Archive for the ‘Expert trade show advice’ Category
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Literature or information displays are a pretty common topic on this blog simply because they are the perfect addition to any type of trade show exhibit. One thing vendors may not realize though is that while the basic structure may not 
change much, these types of modular displays have the ability to be customized into hundreds of different variations. In fact the only thing stopping an information display from meeting all a vendors needs their own idea as to what they really want. Information displays have the flexibility to be used for point of sale purposes, as retail or lobby fixtures, or as a way of collecting contacts and leads. Information displays are more than just stands used to hold brochures and other pieces of literature, they have the ability to be easily be transformed int0 workstations for vendors that desire visitors to enter information into a PC such as applications or contact forms.
Sandwiched between two custom designed fabric banners; a standard information display has several options such as:
- *A canopy and light system that puts a spotlight on the items being showcased
- *Video monitor capabilities
- *Lightbox options
- *Various shelving and peg board options
- *Attachable literature clips and pockets
- *Various face designs such as wood grain, metallic, velcro fabric, or any number of laminate colors
- *The ability to swivel
Information displays also come is several shapes including the standard dual sided module, a six sided pivoting kiosk, and a simple yet classic sign post stand. Any trade show vendor will tell you that it’s often the smallest touches that have the most impact. Information displays have the ability to take several small ideas and combine them into one amazing display perfect to fit all your trade show needs. Made up of light weight materials and easy to install if a company is looking for a point of sale terminal to go into their showroom or has a need for a portable literature stand with video capabilities, an information display is sure to increase sales and brand awareness for all that take advantage of it’s flexibility.
Tags: banners and signs, booths, brand awareness, custom design, customer service, customers, Display Booths, Displays, fabric banners, increased sales, information display, kiosk displays, light boxes, lightweight materials, literature displays, marketing tips, point of sell displays, portable trade show display, potential customers, showroom, showroom fixtures, Trade Show, trade show info, unique trade show display, video stations, work stations
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, Kiosk placement, marketing tips, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, August 16th, 2010
The first official day of college football is less than a month away and where I’m from that means tailgate season is upon us. In the south college football doesn’t just last 5-6 months of the year, in Alabama it’s a 365 day discussion that never stops. On any given Saturday from September through the first of January malls are deserted, parks are left abandoned and empty, and the only people on the streets are those trying desperately to get home in time to catch the second half. If you’re a retailer or any type of event planner than the only way you can guarantee that people will show is the promise that they won’t have to miss the big game. I’ve been to both weddings and funerals where somewhere tucked in the corner of a room you could find a dozen men and women alike applauding a completed touchdown pass.
If you’re a trade show vendor and you know that your target market is full of die-hard football fanatics, then one sure fire way to get them to show up in droves is to contact them in advance and promise them a tailgate party with all the fix’ins. In order to throw a successful tailgate party the most important thing you need to focus on is atmosphere. With a few clicks of a button you can be on your way to creating a Grand Fabric structure that resembles a football stadium with your company’s logo emblazoned all around. The next thing you need is food. Think hot-wings, burgers, hot-dogs, and tons of potato chips complete with enough soda to drown an elephant. For special VIP customers throw a juicy steak on your portable grill and serve it all under the appropriately named Mushroom Kiosk that will give you plenty of counter space.
Now all you got to do give the people what they came to see and that’s the game itself. The Truss Me system with its monitor mount option and a dependable WiFi connection will give you the ability to blast the game all across the conference room floor. Throw a literature stand in the mix so everyone has a chance to learn about who sponsored the awesome party, a pedestal for all to leave their contact info, and what you have is tailgate party that gets the people out of their recliners and into your custom built trade show exhibit!!
Tags: alabama football, booth, booths, college football, Conference Vendor, conventions, custom exhibit, Custom graphics, custom logos, customers, Display Booths, Displays, Event Planners, Exhibit Booth Company, Exhibitors, Exhibits, fabric structures, Godfrey Group popups, kiosk displays, kiosks, literature stands, marketing tips, outdoor displays, pedestals, portable trade show display, potential customer, tailgate party, trade show booth, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade show vendor
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Modular literature displays, Mushroom kiosks, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show game themes, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
With the state of the market these days if you are company that makes their living off of the leads gathered from trade shows, then you need to be sure that you treat each event as a learning experience. Regardless of whether or not you’ve been to only a couple of shows or two hundred, everyone has something to learn and every vendor has something to teach. To this end today we are going to discuss the importance of a trade show packet and some of the things you can do at your next event that might help you down the road.
Simply put a trade show packet is a series of observations that require you to pay attention to not only how you did, but how other vendors faired. Before you can get started though make sure that you’ve got away to keep the notes so that you can review them from time to time; the last thing you want is to be stuck jotting a bunch of random thoughts down on a bunch of scrap paper.
What worked for you? To say that a trade show can be hectic at times is definitely an understatement. We all know what it’s like when you are slammed and how things can turn around at the drop of a hat. Once you have a moment to catch your breath though, look around your booth and see what all the fuss was about. Did you sell out of anything? Was there a specific style you ran out of first or that people were asking about? Was your display set up to handle traffic accordingly or could you have setup a different way. Did you get any compliments on your exhibit?
What didn’t work for you? Every presentation has its flaws. Even the most customized of displays can miss if the way you present it is wrong. Delivery is just as important as any popup display, portable signage, or custom logo you surround yourself with. If you come across as rude, arrogant, or uncaring all that attention that your exhibit brought will quickly go the other way. In the same respect if you’re not clear and to the point as to what it is you are offering, those that visit your booth may not stick around to find out. A custom display will bring the crowd to you, but it’s your job to keep them there.
What did other vendors do? You shouldn’t have to look too far to see what other vendors at the show are doing. Take a walk and make a few mental notes as to what others are doing. Is anyone using games such as a money booth, Frisbee toss, or Plinko that are attracting a lot of attention? Maybe someone is getting a good response from a photo prop. Whatever the other guys are doing compare that to your own display and see who you think comes out on top. Maybe there are things that other vendors did well that may fit in nicely with your style or maybe you will see some things you are doing also which could be turning customers away.
A trade show packet is kind of like an exit interview you conduct with yourself. Take some time to really think about what happened during your trip, what your impressions were of the event as a whole, and what you might do differently your next time out.
Tags: booths, custom designs, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer, customers, Display Booths, Display Company, Exhibit Booth Company, Exhibitors, fabric structures, frisbee toss, Godfrey Group popups, kiosk, kiosk displays, marketing tips, money booth, photo props, Plinko, popup displays, portable signage, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade show kiosk, trade show packet, trade shows, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Promotional Ideas, SpaceStation Popup Displays, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show game themes, Trade show popups, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
A recent report concerning the country’s slagging economyjust came out this week and while it’s not bad, it definitely leaves a lot to be desired. According to the report from CNN “ The U.S. economy continued to grow during the second quarter, the government reported Friday. But the pace slowed more than economists were expecting, raising concern about growth – or even another recession – in the months ahead. Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of the nation’s economic activity, rose at a 2.4% annual rate during the three months ended June 30, the Commerce Department said. The sluggish pace was down from the upwardly revised 3.7% growth rate in the first quarter, and missed economists’ forecast for a 2.5% increase.” As part of the same story one of the country’s tope economic analysts goes on to say 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.”
If you are one of the thousands of companies out there they make their living by traveling from trade show to trade show, the thought of an even further slowing of consumer spending has got to send shivers down your spine. If your current display is aging quickly or you are looking for a more creative way to spark interest in your products, than this latest news has to hit you equally hard because we all know that you need money to make money. Well you may be able to get some relief thanks to Godfrey’s display rental program.
Priced 50-60% less than if purchased all at once, rental displays not only help you get a better feel of what works, but they are also a great alternative to purchasing two displays if you only need more than one for a short period of time. Available in many styles, rental display options include:
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.
A complete custom PodForum.
In these tough economic times when people are becoming more and more selective with how they spend their money, it’s more important than ever that your investments reap great returns. Godfrey understands that when you are attending a trade show you need to be able to position yourself with a unique display that is sure to attract attention for your target customers. Unfortunately purchasing a display you’ve never seen in action before is more of a risk than some are willing to commit to and that’s why we are happy to help with multiple rental options that are specifically designed to spark interest in your company. For more information on display rentals contact one of our personal project managers today.
Tags: affordable displays, bad economy, booth, booths, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer, customer service, Display Booths, display rental, Exhibits, kiosk displays, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, trades shows, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Trade Show Booth Rentals, Trade Show Booths, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »