Archive for the ‘Trade Show Tips’ Category
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
When someone leaves your exhibit they may not be able to quote what was shared with them word for word or tell recite the names of the people they met, but for the most part people do pay attention to the details. Ask any recent visitor to your booth and more than likely you’d receive info on what promotions were being offered, how polite the staff was, and what their thoughts on the layout of the exhibit were. Sure they may miss some of the larger things that were being promoted, but sometimes it’s the little touches that tell people whether or not they would be happy doing business with a vendor. Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth once gave a classic example of how not paying attention to detail can lead to larger issues. The discussion revolved around a liner in the bands contract that specifically called for a bowl of M&M’s free of any brown colored chocolates, “So, when I would walk backstage, if I saw a brown M&M in that bowl . . . well, line-check the entire production. Guaranteed you’re going to arrive at a technical error. They didn’t read the contract. Guaranteed you’d run into a problem. Sometimes it would threaten to just destroy the whole show. Something like, literally, life-threatening.”
Godfrey practically specializes in minor details that are sure to make a big impact on trade show sales and among the best are a couple of items that are guaranteed to light a fire under any customer:
It may not seem like much at first, but an Earth Frame is the perfect addition to any trade show exhibit. There’s just something about the shape of our planet that when used as a logo or prop gives a company a sense of trust and wisdom. When they see a Earth Frame encircled by the shape of the continents the consumer gets an idea that the company they are looking at is a global presences and cares about the world it operates in.
Fire is something else that evokes a specific emotion in all of us. A flame represents hope, a new life, a victory, and a new idea. Nestled atop a fabric column, a fire bowl can often appear so real that many would swear they felt the heat coming off of itand if the vendor isn’t careful that heat might just be enough to set the entire display on fire. As an added bonus the fabric column easily converts to a product pedestal and even supports a conference tabletop.
Trade shows are often far too hectic to allow vendors to do more than make a quick first impression. By designing an exhibit full of small details that tell the customer they are meeting a vendor that truly cares about them, a company has the power to take that first impression and turn it into a lasting relationship. For more information on how to make that perfect first impression, contact Godfrey today and get on the path to higher trade show sales!!
Tags: booth, booths, custom designed displays, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, Display Booths, exhibit tips, Exhibitors, fabric structures, high impact displays, increased sales, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show, trade show advice, trade show booth, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade show sales, tradeshow display, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized, marketing tips | No Comments »
Thursday, August 12th, 2010
It’s the perfect day. The sun is out and a cool breeze blows in your face as you jump on up on your board ready to charge the next available wave. The sounds of Jimmy Buffet and Jack Johnson can be heard just off in the distance. You see your chance. That perfect wave just begging to be tamed. You jump up, get in your stance, and a quick click-flash-print from a nearby camera records the triumphant moment. You’ve got a memory to last a lifetime and if you wish you don’t even have to tell anyone that you never actually went to the beach this year. In fact you were at trade show somewhere in the middle of the country and the entire
surfing experience took place as part of your company’s brand new
trade show exhibit.
While there is a lot to be said about getting your point across, burning the name of your company into someone’s brain will take you a long way. Everyone needs to let loose from time to time and have some fun. Why not be the company at the otherwise boring trade show that brings the party to the people? There’s nothing that people like better than laughing it up with their friends and family just as there are some games that never get old. Imagine a line of people all waiting to take a turn on your
Putt-Putt Golf course or a chance to win a few freebies by stepping up to the
football toss. Why not turn the entire trade show into your own personal event? With the help of a few well placed
posters, a
overhead banner, and a couple
flag stands each featuring your company’s name and logo all pointing in your direction, you can easily create a buzz through the crowd that will send them flocking to see what all the fuss is about. While they’re in line surround them with a
literature display featuring everything they need to know about who you are and before they can play ask visitors to fill out a contact sheet located on a
pedestal at the starting point of the game.
Regardless of who you are or what your product is, by connecting your company’s name and image to a prop or game you are creating a memory in a person’s mind all based around the fun they had at your booth. By making a point to get their contact info before they step up to the plate you are
generating tons of leads sure to last you for months and years to come.
Tags: booth, booths, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, customers, Display Booths, flag stands, football, generating leads, literature display, marketing tips, outdoor banners, outdoor displays, Overhead banners, pedestals, photo props, portable trade show display, posters, potential customer, putt-putt, surfing prop, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade show exhibit, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Custom hanging headers, Overhead banners, Poster frames, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Tips, Trade Show game themes, Uncategorized, marketing 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, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Tips, marketing tips | No Comments »
Monday, July 5th, 2010
Did you know many companies will borrow from the bank each month based on projected receivables? Furthermore supplies, production schedules, material costs, and labor all require a certain amount of forecasting in order to know what to expect from the coming month so that the company is not caught off guard by an expense or decrease in business that may change the shape of the budget. Projecting what is about to happen next requires a certain amount of looking back at recent trends and looking forward in an attempt to identify upcoming obstacles or new opportunities. Trade shows in particular offer some special challenges when it comes to forecasting, but the process is just as important. One way to accurately predict the expenses, visitor turnout, revenue, and overall success of an event is to keep a diary.
For most people the word diary probably brings to mind thoughts of little girls writing in pink notebooks they keep under their mattresses, but in fact everyone keeps a diary of some sort. Every time you balance your checkbook you are making an entry into a diary. Whenever you log how much mileage you put on your car so you can be reimbursed by your company you are keeping a diary. Even this blog could be considered a diary all about trade show tips, events, and custom displays. Keeping a trade show diary of your own may just the key to success you have been looking for. The next time you’re at a trade show take a moment to step back from your exhibit and write down what you see. What has been your biggest selling item so far? How many people have come by and what was their demographic? Was there anything about your kiosk that did flow right with the rest your setup? Were you a good fit with the vendors around you? Could you have done anything better? At the end of the event make notes about the number of contacts you made and be sure to follow-up with them at a later time. By answering these questions not only are you gaining insight into how well you are operating, but more to the point you are keepping a log that can be used at other events to help determine what works and what doesn’t.
In business forecasting is not an exact science, but whether you like doing it or not you can’t deny the results. Paying attention to recent trends and adjusting your finances accordingly could be one of the smartest business moves you will ever make. The next time you are walking out the door on your way to an event, grab a notebook and remember to make notes afterward. Trust me you’ll thank yourself later.
Tags: booths, Custom graphics, customer, customer service, customers, Display Booths, Exhibitors, Exhibits, kiosks, portable trade show display, Trade Show, trade show advice, Trade Show Booths
Posted in Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, Kiosk placement, Trade Show Tips, marketing tips | No Comments »
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
In terms of trade shows there are basically two types of events. The first being a situation where you bring a specific amount of inventory, setup at a location previously selected to get the most attention from visitors, take out a calculator, and sell sell sell. The second involves bringing very little in terms of inventory (except for promotional items such as pens, key-chains, business cards, etc…), requires a much greater knowledge of what is being promoted, and relies heavily on product demonstration whether it be through actually showing how something works or how an investment can make life easier (an exhibit featuring an insurance company would be an example of this). It’s the later that I want to focus on today mainly because the determination as to whether the event was a success or not often can’t be made till weeks or even months down the road simply because you’re there to take orders and build relationships not unload merchandise.
This idea of delayed income is called Return On Investment or ROI and is really quite easy to figure out once you know the steps.
1)While at your next event offer those you come into contact with an incentive for ordering. This incentive could be a gift or a discount, something that will make them feel they are getting a good deal by following your instructions. Make sure they understand that in order to take advantage of the promotion they must reference a specific code. This way you can track how the sale was generated.
2)Once you know sales generated, total up all your expenses associated with the trade show. Include the cost of labor, food, travel, etc…
3)Now take the amount you made (the value in dollars of sales that referenced the promotional code you asked customers to use) and divide that number by the total expenses.
4) Finally take this last number and multiply it by 100 to get the percentage returned to you from your investment (ROI)
It’s very common that the full impact of a trade show is not felt for months or maybe even a year after the event has taken place. Regardless of whether or not you are selling tons of inventory at one time or get your sales through the use of connections made at the event, finding out how much profit you made is a huge tool to have at your disposal. Not only will this help you calculate how successful an event was, but it can also be used to forecast similar events to come.
Tags: booths, business, customer service, demonstration, Displays, Event Planners, marketing tips, potential customers, promotions, return on investment, sells
Posted in Expert trade show advice, Trade Show Tips, marketing tips | No Comments »
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.
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 