Posts Tagged ‘booths’
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, Promotional Ideas, Uncategorized, marketing tips | 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, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Displays, marketing tips | 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, Trade Show Exhibits, 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 »
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, SpaceStation Popup Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Tips, Trade show popups, Uncategorized, marketing tips | No Comments »
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 