Posts Tagged ‘Conference Vendor’

How About A Tradeshow Tailgate Party?

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!!

Avoid Getting Lost In A Sea Of Exhibits

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

When getting ready for a trade show there are a ton of things you can do in advance to make sure that you have a successful event. Of course you can make sure you have the best custom exhibit possible. You can find out who’s going to be there and what they will be interested is seeing. You can make sure who you have working the booth is up on all the facts and are able to answer any questions about your product that may arise. You can even create an elaborate demonstration of how your product works. The one thing you can’t control though is where you are located once you get to the conference center. Yes you can suggest or recommend to the event organizer where you would like to be, but ultimately it’s their decision as to where you are to setup and unfortunately not everyone can have the best seat in the house. So what do you do when you get to a trade show only to find that your setup location is far less than desirable? 

Take a walk. After you have everything setup and ready to go, leave the display with your help for a while and start shaking hands. Make sure you are wearing something that contains your brand name. If you know somebody there stop by and say hello. Tell them where you are and ask them to send people your way. Just by walking around and greeting as many people as possible you are creating buzz for your display.

Make people look for you. If you didn’t bring any with you, draw up a few signs on poster board advertising that you are there and where you can be found. If you own a truck or van with your name and logo on it, make sure you park it near the main entrance where people can see it as they enter the building.

Speak to the organizer. You make think they understand what you need, but in fact the organizer of the event may not have any idea that they have setup up somewhere that is unfavorable. While you are out meeting and greeting scout out a couple new locations and don’t be afraid to approach the person in charge with your ideas about where you might be best suited. The thing here to remember is that those hosting the event get a percentage of all sales, therefore the more people walking past your display means higher sales for you and a higher profit for them.

You have the most best custom display in the world but when it comes to being put in a bad location with zero traffic, you have to take matters in your own hands and make the people come to you. By making your presence known among the visitors, asking for a few favors from friends who might be able to send people your way, putting up some extra signage, and reminding the host of the event that you are there to make them money, you just might be able to turn a bad spot into a great opportunity.

It’s A Trade Show Christmas In July!!!

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.

When It Comes To Trade Shows Is Being Different Always Bad?

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

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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.

Destroy The Noise With SoftSound Acoustical Panels

Friday, June 11th, 2010

As a parent I’m used to noise. In fact at home it’s the silence I can’t stand because it usually means somebody’s up to no good. At work though things are completely different. Distractions are a nuisance and trying to focus on the task at hand is often harder than than the work itself. Anybody that has ever worked in a cube farm can tell you that there is always something going on that, if not ignored could leave you feeling like nothing was accomplished at the end of the day. Radios turned up louder than they should be, a dozen phone conversations taking place, water cooler talk about last nights game or episode of Desperate Housewives, printers and copiers slinging paper out non-stop, visitors and delivery drivers endlessly walking through….all of this chaos is swirling about and you’ve got a deadline that must be reached. At times it seems there is no possible way to drown out all the noise and still be productive.

Noise pollution isn’t just something you are exposed to when the guy you are stuck next too in traffic decides to crank his radio up, it’s everywhere including the office.  Luckily though Godfrey has a simple tool that can help you eliminate noise pollution without going to extreme measures and it begins and ends with a simple bulletin board. SoftSound Acoustical Panels are multi-layered sound dampeners that can be custom sized to meet your needs and are also fully functional bulletin boards perfect for hanging signs,  logos, or other types of info. Each panel is covered with a special type of fabric that works well with Velcro and comes featuring a classic look sure to blend in to any environment whether it be classroom or conference room. Plus for those that need a little extra coverage, SoftSound panels can also be used as ceiling tiles which are easily installed.

Perfect for the office, a must have for daycares, and a great addition to any public place, SoftSound Acoustical Panels may be just the thing you have been looking for to keep noise down and productivity up. Featuring a classy look, the ability to blend into any background, and available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes; if you have a noise problem today’s the day to fight back. Simply dial 1-800-739-9394 and find out more about this and our other great products today!!

The Art Of Knowing What You Want And How To Get It

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!!

Step Into The Future With SpaceStation Popup Displays

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Getting to a trade show is hard enough without having to spend hours upon hours once you arrive getting things set up. Travel plans, inventory checks, meal and expense planning, finding a way to get everything and everyone in the right place in time for the event to start is a challenge in itself. Once you get there you’ve got to find where you are supposed to setup, which way the traffic will be flowing so you can organize your items to meet oncoming traffic, and if it’s a multi-day show anything of value has to be taken with you at the end of the day just for safety’s sake. It’s enough to make you want to pull your hair out and you haven’t even seen the first customer yet. With all of this going on the last thing you want to have to deal with is a display that is too complicated to assemble.

Personally speaking I’m not the guy you come to if you want something put together properly. When I put something together I always end up with “extra” pieces that I insist were included on purpose by the manufacturer just in case something was to break. I like thinks that go from flat cubes to full size with the flick of the wrist. Forget instructions in languages that I’ll never learn, I want to pull a string and step back while things fall into place all on their own. That’s why I love the SpaceStation Popups. With a couple easy to do steps SpaceStation Popups go from tiny box to full size display wall in no time flat. Ultra light weight and available in over 75 colors, SpaceStation’s come in two distinct styles: straight wall or curved wall. Each display can be customized to fit a variety of needs, comes with a 200 watt light fixture to add an extra bit of charm, and feature a lifetime warranty on the frame and hardware. Adding a few accessories such as the Techform Counter With Monitor Mountand Pennisula Pedistals will only increase the effectiveness of the display without causing too much strain on your wallet.

It’s hard enough getting things ready for those event center doors to open without adding to the drama by bringing along a display that takes a degree in engineering to put together. Save yourself some time while still showing off your product with a state-of-the-art, fully customizedSpaceStation Popup from the Godfrey Group. Call us now at 1-800-789-9394!!

Outdoor Event Tents To Get You Set For Summer!!

Friday, May 21st, 2010

It’s amazing how fast the days fly by. It seems like we just wrapped up the Christmas holidays and yet here we are again exactly one month away from the first official day of summer. All across the country spring is in full bloom and the temps are climbing. With the warm weather comes an endless string of outdoor concerts, fairs, and trade shows. Every weekend brings with it new opportunities to get outside and soak up some local flavor while hanging out at a nearby festival. As much as I like the main attractions at these events, my favorite parts are all the interesting booths and displays to be seen. Whether it be the wide variety of foods ranging from fried Oreos to homemade lemonade or the vendors with all of their freebies or the tents showing off the trendiest cars straight from the local dealership; it’s these types of attractions that give the event the color and flavor that brings a smile to every one’s face.

Outdoor vendors share more than one thing in common with their indoor counterparts but the most important of them all is their need to be noticed by the public. In fact outdoor displays and exhibits may need to be even more spectacular simply because not only are they competing with one another, but they’ve also got to find a way to steal the spotlight away from the main attractions even if it is for only a few brief moments.  Godfrey understands the unique challenges outdoor events bring and that’s why they offer more than just ordinary pop-up tents and instead go to great lengths to offer their customers some of the most amazing outdoor displays on the market. From the great look of the mushroom and dome kiosks to spacious tent clusters with optional market umbrella, Godfrey has everything you want in an outdoor display with full customization and amazing graphics to match. Oh and if inflatables are what you have in mind than I’ve got two words for you event pavilions! They’re big, they’re high profile, they’re just the thing you need to make company the center of attention.

This summer don’t let the good times pass you by. Set yourself apart from those other vendors by turning your next outdoor trade show or festival into one for the record books! Call one of our personal project managers today ask them how you can make this a season to remember!!

How Powerful Is Your Gatekeeper?

Friday, May 7th, 2010

In marketing terms the definition of a Gatekeeper is someone who controls the flow of information from one person to another.  In sales everywhere you turn you are bumping into one of these information controllers.  Their entire job is to evaluate each situation that someone else believes should receive their supervisors attention and decipher as to whether or not if what they are being told is vital knowledge that should be passed up the food chain or is simply a sales pitch that can easily be passed along via brochure, business card, or email. After all the boss is busy. The boss doesn’t have time to talk to everyone that walks in the door. The boss gets upset at the Gatekeeper for not screening better and causing his time to be wasted. When the boss is unhappy nobody is happy.

 Taking all of the above under consideration you can understand why the Gatekeeper has just as much power as anyone in the company. The ability to control the flow of information is a very awesome tool to wield around. Before they can do their job though Gatekeepers need a couple things, first of all they need to be surrounded by a professional environment that doesn’t allow information to flow past them.  You can’t just sent them out in the open where work is clearly visible behind them and expect them to stop solicitors from getting a leg up. There needs to be a barrier between them and the inner workings of the company. Something like one of our many Bizwall Retail Interiors which gives your office a touch of class, professionalism, and most importantly privacy. Our line of partitions and wall panels is designed to provide comfort to all that enter your location while at the same time limiting their involvement with the work that is taking place behind closed doors. 

The next thing your Gatekeeper needs is a desk that allows plenty of space for their computer, fax, files, and confidential materials that need to be kept out of the public eye. They need an area that is neat and organsized plus also keeps clutter to a minimum so as to maintain a professional appearance.  The DeskWrap Secretary Reception Center is all of that and more.  A perfect match to our Bizwall line, this isn’t your ordinary desk.  Ranging in length from 48″ to 120″ this reception center comes with ample shelving, plenty of space for hanging file folders, and even has a personal storage compartment.

Your Gatekeeper is only going to be as good you allow them to be and that’s why you need to give them the best tools for the job. With Godfrey‘s line of Bizwall Interiors combined with the DeskWrap Secretary Reception Center your company will not only be putting a professional looking face on the front of your office, but one that allows for confidentiality as well as privacy.

Letting Your Kiosk Do All The Talking

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

If you’ve spent any amount of time in one of our nation’s fine never ending malls, then chances are you’ve probably been verbally assaulted by some over eager kiosk worker attempting to talk you into buying anything from a stake in a time share to hand carved garden gnomes. Not to knock these guys (after all everyone started somewhere), but trying to scalp me with a remote control helicopter while I’m on my way to the GAP isn’t the way to get me to fork over my hard earned cash.  For that matter macing me with fresh linen body spray isn’t going to do the trick either.  If you’re like me and you’re tired of these guerilla warfare tactics, then you know the way to reach my wallet is through my mind not by getting in my face. As a society we are constantly bombarded by image after image all designed to create all of these spontaneous purchases that leave us feeling empty moments after the money is gone.  What we need though….what really gets us motivated to invest in something new is when companies speak to us with intellect and respect. 

The Godfrey Group has created a line workstations especially designed to give us consumers exactly what we want; a simple straight forward modern twist on the traditional kiosk that speaks volumes without knocking you over the head with crazy antics. These workstations are offered in a variety of styles including: the Truss Workstation featuring a monitor mount, oval pedestal base, and backlit header frame; the 84″ Truss Monitor Station with its laminate base and two counters perfect for holding all your promotional materials; plus the ultra modern TechForm Video Display System featuring amazing graphics and tons of accessories.

If you’re thinking about setting up shop in a nearby mall before you do something drastic like hiring a killer kiosk worker to invade the personal space of a thousand fleeing shoppers, consider a more subtle approach. By choosing something from  Godfrey’s line of cutting edge workstations you’ll be doing what those other guys can’t….you’ll be attracting customers instead of distracting them.