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.
You've heard the expression, ?the devil's in the details?. This is especially applicable to trade show exhibiting where success hinges on all the big and little things that constitute a trade show appearance. The process starts with the obvious: selecting the right trade shows to attend; designing a high quality exhibit booth to properly portray your company; and arranging to get the trade show display to the exhibit floor on time.
Your trade show exhibit builder has the expertise to help you make your event a success. But it can often be any one of the following pesky details relating to trade show services, which, if overlooked, can undermine an otherwise well-planned trade show experience.
Here are ten key recommendations from ?Tips & Techniques for Exhibiting Success? by Nomadic Display:
1.Study the exhibitor service manual. The manual is the key to what you need to know about each trade show. As every show has its own set of rules, regulations and deadlines, carefully examine the manual's information. Read the fine print in exhibitor instructions, delivery information and trade show services contracts. Complete the required registration and services order forms accurately and retain copies for future reference.
2.Make a list of all the trade show services you need. If you plan for your display requirements and order well in advance, you will avoid those costly last minute services that can play havoc with your trade show budget. Make decisions about the extra utilities you need, as well as carpeting, furniture, cleaning and security.
3.Understand the trade show floor plan. Analyze the exhibit hall floor plan and your booth location in respect to traffic flow and proximity to food courts, service entrances and sound system equipment. Examine plan specifications, however small, indicating ceiling heights, pillar locations, even heating and air conditioning ducting.
4.Identify utility sources. Contact the exhibit builder to determine how much electrical power you will need for your display. Always make provisions for backup utilities to guarantee that your power-driven components will function dependably. Check the trade show floor plan to find out where the utility ports are located with relation to your space.
5.Understand drayage. Drayage involves delivering your display materials from the loading dock to their assigned space, removing empty crates, returning the crates at the end of the show and transporting the re-crated materials back to the dock. Save money by consolidating all equipment and containers as part of one single shipment.
6.Arrange for adequate carpeting. Install your utilities first before laying the carpet to reduce the number of carpet cuts for electrical outlets. Remember to order enough carpet to cover the bare concrete strip between the display and the aisle. Order a decent quality carpet and underlayment. Your trade show booth staff's feet will appreciate it at the end of the day.
7.Allow extra time for customs if your company is shipping an exhibit overseas. You need the correct documentation for your container contents, which may be opened and inspected at a port of entry. Use a reliable custom house broker or freight forwarder to coordinate arrangements and keep you posted as to the progress of your shipment.
8.Get to know your trade show services representatives. These are the folks employed by the exhibition organization who are paid to be helpful contacts for exhibitors. They can be of great value to you by fielding your questions and finding ready solutions to any problems you encounter at the trade show.
9.Know how best to work with union labor. As union rules differ in each city, be sure to read the showplace manual to learn what union rules, regulations and charges apply. If you have questions, contact the trade show management or the service contractor. Consider engaging your trade show exhibit display house to provide installation supervision in order to arrange for a problem-free setup.
10.Bring all important trade show related files, contracts and paperwork to the trade show. This includes copies of trade show floor plans, exhibit installation service orders, tracking documents for all shipments, contact names, phone, fax and email numbers.
Remember that attention to the myriad details of trade show planning and execution can make or break your trade show appearance. It is important that you are familiar with the trade show rules. Call upon the expertise of your exhibit builder and show services representatives to help you have a successful and seamless trade show experience.
Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. For addtional information, go to www.proexhibits.com. ? Copyright 1996-2006, Professional Exhibits & Graphics. All Rights Reserved
Both Christine Okelly & Dick Wheeler 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.
Christine Okelly has sinced written about articles on various topics from Disease & illness, Finances and Accident Lawyers. Christine O'Kelly is an author for Productive Displays, Inc., a prominent supplier and designer. They specialize in creating. Christine Okelly's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
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, with a showroom in Sacramento, California. His firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. Go to. Dick Wheeler's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.