Archive for the ‘Conferences & Venues’ Category
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
Back in the 80′s a little square by the name of Rubik’s cube took over the country like a wildfire. What was initially created to help architecture students learn something about how structures can flow and move within an area, has since sold millions to date and even has it’s own National Championship competition each year. This idea that you can take something that looks whole such as a Rubik’s Cube with each side containing all the same colors and turn it into something new is a concept that allows for many different designs to be made from the same materials. When discussing trade show displays a couple of variations of this idea can been seen with the Post-n-Panel system and the Brightwall Modular System.
The Post-N-Panel System is a series of panels that can be molded into any number of shapes thanks to a series of interlocking clips. Whether it be a straight wall design, a triangular shape that you have in mind, or a cubicle style structure; with this type of display a vendor can literally mold the exhibit to fit any space. The Post-N-Panel system can also be utilized to create a conference room that can be taken down or reassembled in a moments notice. Panels variations include clear or smoke and have the option to include a velcro attachment that will allow that panels to be covered with custom graphics and logos. If a vendor tends to see the same people several times a year, the panels or the shape can be changed around to appear as an entirely diffent display.
The Brightwall Modular System takes the idea of panels that can be transformed to fit any type of shape or size and literally breaks it down into tiny pieces. The Brightwall system is a series of 2′x2′ squares that are easily attached to one another and in terms of designs is only limited by the imagination of the vendor. Each front facing panel can combine to feature one large image or can each contain their own independent image giving the entire structure a montage effect. With options that include back lighting to add depth or even a 3-D effect that has the ability to make it appear as though the image is changing depending on where the eye is, the Brightwall system is just about as customized as they come.
Trade show vendors and visitors are alike in that at some point they all want to see something new and exciting. A vendor that travels to a different show every month will get just as discouraged by a display they have built three dozen times before as the consumer will of seeing the same exhibit over and over again. With the Post-N-Panel and Brightwall Modular systems, the very same idea behind Rubik’s cube is utilized to create a display that it limitless when it comes to what can be created.
Tags: booths, custom exhibits, Custom graphics, customers, Display Booths, display ideas, Displays, fabric structures, kiosk displays, kiosks, marketing tips, modular displays, portable conference room, portable trade show display, post-n-panel systems, potential customer, rubiks cube, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, trade show vendors, unique trade show display
Posted in Conferences & Venues, Custom displays, Custom graphics, marketing tips, Modular literature displays, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Uncategorized | 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 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 »
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
In the course of writing this blog I’ve mentioned more than once that one key to being successful is to make sure the theme of the trade show is a good fit for your product. While I still believe this, a recent article in of all places Entertainment Weekly has me changing my tune at least slightly. The article is all about this year’s Comic Con show in San Diego July 22-25. Any pop culture fanatic will tell you that Comic Con isn’t your average comic-book convention, it’s the most anticipated event of the entire year. With over 125,000 people showing up for the three day event, this year’s organizers have put together a list of exhibits that goes beyond the realm of comic-books. In fact this year’s show will feature over 40 booths that are not to tied to comics at all such as televisions shows like Glee, Castle, and Hawaii-Five-O.
With all of these seemingly unrelated vendors showing up, I have to ask “When registering for a spot at a trade show, is being different always bad?” If you ask me the answer isn’t a clear yes or no, but like most things somewhere in the middle. If you are in the business of selling wrenches then a rug show is not the place to popup a tent for the weekend. However if it’s a car show where mechanics and automobile lovers alike will be visiting in hordes, then chances are you might do well. In other words there’s nothing wrong with being different as long as there’s a common thread to connect you with the other vendors attending the show. An island exhibit featuring a new high-tech wrench at a car show works because car lovers love to work on their cars, but the same display has no place at a rug show because the demographic is different. Likewise Comic Con is all about the most talked about television shows, movies, books, as well as comics so regardless if the vendor features a new cop show, sitcom, or drama the buzz is what connects them.
Being different is a classic double edge sword. Standing out can be a good thing if what you are offering has a base connection to the overall theme of the trade show. By the same token though being too different will only leave you high and dry as those attending the event keep their focus on what attracted them to the show to start with.
Tags: booths, comic-con, Conference Vendor, conventions, creating buzz, Display Booths, Event Planners, Exhibits, island exhibits, kiosk displays, popup displays, portable trade show display, potential customers, tents, Trade Show Booths, upcoming trade show
Posted in Conferences & Venues, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, SpaceStation Popup Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade show popups, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Getting ready for a trade show involves a lot of guess work. How many people will be attending? Will they be in the mood to spend or will you just get a bunch of window shoppers? Is going big the right direction or would something more personal have a more profound impact? Like I said guess work. All the prep in the world will only get you so far and the fact is that once it’s all said and done, how effective you were all boils down to how well you were able to influence the customer. Something as simple as the temperature of the building, the layout of the event, or the condition of the facilities could make or break your whole trip. Maybe instead of guessing what your customers want, you should be asking them straight out.
Feedback straight from the customer is one of the best ways to judge how effective your displays are. All the custom graphics, overhead banners, video stations in the world mean nothing if instead of attracting the customer they distract them or worse send them running in the other direction. Feedback is easy to get cause all you gotta do is ask. Forget surveys or questionnaires, just strike up a conversation with those that visit your booth and ask them what they think. Like they taught us in school it’s about the What, When, Why, and How of it all. “What do you think of our presentation?” “How do you think we could be more effective?” “Why would somebody not want to know more about what we are offering?” “When do you think you might want to talk more about our product?” Try to be as casual as possible so as not to give people the feeling of being interrogated, but at the same time don’t be afraid to ask people for ways you could have done a better job at getting your message across.
After all the glitz and glamour of the trade show is over with, what matters the most is how effective you were in getting your message across to the customer. By talking to visitors throughout the day and getting their opinions on your presentation not only are you creating a relationship with that person, but you also gain some insight how you can be better prepared for your next event.
Tags: booths, conventions, Custom graphics, customer retention, Display Booths, hanging headers, interested customers, kiosk displays, Overhead banners, potential customer
Posted in Conferences & Venues, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Overhead banners, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, June 14th, 2010
If you’re a fan of video games or simply electronics in general, than you are no doubt already aware of the E3 Expo that kicks into full gear this week in Los Angeles from the 15-17th. With over 40,000 visitors and booths representing 98% of U.S game manufactures, it’s no wonder fans are proclaiming the circus is coming to town. E3 for short, the Electronics Entertainment Expo proclaims itself to be the premier electronics even of the year and is only available to those professionals directly employed by the interactive entertainment industry. Exhibitors aside, this however is not what makes this trade show so special; it’s the dozens of exclusive fist time look products that will be unveiled to world for the first time. The top two of these rumored to be the new Microsoft Xbox Natal controller and the Nintendo 3DS.
The new Natal is literally being previewed with the help of the world famous troop Cirque Du Soleil. Forget all those thoughts of what a videogame controller is, was, or should be; the Natal is the controller that puts the contoller in your hands by doing just that…making your hand the controller. Straight from Microsoft, Natal is “a revolutionary new way to play: no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak you and your friends can jump into the fun — the only experience needed is life experience.” Talk about custom graphics!! How much more custom can a trade show exhibit be?
Not to be out done, Nintendo is planning to demonstrate it’s latest world changing technology with the premier of the 3DS. The successor to the DSi XL, this new addition to the hand held game arena takes the worlds recent addiction to all things 3D to new heights by giving the public it’s first 3D gaming system that takes the tradition glasses and throws them out the window. That’s right, no glasses required!!
With demonstrations, exhibits, displays, and kiosks from everyone who is anyone in the electronic gaming industry, this year’s E3 Expo promises to be a dream come true not only for gaming fans but for those that love checking out the latest in trade show marketing tools. From floor to ceiling and wall to wall, you can guarantee that E3 will only provide those in attendance with the best in custom graphics, hands on work stations, and theme displays. Who knows maybe we’ll see you there!!
Tags: 3DS, booths, conventions, Custom graphics, E3 Expo, Event Planners, Exhibits, Godfrey Group, kiosk displays, kiosks, marketing tips, Natal, new products, Nintendo, portable trade show display, Trade Show Booths
Posted in Conferences & Venues, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show News, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Monday, May 24th, 2010
Getting to a trade show is hard enough without having to spend hours upon hours once you arrive getting things set up. Travel plans, inventory checks, meal and expense planning, finding a way to get everything and everyone in the right place in time for the event to start is a challenge in itself. Once you get there you’ve got to find where you are supposed to setup, which way the traffic will be flowing so you can organize your items to meet oncoming traffic, and if it’s a multi-day show anything of value has to be taken with you at the end of the day just for safety’s sake. It’s enough to make you want to pull your hair out and you haven’t even seen the first customer yet. With all of this going on the last thing you want to have to deal with is a display that is too complicated to assemble.
Personally speaking I’m not the guy you come to if you want something put together properly. When I put something together I always end up with “extra” pieces that I insist were included on purpose by the manufacturer just in case something was to break. I like thinks that go from flat cubes to full size with the flick of the wrist. Forget instructions in languages that I’ll never learn, I want to pull a string and step back while things fall into place all on their own. That’s why I love the SpaceStation Popups. With a couple easy to do steps SpaceStation Popups go from tiny box to full size display wall in no time flat. Ultra light weight and available in over 75 colors, SpaceStation’s come in two distinct styles: straight wall or curved wall. Each display can be customized to fit a variety of needs, comes with a 200 watt light fixture to add an extra bit of charm, and feature a lifetime warranty on the frame and hardware. Adding a few accessories such as the Techform Counter With Monitor Mountand Pennisula Pedistals will only increase the effectiveness of the display without causing too much strain on your wallet.
It’s hard enough getting things ready for those event center doors to open without adding to the drama by bringing along a display that takes a degree in engineering to put together. Save yourself some time while still showing off your product with a state-of-the-art, fully customizedSpaceStation Popup from the Godfrey Group. Call us now at 1-800-789-9394!!
Tags: accessories, booth, booths, Conference Vendor, conventions, Custom graphics, Display Booths, easy to assemble, Exhibitors, Exhibits, kiosk displays, monitor mounts, portable SpaceStation popups, portable trade show display, SpaceStation Popup Displays, Trade Show Displays, unique trade show display
Posted in Backlit displays, Conferences & Venues, Custom displays, Custom graphics, marketing tips, SpaceStation Popup Displays, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade show popups, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, May 21st, 2010
It’s amazing how fast the days fly by. It seems like we just wrapped up the Christmas holidays and yet here we are again exactly one month away from the first official day of summer. All across the country spring is in full bloom and the temps are climbing. With the warm weather comes an endless string of outdoor concerts, fairs, and trade shows. Every weekend brings with it new opportunities to get outside and soak up some local flavor while hanging out at a nearby festival. As much as I like the main attractions at these events, my favorite parts are all the interesting booths and displays to be seen. Whether it be the wide variety of foods ranging from fried Oreos to homemade lemonade or the vendors with all of their freebies or the tents showing off the trendiest cars straight from the local dealership; it’s these types of attractions that give the event the color and flavor that brings a smile to every one’s face.
Outdoor vendors share more than one thing in common with their indoor counterparts but the most important of them all is their need to be noticed by the public. In fact outdoor displays and exhibits may need to be even more spectacular simply because not only are they competing with one another, but they’ve also got to find a way to steal the spotlight away from the main attractions even if it is for only a few brief moments. Godfrey understands the unique challenges outdoor events bring and that’s why they offer more than just ordinary pop-up tents and instead go to great lengths to offer their customers some of the most amazing outdoor displays on the market. From the great look of the mushroom and dome kiosks to spacious tent clusters with optional market umbrella, Godfrey has everything you want in an outdoor display with full customization and amazing graphics to match. Oh and if inflatables are what you have in mind than I’ve got two words for you event pavilions! They’re big, they’re high profile, they’re just the thing you need to make company the center of attention.
This summer don’t let the good times pass you by. Set yourself apart from those other vendors by turning your next outdoor trade show or festival into one for the record books! Call one of our personal project managers today ask them how you can make this a season to remember!!
Tags: booth, booths, Conference Vendor, Custom graphics, Display Booths, Display Company, inflatables, kiosk, kiosk displays, outdoor displays, outdoor events, outdoor trade show display, portable trade show display, tents, Trade Show Booths, unique trade show display
Posted in Conferences & Venues, Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, Mushroom kiosks, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
What do you think about when you think of trade shows or conventions? Cool displays? I like to go to Bass Master shows because they always have those giant aquariums topped full of fish so you can see just what the latest must have bait is doing once it enters the water. Do you think about massive arenas the size of Disney? Some of the places where events are held are too big to cover in just one day; most of the time you have to make a weekend out of it. That’s why some places schedule their best demonstrations on seperate days so you’ll be more inclined to come back and pay to get in all over again or buy weekend passes. What comes to mind when I mention Comic-Con, the MacWorld Expo, the M3M Summit, and the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) ? I will tell you the first thing that pops into my head when asked all of the above…..crowds. People by the hundreds. Running, laughing, bumping into you as they try to make it to the next lecture on time. The CES show alone has over 2700 vendors that are planning to attend in 2011. Can you imagine the number of people planning on attending an event that size? Not to mention all the reporters sent to cover the event for TV, Print, and the Internet. In a room full of 2700 booths how do you not get lost in the crowd? How does vendor number 2699 get noticed? Maybe Godfrey can help you with that.
What if you could create a trail of bread crumbs that would actually lead people past all the other booths and straight to your location? A lighted path to where you await them patiently. That’s exactly what a light box is; a bright beam of light with a custom design that can either be used in conjunction with your existing display or as markers leading customers your way. Ranging in sizes from 16″ x 20″ all the way up to 48″ x 96″, light boxes can either be hung on walls or placed on a floor stand. Great for helping to generate and navigate the flow of traffic, Convex sign holders even offer you the opportunity to post two signs back to back on the same stand. This way you are sure to catch the audience’s eye both coming and going.
If you are considering attending one of the largest trades shows of the year or even if you only expect to see a couple hundred people, light boxes are a sure bet to help get you noticed and not get lost in the crowd!
Tags: booth, booths, CES, comic-con, consumers, conventions, event planning, Godfrey Group, graphic design, light boxes, M3M, MacWorld Expo, marketing tips, signs, stands, trade show advice, trade shows
Posted in Conferences & Venues, Custom displays, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, April 26th, 2010
A few years back I was working a swim meet at a university in south Alabama and things were not going my way. I had swim caps. I had the latest greatest suits and goggles. Training aides, nose plugs, ear plugs; if it was meant to make you faster in the water I had it there just waiting to be purchased. I had it all and still though my sales were dismal at best. Suddenly several hundred 7-10 yr olds came running towards the table and….kept going right past everything I had brought. It was then I figured out where I went wrong. It wasn’t that morning during set-up; it was several weeks before when I assumed that because the event was at a college everyone attending would be college kids. The majority of everything I had packed were higher sizes and thus way too big for those actually swimming that day. I hadn’t done my homework and cost myself hundreds of dollars in sales.
Before you make plans to attend that next big trade show on your calendar, make sure your company is a good match for the overall theme of the event. Know your demographic, their likes and dislikes, and find out if they will be there in abundance. Get a sense of the layout of the event and don’t be afraid to ask if your booth will be positioned near others who may be offering similar products to yours. Ask the organizers of the tradeshow how they plan to advertise the show and what the schedule will be. The next step is to make sure you’re prepared to bring you’re A-game and that’s where the Godfrey Group comes in.
At the Godfrey Group we want every event you attend this year to be your best yet and that’s why our Personal Project Managers are specially trained to help you take any idea from conception to completion. We can supply your company display designs, custom production services, a wide range of graphics, booth rentals, and we can even help you manage that next event on your schedule so you don’t make the same mistake I did.
Tags: booths, Conference Vendor, customer, customers, Display Company, Displays, Event Planners, Exhibit Booth Company, Godfrey Group, Godfrey Group popups, kiosk displays, portable trade show display, potential customers, samples, showroom, The Godfrey Group, Trade Show, Trade Show Displays, tradeshow display, unique trade show display
Posted in Conferences & Venues, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
