Archive for the ‘Trade Show Tips’ Category
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
If you’re a foodie like me (not to mention a huge pop culture fan) than you are no doubt following along with two of the best cooking shows to hit the airwaves in decades. I’m talking about The Next Food Network Star and Top Chef both taking place on separate networks each and every week. Each show features a group of chefs competing in a variety of cooking contests designed to weed out the best and send home the rest. If you look beyond the competition and focus on the basics of the cooking though, you may be surprised to find lessons that relate directly to trade show success. Below is a recipe for a successful trade show and it starts with knowing what you want your end result to be. Like cooking you need to have a loose idea as to what you are making. What do you want your display to accomplish? Do you have a specific design in mind?
1 Dose of Preparation- What type of display works best for your product? Would a literature display be best or do your needs point more towards a computer kiosk? Indoor or outdoor? Pop up or environmentally friendly? What design best matches the types of events you attend? Who are you marketing to and what gets their attention the most?
1 Dash of Creativity- The use of color is a great way to get a persons attention. Try to be unique while at the same time don’t be too extreme as to alienate yourself from other vendors.
1 lb of Follow Through- Make sure you keep up the relationships you make while at an event. The moment you return from a trade show, shoot out an email or call your new contact just to thank them for taking the time to speak to you.
1 Ounce of Prevention- Know what it is about your product that discourages people and come to an event prepared to offer solutions to their concerns. If a customer is concerned about the cost tell them you understand, that others you spoken to have also felt the same way, and that you were able to help them through the use of a payment plan.
Mix With Special Ingredient- Every great chef knows that to truly be successful you must take the ordinary and turn it into the extraordinary. A kiosk is not a kiosk when it features a custom logo along with your companies name emblazoned in the center. By taking the idea of a trade show display and molding it to fit your idea of what the customer is looking for, you are essentially giving them something they are familiar with yet have never seen before.
Like the perfect recipe, the key to a successful trade show exhibit is repetition. Don’t be afraid to try new things and make changes until you achieve a display that fits your needs and creates buzz amongst customers.
Tags: booth rentals, booths, computer stations, Custom graphics, customer service, Eco-friendly displays, environmentally friendly trade show display, Exhibit Booth Company, Exhibitors, Exhibits, Godfrey Group popups, indoor trade show display, kiosk displays, marketing tips, outdoor displays, outdoor trade show display, pop up displays, portable trade show display, potential customer, Trade Show Booths, trademark colors
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Eco-friendly displays, Expert trade show advice, lobby displays, marketing tips, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade show popups, Trade Show 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, marketing tips, Trade Show 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, marketing tips, Trade Show Tips | 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 »
Monday, June 21st, 2010
You may remember last week at this time we were all taking about the kick off of the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, Ca. and the rumors that were swirling around concerning the latest in high tech games that would be announced. As it turns out Project Natal (now called Kinect) and the Nintendo 3DS both premiered to huge crowds and immediately were proclaimed crowd favorites. Though I wasn’t able to attend the trade show, I did catch the majority of the coverage which was carried live on the G4 network and I gotta say impressed is simply not a good enough description of how I felt after catching a glimpse of all the amazing booths. From a full sized wrestling ring featuring characters in the video game Lucha Libre AAA Heroes of the Ring to literally hundreds of hands on demos of some of the most talked about games in years, if the folks behind E3 did anything right it was knowing what video game fans wanted to see and making sure those vendors were there.
As a vendor your priorities are different from those that are responsible for the scheduling and promotion of an event, but the lessons learned from E3 still apply:
- Customers want to be catered to. Long gone are the days when a company can just put a product on the market, come up with a general slogan, and hope to attract attention. Today’s consumers want to feel like you are talking directly to them. They want custom graphics, hands on demonstrations, sneak peeks or spoilers for upcoming products, and over the top demos. At the same time people want to know they are getting a certain amount of quality with their purchase as well as the thrill of being the first in their group of friends to own such an amazing item.
- In order to be successful you must go where the people are. The E3 Expo is a classic example of how birds of a feather flock together. If you’re a company that understands the value of attending trade shows and other events in order to showcase your products to the public, than you want to make sure you are setting your kiosks up where the people actually are. If you make kitchen appliances there’s no need to setup at a video game convention. If you paint portraits for a living, a car show isn’t the place to show off your skills. Before you hit the road make sure you’re not going to be the odd duck at the event and that there are similar products being demonstrated.
While events like the E3 Expo are amazing to witness and generate tons of support for all those involved, beyond the glitz and glamour lie some very important lessons that all vendors need to take notice of. By creating custom demonstrations geared towards making consumers feel unique and catered to, companies are finding better ways to create buzz and generate sales. Also in order to get the most of a trade show you want to make sure your product stands out from the crowd while at the same time is connected to the other vendors around you.
Tags: 3DS, booth, booths, Custom graphics, customer service, customers, Display Booths, electronics entertainment expo, Event Planners, kinect, kiosk displays, kiosks, marketing tips, Natal, portable trade show display, potential customers, showroom, trade show booth, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays
Posted in Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, Kiosk placement, marketing tips, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Last week in a post titled “The Right Person For The Job” I talked about how something as tantalizing as Fillet Mignon would appear to be plain trash if it were to be served to you on a garbage can lid. Now in that post I was using this example as way to make sure you are employing people who have a certain degree of charm and personality, but the same can be said about how you choose to show off your product as well. You could essentially have one of those products that becomes synonymous with a entire line of products from any number of manufacturers (Coke, TiVo, and Matchbox Cars are examples of this), but because you did not choose the best way to promote your idea nobody ever takes notice. It’s those early decisions about how you will choose to bring your product to the consumer that make all the difference in the world.
Understandably this isn’t an easy process and not something to jump into. You want to start with a very broad idea of what you want and then begin to eliminate choices. Is your event outside? Do you need something like a large tent or would a smaller Mushroom style kiosk do the trick? Are you looking for something that can easily be packed up and taken to the next location or does portability not matter? Maybe you are just looking to spice up your office front. Will there be some type of attendant with a desk stationed there? Is privacy going to be a concern? How about signage? Were you thinking about something that may possibly hang from the ceiling or maybe you’d rather just have a stand that would allow people to pick up literature as they pass by?
All of these questions and we haven’t even considered graphics yet. Are you looking for something with bright colors or is something more professional what you had in mind? Do you have a specific logo that needs to be included or are you looking to come up with a new theme unlike anything you have done before? Are considering renting a booth to start out or are you ready to fully customize a display of your own?
Finding what is right for you and your products can be time consuming process, but one that is fulfilling and often very profitable. Knowing what works best for you and what you want makes all the difference in the world. The Godfrey Group understands this and that’s why we’ve created a Design Library that lets you start narrowing your ideas down and even save them so that you can come back later after you’ve researched what you want a little further. Don’t hesitate. Login in today!!
Tags: booth, booths, client, Conference Vendor, conventions, customer service, customers, Display Booths, Display Company, Displays, Eco-friendly displays, Event Planners, Godfrey Group popups, hanging headers, inflatables, kiosk, kiosk displays, kiosks, lobby, marketing tips, outdoor displays, Overhead banners, portable trade show display, potential customer, showroom, Trade Show Booths, trade show kiosk, tradeshow display, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Custom hanging headers, custom office displays, Digital signage, Eco-friendly displays, Expert trade show advice, Kiosk placement, lobby displays, marketing tips, Mushroom kiosks, Office fixtures, Overhead banners, Poster frames, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Booth Rentals, Trade Show Booths, Trade show popups, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
No matter how much you want to or how hard you try at some point we all need a little help and that means depending on someone else to get the job done. Obviously not everyone is going to share your passion for the products or your desire to see sales soar through the roof, however there are a few traits to look for that can help when it comes to finding someone to represent your best interests at that next trade show event.
- Trust Worthy- Trust is the keystone of any relationship and it’s what everything else is built upon. I once worked for a company that regularly sent their drivers out to local neighborhoods to pass out flyers in hopes of drumming up business when things got slow. For some reason we never got any response from an area of the city that should have been a hot-spot. Turns out the same driver was in charge of passing out the literature to that same area every time. All it took was someone to go behind him to find the entire stack of flyers in a local dumpster. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and check them. If you are sending someone to a trade show in your place, call a few people you know will be there and ask them to casually drop by, then report back to you.
- Personable- Just like the custom displays you have invested in, a good employee is someone that is friendly, easy to talk to, and puts a good face to your company. A good employee can make or break a sale, will leave a lasting impression on the customer, and can often be the thing that tips the scales and sales in your favor. Good manners, a good attitude, and politeness goes a long way when dealing with the public.
- Well Dressed- This ties directly to being Personable. When it comes to selling anything packaging is extremely important. No matter how you dress it up, Fillet Mignon is still trash if it’s served out of a garbage can. A well dressed employee speaks volume about your company and things are handled.
- Able To Take Direction- Another thing all great employees have is the ability to take direction. The last thing you need is someone who thinks they know everything and listens to nothing. Not only do your employees need to be open to the needs of the customer, but to what you need from them as well.
- Good At Problem Solving- Along with the ability to take direction it’s also helpful if you can find someone who can make good decisions. If someone takes the time to stop by your booth then they are expressing interest in what you are offering. The person working your booth is then faced with the task of finding out what their concerns are and what is keeping them from purchasing your product. Sometimes it’s as simple as offering alternative methods of payment (credit card, cash, or check) or it could be more complex like answering their safety concerns.
Remember you are putting your trust in your employees to represent your company with the same respect, qualities, and passion that you yourself bring to each and every event. The best displays in the world won’t generate any kind of interest if they are being manned by an employee who appears dirty, clueless as to what it is he’s selling, and cannot relate to the customer’s needs.
Tags: customer service, marketing tips, trade show advice, trade shows
Posted in Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | 2 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, May 3rd, 2010
A couple weeks back I brought you the article about the importance of making a good first impression. Simply put that first meeting often holds the key to finding out what a customer ‘s needs are and what it will take to convince them that you have the product they have been searching for. Ask any trade or conference show vet and I’m sure they will tell you it’s not the sales you make that weekend that matter the most, it’s all the contacts that are gathered which provide the true test as to whether or not the time spent standing at your booth was a success. So the question becomes once you’ve made that first impression how do you turn all those names and faces into dollars in the weeks and months to come?
First of all make sure your booth or kiosk is a two way street of information. Yes your most important task is to show who you are and how what you are offering is the life change thing that the everyone in the world would be crazy to live without, but while shaking all those hands make sure you come back with a phone number, an email address, or even a business card. Grab a spiral notebook on your way out the door and ask everyone the stops by your booth (even just for a few moments) to sign their name and how they prefer to be reached. Offer them a chance at possible future discounts by doing so.
Second don’t let the grass grow under your feet when comes to reaching out to those you met. A week or two after the show get that spiral notebook back out and let those that spent a moment filling out their information know how much you appreciated their time. If they act like they want to know more about your company great, but even if that call or email doesn’t generate a response don’t give up. Keep in touch with them on a regular basis. Not to say you need to call them weekly, but just enough so that when the time comes where they find themselves in the market for what you have to offer your name is still fresh in their minds. Send them cards during the holidays or special offers every month or so.
Making the first impression is something that can never be made twice, but keeping that same spark alive is a process that can be created over and over. By following up with potential customers you are doing exactly what the term implies; you are maintaining the relationship so that they remain potential customers.
Tags: booths, client, Conference Vendor, conventions, customer service, Display Company, Event Planners, Godfrey Group, kiosk displays, marketing tips, new business, potential customers, relationships, samples, showroom, trade show ideas
Posted in Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
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
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