trade show exhibit will remain intact. It is essential for the trade show exhibitor, therefore, to provide the installer with a written, descriptive, detailed breakdown of all the trade show booth items and components.

This inventory list should not only include the number, size and dimensions of the trade show exhibit items, but also a description of what these pieces are. In fact, it would be helpful to have a photo of the inside of each crate. Providing specific and detailed information on your trade show display can make a huge difference in your trade show booth installation and dismantling efficiency and cost.

A detailed inventory list provided by the trade show exhibitor that includes not only the number of crates and skids, but also a detailed description of what is in each skid of the trade show exhibit helps guard against losing pieces that may get detached. Everything should be itemized including literature, giveaways, monitors, hanging signs, etc. If these trade show exhibit items are included in detail, there is less chance for error. By giving this information to your trade show exhibit installer, they will be able to do their job more efficiently, saving you time and money. Since everyone is in a hurry as the trade show move-in date gets closer, having a list on hand in advance will help ensure a worry-free trade show booth installation on the trade show floor.

According to John Taggart of Coastal International, a Sausalito, California based company that specializes in installing and dismantling trade show exhibits, the work his employees do relies heavily on the information he gets from the trade show exhibitor.

Here are some of the installation guidelines that Taggart identifies as essentials for a worry-free exhibit:

Understand the trade show floor facility. Determine in advance where the electrical is positioned in that facility. Does the electrical distribution come from the floor or from the ceiling? If the electrical comes from the ceiling, you will need to hide the electrical hanging cords, perhaps inside a tower, and then spider the cords out on the floor and cover them with carpet. Knowing wiring requirements in advance will simplify the lighting and power process for the installer. This goes for all conventions sites whether they be the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland, the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the Santa Clara Convention Center or the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

Coordinate the time schedules of all of your vendors. It is important to know how to properly pace the timing of your freight carrier, drayage and installer suppliers. For example, if you are exhibiting in the Hilton Hotel in downtown Manhattan, you will need to allow extra time for freight to be delivered. This is due to limited access to hotel freight elevators and the fact that the hotel has only two dock spaces. There is also heavy downtown traffic that can cause delays. Advise your freight carrier to check in to unload at the earliest possible time. They can avoid long lines by getting to the exhibit dock well in advance of the stated move-in time.

Provide a full scale layout of the specific exhibit display including a description where each panel goes. It is best to provide this layout 5 to 7 business days before the show. Why? Exhibitors may be traveling on airplanes and your I & D handlers would be unable to reach the exhibitor rep via cell phone. If your installer has to make a judgment call, and it's a wrong one, you would need to pull electrical, carpet and other pieces and start all over. By knowing where each exhibit component is positioned, they will be able to accurately assemble the trade show booth without guesswork and thus avoid costly re-dos and down time.

Provide specifics on outbound shipping of your trade show exhibit. When it is time to break down the exhibit,
be sure your I & D company has information on the correct outbound shipping address, repacking instructions
and proper bills of lading.

Remember that a descriptive and detailed inventory list can save you time and money and ensure that your trade show booth remains intact. The more information your I & D handler has, the faster they will be able to do their job. If you take the mystery out of your trade show exhibit assembly, you will win the day.

It's important to remember that participating in a successful trade show requires a lot of time and effort. Underestimating the preparation and the planning necessary for a trade shows is one of the more common reasons that businesses are not successful. If you are going to invest money in a trade show booth, you will also have to invest your time, effort and creativity in order to obtain the desired effect. A good trade show booth can make the difference between a good experience and an extraordinary one.

Simply follow the tips below to make sure that your customers not only remember your booth, but that they remember it in a positive and enthusiastic way.

Tip #1: Color

One of the first things that your customers see when they are enter the trade show is the color. It's important to have an inviting or bold graphic display with colors that will attract and intrigue your customers. Use bright, happy colors as they signify energy and class.

Use your graphic display to it's full advantage. Add specific text and other graphic elements that will uniquely identify your business so that your display will be memorable.

Tip #2: Pre-show Promotions

Not many exhibitors take advantage of pre-show promotions. This is an excellent marketing tool as it allows you to sort through the visitors that you will receive. You'll know which are the best prospects and you can make sure that they are aware of your presence in the trade show. You have numerous media options such as e-mails, invitations, free mail offers (take for example a free product received when you show the mail offer at the booth).

Tip #3: Seeing Is Believing

Put on a free show or a product demonstration. People love a good show! And if they can see how your product works, and what it can do, then they will get much more excited about it. It's a great way to interact with your customers and it will attract many more people to your booth. You can offer on the spot products at an attractive price, so people will want to buy your product right away to make sure they get the best deal. It's a great way to recover part of your trade show booth expenses and make a profit too.

Tip #4: Lights and Music

Lights and music can be the perfect combination for you to improve your trade show booth. People are automatically attracted to lights, and music will get their attention. Listening to some invigorating music will keep your visitors longer near your trade show booth, which will give you more time to sell your product. Just make sure not to make the music too loud. You don't want to annoy your customers, and you want to be able to converse with them easily, without shouting over loud music.

Tip #5: Everyone Loves Free Stuff

Giveaway gifts and trade show items are offered to the customers and designed to promote your business and products. In choosing the right giveaway gift, make sure that your customer will want to keep and use the item, which is the key to it's effectiveness. So take your time, talk to a professional supplier and come up with an item that is very different from what your customers expect to receive.

Here are some ideas: notepads with your signage, bags, pens, water bottles and totes with your name and logo.

The success of your trade show booth comes from one word: BALANCE. It's important to make your trade show display an inviting place that is interesting without being cluttered. The tools of your marketing strategy: presentation, contests, interactive elements and media presentations can introduce your business and your products/services to all prospects making sure they have a unforgettable experience.

Article Source : Trade Show Booth

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Both Dick Wheeler & David Branson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Dick Wheeler has sinced written about articles on various topics from Trade Show Exhibit, Trade Shows and Trade Show Exhibit. Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with a showroom in Sacramento. Firm is full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company.. Dick Wheeler's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.

David Branson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Trade Show Booth. For more great trade show booth tips and advice, visit - Your source for trade show display ideas and trade show marketing help.. David Branson's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.