Posts Tagged ‘Custom displays’
Friday, April 15th, 2011
Today we are wrapping up our series on how to save you money this tax season. So far we’ve talked about the benefits of our too good to be true trade show display rental program, Wednesday we were all about different ways to save you money while on the road, and today we’re going to finish things out with tax deductions that are sure to help you get a larger refund. For those of you sweating it out trying to get that paperwork done for the end of the day today, take a deep breath and relax. Due to a holiday the usual April 15th deadline has been move to Monday the 18th so you’ve still got a few more days to wrap up any loose ends and get them filed. For small business owners this should give you plenty of time to make sure you’ve taken all the deductions available to you.
3 Must Take Tax Deductions For Small Business Owners
Travel Expenses- Many people think that in terms of travel expenses this simply means the literal cost of going somewhere such as a plane tick, cab ride, etc….but in fact pretty much everything associated with the trip can count as a deduction. This could include your hotel stay, food, dry cleaning, shipping that trade show display. Plus those of any employee you take with you.
Advertising Deductions- Did you sponsor a little league team this year? Purchase a new custom designed banner to hang on your store front? Maybe you ordered some new brochures or business cards. Advertising is a great source for tax deductions. Think of all the little things you do to promote your business including advertising at local restaurants, sending out coupons, or radio ads. The only thing you need to make sure you can do is prove you did the promotion.
Entertaining Clients- One major reason you go to trade shows is to meet new people in hopes of generating sales. When meeting a potential client it’s always better to get them away from the crowds where you can speak one on one without a million distractions. This could mean dinner at a fancy restaurant, catering a private lunch, or showing your appreciation by giving them a couple of tickets to that night’s ball game. Make sure to always get a receipt and note who attended and what the circumstances were.
Nobody has a harder time getting through tax season then the small business owner. The folks at Godfrey understand this and that’s why we do our best to make it easier on you by offering such programs as our trade show display rental system and thousands of custom designed exhibits that are sure to help you generate sales.
Tags: Custom displays, customer service, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customers, small business advice, small business tips, tax help, trade show display rentals, unique trade show display
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, April 11th, 2011
We are finally at the end of the week and the end of our series all about tips to make that next trade show event an even bigger success thanks to a fantastic looking exhibit from Godfrey and a few sales tips that are guaranteed to increase your customer base. Up to this point we’ve played the name game, talked about the right tone you need to be using, and last but certainly not least today we are all about being polite. Believe it or not people still say please and thank you. They open doors for one another and off
Tags: Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, marketing tips, potential customers, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, unique trade show display
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
If you haven’t had the joy of taking an art class before, do yourself a favor and sign up for one as soon as possible. Even if you haven’t the first ounce of artistic ability that thrill of creating something from nothing is so rewarding you’ll want to begin to cover your home with one painting after another. All art classes pretty much start out with the same questions to be answered on the empty canvas:
*What’s your concept?
*What colors would you like to use?
*How large of a canvas do you need?
*What type of style will you be painting in?
By now you are probably wondering what art class has to do with trade show design and the answer is simple in that the questions are essentially the same. When you first contact The Godfrey Group and are connected to a personal project manager, one of the first things you will be asked is what your needs are and what do you see as the ultimate goal of the display? After batting around a few ideas with one of our designers, the details will start filling themselves in. What colors will give you the best look, what logo should be featured on the exhibit, how large and complex should the display be, are you looking for something quick and easy to setup like a popup display or a display that is environmentally friendly?
Like that first day in art class, creating a custom designed trade show exhibit from Godfrey is a step by step process that with the help of a personal project manager and our expert design team will ultimately produce a unique design that is sure to reap plenty of rewards for your business.
Tags: booths, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, Display Booths, Eco-friendly displays, fabric structures, marketing tips, portable trade show display, Trade Show Booths, unique trade show display
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, March 24th, 2011
For small business owners it seems that the challenges in this current economy never cease to end. The cost of health insurance, employees asking for more money, inventory expenses going through the roof, consumers becoming even more frugal than ever before….the hits never end and the pressure isf ever increasing. Now comes word from one real estate consulting firm that in less than five years rental expenses will see a significant upswing and might climb as high as 35%.
According to Lesley Deutch of John Burns Real-estate Consulting the average renter is about to see a major change in how much they pay every month. With expectations anywhere from a 25%-31% increase by 2015, we will all be forced to find even more room in our already overcrowded budgets. For retailers this means that unless they find a way to increase sales, some very hard choices will also be in their near future. One of the best ways to increase sales is to stay fresh on the mind of the consumer by presenting them with something the likes of which they have never seen before. Something like one of the many showroom and retail environments from the experts at Godfrey.
Whether custom designed to meet your individual specifications or chosen from our extensive gallery of designs, Godfrey offers retailers a wide variety of options including: both hard and soft surfaces, light box fixtures, audio and video components, and even the ability to literally shift the design to create new looks within minutes.
As a small business owner you understand that there is no limit when it comes to what problems may happen next. Unless you have a steady cash flow budgeting can be a nightmare. Thankfully Godfrey is here to help with our line of amazing looking showroom interiors that are sure to help keep the customers flowing through the door.
Tags: budgeting tips, Custom displays, Custom graphics, increase sales, marketing tips, potential customers, rent expenses, showroom design, showroom interiors, small business concerns, small business tips
Posted in marketing tips, Promotional Ideas | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
In a post we recently brought you concerning the rising cost of gas and how it is sure to effect how much you are going to be able to get out of that travel budget during the coming year, we mentioned that one great way to save on travel expenses was to choose a type of trade show display such as a table top or tension wall that is made of ultra-lightweight materials and consequently less expensive to transport from one location to the next. If you think about it though that when it comes down to it while using a lighter display is definitely one sure way to save cash, it’s certainly not the only way. One might also consider the use of an information display as a way to limit the number of people that you have working the show.
Certainly there’s no substituting what two people can accomplish at a trade show, however in drastic times drastic measure become necessary. Consider what it costs to send one employee to an event: there’s the cost of an extra bed or room, salary and wages, and of course that one thing that literally eats up the entire budget i.e. food and snacks. Again it helps to have an extra employee to simply ensure that there is always somebody at the booth, but what if you could find a way to cut back on costs by only sending one person without sacrificing too much in the way of customer coverage. An information display featuring optional audio/video mounts can be so effective it’s like having that extra employee working the booth at a fraction of the cost.
Regardless of whether you prefer an info kiosk, a star rotator info board, a portable workstation, or unique Post-n-Panel; each offers the ability to allow for a wide variety of brochures and information packets to be passed out to all those that would like to know more about what you have to offer. Plus imagine how much money can be saved by sending an information display that doesn’t require food and lodging like a real person!
If you are feeling the pinch of the latest economic downturn and are looking for a way to save some cash, information booths from Godfrey are the key to some major savings.
Tags: booths, budgeting, Custom displays, Custom graphics, Display Booths, expenses, information displays, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customers, Trade Show Booths, trade show design, trade show support, travel expenses
Posted in marketing tips, Trade Show Displays | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
This Thursday is that special day of the year where the rivers turn green, everyone suddenly remembers their Irish heritage, and we all wear the same color to work. St. Patrick’s Day is upon us once again and that means everyone will go green for at least one day. While in this case going green takes on a whole new meaning more closely associated with leprechauns and four leaf clovers, why not take advantage of the day by showing those around you how much you care about the environment at the same time? For business owners who regularly attend trade shows across the U.S. and the rest of the world, why not celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day by turning your trade show display into an all green event.
Environmentally Friendly Trade Show Display
Always on the cutting edge of trade show exhibit design, Godfrey has taken that idea of what a standard trade show display should be and completely turned it into an environmentally friendly work of art. In the past trade show displays have been bulky, hard to transport, unimaginative at times, and anything but good for the planet; those days are over thanks our environmentally friendly trade show displays that feature such earthy friendly options such as:
*minimal construction
*recycled aluminum tubing
*earth friendly fabric graphics
*ultra-light materials
Plus those traditional techniques that so many trade show displays are known for are still there only now they are done in a way as to help the environment. This means that those same amazing designs and custom graphics that you have come to expect from Godfrey can still be had. This St. Patrick’s Day show your love for green not by chugging back a pint, but by saving the planet!
Tags: Custom displays, Custom graphics, Display Booths, environmentally friendly trade show display, going green, green trade show display, marketing tips, planet friendly, potential customers, St. Patricks day, unique trade show display
Posted in Eco-friendly displays | No Comments »
Monday, March 14th, 2011
It’s no secret that among those getting hit hard by this tough economy the small business owner is taking a beating like no other. When asked, most will tell you that staying afloat is becoming increasingly difficult with few being able to take home a pay check once employees, utilities, inventory, and rent is paid. For those that can afford to make it to the occasional trade show success is a must and can only be claimed if a solid dose of new contacts are collected. In order to collect all those potential customers, you’ve got to get them to notice you among the hundreds of other vendors and that means you need an exhibit that is sure to make you stand out.
The problem is that when thinking new designs the first thought that certainly pops into everyone’s mind is “If I can barely afford to be at the trade show, how am I going to afford a new display?” While this is definitely a challenging problem to have, Godfrey has a couple ways to make those worries go away.
Trade Show Rental Program
With prices that can run as much as 65% less, rental displays are an excellent way of injecting some fresh blood into your current setup and come up with a wide variety of options including:
- 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.
Free Trade Show Display Design
Once upon a time the word free meant just that, without expense. These days it seems that nothing is free and always has some hidden cost that is sure to come bite you in the long run. This is simply not the case with Godfrey’s free trade show design. All it takes is a phone call or email and within minutes you will be connected with a personal project manager that will lead you through the design process and give you options like you’ve knew were possible!
Tags: booths, Custom displays, Display Booths, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customers, Trade Show Booths
Posted in Trade Show Displays | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
The next time you find yourself at a trade show event do yourself a favor and step back. After all the merchandise is placed just like you like it and the crowd starts making their way through the conference center, step back for a moment and look at the overall presentation you have laid out. As you scan over the display ask yourself these questions:
Is the setup exactly what you had in mind for the event?
Is there enough space for people to look around and see all that you are offering?
Does it encourage conversation?
How does it compare to the other displays at the trade show?
Does it look the same?
Does it stand out?
Too many times we get in our minds what a trade show display should look like and more often than not that image is based on what we have seen others do or what is considered to be the current norm. A fear of looking like everyone else is a problem all companies must deal with. While it’s extremely important to present the consumer something they are familiar with, there’s a very real danger of becoming so much like your competition that any differences that could help you stand out become background noise.
So the real question is how do you stand out from the rest of the pack while at the same time keeping that connection with your target market? The answer is by being rebellious without going to extremes simply for the sake of looking different. Think about your current display again and ask yourself what would make a customer choose your booth over all the other vendors in attendance. Don’t be afraid to take chances and mix things up a bit. Focus in on those things that make you different and bring them to the forefront. Give your target market something to get excited about, something that will create a buzz among the crowd.
If you are tired of your trade show display looking like everyone else’s and are ready to stretch the boundaries of what is considered the norm, then maybe it’s time you spoke with one of our personal project managers. Experts in trade show design, we believe that no idea is too wild and no suggestion is too small. Dare to be a rebel!
Tags: custom designs, Custom displays, marketing advice, trade show advice, trade show design, trade show experts
Posted in marketing tips | No Comments »
Monday, March 7th, 2011
That cold snap that came through the last couple of nights really did a number on your pipes. You got up to take a shower this morning an you immediately noticed the change in water pressure. As that sick feeling began to take over, you slowly made the march towards the basement already aware of what you would find waiting for you at the bottom of those dark stairs….moments later phone in hand you do what must be done and that’s call a plumber for help with the 5 inches of water that is quickly rising.
All that running a around trying to get the plumbing fixed left you exposed to the elements which in turn made you a prime target for the flu. Within days you’re running a fever of a 105, can’t hold anything down, and can’t afford to use any more sick days. As much as you hate it, the only choice is to call the family doctor and get back on the path to good health.
Meanwhile the water that was filling the basement went from 5 inches to 10 by the time the plumber finally made it. The result left a crack in your foundation which won’t easily be fixed. A call to your home insurance agent gets a time setup to meet and a promise that it’s not as bad as you think. As he hangs up the phone the agent promises you that things will be back to normal in no time and the claim should go smoothly.
Just like in the scenarios above, at some point a problem gets so out of hand that we all must seek help from the professionals. For small business owners trying desperately to see the light at the end of that long economic tunnel, The Godfrey Group is here to help when you need us the most. From our expert design team who go out to their way to ensure your satisfaction to our display rental program which makes it easier than ever to try new ideas to our extensive library of designs with tons of concepts to choose from, we understand how tough the market is these days and we’re here to help. Whether it be an outdoor tent covered in your own personal logo, an information display with tons of room for pamphlets and brochures, or an easy to transport simple to install popup display; regardless of what your needs are if you are having trouble creating sales than it’s time to call the professionals and let Godfrey save the day!
Tags: Custom displays, Custom graphics, Display Booths, Event Planners, expert advice, fabric structures, inflatables, information display, kiosk, kiosk displays, kiosks, marketing tips, outdoor displays, popup displays, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, trade shows, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, marketing tips | No Comments »
Friday, March 4th, 2011
I’m not a huge fan of reality shows, but I must admit finding myself addicted to such cooking competitions as Top Chief, Chopped, and Iron Chief. There’s something about making the perfect meal that keeps me striving with every dinner to do better than the last. For the most part my love of cooking isn’t about the taste (though it’s no secret that all chiefs love to eat) but instead at least for me it’s all about the flavors. There’s something about the way basic ingredients have a way of coming together to create a unique dish. A dash of salt, a touch of thyme, pinch of dill….added at just the right time without forcing it; as the ingredients begin to come together they form something greater than the sum of their parts.
If you think about it a successful tradeshow is a lot like a one of a kind meal. Just as a cook must begin by pulling together the basics of the recipe such as garlic, flour, chicken; so too does an event planner as they prepare for what types of materials to take, the size and shape of the display they will need, what type of approach to take that will ensure they get people’s attention. A successful trade show isn’t put together overnight no more than a seven course meal is done within minutes. What designs will get you the most attention? Should you go with the custom designed fabric structure or will a kiosk suit your needs more?
If you are getting ready to hit the trade show circuit, maybe you’ve been asking yourself lately as to what ingredients you will need to get the job done? Thankfully Godfrey is here to help and we’ve got just what you need to cook up a successful tradeshow. With tons of designs to choose from and a design team eager to help, it’s time you took the next step in the process and let us help make your next event a success.
Tags: custom designs, Custom displays, Custom graphics, custom kiosks, customer service, Event Planners, Exhibitors, Exhibits, fabric structures, kiosk design, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade show kiosk, trade show success, trade shows, unique trade show display, workstations
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »