Archive for the ‘Expert trade show advice’ Category
Friday, March 25th, 2011
This past Sunday March 20th was special for many reasons (my son’s 5th birthday) but among those certainly one of the most important was the official beginning of spring 2011. Winter 2010 was one of the worst since such things were tracked and you can almost feel the entire country breathe out a sigh of relief and take in the smell of nature coming alive once again. For trade show vendors who spend their weeks bouncing from one outdoor festival to another, some of the most anticipate months of the year are now here. Before hitting the road though, it might be a good idea to set that tent up now otherwise you may be in for some unwelcome and costly surprises if you wait till the day of the event.
Tips for cleaning and storing outdoor tents
*Before taking that outdoor tent out for the first trip of the season, go ahead and set it up back at the store. Not only will this allow you to see if there’s been any damage since you last used it, but it will also give the tent a chance to air out. In fact airing it out may not be a bad idea after every trip.
*Beware of using any types of detergents or cleaners to remove spots on the tent. First try a sponge and some warm water. If that doesn’t do the trick go to the camping section of your nearest retail store and ask if they have any type of cleaner that won’t damage the material or ruin the design.
*Once the tent has been cleaned, don’t be so quick to put it in storage. Anytime the tent gets wet, it’s best to make sure it is completely dry before folding up in order to avoid problems with mildew and rusting on the poles.
*Store the tent out of the sunlight. Nothing will hurt a tent like constant exposure to the elements and this includes that sun that is beating down on it all day. When looking for a place to store the tent until it’s needed look for a dry place out of direct sunlight which doesn’t see much in terms of drastic changes in temperature.
Unfortunately constant exposure to the elements will eventually take its toll on any type of outdoor display no matter how well taken care of. When that time comes and you find yourself in need of a quality outdoor event tent or outdoor kiosk, Godfrey is here and willing to help.
Tags: Custom graphics, marketing tips, outdoor displays, outdoor tents, portable trade show display, tent care, tent cleaning tips, tent storage
Posted in Expert trade show advice, marketing tips | No Comments »
Friday, February 4th, 2011
It used to be that what happened in the rest of the world either never affected us here in the U.S. or took several months or years. The world was a bigger place where few traveled outside of their circles and distant places were nothing more than a clip on a news real or a tale told of on the radio. In today’s age however a sudden earthquake in South America can have economic consequences felt as far away as Moscow within seconds as we all find ourselves living on a much smaller planet thanks to the internet and modern technology. A prime example of this is unfortunately taking place this very week as three separate events are making things tougher on businesses all around the globe. In Egypt the outbreak of civil war has shot oil prices over $100 a barrel leaving those that travel feeling the pinch of another round of price increases on everything from fuel to airplane tickets. Meanwhile one of the most powerful cyclones in recent history slammed into the eastern coast of Australia at the same time yet another winter storm hit the already frozen U.S., combined the two sent sugar prices to a thirty year high and drove up grain prices worldwide.
With the cost of traveling reaching new heights and food prices trending upwards, the already hard to budget for trade show just got that much harder to justify. It’s with this in mind that today we at Godfrey would like to present to you three displays that will save you money while still offering the same quality custom designed features you’ve come to expect from our amazing trade show displays.
Fabric Pop Up Displays- The key to transporting a display for the budget minded is to maximize the display while minimizing the amount of space it takes up when not in use. Made from ultra-light materials that instantly spring to life when extended out, a fabric pop up display does just that i.e. pop to life in seconds giving you an out of this world trade show display complete with custom graphics in a wide variety of styles and designs
Briefcase Table Top Display- Don’t let the fact that this briefcase table top display folds up into the size of your standard brief case fool you. Made to cut down on travel expenses while still giving you the highest quality look imaginable, combined with a custom table skirt these are some of the most amazing yet cost efficient displays on the market today.
Demo Pedestals- One of the best products in Godfrey’s extensive line of displays, the demo pedestal may just be the ultimate small scale display. What makes these some of the most cost efficient displays on the market are their ability to literally transform into a shipping container and then back to a professional custom designed pedestal in a matter of seconds thanks to an easy to attach fabric wrap.
Tags: booths, fabric structures, food costs, kiosk displays, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show Booths, trade show costs, travel expenses, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice | No Comments »
Monday, January 3rd, 2011
Looking back to what was 2010 there were a ton of stories that caught the nations attentions; the Chilean miners trapped underground for 69 days, the Gulf of Mexico Oil spill that will be sending shockwaves through the entire country from years to come, and maybe the biggest story of them all the continued struggle to revive the slumping economy. Several months back we mentioned that at least from the point of view of one economist things were finally getting back on the right track. According to Gunther Bright, VP of the Global Client Group “We’re seeing a significant shift to a more positive outlook among finance executives as companies have moved from simply surviving the present to investing in growth for the future. At the same time, the experience of the recession set the stage for a newfound and long-term focus on financial discipline and management rigor”. Now comes word from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) that for the first time in a while trade show growth is on the rise!
In a release from the research agency, the CEIR is stating that according to their findings the third quarter was witness to the first upswing in trade show growth in nine quarters. “After a record setting nine consecutive quarters of negative quarter over quarter performance, the third quarter of the 2010 CEIR Index reports all four metrics show improvement over the third quarter of 2009. This is most welcome news and tends to confirm some of the anecdotal reports we have reviewed. It should be noted that the third quarter is historically the weakest of the four quarters and has had the greatest decline. The test will be to see if this positive trend continues into the fourth quarter of 2010 and then the all important first quarter of 2011.”
This means that for those companies holding back from attending a larger number of trade shows than they typically would, now is the time to look into jumping back into the waters and riding the wave of growth to higher sales. Thankfully Godfrey is here to help you make a splash with tons of original and custom designed trade show exhibits especially designed to grab the attention of all those consumers looking to be amazed! Don’t wait until it’s too late and risk losing money that could be made as more and more visitors pile into trade show centers all across the country. Contact Godfrey today!
Tags: booths, Custom graphics, Display Booths, increased sales, kiosk displays, marketing tips, Overhead banners, popup displays, slumping economy, Trade Show Booths, trade show growth, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
This week we talking about the one thing on everyone’s mind and that’s New Year’s resolutions. Whether you are planning on quitting smoking, joining a gym, or answering the phone when your mom calls every day, no doubt you have something special in mind that if you could just stick to it might change your entire life. New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for individuals though. In fact setting a list of goals for the coming business year is always a good practice to maintain and could end up making you a ton of profits. On Monday we discussed a type of resolution that is sure to be at the top of everyone’s list, going green with the help of Godfrey’s PodForum series of environmentally friendly trade show displays. Today we want to focus on another way to save, but this time we want to target your wallet with the help of our trade show rental program.
One question we get time and time again about display renting is “How can it help my business?” The answer is “How can it not?” Regardless of whether you operate a retail store, a mail order company, or even a mall kiosk, renting a display is not only a smart decision it may just be the key to opening up doors you never knew existed.
How renting a display can help your business
1) Allows you to be in two places at the same time. We understand you can’t always control other people’s schedules and that at times it seems almost impossible to be at all the places that you would like to at the same time. So what do you do on those days you need to be at the big trade show in Chicago, at the local union meeting near your headquarters in New York, and still keep someone at your flagship store? Whether it’s a onetime thing or you find yourself continuously pulled in multiple directions, a rental display can help by easily giving you a presence where the help is needed.
2)Testing out new ideas becomes easier. Got an idea that just might change the way you market your company? Want to test out the waters of the trade show market without having to risk losing a ton of cash? Thinking about expanding but not sure if now is the best time? Renting a display takes care of all of these problems without causing you to over extend your budget
With the New Year quickly approaching now is the time make those changes and take those chances you have been chewing over for months. Thanks to Godfrey’s display rental program you are one click away from gaining access to a display that includes such options as: a standard portable display with graphics creating a custom look; a combination of our systems configured for a custom look; a customized TechForm or Truss beam system; a complete custom PodForum system.
Don’t hesitate contact us today online or at 1-800-789-9394!!!!!
Tags: booths, budgeting, Custom graphics, customer service, Display Booths, display rental program, Eco-friendly displays, environmentally friendly trade show display, Exhibits, fabric structures, marketing tips, outdoor displays, portable trade show display, potential customers, Trade Show Booths, trade show display rental, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Eco-friendly displays, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Trade Show Booth Rentals | No Comments »
Friday, December 3rd, 2010
You may not know it yet, but unless something is done soon beginning at the first of the January that paycheck you work so hard for everyday will be a lot less. The reason behind the decrease in pay is because of the planned expiration of the Making Work Pay tax credit a credit that many never knew they were ever receiving. As part of the Recovery Act that was put into place last year the credit was geared toward putting more money in the pockets of those that needed it most with hopes that they would take the extra cash and pump it back into the economy by spending more on food, clothes, gadgets, etc….Although Congress is working towards extending the credit, they may not be able to enact the extension in time because of lack of support. According to Chuck Marr, director of federal tax policy at the Center on Budget and Policy the credit is simply not on anyone’s priority list “when almost every middle and lower class American is going to face higher taxes, nobody’s talking about it…Most people may have no idea they received it and no idea that it’s going away. But what you can be certain of is that they’ll have less money and they’ll spend less — and this is a terrible time for the economy to lose $60 billion of spending”
It’s no secret the economy is far from able to be considered recovered from the recent recession and nobody knows this better than the small business owners that strive to make a profit each day. This why Godfrey is proud to offer those looking to survive a chance to still promote or expand their business by allowing them the same quality display available to others but on rental terms. Rental displays can be rented over a period of time to test out a possible new look or for those days when you just can’t be in two places at once.
Options include:
If you are a small business that can’t afford to lose another dime while Congress waits to decide on if the Making Work Pay tax credit will survive or not, the best option for promoting your company may just be Godfrey’s display rental program. For more information contact us today at 1-800-789-9394
Tags: booth rental, booths, Custom graphics, Display Booths, display rental, Exhibits, fabric structures, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customers, recovery act, tax credit, tax extension, techform system, Trade Show Booths, truss system, unique trade show display, work pay tax
Posted in Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Promotional Ideas | No Comments »
Monday, October 25th, 2010
Last week we gave you a post about how Apple had turned itself into a giant buzz machine constantly generating tons of attention through the use of special events each featuring an air of mystery behind them as millions of consumers around the world debated on just what the electronics giant may offer next. Today we want to touch on Apple again by talking about how one band has taken the Apple iPhone and made a name for themselves by giving the public something they have never seen before….a concert using nothing but iPhone apps as instruments.
The band’s name is Atomic Tom and according to rumors on the web is appears the group got the idea of using their iPhones as instruments after their own were stolen several weeks back. In hopes of showing off their skills to the world, Atomic Tom hopped on a New York City subway car and produced a video of their song “Take Me Out” which has now garnered them over 1 million hits since it hit the web. Essentially what Atomic Tom has done is taken something that each of us have in our possession at least some point of everyday the cellphone and found a way to make it new again by giving it a renew purpose.
The concept of changing the way people see everyday objects isn’t something new to Godfrey, since we’ve practically been doing that with trade show displays from the very start. Featuring state of the art custom graphics, ultra-light easy to transport materials and some of the most amazing designs to hit the marketplace in years, Godfrey is second to none in terms of what they can do for your next trade show exhibit. Just look at some of these amazing designs:
Video & Audio Displays-Large screen, small screen, plasma, LCD, or projection we have the perfect fit for your existing exhibit, retail environment, lobby, kiosk, information center, and showroom. Plus we offer stand alone components for those that want to start from scratch!
Fabric Display Structures- From pop ups to tensioned walls to montage displays to overhead banners, Godfrey is setting the standard for what can be done in terms of custom fabrics. Our Grand Fabric Structures can be sculpted in a wide variety of shapes including columns, enclosures, towers, and banners.
Forum Modular Display- The most versatile trade show display on the market today, featuring push button connectors which allow for the one-inch aluminum tube frame members to fold down in an easy to ship case.
Forget about those other displays that have gotten so ordinary that they practically blend into the background. The next time you get ready to attend a trade show, give Godfrey a call and find out how you too can become one of the few that changes the way people see things.
Tags: Apple Computers, Atomic Tom, booths, Custom displays, custom exihbits, Custom graphics, Display Booths, Exhibits, fabric structures, iPhone Apps, kiosk displays, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, Trade Show Booths, tradeshow display, unique trade show designs, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Promotional Ideas | No Comments »
Friday, October 15th, 2010
The kick off of the world’s largest electronics show the International CES may just be around the corner, but 2009′s event is still getting rave reviews. Recently Trade Show Executive Magazine featured the 2009 event as its winner for North America’s Greenest Show. Organizers of the 2011 event kicking off on January 6th promise even greater strides in the realm of reducing and recycling waste. According to trade show organizers International CES 2009 was able to accomplish several amazing green goals including:
- -Recycled 51 percent (121.27 tons) of the total solid waste generated by show attendees.
- -Implemented recycling bins, recycled carpeting and other enviro-friendly materials onsite.
- -Offset more than 20,000 tons of carbon emissions.
- -Worked with the LVCC to replace more than 15,000 gallons of non-sustainable products, eliminating harsh chemicals used to clean and maintain more than 100 restrooms and the convention space daily.
- -Switched to recycled paper products including toilet paper, facial tissue and paper towels in the LVCC.
- -Diverted all light bulbs used by the show from landfills, as well as batteries and other electronics products.
- -Put hazardous waste disposal programs in effect for waste oil, paints and solvents, and instituted a gas recovery program.
- -Proudly offered two-thirds of all attendee food containers and utensils made of biodegradable hemp, corn byproduct or other organic materials.
- -Used recycled carpet in the aisles in the LVCC.
- -Printed all attendee flyers and CES literature on recycled paper using soy ink.
- -Highlighted eco-friendly gadgets through its Sustainable Technology TechZone.
For 2011′s event going green is going to get even better with the inclusion of the Sustainable Planet Spotlight featuring exhibits on green building, alternate energy sources, green business, and sustainable packaging.
If you are a tradeshow vendor who is looking to attend CES 2011 or is simply looking to go green with your very own green trade show exhibit, Godfrey has the perfect display to fit your needs with the introduction of the PodForum earth-friendly fabric structure. Featuring light weight aluminum tubing, the PodForum not only saves you money on transportation cost by being so compact it also uses minimum amounts of fabrics therefore saving you cash. Plus like all Godfrey designs it can be fully customized to meet your every need!
Tags: 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show, booths, CES 2011, Custom displays, Custom graphics, Display Booths, environment, environmentally friendly trade show display, Exhibit Booth Company, Exhibitors, fabric structures, going green, green trade show products, kiosk displays, marketing tips, PodForum, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show Booths
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Earth Frames, Eco-friendly displays, Expert trade show advice, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 10th, 2010
It was just last month that we brought the story about growing concerns that the economy was going to take a step back from its current growth trend. At the time some experts were saying that due to an unexpected slow down they “were expecting, raising concern about growth – or even another recession – in the months ahead.” Adding that “People are continuing to cut back, and that could mean that third-quarter growth will be the worst since the end of the recession. The slowing growth path leaves the possibility of a double-dip recession on the table.” Well now comes a report from American Express that not only contradicts this report, but it appears that Corporate America may just be looking once again at putting more money into the trade show market. According to Gunther Bright, VP of the credit card giants Global Client Group, “We’re seeing a significant shift to a more positive outlook among finance executives as companies have moved from simply surviving the present to investing in growth for the future. At the same time, the experience of the recession set the stage for a newfound and long-term focus on financial discipline and management rigor”
Regardless of which report you believe is the most realistic view of what is about to happen to the economy, it’s hard to deny the fact that the only way to know for sure is to get in there and test things out for yourself. In the past this may have meant spending thousands of dollars on a custom trade show display and accepting the consequences win, lose, or draw, but with Godfrey’s display rental program figuring out which style of exhibit will generate the most sales for your company has never been easier.
Godfrey’s rental program offers customers a chance to see for themselves just what a custom designed trade show exhibit can do. Featuring a combination of custom built options including the use of the proven Truss and PodForum systems, rental displays are heavy on the eyes and light on the budget with most costing under 50-60% the price of regular display.
In today’s tough economic times, companies can’t always afford to take a chance on something new. Godfrey understands these difficulties and that’s why they are offering vendors a chance to see their amazing designs in action at a reduced cost. If your company is thinking about getting back on the road or is simply in need of a new trade show exhibit guaranteed to turn heads, think of Godfrey and think of our display rental program!
Tags: booths, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, customers, Display Booths, display rental, display rental program, economic news, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, trade show market, Trade Show News, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Trade Show Booth Rentals | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
We all know that trade show vendors will go to extraordinary lengths to attract attention to their booths. Far beyond custom displays and game props many vendors feel that the best way to attract attention is by putting a pretty face in front of their booths. While an attractive person will definitely get you attention, it may not be the kind you want. In fact scantily clad models bring about three very distinct problems that are hard to get around if you are vendor looking to utilize this type of marketing:
•1. They draw the wrong crowd. The main problem with using a model as the main way to sell your product is that it gets everyone’s attention. Every company has a target market in mind for their product. A segment of the population that they feel is the perfect fit for their product. By placing a model in front of your display, instead of zeroing in on that target market you may find yourself wasting huge amounts of time on people who are just there to see a pretty face and don’t have any interest in what you have to offer.
•2. They ruin your clean image. First impressions mean everything and they are often virtually impossible to reverse because you almost never get a second shot at talking to the customer. If a visitor walks by your booth and sees a model that could be considered inappropriately dressed, that customer could immediately classify you as a company that is less than family friendly. When designing a display for a trade show you want to be as professional as possible at all times. You want custom fabrics, clean lines, and quality video presentations. By putting a less than wholesome face in front of the exhibit you are alienating a large portion of the population.
•3. They distort your message. Once you consider all of the expenses that are involved in getting to, setting up, and promoting yourself at a trade show, the last thing you can afford to do is have people walk away from your booth not knowing what you are all about. Again using a model may get bring the crowd your way, but moments later if asked visitors to your booth might be able to remember what the model looked like, but not what she was there to sell. Models get in the way of what you are there to do and that is burn your company’s name in the minds of hundreds of consumers.
Instead of using a model to promote a product, the best move is to invest in a custom built multicolored trade show display that only Godfrey can provide. With a wide variety of kiosks, hanging headers, and pop-up displays to choose from; Godfrey is the answer to all your trade show woes.
Tags: booth, booths, conventions, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, Displays, Event Planners, Exhibitors, Exhibits, fabric structures, hanging headers, kiosk, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Overhead banners, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits | No Comments »
Monday, August 30th, 2010
You walk in and the greeter at the entrance thanks you for stopping by. She offers to show you around, but you tell her you’re just browsing. There’s a bit of music playing in the background and some outside noise filtering in as you look through the various racks and shelves. After finding a few items you like, the cashier smiles then reminds you to leave your contact info on the way out in order to receive special offers in the weeks and months to come. As you head for the exit, you thank the greeter and comment on how nice the experience was before rejoining the crowd outside. This scenario happens every day at millions of retail and outlet stores all over the world, but what makes this experience different is that instead of a shopping mall it’s happening at a convention center during a trade show.
Bringing that showroom experience to a trade show is easy once you have the tools to make it happen. Complete with shelving and easy to assemble hanging racks, the expert staff at Godfrey knows just what it takes to create a professional showroom. Featuring a wide variety of showcases, counter tops, video displays, custom flooring, and fixtures the showroom experience wouldn’t be complete without your custom logo and company name emblazoned all around.
If you’re a trade show vendor who is looking for something unique that is sure to separate your company from your competitors, what better way to achieve this than by designing a display that essentially makes visitors forget that they are at a trade show and instead are visiting one of your new custom built locations.
Tags: custom flooring, custom logos, customer service, hanging racks, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, retail space, shelving, showcases, showroom, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Custom hanging headers, Expert trade show advice, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
