Trade Show Marketing Archives

October 7, 2016in Outdoor Displays 0 Comments 0 Likes

Everything is Peachy

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Today we take a homegrown venture to the Fort Collins, Colorado outdoor Peach Festival this past September. Many popular outdoor trade show display styles could be seen in use including A-frame portable signage, many canvas tents and tall banner flags.

Brewer’s Millions

Colorado has long been well associated for beer brewing with famed, generic brands like Coors, Keystone. Budweiser brewing itself has a large facility that can be seen off the highway as you journey past Loveland. The secret is in the prized mountain water of Colorado. Brewers say that the water is so naturally clean that it doesn’t have to be filtered.

Fort Collins, the largest town in the north of Colorado is a mecca of local brews. The city was once home to only a handful of local favorites, but in the last few years has blossomed into a craft beer mecca. “FoCo” as the locals have coined, now features more local craft brewing companies than perhaps anywhere in the country.

Never is this more evident than at the yearly Fort Collins Peach Festival. At this event you can see many local companies exhibiting their brand to gain awareness. Families can play games, buy food and you guessed it – enjoy all things PEACH flavored!

Not ones to disappoint, the local brewers in attendance lined up to each showcase this season’s new peach flavored beer or cider. The results? Not all flavors are for everyone, but as you move through the tents sampling the experimental flavors, you gain a real sense of the pride and rich culture that these festivals have come to embody for the town.

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A household name in Colorado, New Belgium Brewery is a popular favorite with their well known Fat Tire beer and regular experimental flavors. Their local facility welcomes visitors with tours and a unique campus-like atmosphere where bean bag and shuffle games can be played while enjoying a drink. New Belgium values fun and sustainability as brand pillars, and every employee is a part owner.

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Attendees of the admission-free event line up with their purchased tickets, eager to try what medieval concoction the Horse & Dragon Brewing Company has cooked up this year.

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Extra tall banner flags from familiar sponsor, the Rotary Club of Fort Collins. These double spike bases have been wedged far into the thick clay-like soil to resist the strong winds common in the area.

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Many businesses exhibiting to gain awareness at the festival utilized games to gain attention and contacts to market to. Submit your information and try your luck at the bean bag toss for a chance at a nice promotional offer.

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With a “sunny days per year” count that gives Florida a run for its title, renewable energy options like Solar and Wind continue to become more prevalent.

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Some exhibitor’s skip the charade of games and go straight to collecting contact information toward a raffle drawing. An alluring offer like “Free Lasik” is enough to get any glasses wearer interested. Bold marketing like this could generate hundreds of potential customers for the business.

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Thrivent Financial’s strategy gets more personal, intriguing festival-goers with the possibility of contributing to your favorite charitable cause.

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The event is a popular attraction, with local businesses offering promotions, local food and drink and many enormous bounce house choices for kids.

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We hope you enjoyed this visit out West for this year’s Fort Collins Peach Festival. Whether at a trade show, or local city sponsored event it is always important to make sure your brand looks its best and has a thought out strategy.

The ExhibitDEAL team can be reached at Sales@Exhibitdeal.com or call 866-577-DEAL, we’d love to put our experience to work for you.

by Weston Joslyn

September 16, 2016in Point of Purchase Displays 0 Comments 0 Likes

Exhibit Spotlight: Miso Pup Luxury Carriers

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Need a safe way to take what’s most precious with you? Today we put the spotlight on Miso Pup, puppy sized carriers. Miso Pup’s brand booth is a well executed use of classic, cost effective displays can help your products make a splash. We hope you’ll get some cool ideas here to use at your next event.

Who is Miso Pup?

miso-pup-logo Miso Pup positions themselves as the lifestyle brand for those who want the best, most luxurious transport comfort. Miso Pup was created from the true desire to provide PupSize® pet parents with thoughtfully designed products that allow them to “Take, Carry and Spoil” their little one. Miso Pup brand is based on an extraordinary passion and commitment to keep pups happy, healthy and by your side or in your lap.

Concept to Completion

With SuperZoo 2016 fast approaching, and Miso Pup’s new PupSize carrier line ready to debut, the ExhibitDEAL production team sprang into action to help Michelle meet her deadline. The venue was Las Vegas’ famed Mandalay Bay Convention Center this past August 2-4^th.

Let’s see how Michelle’s vision translated into art design, production and a successful exhibit presence.

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Table throw and TuboZip backwall art designed to fit the personality and target market of Miso Pup brand.

Debut at SuperZoo 2016

The Miso Pup booth, largely influenced by the vision of creator Michelle Lau, shows a clever design reminiscent of a brick and mortar boutique can do a great job of calling the right attention to your brand. Michelle’s product focused booth decided on the functional, classic backwall and table throw combo.

“I initially was looking for some sort of seating and display options. I knew I wanted a backdrop and wanted to create a look that would reflect Miso Pup.
When I decided to participate in our first trade show, SuperZoo, I searched high and low for a way to create an atmosphere that would stand out. I found Exhibitdeal on the internet.
Speaking with Exhibitdeal, we discussed the pros and cons of each product I was considering. With a fairly limited budget and their knowledge of the products, narrowing down my options was easy.”
Michelle Lau | Owner | Miso Pup

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This 10ft TuboZip Tension Fabric display acts as the booth backdrop, cleverly designed to simulate a locally owned storefront. This is a great way to reinforce the personality and setting associated with your brand.

“I wanted to create an inviting space within the 10 x 10 booth, but I needed a lightweight, portable and affordable solution. As a startup, and being by myself, I knew I needed something that I could carry, assemble and dismantle myself. I also wanted to create something that could easily be transported, if we decided to do other events out of state.
The Exhibitdeal team was so helpful. They sent me photos to give me an idea of booth space. I found a stock image online that would work and then mocked up some changes. The Exhibitdeal art department was great, they created the perfect image based on my drafts.
Michelle Lau | Owner | Miso Pup

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Continuing the “traditional storefront” theme, these two elegant white table covers present a stylized design reminiscent of an old fashioned hard wood table.

“The Miso Pup booth was a hit at the show. We received so many compliments on our booth and product line. The appearance of our booth really helped us solidify our placement in the pet industry, as a new and innovative game changer.
Honestly, the display was perfect. It came neatly packed in its own case (with wheels), which made it easy to get into the convention center. There are so many rules as to how, what and when you can set up. Wheeling in the backdrop and setting it up, by myself was truly effortless. I was so impressed and happy with the matching symbols on the frame, putting it together was a breeze.”
Michelle Lau | Owner | Miso Pup

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Michelle Lau with her merchandise displayed at SuperZoo 2016.

“Even though the display was a little more than I planned to spend, everyone was so friendly and helpful I knew I wanted to work with ExhibitDEAL.
They made everything super easy and the graphic art department created what I couldn’t myself. John and Gene were absolutely awesome. This was our first trade show and they made everything so easy.”
Michelle Lau | Owner | Miso Pup

Looking Ahead

Miso Pup’s booth graphics were designed to fit into a retail brand environment and not just focus on the pet industry. With this aforethought, Michelle plans to continue using her display and table throws at bigger retail industry trade shows to help her create awareness about her products.

The feedback from SuperZoo 2016 was so positive that Miso Pup has expressed interest in adding displays to grow their booth presence for the next show.

We hope you enjoyed this inside look at how we support emerging needs for the Miso Pup brand. From concept to order it has been a fulfilling collaboration we’re proud to be a part of.

The ExhibitDEAL team can be reached at Sales@Exhibitdeal.com or call 866-577-DEAL, we’d love to put our experience to work for you.

by Weston Joslyn

August 12, 2016in Banner Stands 0 Comments 0 Likes

Miami Dade Puts a New Face Forward

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Today we put the spotlight on a valued client with an impressive collection of work produced through us. Their investment in Curved Pop Ups, Counters, Throws and Retractable Banner Stands shows Miami Dade College’s trust in the consistent quality and excellence of our branding solutions. We would like to show you some of the displays that have come from our continued relationship, and maybe you can get some cool ideas to use at your next event.

Who is Miami Dade College?

As democracy’s college, Miami Dade College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. The College embraces its responsibility to serve as an economic, cultural and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community.

Concept to Completion

Miami Dade’s new branding displays would debut at MDC Day. The event called for visually consistent designs with unique images and text to express the individuality of each department. For different academics, our graphic design team worked with MDC to produce art that focuses on the values that make each department great.

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Preparing for MDC Day Event

This was a special event in Tallahassee for Miami Dade College to showcase their innovative education programs in the Florida House of Representatives. Program Directors from six MDC Schools had the opportunity to present their unique curriculum to State Representatives. The idea of the visual design was to highlight the students at work, using real photographs, not stock images. The result was an engaging display that could communicate the way MDC is transforming the student’s lives.

Matthew Wohl with the new set of 10ft Curved Pop Ups, EA300 with Case Wrap and Retractable Banner Stands.

Fresh off production, the new fleet of MDC 10ft Pop Ups and Retractable Banners designed for their different university departments.

Miami Dade with their presentation set up. They chose the popular 10ft Curved Pop Up Display with two deep navy Draped Table Throws.

Emerge Americas 2016 Event

MDC wanted to have a more impressive presentation at this event, to highlight their capabilities in technology and innovation. The idea was to create an open space with plenty of live demonstration of various technologies students are working on. The display design featured and L shaped wall that would help brand their space, with attractive colors and futuristic design. In the middle, a truss structure branded with large headers helped secure the equipment for a live virtual reality demonstration. A custom reception counter doubling as workstation helped complete the setup.

MDC expanded their marketing plans in 2016 which brought this amazing booth set up to life. Our popular collapsible pop up frame is seen here with an L-shape layout that spans the large booth space. Notice the excellent use of screens for dynamic messaging that prompts more visitor engagement as seen with the Interactive Kiosk setup to the right side of the Pop Up Display.

To the left is a tightly fit 6ft Stretch Table Cover. Quattro Connector Counter with accompanying monitor. The booth center features a four sided Truss system with large apex Banners at the top.

“It looks great. You did a great job.”
Matthew Wohl | Chairperson of Entertainment School | Miami Dade College

Looking Ahead

The feedback from Emerge was so successful that MDC has already contracted an even larger space for 2017. ExhibitDEAL is currently working on an impressive new design to create a visually appealing display, while incorporating features for the booth to be functional and easy to assemble. Can’t wait to make it a reality!

We hope you enjoyed this inside look at how we support the volume of display needs for the MDC brand. From concept to order it has been a fulfilling collaboration.

The ExhibitDEAL team can be reached at Sales@Exhibitdeal.com or call 866-577-DEAL, we’d love to put our experience to work for you.

by Weston Joslyn

July 15, 2016in Trade Show Advice 0 Comments 0 Likes

Tips for Improving Your Trade Show Meeting ROI

When attending a trade show, one of the most important goals of your exhibit booth team should be scheduling and meeting with companies you would like to work with. Your company is there first and foremost to represent your brand and create awareness about what you do, as well as your latest products.

The best ways to capitalize on all the effort of planning and attending a trade show for your company is to engage in pre-show marketing and outreach from your sales team to schedule valuable meetings with their accounts or leads.

This week we feature the insights of Anne Thornley-Brown at PlanYourMeetings.com who shares many valuable thoughts on how to prioritize and follow up on your meetings in order to properly benefit from the efforts leading up to them.
Check out these excellent tips to improving your after trade show return on investment. Let’s have a look!

Your meeting/conference is over. Attendees have returned to their homes and offices. What happens next will have a direct impact on how participants perceive the value of your event.

It’s important that they retain the valuable tips, information and strategies you offered. It’s even more important that they be able to apply what they learned.

Follow-up is one of the most important aspects of event design, but it’s also the most neglected areas of corporate event planning. Here are 11 steps you can take to achieve measurable ROI.
Before your meeting adjourns

Rule of three.Give participants time to identify three specific tips, insights or strategies they learned and pinpoint how they will use them when returning to work. It’s in the mail. Ask participants to write this information down, put it in an unsealed envelope and address it.

Do this after the last break. if you leave it until the end of your meeting, you’ll miss anyone who slipped out early.
Take note. Go through the envelopes and make note of participants’ comments. Use this information when communicating the event’s value the next year.

After your meeting

Go video.Consider posting clips with highlights from keynotes and breakout sessions on YouTube. In the real world. Include specific tips for applying the meeting content in the real world. Videos are underused but have a huge impact.

Be specific.A week after the meeting, send participants a summary of highlights from both general and breakout sessions. Be sure to include specific suggestions on how the tips, strategies and other content can be used on the job.

Seek feedback.Include the video clips and a survey, so participants can offer feedback about the meeting.
Again, be specific. Offer tangible giveaways to guarantee high participation.

You’ve got mail. Two to three weeks later, mail the envelopes with the follow-up plans to remind participants what they learned and how they planned to apply it.

Track success. Six weeks later, invite participants to share how they’re successfully applying what they learned and the benefits of using the strategies they learned. Share the stories. Publish the success stories in your company or association blog or magazine.

These simple steps will significantly boost the perceived value of your events, conferences and business meetings. And next year, you’ll be glad you have the information.

What do you think? Is planning for trade show meetings both before and afterwards as important as Anne Thornley-Brown affirms?

We love talking about the best exhibit booth designs and accessories that will help you network and generate leads better. From Tables that charge your visitor’s mobile devices to to iPad-ready presentation podiums that put lead tracking right at your fingertips, we have the options to empower your success.

ExhibitDEAL can be reached at Sales@ExhibitDeal.com or call 866-577-DEAL, we’d love to put our experience to work for you.

by Weston Joslyn

June 7, 2016in Trade Show Advice 0 Comments 0 Likes

10 Ideas for Off-Floor Marketing to Increase your Exhibit Effectiveness

Source: www.exhibitoronline.com

There is no shortage of knowledge, news and great ideas over at Exhibitor Online. We’ve searched through the latest and greatest in an effort to bring you some of the most interesting and radical trade show marketing techniques out there.

We absolutely love the bold, unconventional and even disturbing ways these brands have literally taken their creativity to the streets. From leveraging the nostalgia of popular culture, to outright alarming pseudo protests. These off-floor campaigns use their unorthodox methods to get heads turning and bring more attention to what their company is doing. So let’s check them out!

Ten examples of off-floor activations that increased exhibiting effectiveness. By Linda Armstrong.

Exhibiting companies have a tendency to trot out every bell and whistle imaginable and attempt to “out-clang” one another on the show floor to win attendee mindshare. However, far too often they overlook the opportunities outside their swath of booth space. After all, promotional potential abounds far beyond the confines of an exhibit.
By extending your efforts into the registration area, the transportation hubs leading to the venue, and even the streets of the host city, you have myriad new opportunities to grasp – allowing you to squeeze even more awareness, sales leads, and return on investment from your spend.

Granted, some shows forbid off-floor activations, and others roll them into paid sponsorships. You’ll need to check the show, venue, and perhaps even host-city regulations if you want to play by the rules. Nevertheless, it’s likely well worth your time to at least consider integrating an off-floor experience into your marketing mix.

Here, then, are several noteworthy examples that helped exhibiting companies increase awareness, distribute product samples, and even foster leads.

Totally Tanked
The sight of an M4 Sherman tank crushing a taxicab will stop just about anyone in their tracks, which is why Wargaming Group Ltd. set up just such a scene in front of the Los Angeles Convention Center during the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). To promote its World of Tanks online game, Wargaming positioned a real Sherman tank atop a bright-yellow Los Angeles cab, whose right side and roof had been crushed by the 30-ton vehicle. The M4 Sherman had actually “precrushed” the cab at a local junkyard in order to meet Los Angeles Fire Department safety codes. But once the cab was delivered to the convention center and the tank was driven atop it by the tank owner and a Wargaming employee, it remained parked – and guarded – in the same locale for the duration of the show. During show hours, staffers invited guests to pose for a photo, courtesy of Wargaming’s photographers. Staff then uploaded and sent the photos to participants to post on social media. Nearby banners directed attendees to the firm’s booth. While permission to host the event was purchased from show management for $50,000, Wargaming felt it was worth the cost. For in addition to generating a flurry of photos and social-media posts, it scored tens of thousands of social-media impressions. You might even say that they crushed it.

Friends With Benefits
Few TV sitcoms achieve more popularity than “Friends,” which aired for almost 10 years, received nominations for 62 Primetime Emmy Awards, and ranked No. 21 on TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Show of All Time. This unbelievable popularity is exactly why Bally Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of slot machines and electronic gaming systems, launched its “Friends”-themed progressive video slot machine. To generate attention for the product at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, then, Bally Technologies teamed up with exhibit house Derse Inc. to create a “Friends”-themed photo opportunity in the lobby of the Sands Expo, where G2E was held. The roughly 200-square-foot space, which was secured via sponsorship, recreated the lounge from the TV show’s Central Perk cafe. Here, a sofa, coffee table, and throw rug sat in front of a graphic backdrop featuring an image of the cafe’s interior and the Bally Technologies logo. Old analog TVs stacked eight high on both sides of the graphic panel harkened back to the early ’90s when the show first aired. Two actors portraying the roles of Phoebe and Chandler from the TV show staffed the exhibit (a $30,000 investment that covered the design, construction, materials, and installation). During show hours, a professional photographer was on hand to snap attendees’ photos as they posed on the set. Within 24 hours of being taken, the professional photos were posted at a website (ballytech.smugmug.com) for attendees to share. In addition, the set remained in place after the show closed each day, so attendees could snap a photo any time the venue was open. And by sharing the photos via social media and using the hashtag #BallyFriends, they were entered to win official “Friends” swag courtesy of Bally Technology.

Pets on Parade
IDEXX Laboratories Inc. developed a street-based promotion that was head and shoulders above all others. Going into the 2015 North American Veterinary Community Conference, IDEXX was launching a revolutionary kidney-function test for cats and dogs. Working with Chicago creative agency Live Marketing Inc., IDEXX had planned a high-visibility launch event on the show’s second day, and as such, it needed to draw hoards of attendees to the booth space for the new-product reveal. To do so, the team created a couldn’t-miss street team comprising four greeters in red, IDEXX-branded attire, and two stilt walkers, one wearing a Dalmatian costume, and the other dressed in a poodle suit. Starting the day before the show opened, the group roamed the public areas, restaurants, and hotels around the two Orlando, FL, convention centers where the show was being held. In addition to posing for pictures, the street team also handed out 5-by-7-inch invitations to the product reveal. All told, the stilt walkers, crowd gatherers, and their costumes cost roughly $20,000, but IDEXX felt the investment was well worth it. For while IDEXX hoped to lure 500 people to the booth, it actually attracted 1,000 people, thanks at least in part to its off-floor tactic.

Uber Occupation
At Comic-Con International: San Diego, the folks at USA Network (a media unit of NBCUniversal Inc.) didn’t just host a little street-based activation; they dominated the city’s Gaslamp Quarter with a couldn’t-miss transit stunt, courtesy of a partnership with Uber Technologies Inc. The 300-vehicle activation was an effort to promote the sci-fi TV series “Colony.” Set in the near future after the city of Los Angeles has been occupied by a suppressive force, the series centers on one family’s struggle to bring liberty back to the people. Throughout the show, the occupying power uses militant enforcers, aka Redhats, to maintain control. At Comic-Con, then, USA Network attempted to occupy San Diego by blanketing the Gaslamp Quarter near the convention center with fully costumed Redhats and “Colony” branded military vehicles and SUVs offering free Uber rides. To promote the stunt prior to the show, USA Network teased the event via Twitter, and Uber sent out an eblast to all San Diego riders. When the campaign went live, an in-app Uber message further promoted the activation to San Diego riders. Thus, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. July 9 â?” 11, 2015, attendees and San Diego residents alike could access the Uber app and choose a “Colony”-branded, retrofitted SUV or Pinzgauer military vehicle. Inside, riders found a driver (who was hired by USA Network and trained by Uber) and an ambassador, both of which were dressed as Redhats. Throughout the ride, the pair expounded on the new series (set to debut in early 2016), and handed out postcards promoting the series and a star-studded “Colony” panel presentation at the show. Riders received their own logo-adorned red berets similar to those worn by the Redhats. In addition, USA Network branded pedicabs and bikes from ride-share program DecoBike San Diego with the series’ logo and distributed even more post-card wielding Redhats throughout the Gaslamp Quarter. All told, the activation received more than 10,000 ride requests and operated at approximately 90- to 100-percent capacity for the duration of the three-day event. Talk about a military takeover.

Fresh-Fruit Freebies
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but it can also generate show-wide awareness. Or at least that’s what happened when Vita-Mix Corp. staged an apple-centric promotion at Ambiente, a consumer-goods trade show in Frankfurt, Germany. Going into the show, marketers wanted attendees to understand that Vita-Mix brand blending products can be used to make health-conscious soups, sorbets, raw-food dishes, and even full meals – thereby fostering a healthy lifestyle. To that end, the firm’s exhibit house, Derse Inc., crafted a stunning booth featuring literally hundreds of apples embedded into translucent Plexiglas walls. To relay this health-centric message and apple theme to even more of the show’s 144,000 attendees, marketers secured a show sponsorship that allowed them to set up two off-floor activations in main corridors leading from adjoining hotels to the convention center. Heading toward the main venue during show hours, attendees first stumbled upon a distribution station where staff continually made fresh smoothies and distributed them to passerby, many of whom were drawn to the display by the sound of the whirring blenders. Meanwhile, a second display further down the hallway more closely tied to the apple theme. Here, attendees discovered several large crates of apples and banner stands extolling the virtues of Vita-Mix blenders. A gloved staffer handed out apples, which featured the Vita-Mix logo and booth number in safe-to-eat printed text, and directed people to a healthy-blending demonstration in the exhibit. The two-pronged activation cost roughly $14,500, which is a pittance considering the apple tactic alone distributed approximately 2,500 apples each day of the show – generating show-wide awareness and helping Vita-Mix meet or exceed all of its booth-related objectives.

A Mock March
To promote its bed-bug elimination services at the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show, Steritech positioned nine picketers outside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s main entrance. Supposedly picketing on behalf of the millions of bed bugs killed by Steritech’s services, the sign-wielding actors handed out 4-by-6-inch fliers urging attendees to visit Steritech’s booth and “Speak out for your blood brothers!” The cheeky promotion was on the up and up, as organizers obtained a protest/picketing permit from the City of New York, making it legal to “march.” Costing an estimated $4,000, the promotion extended Steritech’s presence to thousands of attendees and drew many of them to the company’s 10-by-10-foot booth.

Van-tastic Idea
At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society show in New Orleans, Iatric Systems Inc., a health-care information-technology firm, colored outside the lines with an activation that literally drove brand awareness. The firm was plagued by a relatively diminutive exhibit in the back of the hall, and a miniscule budget that allowed no room for official show sponsorships. Thus, Iatric marketers devised an activation whereby local businesses offered special discounts to HIMSS attendees wearing a colorful Iatric-branded wristband (aka a slap band). To generate interest and awareness for the brand and the “Get Slap Happy!” program, Iatric marketers rented a white panel van and plastered the sides with magnetic graphics featuring messages about the promotion, including Iatric’s logo, images of the bands, and a call to action to visit the booth to pick up a band. Iatric then hired a driver to maneuver the van around key routes near the convention center at prime times when people were coming and going from the venue. The driver even honked and waved to draw the attention of the 35,000 attendees that were milling about. In addition, Iatric parked the rented van outside of a key off-site hospitality event it hosted for C-level attendees. All told, Iatric paid $150 to rent the van and $100 for the magnetic signs. But the brand awareness generated by this simple moving billboard was priceless.

Devil Worship
When you’re launching a TV series based on the iconic horror film “The Omen,” a traditional marketing approach is about as bland as angel-food cake. Therefore, to introduce its upcoming “Damien” series (set to air in 2016) at Comic-Con International: San Diego, A&E Network staged a devilish activation that was a deliberate attempt to poke fun at the Christian protesters that have become near-permanent fixtures around the San Diego Convention Center. A&E sent a series of street teams into San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, where they appeared to join the nearby Christian proselytizers. However, upon closer inspection, team members wore black T-shirts with a red “666” on the front and the words “It’s All for You” on the back. Several members also held red and black picket signs featuring text such as “There is only #Damien,” “From Flame Damien Will Rise,” and “My Blood for Him.” Team members handed passersby pins featuring three sixes and pamphlets directing them to www.ItsAllforYou.com, a promotional microsite that warned “He is the only way to deal with the coming end.” Meanwhile, pamphlets proclaimed that “The end of days is near!” and cautioned onlookers against the coming “great atrocities all around.” Over the course of three days, the street teams handed out 15,000 pamphlets and 10,000 pins; plus, “Damien” netted 9,000 Twitter mentions and more than 30,000 Facebook engagements during that same time. What’s more, 25 news outlets, such as The New York Times, Wired, AdAge, The Hollywood Reporter, and others, featured news of the activity, resulting in 12.5 million unique impressions during the show. Now that’s a devilishly good idea.

Orange Swarm
For a little person in a giants’ world, it’s hard to get your voice heard. That’s why Jacobsen, a Textron Innovations Inc. company, devised its Orange Everywhere off-floor strategy for the Golf Industry Show in San Diego. While the company is among the top three U.S. providers of professional turf equipment, its name recognition pales in comparison to its two major competitors. Therefore, Jacobsen and its exhibit house, 3D Exhibits Inc., set out to develop show-wide brand awareness on the streets of San Diego instead of right next to major competitors. Prior to the show, Jacobsen purchased 2,000 corporate-orange, branded wristbands that it intended to hand out to attendees. The idea was to blanket the show in Jacobsen orange. To prompt people to wear the bands, Jacobsen would position roving ambassadors throughout the convention areas, where they’d distribute free “Orange Everywhere” T-shirts to anyone wearing the band. However, Jacobsen had to first get the bands in attendees’ hands. Held in the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter the night before the show opened, Jacobsen’s hospitality event served as a key distribution point. As attendees walked to the venue, they saw the orange Jacobsen logo projected onto the exterior of a major hotel and five orange Dodge Chargers parked in front of the building. Together with the logo, the cars, which were each emblazoned with Orange Everywhere logos on their doors and hoods, seemed to brand the whole district as Jacobsen territory. After attendees partied the night away and exited the club wearing their wristbands, pedicab bike operators sporting orange T-shirts offered them a free lift back to their hotels. Almost 1,000 people donned the bands before the show even opened, creating a show-wide curiosity factor. Finally, 20 brand ambassadors dressed in Jacobsen orange filled nearby environs during the show, and handed out branded orange T-shirts to those wearing a band. Jacobsen’s tactic also aided show-floor results, as the firm doubled the number of leads collected compared to the previous year.

Tea Mobile
October temperatures in Las Vegas can top out in the low 90s. And when you’re trekking from a hotel to the show venue, that’s warm enough to work up a thirst. So at the National Association of Convenience Stores Show, Red Diamond Inc., a provider of coffee and tea products, took advantage of that heat-induced thirst by setting up an off-floor oasis. After contacting the Las Vegas Monorail Co., the company rented a prime locale at the monorail stop adjacent to the convention center. Here, it stationed a service desk, graphics, and coolers filled with ice-cold Ready-to-Drink Tea pints. Starting before the show opened and extending after it closed each day, staff handed out samples and directed people to the Red Diamond booth. By bringing the tea to the people in their hour of thirst, Red Diamond touched more attendees than it would have otherwise. Plus, the company made a lasting impression by quenching attendees thirst exactly when they needed it most.

Pretty risque ideas right? It is clear to see that sometimes a great idea for generating a buzz is going to run the risk of putting off a few people. As the old saying in show business goes “there is no such thing as bad publicity.” While these campaigns are very brand specific, if you leverage their unique approach you can create awareness far beyond the trade show like you never thought possible.

Have questions on what booth displays and accessories will give you the most benefit at your next show? We have created and even repaired thousands of trade show exhibits, give the ExhibitDEAL team a call to discuss some cost effective solutions that will help you to look fantastic on your exhibition day.

ExhibitDEAL can be reached at Sales@ExhibitDeal.com or call 866-577-DEAL, we’d love to put our experience to work for you.

by Weston Joslyn

April 15, 2016in Exhibit Deal News 0 Comments 0 Likes

ExhibitDEAL Showroom Grand Opening Event

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We want to extend a big thank you from all of us at ExhibitDEAL to everyone who attended our Grand Opening event. We hope all of you who could make it to the unveiling of our new showroom enjoyed yourselves. Hopefully it was an energetic and enlightening experience full of meeting new people. Attendees were able to network with other business owners, learn trade show success tips from industry veteran Rick Goldman and experience our production process first hand like never before.

And what trade show event is complete without take home swag? In addition to exquisite food and drink, visitors were offered an always useful handbag and carved wooden puzzle to master.

Did you sign up for the raffle to win a FREE 10ft display? We ended the night’s festivities by unveiling the winner of the grand prize, Juan Ceballos from Icon Network! Juan will have his choice of our most popular tension fabric display systems: the 10ft TuboZip or Tenso pop-up backwall valued at $1000!

free-display-winner-juan-ceballos — Maria Daza announces Juan Ceballos as the free 10ft display prize winner

Our clients often ask our sales team about the printers and techniques we use to achieve such high resolution reproductions of their art on a large scale. Without our production process we’ve perfected over more than a decade, there could be no ExhibitDEAL. It is no wonder why we are so passionate about what we do. From our traditional 1200 DPI authentic Hewlett Packard inkjet printers, two new fabric transfer printers or our in-house product testing and assembly, every step of the process is designed to give you the best looking and highest quality product possible.

One of the most eye-catching attractions we had running during the event was our wide format dye-sublimation heat press. We very much enjoyed sharing the science and finesse required to transfer art from the printed paper to our high quality washable fabric.

dye-sub-1 — Maria Daza shows off our dual dye-sublimation transfer printers that allow us to keep up with the high volume of fabric projects

Our two new transfer printers and their heat press used to finish the paper prints onto fabric have become the crown jewel of our in-house production. Producing all manner of fabric trade show displays big and small now accounts for the majority of our customer orders. Since opening our fabric display department, our production team has tripled in size and we are showing no signs of slowing down!

dye-sub-2 — Andres Leyva and Devon Start teach customers about the dye-sub heat press technique where keeping tension is crucial

Pushing the envelope to achieve the latest printing techniques and product designs is very important to our mission. Our new facility houses one of the only heat press fabric transfer machines of this size in all of Southwest Florida. Investing in a dye-sublimation heat press that can accommodate prints more than 104″ wide encourages our client’s imagination to run wild with custom booth layouts like never before.

dye-sub-3 — Devon Start tells how printed art is heated till it becomes a gas and sublimates onto fabric where it dries again

The sublimated end result appears before your eyes as muted, pale colored prints roll through the felt drum barrel at 400° and appear out the other side as fully dried, now vibrantly colored finished prints. Our production team is always excited by the response shown toward seeing the process in live action.

The showroom opening really shined as an informal opportunity for our customers, both newcomer and veteran to get hands-on with our trade show displays and accessory options. The entire ExhibitDEAL sales team engaged in answering questions with personalized tours of our facility. The new showroom offers diverse examples of classic 10ft and 20ft popup photomural and fabric backwalls as well as more custom solutions like an L-curve corner wall, Silicone Edge Graphic (SEG) Lightbox or even a Star-shape 3-sided freestanding island booth for a 20 x 20 space.

juan-santos-1 — Juan Santos discusses the pros and cons of two display models

An experienced trade show exhibitor knows that getting noticed by attendees or not makes all the difference. A successful conference is about being able to show you generated a stack of qualified contacts, versus just another marketing expenditure so your team can say “yeah, we were there.” When your company is represented in their booth on exhibition day, they need unique tools that help them not only stand out, but be remembered.

andres-backlit-solo — Andres Leyva points out the newly launched Boomerang SOLO Glow Counter, a backlit accessory for when getting more expressive matters

For many exhibitors, an all purpose banner wall or curved pop-up is a good fit that represents your brand professionally across a variety of industry conferences. But when the budget and setting allow for something a little more creative, our gallery includes many brilliant choices to help you turn eye contact into a firm handshake. We know that the more your brand gets noticed and remembered, the more likely they are to reach out to you to do business after the show.

john-banners — John Cornell, Director of Sales at ExhibitDEAL shows the advantages of popular retractable banner stands

john-ptex — John Cornell shows off the removable, reusable graphic adhesive, PhotoTex

Having an eye-catching, professional display with a good message is only half the battle however. Ultimately it is up to your booth staff to capitalize on the attention you get from that cool setup. Unless you have been to a few trade shows, many people find themselves floundering to introduce themselves without much of a game plan. So to help give everyone some clever tips to help them exhibit like a pro, we brought in someone who knows a thing or two.

Once everyone had a chance to eat, drink and get to know each other we gathered around to learn trade show strategy from one of the best. Rick Goldman, owner of Ad Excellence and experienced industry expert was the guest speaker who shared his insights that have made his advertising agency a success for over 20 years.

rick-goldman-couple — Rick Goldman, keynote speaker at the ExhibitDEAL showroom opening

During his presentation, Goldman notably pointed out how to capture your attendee’s attention while generating a bit of jealousy in your competitors. Other booths at the show will see how many people are carrying your brand collateral and gifts versus another. This creates an idea in your competitor’s mind that these booth visitors have already been “claimed” or sold by your brand and there is no point in them spending time to get their attention.

Another comment we often hear is that it is difficult to get noticed. There are so many types of displays in varying sizes. It is easy to be overshadowed by the company next to you, especially if it is a large enterprise level brand with a huge budget for marketing. For the “mom and pop” shop and other small businesses it is easy to feel lost in the crowd. As Goldman discusses, finding opportunities to make your marketing clever and unique are crucial to having a successful trade show presence.

rick-goldman-2 — Rick Goldman discusses his tips for trade show success with guests

When visitors at the event were asked what their biggest trade show challenges are they often said “timeline!” Managing the timeline up until the show can be very hectic. Making sure brand materials are ordered, flights are booked and lodging arrangements are all made can be overwhelming. From the agency side, a customer often comes with a concept and art far too close to their exhibition date. This makes every step in the preparation chain more rushed, even forcing a representative to pick up their display on their way to a trade show.

Being noticed at an event, however is not worth much if your booth team is not skilled in sales and networking techniques so they may capitalize on your investment. Being personable and looking for the right opportunities to connect with a trade show attendee so they remember your brand can make all the difference. Make sure they leave with a positive and memorable impression of your brand. When possible, the ever popular trade show giveaway item or “swag” can be that extra reminder you need when months down the line that visitor has a need and is more likely to think of your company to fulfill that need.

rick-goldman-3 — Rick Goldman speaks about how following up with contacts in an informed and timely manner is crucial after trade shows

We hope you enjoyed this inside look at our full service exhibit production and our showroom assortment of fantastic finished display styles. It was a rare occasion to be able to welcome so many guests to learn about a process we are so passionate about. If you missed the event, check out more images of the fun and we hope to see you next time!

A special thank you to all our sponsors and vendors that helped make the night such a success. We couldn’t have done it without local musicians, Night Court and delicious hors d’euvres by Chef Fab Culinary. Complimentary vodka tasting kept the cheer going, courtesy of Lucky Player.

: Miami Sol Jazz Quartet jamming out

: Chicken hors D’euvres by Chef Fab Culinary

: Steak hors D’euvres by Chef Fab Culinary

: The Chef adds the finishing touches

: Lucky Player vodka helps us keep the cheer going all night

Have questions about how to get started with planning your next trade show event? Backwall displays, accessories, custom projects and branded giveaway items – whatever your needs ExhibitDEAL has you covered for all your promotional needs. Get in touch with our exhibit experts at Sales@exhibitdeal.com or 866-577-DEAL.

by Weston Joslyn

August 12, 2015in Banner Stands 0 Comments 0 Likes

Exhibit Spotlight: Disney Theatrical Licensing

DisneyTheatrical-logo
About Disney Licensing

Disney Theatrical Licensing makes it possible to license Disney musicals for a variety of organizations, from professional theaters to school groups. Licensing is the process of acquiring the performance rights to a show and is the only way to legally perform a Disney musical.

Music Theatre International (or MTI) is the dramatic licensing agency through which Disney licenses the performance rights to their musicals. When MTI approves a school or theater’s licensing request, the organization will receive the full script, score, and any other materials necessary for putting on the show.

20ft-Curved-Tubo-Disney-Theatre-Group-small

Mission

Disney Theatrical Licensing came to ExhibitDeal to create promotional marketing materials that can effectively aid them in their goals of outreach to educators, administrators and parents.

“One of the biggest challenges in promoting the licensing of our musicals is exposure. That’s why we attend conferences, it allows us to inform others about our theatre offerings and how they can integrate into schools.”

– Adam Dworkin | Licensing Coordinator

Many of Disney Theatrical Licensing’s offerings are a part of the ever-growing Broadway JR collection. These adaptations are designed to fit the needs of young performers with condensed run times and music written in keys appropriate for developing voices. Disney favorites such as Aladdin, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and 101 Dalmatians are just some of the cherished stories that have gained mainstream success as a JR. or KIDS title.

ExhibitDEAL banner wall for Disney Theatre

Disney’s JR. and KIDS titles are frequently produced by Elementary and Middle Schools to promote the arts, a focus that has sadly been slipping away as academic budgets are tightened. All Disney JR. and KIDS shows come with a ShowKit that includes extensive step-by-step materials that will help first-time and seasoned directors stage their production and cultivate a creative environment for their students.

Disney Theatrical Licensing uses their displays to create brand awareness, acting as a visual backdrop for their discussions with school principals, teachers, PTA members and parents to share the benefits of theatre.

Banner stand produced for Lion King musical

“We’ve had a really positive experience with ExhibitDeal. The conference materials purchased have turned out beautifully; we’ve received compliments. Everything has been easy to setup, disassemble and ship to other events. We can often use the original packaging to easily pack in and save some money there.”

– Adam Dworkin | Licensing Coordinator

Adapting to the Need

The exciting part about exhibit booth design is seeing all the inventive ways different brands use a display to generate brand engagement. While ExhibitDeal’s SOLO Counter was created as a presentation and product demonstration solution, features such as a lockable backside door allow an attractive standalone counter to be used for storing purses and other collateral that doesn’t need to be out front.

SOLO counters branded with character wardrobe

The Disney Theatrical Licensing team shared their experience with us, using the multiple SOLO Counters they purchased as a way to welcome visitor traffic into their space and allow them to act as discussion pieces to group around and learn more about their musical offerings for students.

“The counters are nice conversation starters; we get comments about how striking the graphics are. People seem drawn to them, they help bring people into the area to learn more about what we do.”

– Adam Dworkin | Licensing Coordinator

Committed to Quality

Director of Sales, John Cornell and the ExhibitDeal team were thrilled to work with Disney Theatrical Licensing and rise to meet any needs and challenges that arose. Over recent years Disney Theatrical has come to ExhibitDeal to produce striking retractable banner stands from our DQ36 series, modern 20ft TubO Tension Fabric backwall and accessories like the SOLO Podium Counters with full graphic wraps.

“We were very happy with how the materials turned out. We bought 4 counters last year and then bought another 4 to be used by a different team simultaneously to get more exposure at another show.”

– Adam Dworkin | Licensing Coordinator

Do you have an upcoming event? ExhibitDEAL offers full service production, including free consultation and 2 hours of complimentary graphic design to get your booth presence started off right. Give us a call at 866-577-DEAL or Email today. Our team of exhibit experts are on hand to answer any questions you have and guide you to the best DEAL.

by Weston Joslyn

May 26, 2015in Banner Stands 0 Comments 0 Likes

Great Solutions for Point of Purchase Displays

There are many similarities between Point of Purchase (P.O.P.), sometimes called Point of Sale (P.O.S.) retail focused selling and trade show sales. In both cases, the mentality of your visitors is goal oriented, often arriving with items they want to buy or at least browse in person to help narrow down their options. The fact is that this focus is important to your bottom line and contributes quite a bit to overall sales. Some studies show a boost in sales of as much as 2,000%. Check out some of the new products with a Point of Purchase focus in mind.

Get Your Message Out Front

Ensuring your brand has success in the retail point of purchase market requires getting your message in front of the right people, with maximum exposure. An excellent, cost effective way to be mindful of increasing exposure is to use advertising that can be seen from many angles of approach so your message is not missed.

Tri-Tower 360° Banner Stand Kit Check out the 3-sided “Tri-Tower” 360 Banner Stand with its signature linked banner rail that easily clips onto the graphic. This is wonderful since it allows you to use one hardware frame with pivoting connector joints that attach the 3 banner graphics into one frame. Now your great offers can be seen by all sides someone is going to walk passed so you have more chances to make them aware and convert a sale.

Tri-Tower 360 Banner Stand

Benefits

Snap rails at the top and bottom for easy installation
Hinged connectors can be used to easily change the configurations
Adjustable height 2-piece telescoping flip level poles
Includes a reinforced soft case for protection
1 year warranty

Kit Includes

(1) Hardware
(3) Graphics
(1) Carry case

Next up, we have a banner stand solution that is available single or double sided so you can decide which graphics are needed depending on where the stand will be set up for maximum exposure. The Everyday use Banner Stand works great for many functions and everyday use. This banner stand is popular thanks to its easy snap rail that grasps the banner stand graphic for easy messaging updates in seconds. The banner stand is available in your choice of a 24″ and 30″ banner options. The height is also adjustable thanks to a telescoping pole.

Everyday-use Snap Rail Banner Stand

Benefits

Easily adjust telescoping pole with thumb screw
Top and bottom snap rail allows quick and easy banner changes
No pole pockets in banner finishing
Can be used single-sided or purchase additional banner for double-sided use
1 year warranty on hardware

Kit Includes

(1) Hardware
(1) Graphics

Suggested Uses:

Trade Shows
Promotions
Entryways
Coffee Shops

Lastly we have introduced a flat wall standalone kiosk with excellent engagement potential. Since static displays are more and more becoming neutral white noise to the consumer, a solution like this can give the boost your POP marketing needs. The 35″ Vector Frame Monitor Kiosk combines the modern, professional style of the Vector frame’s popular Silicone Edge Graphic (SEG) for a sleek frame-less appearance using tension fabric graphics. The monitor and graphics are available in your choice of single or double sided so you can turn this display into a truly independent visitor information booth to offer exciting new ways for your brand to engage directly with your buyers.

35″ Vector Frame Monitor Kiosk

Benefits

“Push-fit” fabric Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG) for seamless appearance
and easy-to assemble 100mm extrusion frames
Choose from single or double-sided SEG dye sublimated fabric graphics
Kiosk supports 26-40″ monitor (monitor not included)
Maximum monitor weight: 25lbs
Comes packaged in one OCH wheeled molded case for transport or storage
Lifetime hardware warranty against manufacturer defects

Kit Includes

Frame
SEG graphic
(2) Feet
(1) Monitor Mount with 25 lbs support (monitor not included)
(1) OCH case

Suggested Uses

Trade Shows
Hospitality
Malls

Add Something Unique

We all know what a banner stand or kiosk looks like, and despite our best efforts and clever messaging with flashy graphics, there is still a chance these traditional billboards will sink into the background. The more unique the more chance you have to get noticed – so we recommend something like the 1ft x 1ft Cube Display. This solution allows you to get your message out there in a way that prompts a second look. The greatest appeal of the Cubes is that they work well as standalone solutions, but best in a series. You can combine multiple cubes together in a tower style stack, L-shape or larger cube. Each cube can feature its own branded graphic or be printed to create a larger image as you combine the cubes into one.

1ft Fabric Cube Display

Benefits

Grabs attention as people pass by your business
Extremely lightweight
Space saving flexibility for amazing portability
Very fast set up and take down

Kit Includes

(1) 1ft Small Cube Display
(1) Fabric Graphic

Suggested Uses

Point of Purchase Offers
Storefront Awareness
School Events
Craft Fairs

Backlit displays like the 33″ Eclipse Tower offer a cool, streamline shape with large surface area for your product offers. This kit includes the tower, semi-transparent graphics and lighting to create the eye-catching luminous effect. The backlit appearance benefits both sides with double graphics included in the kit. The frame is available in silver or black aluminum and comes with a hard OCP case to protect your investment.

33″ Eclipse Backlit Tower

Benefits

Double sided free-standing tower
24” or 33” wide x 72” tall “bubble” panels for maximum visibility
Choice of silver or black aluminum edge extrusions
Black thermoformed laminate top & bottom plates
Requires simple assembly
Optional lighting kit adds an attractive element to tower and is simple to assemble
New two part uprights disassemble, allowing unit to collapse into popular wheeled OCP case for easy transport
Easy, quick graphic changes
Quick shipping

Kit Includes

(1) 33″ Tower frame
(1) Lighting kit
(2) Translucent graphics
(1) OCP case

Brand Everything

In trade shows and retail marketing, any potential spaces for branding are assets that shouldn’t be overlooked. Table covers remain a fundamental part of your marketing that can often be overlooked. During a product demonstration or POP display setup, your professional presentation is completed by including a nicely printed table throw. Whether this is a folding table full spread or a smaller, round cocktail table like the 42.5″ Fitted Round Table Throw you have bountiful options for branding your accessories. 42.5″ Fitted Round Table Throw

Benefits

Sleek fitted look
A perfect fit with our Round Tables
Flame retardant, premium polyester poplin fabric
Machine washable and wrinkle resistant
Do not dry clean and do not iron

Includes

(1) 42.5″ Round Table Throw

Suggested Uses

Social Gatherings
Weddings
Trade Shows
Galas

We hope you’ve enjoyed this in-depth look at the latest point of purchase displays that are available on the our store and how they can be used to give your company an advantage on convention day. Have questions on which accessories will help create the most engagement in your booth space? The ExhibitDEAL team can be reached at Sales@ExhibitDeal.com or call (866) 577-DEAL, we’d love to put our experience to work for you.

by Weston Joslyn

April 24, 2015in Banner Stands 0 Comments 0 Likes

Exhibit Spotlight: Worldwide Adventures

This issue of Exhibit Spotlight focuses on the team at Worldwide Adventures where we provide a ‘one-stop shop’ service to fulfill whatever they need.

Joe Barrio, the owner of Worldwide Adventures has been hunting for 38 years across South Africa, Alaska, and North America. He has fished the Hawaiian Islands, Mexico and Africa as well, bringing his clients to places recommended to have plentiful game, unsurpassed fishing and big game hunting with the most comfortable accommodations to make your worldwide adventure become a reality.

It all starts with a dream – 9 years ago Joe Barrio was working as a swimming pool contractor in Arizona. During the recent economic downturn he decided to step back and take a hunting trip to Africa. Forever changed by the beauty, he began pursuing ways to facilitate guided tours to exotic global locations and began crafting a business model. Realizing there was enough shared interest in exotic big game hunting, he began lining up contracts for safari tours to Africa and hasn’t looked back since.

Whether this is your first safari, 10th safari, or you’re a novice, Joe will prepare you for your world wide adventure!

The Mission
When Joe Barrio began looking for avenues to better promote his worldwide safari tours, he wasn’t sure where to begin or display styles he is looking for – he came with a vision.

Worldwide Adventures had limited time to complete their project, but did not yet have a clear idea on what style trade show display they wanted to promote their company, or what they could get with their small business budget.

Joe began researching on the computer and making calls to exhibit retailers, searching for a team that could fulfill his brand’s needs. Joe and John Cornell, Director of Sales at ExhibitDEAL began discussing options to find the “best bang for his buck”. After in-depth discussion, Cornell was able to narrow down recommendations to popular retractable banner stands, table throws, and backdrop HD safari images.

“John Cornell was so easy to work with, the graphics were spot on! His team was able to see my vision and run with it. Everything just fell into place and all came out great. I had called on Thursday, and by Saturday I had my project in hand. The team really pulled through on our tight timeline.

We are always in search of new opportunities and more leads; more qualified people to purchase hunting tours from us. It’s a challenge, you need the right ‘pond’ and right date and venue. You want the right show, you want the right space at the show and there’s a learning curve to it.

Since putting my new exhibit materials to work my lead stream has increased probably 150% overnight. I looked like I had spent a lot but it wasn’t. It completely changed things for me!”
– Joe Barrio | Owner, Worldwide Adventures

Proven Results
The end result Joe was able to achieve was a surprisingly attractive 20ft booth space that utilizes popular traditional convention displays such as banner stands, table throws and wall graphics along with his own unique safari keepsakes. Authentic zebra fur floor “carpets” and eye-catching totems made from legitimately attained elephant tusks welcome visitors into the booth space. The booth elements come together elegantly, a simple but creative pairing that is hard to overlook.

“Since working with ExhibitDEAL we’ve gotten a lot more attention. Sure you could hang a sheet backdrop with a chair and try to qualify leads, but you’re just not going to look the part.

When you’re selling high end adventure packages but your company branding looks thrown together, that’s what people see; its the impression people get of you. It is important to look the part of what you’re selling or your clients have trouble taking you seriously.”
– Joe Barrio | Owner, Worldwide Adventures

Despite working within a limited budget, Joe’s booth was crafted to highlight the company’s value proposition: taking you on the safari adventure of your life! This focus on generating awareness relies on showing other clients in places they would normally never visit, doing things they normally never could.

The booth came together wonderfully, creating a balanced rustic appeal that puts outdoor enthusiasts right at home. The layout is a great example of achieving a lot with creative use of what you have available and making those assets go to work for you.

“Thanks to John’s input we were able to win best booth of the year at the 2015 Sacramento National Sportman’s Expo, he’s a really good guy.”
– Joe Barrio | Owner, Worldwide Adventures

“When we found out about the award I was blown out of my socks, I had no idea! I was completely shocked and it was great. It was nice to be acknowledged for my work. You guys saw my vision and what I wanted to do. It’s easy to have a vision but to make it come to life is a whole different ballgame.”
Joe Barrio | Owner, Worldwide Adventures

We were naturally thrilled to hear that Joe had won the “Best Booth of ISE 2015 Sacramento” award. Achievements like these embody the success we want all our clients to reach. Your brand + ExhibitDEAL consultation = a promotional booth that is truly your own.

“Working with ExhibitDEAL was off the shelf, A+ it was great. I’ve recommended others already!”
Joe Barrio | Owner, Worldwide Adventures

by Weston Joslyn

February 13, 2015in Digital Displays 0 Comments 0 Likes

Tips for Choosing the Best Digital Event Displays

February is “Technology Month” here at ExhibitDEAL and we wanted to share an excellent breakdown of different digital display styles. Head over to our Tech Displays catalog to check out what’s on sale this month!

This week’s featured article by Alex Ross lends insight to the many, many different displays that utilize today’s latest technology. Read more…

The best events are ones whose exciting environment make a lasting impression on attendees. Increasingly, event coordinators are using digital displays as strategic focal points to craft engaging events. . Whether for a trade show, an individual event booth, or an exhibit, going digital boosts the energy at your event and can transform your event from average to awesome.

It isn’t easy to have a smooth event display setup experience though. After being involved in events at various scales, I’ve identified key areas for event coordinators to focus their efforts on.

To make it easier, we created a breakdown of the types of event displays available, when to use them, the software available for running content, and guidance on coordinating logistics come showtime. I included a bonus Pro Tips section at the end with 3 key areas to pay attention to as you create your event display plan.

Types of Digital Event Displays
1. TVs, Projectors, Jumbotrons, Tablets, Kiosks
2. TV Stands and Mounting
3. Indoor v.s. Outdoor Event Displays
Event Display Content & Design
Other Hardware
1. Media Players
2. Internet – Ethernet, WiFi, 3G/4G hotspots
Event Display Logistics – where to find help?
Pro Tips

1. Types of Digital Displays for Events

Let’s run through the types of event displays, their cost, and ways to set them up.

TVs
TVs range from 24” to 80” and are well-suited as event displays for booths or exhibits. Many events also put screens on stands in key locations around their event floor. You can arrange multiple screens into a single cohesive display wall for big impact in a focal point of your event space. 4k screens are becoming more affordable and are a great way to grab attention as well, although it can be difficult to find engaging content compatible with 4k displays. While a single screen is easy to work with, large quantities of TVs (>5) can quickly become expensive and difficult to transport and store.

Projectors
With projectors, you can create extremely large event displays viewable by thousands of attendees at once. These are best used when you have a large surface (10ft x 6ft or larger) to project upon. If your event will be in a brightly lit area, you’ll need to purchase a high brightness projector for your content to be visible. If you’re placing a projector in a dark area, you can purchase a standard model. Projectors are logistically easier than any of the other display options because they’re light and portable.

Jumbotrons
Jumbotrons require professional event technician setup and are one of the priciest options for event displays. They’re meant for outdoor venues and have a huge impact.

Tablets
Tablets offer a personal, touch-based experience for attendees. You can use them as miniature kiosks at your booth or at key locations throughout your event to gather or convey information. Keep in mind that unlike the other event display options, tablets can only be used by a single person at a time and may form bottlenecks around busy areas of your event. They also offer the lowest ratio between potential viewers and cost because of their small form-factor.

Kiosks
Kiosks can be display-only or touch-screen. Logistically, kiosks are more difficult and expensive to ship than TVs or projectors. It takes at least two people and a dolly to move a single kiosk, and you’ll need freight elevator access to your event in order to move up and down floors. A 42–55”, standing display kiosk will cost around $2,500. Most kiosks come with Windows-based software you can use to load images and video in a loop onto. If you want touch-screen software, it will be much more expensive and you’ll need to employ a kiosk manufacturer or software developer.

Event Displays – TV Stands & Mounting

TVs are a popular choice for event displays and to draw attention to your booth at a trade show. If you’re going to use TVs, you’ll need to know how you’ll set up your screens. You have several options:

Stands
Stands are a versatile option for setting up your TVs. While cheap stands on wheels will cost around $150, if aesthetics matter, you’ll typically spend between $350 and $600 for a good TV stand which can hold a 42–60” display. Stands can be placed anywhere in your booth or event space, but you should typically place them near power and/or internet outlets so that you don’t need to run wire too far

Mounting
You can mount your TVs on a permanent or facade wall. If you take this route, make sure to hire a professional technician with the correct certifications and with adequate insurance in the event the TV falls off and injures somebody. You can use services likeFieldNation, OnForce, WorkMarket, or HomeAdvisor to source professionals.

Transportation
If you’ll be transporting your screens yourself, consider using monitor cases.

Indoor v.s. Outdoor Event Displays

Jumbotrons are the only typical outdoor display listed above. All of the others (projectors, TVs, tablets) are meant for indoor use. If you plan to use them as outdoor event displays, here are a few considerations:

Brightness
If your event will be in the daylight, your screens won’t be visible unless you purchase special high-lumen displays meant for outdoor use. These typically cost $1,000+ more than their standard TV equivalents. If your event will be at nighttime and won’t be too brightly lit, a standard brightness display may suffice.

Weatherproofing
Electronics are extremely vulnerable to the elements. Make sure your displays will be kept dry. Weatherproofing a display costs several hundred dollars and involves placing your television in a special case. You should make sure you purchase a case with dimensions suited for your television. Installation is generally easy, but you may need to familiarize yourself with the case specifications if you plan to use it in conjunction with any stand or mounting hardware. The easiest option is to purchase out-of-the-box weatherproof displays from a manufacturers like SkyVue. Note that such displays will command a price premium over typical LCD televisions.

2. Event Display Content & Design

A display is only as engaging as the content running on it. It’s easy to waste the work you put into setting up your event displays by skimping on the design or strategy of your content. Well-designed content leaves a lasting “Wow!” factor with your attendees, and sets the tone for your event’s atmosphere.

The content you choose impacts how many displays you’ll need, the type of software you’ll need, the computing hardware you’ll need (media player), and whether you’ll require internet connection.

Static Images
If you’re only using your screens to display static images, you might want to consider printing banners instead. Logistically much easier, more reliable. You can have it printed and ready to go weeks in advance of your event, and it won’t be a concern on game day. Remember to budget for a graphic designer to design your images if you don’t have one on-staff.

Images and Video
If you want to show a loop of images and video, you need a simple event display content management system (CMS). You’ll also need to design the images and video, or hire a graphic designer to do so. Custom video is much more expensive to create and will require a more powerful computer to display, so think carefully about whether it’s necessary for the effect you want to achieve.

Most digital signage software vendors offer software capable of running images and video, so pick the one that you enjoy using the most. Enplug offers a simple, easy-to-use interface for uploading and scheduling digital assets via our Graphics app.

Social Media Walls
It has become increasingly popular to use event displays as social media walls, streaming the conversation taking place at the event on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc. We’ve written about the benefits of using a social media at events and how to incorporate it into your sponsorship strategy.

If you want to integrate live social media with your display, you’ll need to choose a software that supports this, and you’ll need an internet connection to your display. We discuss internet connections below. Finding a software that supports both social media, images, and video is difficult. Often-times, instant social media is also extremely pricey. Enplug supports all three and offers instant social media posts through our Twitter wall,Instagram Wall, and other social apps.

Touch-screen
If you want interactive touch-screen way-finding kiosks, you’ll need a custom solution. You can create an app for tablets (iOS or Android), or create custom software for a touch-screen kiosk. In most cases, tablets are the most cost-effective way to create a touch-screen experience for your attendees. You’ll need to employ a mobile app development company to create a custom app, which can become expensive quickly. In most cases, I think the extra money you spend on this custom experience is not worth the added value to your attendees, and you should use an out-of-the-box non-touch solution instead.

3. Other Event Hardware to Consider

Depending on the content you choose to run on your event displays, you may need more than just a TV, power cable, and stand/mount.

Media Players

If you choose a software that doesn’t come with your display, you’ll need a media player (computer) to run the software. Below are your options:

Laptop
You can connect any laptop to a display via a shared input/output between your laptop and the display: HDMI, VGA, DVI, or Display Port. This works for quick-and-dirty event display setups, and may be enough if you’re using a display at your booth. Before doing this, make sure to turn off notifications on your laptop and turn off all applications except your display CMS, so that attendees don’t see embarrassing personal messages.

Dedicated PC
Similar to your laptop, if you have a spare desktop computer laying around you can connect it to your event display. The upside to this compared to your laptop is that you can still use your laptop during the event.

Media Player
Media players are small form-factor computers built specifically for running content on digital screens. Because they’re smaller they’re often more convenient than a full desktop computer, or your own laptop. Most media players use a common operating system like Windows or Android, and you can use any event display CMS compatible with that operating system. If your software needs to connect to the internet, make sure you choose a media player which supports the internet connection you’ll have available – either WiFi or ethernet.

Media players will run from $50 for a simple USB stick to plug into your TV, to $500 for high-end digital signage computers.

At Enplug, we offer a Plug & Play media player for $200 which can be connected to WiFi or ethernet and is managed entirely from web or mobile.

Matrix
If your event is being held at an event center, chances are high that there is already a network of screens powered by a single computer. I mention this because if your event is taking place in one of these locations, you’ll need to work with your location host to make sure your content and event display CMS will work with their matrix software and/or hardware.

Internet Connection

If your content requires an internet connection (such as a social media wall), you’ll need to plan out how you’ll get internet to your displays. You have several options with different pros and cons:

Ethernet Connection
The most stable option is to run an ethernet cable directly from the nearest internet router to your displays. The downside to this is that it’s a labor-intensive setup and cleanup exercise, and depending on the positioning of your displays it may be impossible to hide the ethernet cables, resulting in a less aesthetically-pleasing end result.

WiFi
If your event space has a WiFi connection, you can connect your event displays to this network. Make sure to test the strength of the WiFi connection at each of your display locations. The upside to this approach is you won’t need to deal with any messy wires. The downside is WiFi can be weak in certain locations of a building, and WiFi is less stable than ethernet.

3G/4G Hotspot
Companies like Verizon and AT&T offer a variety of hardware for creating internet hotspots from their 3G/4G networks. You can treat this hotspot as an internet router, and either plug it into your media player via ethernet or create a WiFi network to connect to.

The benefit of this approach is that it’s often the most convenient and flexible. Your hotspot can be located directly behind your screen/projector. If you have a wide area to cover, you may want to consider purchasing multiple hotspots.

The biggest problem with hotspots is that you’ll need to verify that your event space will have a strong 3G/4G connection. Oftentimes, convention centers fall outside of core coverage spots. If your event is indoors, the cellular connection may be weakened. Furthermore, if there are tens of thousands of attendees at your events the nearest cell towers may be overwhelmed by the digital traffic, paralyzing your displays.

Another downside to this approach is that it’s often the most expensive. Hotspots charge according to the data you use and typically come with annual contracts. Check out FreedomPop for easy hotspots, although their coverage is not as wide as Verizon’s or AT&T’s.

4. Event display logistics – where to find help?

Setting up event displays can be a real distraction from getting your event off the ground, and sometimes you’ll want to hire help. Who should you hire and what can you rely on them for?

Contractors
You can use marketplaces like FieldNation to find individual contractors who have experience transporting, mounting, and troubleshooting event displays. Post your job online with your budget, and let vetted contractors reply to your posting and bid on the opportunity. An individual contractor will require you to provide clear instructions, and is unlikely to provide additional expertise on choosing screens or software. If you have a large number of event displays to set up, you’ll also likely need more man-power. You should be able to hire a single contractor for around $300 for a simple setup and teardown event.

AV Companies / Systems Integrators
If you have a complicated network of screens to set up (more than 10 event displays with internet requirements), you may want to consider hiring a professional company that manages complex installations. The right company should be able to advise you on the software and screens you should choose, if you don’t have them already. They should also be able to troubleshoot common software and internet issues, and will have more man-power available to help with setting up your displays. This approach will be much more expensive than a single contractor.

Systems Contractor News (SCN) publishes an annual list of the top 50 AV companies/systems integrators.

Event coordinator
If you need assistance not only with setting up screens and software, but also with designing your overall digital event marketing strategy, you should consider hiring an event coordinator. You can hire a project-based individual, or an entire event coordinator company. This will be the priciest option as this individual will likely need to sub-contract an AV company or contractor to help with the screen setup.

Pro Tips

1. Test your TVs, computers, display software & content management software (CMS), and internet connection thoroughly and well in advance (1 week) of the event. If one of these components fails on the day-of, you won’t have much flexibility available to solve the problem on a moment’s notice. Make sure to test the internet connection at each of the locations of your displays if you’ll be dependent on a strong connection.

2. Leave as much time as possible for setting up your displays. This is the most difficult part. Once they’re up and running, you’ll usually be in the clear.

3. Make sure you have one person responsible for keeping an eye on your displays. If something goes wrong with the TV, software, or internet connection, your team will need to respond quickly to avoid affecting the event attendee experience.

Have questions on Tech Displays are the best match for your tradeshow booth? We specialize in creating custom screen, tablet device, and charging station inclusive displays that will wow your event participants and overshadow the competition.

The ExhibitDEAL team can be reached at Sales@ExhibitDeal.com or call 866-577-DEAL, we’d love to put our experience to work for you.

by Weston Joslyn

December 5, 2014in Trade Show Advice 0 Comments 0 Likes

5 Tips for Effective Emotional Branding

The importance of ’emotional branding’ cannot be understated. While it may seem like a newer trend, the psychological foundation has been taught and practiced for decades.

Ask yourself who you would rather buy from – a friend or a random stranger? Right there you have experienced an emotional connection that adds gravity to a claim about a product. In the same way, the basis of a good emotional branding is about helping your audience visualize the importance and ways that a product influences their lives and relationships. Whether or not this is an actual property of that product is less important than the experiences and warm, fuzzy perception that product brings to mind in the consumer.

This week we feature an article by Jeannette de Beauvoir on 5 tips for effective emotional branding. Read more below..

In case you’re inclined to sneer at the self-help philosophy, consider that this stuff works. And sells. How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold over 30 million copies since its first printing in 1936.

What we’re now calling emotional branding isn’t new. Dale Carnegie developed famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.

And what is it that worked so well? Carnegie advised businesspeople to appeal to their customers’ emotions.

Yet, even with the explosion of inbound marketing, the typical salesperson is still armed with facts and figures and stock responses to questions and objections. Salespeople are generally well prepared to sell a product or service. But the truth is, products and services aren’t what you’re selling anymore. You’re selling a way to improve people’s lives; and to do that effectively you have to make them feel—not just think—that you’re the right answer to their problem.

Feeling is what emotional branding is about. And the feeling doesn’t even need to be directly connected to the brand. In this Coca-Cola commercial and this longer, even more heart-touching mobile telephone commercial, you see the product only at the very end of the video. The marketing makes a connection that isn’t actually there, with the hope that the emotional connection stays in the audience’s collective mind.

Manipulative? Sure it is. It’s also brilliant. Because it works.

So what do you need to do to launch an emotional branding campaign for your company or product? Here are five tips to get you started.

Tip No. 1: Shift your focus

Think about people, rather than consumers. Think about experience, rather than products. Think about dialogue, rather than information delivery.

Emotional branding works best when you’re approaching your audience as individual people who live and work and think and dream—and when you engage them with all of that in mind.

If you really know your customers, then this is easy. Studying who they are and what they want will help you with your emotional branding.

Tip No. 2: Create material so emotionally compelling that it’s eminently shareable

Sharing is the best advertising out there, because it’s both heartfelt and free. You couldn’t pay for the kind of sharing that happens when a video or meme goes viral. So examine what is working in the media you select—videos, ads, even memes—and tailor your message to that tone and approach.

Tip No. 3: Learn about the emotional hot buttons that get people to purchase

Veteran marketer Barry Feig has carved out 16 hot buttons in Hot Button Marketing: Push the Emotional Buttons That Get People to Buy: desire for control, I’m better than you, excitement of discovery, revaluing, family values, desire to belong, fun is its own reward, poverty of time, desire to get the best, self-achievement, sex/love/romance, nurturing response, reinventing oneself, make me smarter, power/dominance/influence, and wish fulfillment.

It’s a great list. But not everything on it will work for you. Think about your ideal customers (remember, we’re talking people here, not products), pick out three or four of those hot buttons that will appeal to those people, and focus your branding efforts around them.

Tip No. 4: Tell a story

It really is all about the story. Storytelling is how we have for centuries—even millennia—made emotional connections. Who didn’t cry at Bambi? Stories aren’t about facts. Everyone knows that the best stories are the ones that stay with us long after the book is closed or we’ve left the theater. The same goes for business storytelling: You want your customer to keep thinking of you, so make sure you use your story to make them feel what you want them to feel.

Tip No. 5: Leave them with a strong feeling, happy or sad

It’s not about what information about your brand you want to leave your audience with. It’s what feeling you want to leave them with.

As William McEwen in the Gallup Management Journal notes, “Emotional connections are not merely warm and fuzzy, nor are they simply interesting to contemplate and debate. They have powerful financial consequences, ranging from share-of-wallet to frequency and amount of repeat business. ‘Fully engaged’ retail customers spend more and return more frequently than those who are disengaged.”

You don’t have to make a direct link between your product and the feeling you want associated with it. You only have to link them in your prospects’ and customers’ minds. This is the best way for you to stand out from your competition: by going in a completely different direction, seizing a new demographic, and making people smile or cry.

It doesn’t really even matter which.

Do you have an upcoming event? ExhibitDEAL offers full service production, including free consultation and 2 hours of complimentary graphic design to get your booth presence started off right. Give us a call at 866-577-DEAL or Email today. Our team of exhibit experts are on hand to answer any questions you have and guide you to the best DEAL.

by Weston Joslyn

October 14, 2014in Press Releases 0 Comments 0 Likes

Exhibit Spotlight: Blue Jay Consulting

bluejay-email-banner

This issue of Exhibit Spotlight focuses on the team at Blue Jay Consulting where we provide a ‘one-stop shop’ service to fulfill whatever they need.

Blue Jay Consulting seeks to help make an emergency department the best it can be. Sometimes this is a relatively straightforward task; other times facing a complex array of problems that require a multi-tiered, long-term set of solutions.

Blue Jay’s goal is to optimize the performance of every organization with which they work. Their team figures out how to maximize the capability of systems and personnel alike. Their techniques are proven, their consultants are respected and their clients benefit from quantifiable results.

The Mission
Blue Jay faced the challenge of creating a diverse array of marketing collateral for an upcoming award ceremony in a timely manner. They required freestanding portable banners that welcome guests into the event and communicate physicians being honored, as well as 20 foot backwalls that illustrate what the company does. In addition to marketing signage, the Blue Jay team needed custom engraved awards to dedicate to award winners.

Blue Jay chooses ExhibitDEAL for their event promotion needs because of our ability to meet strict deadlines without sacrificing quality. If something is ever damaged in transit or the finished product is not up to expectations, we order replacements before the ceremony. This track record for quality and expertise has earned ExhibitDEAL a reputation as a dependable go-to team for tradeshow displays, banners, branded giveaway items, and ceremony awards.

Proven Results
“ExhibitDEAL acts as our trusted consultants. John Cornell’s recommendations have helped us improve visibility in the market and grow the ACEP awards ceremony each year. Their quality production, recommendations and ability to meet deadlines is invaluable to our marketing.” – Misty Butcher | Blue Jay Consulting

BlueJay-awards-ceremony

There are so many styles and sizes of exhibit displays, it can be daunting to know which styles and sizes fit different needs. The Blue Jay team had a vision of the caliber of exhibition they needed to achieve. Always welcoming a challenge, we began to strategize and agreed that popular, easy to assemble Pop Up Displays will best provide the presence they require.


After the graphic designers approve the finished design, the production department begins outputting the graphic panels from our High Definition 1200 DPI printer that utilizes official H.P. inks to ensure vibrant colors that match up to the Pantone color spec.


In addition to banners and popup displays, ExhibitDEAL helped produce engraved awards for the American College of Emergency Physicians winners; award pictured here on backwall graphics. Graphics are cut by our professional production team and inspected for quality to ensure no ripples or tears were created during the printing process.

The finished graphics are assembled onto the display just as it would be during exhibition to ensure that all graphic panels have been cut to perfectly align with one another for seamless branding.

Accompanying accessory hard case to counter kit with custom printed full wrap graphics to extend the Blue Jay branding for presentation needs.


ExhibitDEAL has had the pleasure of working with Misty Butcher of Blue Jay since 2011 to regularly refresh their high definition graphics branding. Whether an event required backwall displays for marketing, branded counters for presentations and demos, branded promotion giveaway items, or even custom engraved awards ExhibitDEAL was there to provide top quality production at the best deal.

by Weston Joslyn

April 2, 2014in Point of Purchase Displays 0 Comments 0 Likes

UM Motorcycles got astonishing results

Motorcycles-result

We have DEALs for all your marketing needs! Check out a recent happy customer – UM GLOBAL

Juan Santos is an expert at building cool motorcycles. UM’s yearly sales meeting was coming soon and he wanted to get a few banners to add some branding to their conference room. Looking for a great deal, he found exhibitDEAL through a quick online search.

So Juan from UM and John from exhibitDEAL met over the phone for our customary complimentary consultation. Thirty minutes later they discovered there was plenty more than a few banners that we could do to make sure UM Dealers were completely thrilled with the new products and placed lots of orders – got to keep your eye on the final objective! So with only one week to go, we got on the mission to build display platforms, flags, media walls, banners, branded water bottles, welcome signs, floor graphics, removable wall decals and more. From graphic design to installation, the exhibitDEAL team delivered on time and under budget – of course, we always give you the best DEAL.

“Thank you so much for your suggestions – you should have seen the excitement in the dealer’s faces when they saw our brand everywhere, even on the racetrack floor! It was a strong message that our new 2015 product line was the perfect choice and worth the higher price level. Never before had we been able to close orders during our meeting, but the confidence in the brand just gave the dealers the right push to move ahead. I am thrilled to have found you guys!” – thank you Juan, we had lots of fun with your bikes. Sorry we missed the test drive!

Want to discover how you too can go beyond the traditional display AND get the BEST DEAL? Schedule your complimentary consultation today!

Motorcycles-result-img2

by ExhibitDEAL

April 24, 2013in Trade Show Marketing 0 Comments 0 Likes

Marketing Tips to Increase Your Trade Show ROI

This infographic provides helpful advice on maximizing your trade show business and increasing your ROI. Some of the trade show conference tips provided include:

Match Your Audience to your Business Goals

If the goal is to raise venture capital, target fiance and investment conferences.

Target Your Potential Customers

Identify the top five or ten companies you want to talk to. Then make sure to do your research so you speak to them knowledgeably about how your value proposition applies to them specifically.

Build & Strengthen Reporter Relationships

Reach out to the conference organizers ahead of time to ask for the press list. Also reach out to key industry reporters to ask if they’re planning to go.

Booth, Sponsor, Speak or Attend

There are numerous ways in which companies can participate in conference or trade shows.

Plug into Social Media

Many conference use social media platforms to keep attendees update or provide special notification for their followers. Use those platforms to interact with your customers and reporters.

Scope Out the Good Parties

Often, the more relaxed setting enables better connections. And, after a long day of getting the most out of you conference investment, you deserve a free beer or glass of wine.

Of course, as a trade show attendee with a booth, the best thing you can do is get the right booth for your trade show. Contact or call (866-577-DEAL) ExhibitDeal to help.

Infographic by Tigercomm

by Mark Saghy

March 31, 2013in Trade Show Marketing 0 Comments 0 Likes

How to Create a Winning Booth Design

We have written a new article with advice on creating a successful trade show booth design. Keep in mind some key points when designing your booth area, such as using the right flooring, buying a portable booth and more.

If you are exhibiting at an upcoming trade show, you need an amazing booth design that will enhance your presentation and help you to be more productive. The following suggestions are helpful tips to ensure that your space looks the best.

Create Interest With The Right Visuals

First, a good booth will grab the attention of all of the guests at the show. There are many different eye-catching options that will successfully attract the attention you are in need of, including the following:

Pop up displays
Banner stands
Hanging banners
Table covers
Digital signage

These details can be used to create interest and describe your brand or products. They can also be customized to match your branding, company colors, and overall display. When designing these features, avoid using dull colors or black and white backgrounds. Instead, create visuals that are brighter in color and more vivid. These colors are more eye-catching and interesting to potential customers.

Read the rest of the article.

by Mark Saghy

February 20, 2013in Hybrid Displays 0 Comments 0 Likes

How To Protect Your Displays During Shipping

After spending countless hours designing the perfect marketing strategy for your trade show booth—not to mention countless dollars on custom signage with compelling graphics—you will definitely want to do everything you can to protect your exhibit products when they are being shipped to each expo. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.

1. Select the right shipping containers.

The biggest mistake that companies make when it comes to shipping exhibit materials for a tradeshow booth is to ship them in containers that are the wrong size. There are a variety of products on the market that are designed specifically for tradeshow products. For instance, our half-hard case built to perfectly fit 6 foot and 8 foot tabletop pop up displays and ready pop fabric displays. You won’t have to worry about the popping mechanism getting damage during transit, bouncing around in the back of a truck or as it is thrown into the cargo area of a plane. Similarly, digital displays will require special protections such as monitor cases and the like.

2. Choose durable materials.

Obviously, you aren’t going to ship your tradeshow displays in a cardboard box; plastic tends to be the material of choice. Shipping containers that are rotational molded, however, tend to be stronger than those that are injection molded. The rotational molding process also allows the containers to be designed with a more customized fit for the product and manufactured using the optimal thickness to protect the product. In other words: the shipping containers will fit your display materials like a glove!

3. Look for features that make it more convenient to transport.

Your exhibit displays will be less likely to get damaged if you also look for features that make it easier to move from one location to the next—from the truck to the dock, from the dock to the expo floor, etc. Such features include:

Wheels
Handles
Locks

You may think of locks as a security feature rather than a transportation feature, but locks also protect the case from accidentally being popped open in the event that the container is dropped during the loading and unloading process.

4. Hire a reliable shipping company.

Most likely, the products you will be shipping are heavy and oddly shaped, making it more cost efficient to select the services of a specialized shipping company rather than a general parcel service. Often, the venue will offer a list of preferred providers that they recommend you use. Don’t hire a company without first checking a few references to determine their reliability. Nothing will make your company look more unprofessional than being forced to use displays that are damaged or broken or, worse yet, haven’t arrived on time. You will also want to inquire about other services the vendors may or may not offer such as:

Less than truckload service
Inside pick-up and delivery
Flexible scheduling
On-site assistance
Unpacking and debris removal

If you follow this advice to pack and protect your tradeshow displays, you can be sure that your investment will arrive in tact, attract potential customers and pay off at many tradeshows to come.

by Mark Saghy