Archive for July, 2010
Friday, July 30th, 2010
Over the course of researching what I want to share on this blog over the course of a week, I continuously catch myself thinking that I’ve seen everything that Godfrey can do only to be surprised yet again by something amazing that I never knew about. This week alone I’ve shared with you the perfect tent for outdoor events and gone over some of the benefits of offering your trade show visitors a chance to sit and take a break in a set of classic looking scoop-back seats. I’m always bragging about our pop-up displays and grand fabric structures. From poster frames, to table wraps, to LED displays, to inflatable props; Godfrey just never seems to run out of designs to meet your needs. What you may not know is that my latest discovery of what Godfrey offers just might change the way you plan your next trade show event.
Before I share my new find I want to discuss just how easy it is to start working on your custom display. The first thing you need of course is an idea. Do you want something large and elaborate or are you looking for something small that can quickly be taken down to carry with you? Once you have a basic idea of what you want it’s time to meet your personal project manager. This is the person who will help you take your idea and turn it into a fully customized display. Together you will work out the basics, come up with a concept, and from there everything is sent to our design team. The design staff takes what you and your project manager have done so far and turns those ideas into something tangible that will be submitted to you for approval. Once this is complete it’s just a matter of time before your custom display is built. During this process you will be notified regularly about what progress is being made and you will even receive pictures of how everything is coming together.
Next comes that amazing discovery I mentioned above that just proves that Godfrey is the best at what they do. Along with your display you will have access to a support manager that will actually accompany you to the tradeshow and help you setup your booth. That’s right! Godfrey actually has a team of job managers that will show up and make sure everything is installed just as you ordered. And it doesn’t stop there! In b
etween shows you can even ship us back the display where we can then service, refresh the graphics, or even upgrade your design!
From start to finish and long after the show is over, Godfrey is here to give you the tools you need to make your next event the largest ever! Call us now and get your project manager working on a new design today!!
Tags: booths, conventions, Custom graphics, Display Booths, Eco-friendly displays, fabric structures, inflatables, kiosk displays, kiosks, marketing tips, outdoor displays, Overhead banners, popup displays, portable trade show display, Poster frames, potential customer, table throw, The Godfrey Group, Trade Show, trade show booth, trade show kiosk, tradeshow display, unique trade show display
Posted in Backlit displays, Custom displays, Custom graphics, Custom hanging headers, Custom table throws and runners, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Poster frames, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade show popups, Uncategorized, Workstation | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Anyone with kids will tell you that one of the best parts of the day is those last few hours when you finally get to kick your shoes off and put your aching feet up. As somebody who is a parent and used to work trade shows every weekend, by the time I got to finally sit down I could barely walk. Convention centers are designed with one thing in mind and that’s providing the most space possible in hopes of attracting the most exhibits and therefore the most visitors. Below is a list of some of the largest convention centers in the U.S. Check out the size of some of these mega-centers!
Top 10 Largest U.S Convention Centers
1. McCormick Place, Chicago, 2.2 million square feet
2. Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, 2.05 million square feet
3. Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, 1.94 million square feet
4. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, 1.37 million square feet
5. Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, 1.29 million square feet
6. Sands Expo & Center, Las Vegas, 1.13 million square feet
7. Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, 1.1 million square feet
8. Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, 1.02 million square feet
9. Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo, Harrisburg, 1 million square feet
10. George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, 930,000 square feet
I don’t about you but 2.2 million square feet is enough to make me cry just thinking about it. Imagine setting up shop at one of these giant complexes and trying to not only get yourself noticed, but get people to stop and spend time listening to what you have to offer. Speaking of things to offer one way to get visitors to put the race to see everything on hold is to offer them an oasis in the middle of the trade show desert. By offering those that pass by a place to sit not only are you giving them a break from all the chaos, but in turn you are showing how much you care. Regardless of whether they are interested in what you are showing or not, you might be surprised by the number of people that will give you a second look when they hear you say that there’s no gimmick. If they’re interested in your company that’s great, if not that’s fine too. The point is that you just want to help out by giving them someplace to get off their feet for a moment. Oh and as it just so happens wouldn’t you know that Godfrey has several varieties of seats from the classic directors chair to the modern scoop stool. As always whatever your trade show needs, all you gotta do is look to Godfrey where we have the solution to all your trade show needs.
Tags: booths, conference centers, convention centers, conventions, Display Booths, Exhibit Booth Company, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, seating, showroom, Trade Show Tips, tradeshow display, unique trade show display
Posted in Conferences & Venues, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Promotional Ideas, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
If you are one of millions that work for or own an auto-dealership than to say that the recent economic crisis has been tough may just be one of the biggest understatements you’ve heard in quite some time. If the money troubles faced by Ford, GM, and Chrysler didn’t hit you hard, then the total collapse of consumer confidence in Toyota due to all the safety recalls was surely the last straw. Let’s face it everyone has had it rough recently and while dealerships are struggling to find customers, those customers are struggling to earn enough to get by themselves; still though one rule will always hold true: sooner or later everyone will need to buy a car. All across the country prices are coming down and rebates are going up as dealerships try their best to get America buying cars once again. One way this is being done is by going back to basics and re-establishing those core relationships with customers. I think maybe Godfrey can help with this thanks to a couple unique items that are sure to turn that empty lot into a crowded hot spot.
People love to eat and there’s nothing they like better to eat than free food. Hot dogs are cheap, bottle water is always a favorite…why not host a cookout and I bet you can guess that we’ve got the perfect thing to host it under. I’m not talking about just some ordinary pop-up tent, what you need is a tent cluster!!! Not just made of up one single tent, a tent cluster is actually four tents with a large outdoor umbrella in the center. Inside what you will find is a large circular kiosk perfect for serving for pitching hogs dogs and great deals out to the waiting public. All covered with your custom logo of course!
Once you have your tent city in place, you need something to get them off the street and into the lot. You need something just as big and dramatic as those rebates and low prices. This is where Godfrey comes through again with a custom designed inflatable prop. Is it tailgating season? Why not a giant goalpost. Would you like those driving by to know that all you really want to do is help them get that giant monkey off their back so they can stop worrying about when their car is going to breakdown? How about a giant gorilla! The list of designs that Godfrey can create especially for you goes on and on.
Now more than ever paychecks are hard to come by and because of this, consumers are being extremely selective when it comes to letting go of hard earned cash. Before they spend a dime they are doing their research, making sure they know exactly what they need, and are going the extra mile to get the best deal. Likewise dealerships need to remind the public they are there to help the consumer by providing them with a quality vehicle and top of the line customer service. If you are one of these struggling dealerships check out all the great outdoor props, signs, and tents and let Godfrey help you make your next sales event a guaranteed success.
Tags: automotive sales, custom logos, fabric structures, inflatables, kiosks, outdoor props, portable signs, struggling sales, tent clusters, tents
Posted in Custom displays, Kiosk placement, Mushroom kiosks, Promotional Ideas, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Today I want to wrap up our series all about how smaller displays don’t always mean you have to settle for smaller profits. Up to this point we’ve discussed the easy to transform and take with you podium shipping case, took a look at what a simple stand alone portable workstation with monitor mount can do for you, and today we are going in a slightly different direction with some thoughts about how the smallest of gestures can make a huge impact. Nobody likes a pushy salesman. You could have the greatest product in the world guaranteed to revolutionize all of civilization and if you come across as too pushy, unsympathetic, and rude you’re not going to have the same results as the other guy who is out there being as polite and helpful as he possibly can. It doesn’t matter you’re standing in front of one of the most state-of-the-art exhibits ever to be showcased at a trade show or simply sweating it out under a single kiosk tent at some country fair, for a majority of consumers how a product is presented is just as important as what is being presented.
3 Key Tips To Politely Present Your Product To Customers
1. Look Them In The Eye And Show Them You Care About What They Think. Notice this doesn’t say, “act like you care what they think.” People can spot when somebody is being fake and pretending to show interest in them just to get into their wallets. When meeting somebody for the first time, learn their name as well as some information about them such as where they are from or what they do for a living. Let them know who you are and how you think that what you are selling could do wonders for them. Try to maintain eye contact as much as possible so they know they have your full attention.
2. Be Graceful and Don’t Come Off As Greedy. It’s no secret to anyone attending that the reason you are standing in front of the custom designed fabric wall is because your job is to sell, sell, sell so don’t knock them over the head with it. Delivering your message without appearing that you are begging for a sale can easily be done. Remember to use the information you have gathered from the the customer up to that point to show them how your product could best suit their needs. Understandably things get hectic at times, but it could be something as simple as a handshake or friendly smile that gets the customers attention and leads them to finding out more about you.
3. Close With Class. Regardless of whether or not a sale is made, there comes a time when you’ve done all you could do and it either had the desired effect or you failed to hit your mark. If it’s the later don’t throw your hands in the air and send the customer on their way with little more than a wave goodbye. Some people will never jump into buying a product immediately no matter how good a deal it appears they are getting. They need time to kick things over in their heads, check with their spouse, or research what you are offering online. Before they leave though make sure to have them write down their name and contact info so you can follow up at a later time. This will give them the freedom to make their selves feel comfortable about what you showed them so that when you do call they are more inclined to commit.
What this whole discussion about whether bigger is better or less is more all boils down to is delivery. The most environmentally friendly display on the market won’t get you anywhere if you are rude and appear to be greedy. Likewise something as simple as one sales rep giving a presentation behind a podium or in front of a literature display will remain just that i.e. alone if he/she does not come across as genuine and compassionate.
Tags: booths, Custom graphics, customer, customers, Display Booths, Eco-friendly displays, environmentally friendly trade show display, Exhibitors, increased sales, kiosk displays, marketing tips, podiums, portable workstations, potential customers, sales, trade show booth, trade show shipping case and podium, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Eco-friendly displays, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Displays | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
This week we are talking about how smaller displays don’t always mean smaller sales or less impact. Today I want to take this thought and give you an example of how this can translate into a trade show environment. By now you know that Godfrey has everything you need from giant fabric structures to stand alone literature displays to outdoor inflatables, but what about a simple display that requires little in terms of involvement by an onsite salesman. I’m talking about a portable workstation with monitor mount and lockable storage compartment.
Imagine walking through a crowded trade show; everywhere you turn you see sales people blasting out their sales pitches to anyone in ear shot. Flashes of light and color coming from all directions accompany the teeth shattering pulse of the music as it blasts overhead. If you didn’t know better you might think that you were actually visiting one of the cities trendiest night clubs. Then suddenly off the side something catches your eye. It could be the overhead banner that promises a one of a kind experience for anyone that is interested in trying something new. It could the lone salesman as he stands smiling greeting those that walk by in a polite yet unobtrusive manner. Then again what might actually be catching your attention is the monitor station behind him with its sleek curved design, custom graphics promising something new is waiting to be experienced, and a flash of something on the screen that begs further investigation. As you approach the salesman invites you to learn more about his product and simply presses a button that starts a slide show designed to let you know just how much the product being discussed could change your life.
Sometimes you don’t need the flash and glitz that those over the top displays provide to get your point across. While larger structures definitely attract attention and are always popular, something as simple as a portable workstation with a monitor and an eye catching slide show may just be enough to attract the customers you are looking for. Plus they are easier on your wallet as well. The next time you get ready to go all out for that next event, take a moment and reconsider using a smaller display with a quality message. You might be surprised at your results.
Tags: booths, Custom graphics, Display Booths, fabric structures, hanging headers, inflatables, literature racks, marketing tips, Overhead banners, portable trade show display, portable workstations, potential customer, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, unique trade show display, video stations
Posted in Custom graphics, marketing tips, Overhead banners, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Tips | No Comments »
Monday, July 19th, 2010
I spent all of last week talking about what could be accomplished with the use of Godfrey’s Grand Format Fabric Structures. This week I want to go in the opposite direction and talk about how less can sometimes mean more. A few years back I became interested in log cabins and dove headfirst into all the unique designs that today’s log cabin designers were making available to the general public. That’s when I first heard about Jim Shafer and his tiny home. I had forgot about Jim until this weekend when I came across a recent interview posted on Yahoo. What makes Mr. Shafer so special is that back in 1997 he decided to downgrade his living space. By downgrade I mean Mr. Shafer got rid of the majority of his possessions and moved into an 89 square foot cabin. All these years later Jim Shafer now runs Tumble Weed Tiny Houses a firm that specializes in designing tiny homes for those that live by the motto “Less Is More”. Jim’s success is a perfect example of how something small can lead to huge success; another example of this our line of Podium Shipping Cases.
Any salesman will tell you that the more people you see, the better your chances are of making a sell. If what you are selling requires some type of demonstration, than there is a definite need to be able to assemble and tear down a display quickly so that you can get to your next appointment in good time. Regardless of if you are traveling from company to company within the same city or plane hopping across the country, a good portable display needs to be tough, easy to use, and functional. What makes these Podium Shipping Cases so unique is that what you are getting is a sturdy shipping case that is able to take a licking and when stood on end becomes a professional looking podium perfect for those who make their livings by giving presentations. Though the shipping case initially looks like other cases on today’s market, what makes this case so special is that inside it carriers a fabric wrap that quickly snaps snugly around the outside giving you just that extra touch of class.
One of the key philosophies preached by Jim Shafer is that all the clutter, all the extras, all the flash and grandeur of today’s homes at least for some is exactly that….needless stuff that takes up space. If you are somebody that needs to be as mobile as possible at all times, that hates the thought of packing things up and hitting the road with tons of packaging following behind you, and likes the idea of having everything you need for that next big client meeting all wrapped up in one case….a Podium Shipping Case is the more than you’ve ever dreamed of.
Tags: booth, business conference, Display Booths, Exhibit Booth Company, fabric structures, marketing tips, podiums, popup displays, portable trade show display, potential customers, shipping, showroom, travel, unique trade show display
Posted in Conferences & Venues, marketing tips, Wheeled totes | No Comments »
Friday, July 16th, 2010
The words trade show and chaotic seem to go hand in hand don’t they? Everywhere you look bright lights are flashing, bells and whistles are going off, and vendors are yelling at everyone that walks by as if they work at a back country carnival. Privacy is nonexistent and most conversations tend to follow the same basic script:
Salesman: Hi Sir! Would you be interested in taking a look at product ABC?
Potential Customer: Sure. What does ABC do? Show me how it works.
Salesman: It’s simple. You put this in here, turn there, and presto-change-o! It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before and it’s guaranteed to change your life.
Potential Customer: Sounds Great! What kind of deal can I get on it?
Salesman: Well it all depends on how much of ABC you want, the color, the size….why don’t you give me your info and we can set up a time to talk about this more in detail.
See what happened? The salesman caught the customer’s attention, showed him how product ABC worked, and sold the idea that the customer was missing out on a great opportunity if he let ABC get past him. The only problem is that ABC is kind of expensive and there’s a lot to work out in terms of payment plans, interest rates, warranties, models, etc….none of which can easily be done when you have 50 other people trying to get your attention. You could ignore the other customers, but you would be trading one sale for potentially tens of others. So in this case the salesman did the only thing he could do…he collected the customers contact info and setup a time to go into detail at a later date.
Wednesday I wrote to you about our great looking Grand Format Fabric Graphic Structures. In that post I mentioned the ability to essentially create a conference room complete with table and chairs both featuring your company’s name and logo. I wanted to expand on this because what you are doing by constructing of display is creating a space away from the trade show chaos where some privacy can be had and those details our salesman above mentioned can be explained while at the same time his associate can handle new visitors to the exhibit. Below is how things might have been different had the salesman been able to spend more time talking about the specifics of product ABC.
Salesman: Hi Sir! Would you be interested in taking a look at product ABC?
Potential Customer: Sure. What does ABC do? Show me how it works.
Salesman: It’s simple. You put this in here, turn there, and presto-change-o! It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before and it’s guaranteed to change your life.
Potential Customer: Sounds Great! What kind of deal can I get on it?
Salesman: Well it all depends on how much of ABC you want, the color, the size….I tell you what, if you have a moment we could step back into the office area behind me and go over some of the specifics. I promise to have you back on your way in 15 minutes.
Potential Customer: Sure! Show me the way!
Easy to setup, simple to transport, and like everything from the Godfrey Group each display is available in a wide variety of colors and fabrics. All it takes is a few basic questions and you could be on your way to creating a trade show exhibit that is sure to increase your sales. What are you waiting for! Contact us today at 1-800-789-9394
Tags: conventions, Custom graphics, customer service, customers, demonstrations, Display Booths, fabric structures, increased sales, logos, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customers, privacy, sales, samples, showroom, Trade Show Tips, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Imagine a cozy Christmas scene in your mind, the soft crackle of an open fire, a tree in the corner trimmed with the brightest of ornaments, the smell of apple cider and gingerbread cookies wafting through the air. Outside the ground is covered with snow and somewhere in the distance you can just barely make out the sound of Bing Crosby softly singing White Christmas…..now zoom out and you’ll see that to your shock and amazement this isn’t a country Christmas, but in fact what you have been looking at is all taking place in a coliseum surrounded by hundreds of other vendors. With the use of a custom designed Grand Format Fabric Graphic Structure Christmas in July is sure to take on a whole new meaning.
It’s hard to believe that the Christmas holidays are less than five months away, unless of course you are in sales than it’s a no-brainer that in order to ensure the you have product to promote in December you better start preparing in July. As I mentioned above, the Christmas scene described can easily be achieved with the help of Godfrey. That soft crackling fire is actually a fire bowl. The Christmas tree is fashioned out of a custom fabric column. Everything else can be pickup at your local grocery store. Put this all together inside a Grand Fabric display resembling the inside of a country home and what you have is a fantastic looking displace that is guaranteed to draw a crowd. Don’t forget to place a hanging banner over the entire thing so that everyone knows what’s in store for them up ahead.
If Christmas isn’t your cup of eggnog than let one of Personal Project Managers help you design the type of structure that fits all of your needs. Whether it’s a beach scene, something from outer-space, or a professional looking conference room with built in Plexiglas, these structures are sure to put every one’s idea as to what a trade show display was meant to be. If you need more ideas or are just curious as to what else we can do, click on over to our design gallery for more on what we have to offer.
Tags: booth, booths, christmas, Conference Vendor, conventions, Custom graphics, customers, design gallery, Display Booths, Event Planners, Exhibitors, fabric columns, fabric trade show display, fire bowls, Holiday Greetings, holidays, potential customer, Trade Show Booths, unique trade show display
Posted in Backlit displays, Custom displays, Custom graphics, Custom hanging headers, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Trade Show Exhibits | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
One look at your grocery store shelves will tell you that going green means big business. It seems that every product on the market is attempting to brand itself as the environmentally friendly choice. With all of this endless supply of concern for the planet taking place (at least from the manufacturing sector) one has to wonder if this is just another gimmick to try and make a buck or do consumers really care about going green as much as Wall Street wants them to. A survey published by the folks at Treehugger says that not only are people becoming increasingly more aware of green products, but that they actively look for products that aim to make the world a better place.
When it comes to green logos “eighty-two percent of online adults recognize the Energy Star logo and 86% recognize the recycling arrows” and “familiarity with green terminology is high for established terms such as recyclable (86%) or energy efficiency (76%)” What this means is that more and more consumers are educating themselves on what items will create less of an impact on the world around them. In fact “fifty-five percent of consumers consider themselves to be environmentally conscious and74% believe companies should do more to protect the environment.” Now let’s translate this into trade show speak; by electing to showcase your products with an environmentally friendly trade show display you are immediately telling your customer three things 1)You care about the environment 2) You understand their concerns as well and 3)Saving the planet is more than a gimmick for you, but rather you are simply practicing what you preach.
What makes the Pod Forum such a great green display is that it is made from a minimal amount of recycled aluminum tubing and the entire exhibit is covered in earth friendly fabrics. This not only means that the display itself is environmentally conscious, but when you take into consideration that the light weight of the display actually costs less and wastes less than what other displays would to ship, than you can clearly see why this is the only choice for vendors who base their existence on promoting a green lifestyle.
If you are a regular on the trade show circuit and on the lookout for a way to reduce your carbon footprint while still attending the same number of events, than the Pod Forum is your chance to give something back to the planet and encourage your customers to do the same.
Tags: booths, carbon footprint, Custom graphics, customers, Display Booths, Eco-friendly displays, environmentally friendly trade show display, Exhibit Booth Company, going green, green conference displays, marketing tips, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Eco-friendly displays, marketing tips, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Tips | No Comments »
Friday, July 9th, 2010
What gets me the most about today’s mega-marts is that there is too much to choose from. Cereal alone takes me a half an hour to decide on. I have to make sure I eat before I go shopping for food otherwise my ability not to buy up every new thing that comes out severely takes a beating. One thing that will get me to tag along with my wife to the grocery store though is the promise of free samples. Free pizza bites, free cups of ice cream, free deep fried cheesecake bites…when it comes to free I do not discriminate. A store that continuously offers free samples is one that will see me walking it’s isles at least once a week. I’m not the only one. The next time you see a sample booth set up, just stand back and watch people’s faces light up as the thought of free mini-hotdogs takes them over.
These types of promotions have been around just about as long as the grocery stores themselves. One thing that has changed though is the way freebies are presented. Today’s sample stations are easy to assemble, not to mention portable, and do a much better job of catching the customer’s attention than a simple folding table can. With tons of counter space and plenty of much needed storage, each sample station from Godfrey comes with optional side modules for even more room and feature full color removable digital wraps perfect for showcasing your company’s name. A wide variety of headers compliment the design by giving the station a unique look and a style all of its own.
If you are looking for a practical, easy to maintain display, with minimum hassle and maximum charm take a look at some of our fantastic looking sample stations. What you will find is a display that not only pulls the customer into it, but also gives plenty of space to fit your needs while not hurting your wallet. The additional side modules and custom graphics options only cement the fact that whether you set up shop in a grocery store or an outdoor event, customers won’t be able to resist what you have to offer.
Tags: booth, booths, Custom graphics, customers, digital wraps, Exhibit Booth Company, marketing tips, outdoor displays, portable trade show display, sample stations, samples, trade show booth, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Tips | No Comments »
