Posts Tagged ‘portable trade show display’

Happy Earth Day 2011!!! Time For An Eco-Friendly Trade Show Display!!

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

It’s finally here! The day we’ve been talking about all week long has finally arrived and it’s time to celebrate!!! Happy Earth Day 2011 from The Godfrey Group! All week long we’ve been showing you how to turn your next trade show presentation into one that is earth friendly with the help of our environmentally friendly trade show displays. Today we want to want to cap things off with a campaign that is sure to change the world for generations to come.

It’s called The Billion Acts of Green campaign and it’s more than just a way to show your support for all things earthy friendly, it’s a movement that is destined to show the entire world that change can happen.  Kicking off in 2010 during the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day, The Billion Acts of Green is a campaign in which ordinary people just like you and me pledge to take action to save the environment one act at a time with the goal of reaching 1 Billion acts by the start of the 2012 U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012.

This is your chance as an a small business owner, as a trade show traveler, and an individual concerned about the effects of the population on the environment to step up and commit to taking steps to make this world a better place. Just check out some of the things others like yourself are committing to doing:

*Switching to energy efficient light bulbs

*Riding their bikes to work

*Planting a community garden

*Buying from local farmers

Now that we know what others are doing, what can you do as a small business owner? Right away we know a couple of things, switching to an environmentally friendly display or a trade show display that is lightweight and will cut back on travel expense (which leads to less gas being use).  How about scheduling events which are close together and eliminating some of the back & forth trips? Next time why not filling your information displays with brochures made from recycled paper? The trick is to be creative and stick with your commitment. Together one day soon we will be one billion strong united in our support for world change!

Everyday is EARTH DAY with an environmentally friendly trade show display!!!!

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Welcome to another Monday with the Godfrey Group where all week we’ll be featuring posts centered around this coming Friday’s other big holiday EARTH DAY 2011!! Started way back in 1970 by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson as a reaction the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, for over 30 years now the holiday has taken place on April 22 and has inspired hundreds of millions to do their part to preserve the planet. Now a global event recognized in 141 different locations, Earth Day is more than just a reason to celebrate this wonderful world we live in. Earth Day is a call to action for everyone on this planet to start doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint.

Godfrey has taken up this call to give back and help preserve the world in all its wonder by offering trade show vendors a quality custom designed trade show display that is environmentally friendly. Imagine attending that next big trade show event being able to proclaim to the masses that everything  they are looking at was especially designed to cut back on the amount of waste that would normally be produced in the production process. From the fabric walls to the custom logo featured prominently throughout, it was all done with the thought that saving the planet doesn’t have to mean settling for less.

Our custom designed environmentally friendly trade show displays feature:

Recycled Aluminum Tubing

Earth Friendly Fabric Graphics

Lightweight Construction For Inexpensive Shipping

Easy Setup

Custom Design & Graphics

The Ability To Create Any Shape And Mood Desired!

Optional Programmable LED Lights

Earth Day is time for us all to come together on a global scale to give back what we often take away without a second thought. If you are a trade show vendor that finds themselves on the road all year long and want to do your part in saving the environment, the time to order your custom designed environmentally friendly trade show display is now!!

3 Must Take Tax Deductions For Small Business Owners

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.

3 Money Saving Tips For The Trade Show Vendor

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

This week we are all about putting money in your pocket and keeping it out of the hands of the tax man. As they say the tax man cometh and this year he’ll be sticking his hand out on April 18th which is less than a week away. For those trade show vendors looking to keep more cash in their pockets, we’ve got a few ideas that just might turn that next event into one that will have you seeing red. So far we’ve talked about our one of a kind custom designed trade show exhibit rental program and today we thought we’d follow up by showing you a few ways to save on expenses while you hit the road towards that next convention.

3 Money Saving Tips For The Trade Show Vendor

You don’t always have to fly the friendly skies- While jumping on an airplane may seem like the most convenient form way to get to that next trade show, the bite it will take out of any profits you might make is simply just too big. Believe it or not if you are only traveling a distance of 500 miles from your home base, a rental car or even a train may be cheaper alternative. Yes gas prices will cost you a bit, but airlines are known for charging more to get you to those places which are not considered major hubs. This means that you might save a ton by deciding to hop a train or rent a car to go that next event in Hoboken rather than paying extra to the airlines for having to go to a smaller city.

Combining trips may just help you cut costs- One of the great things about so many of the custom trade show displays offered by Godfrey are their extreme portability.  This can make a huge difference when you to take into account that scheduling events that are close together is a great way to save you tons in terms of travel costs. It only makes sense to hit events that are nearby to one another rather than criss-crossing the country covering the same ground needlessly over and over again.

An alternative to expensive hotel rooms- Obviously you want a hotel close to your event to allow for the most convenience, but you might consider looking for any corporate apartments nearby. Sure you may have to give up some of the traditional courtesies that you no doubt would receive from traditional hotels and suites, but the savings is more than worth no having a valet or complimentary breakfast

Playing The Trade Show Name Game!

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

In today’s fast paced world forgetfulness seems to becoming more and more of an issue. How could it not be  what with all the information that is thrown at us on a constant basis. Consider all the things you have to try and remember in the course of a day: The kids have to be at school by 8 (remember Jr.’s science project), got a meeting first thing at the office so you gotta go over those notes, after that the sales report is due on the boss’s desk, need to get that new quote package out to that customer you’ve been itching to get your foot in the door with, work through lunch, T-ball game at 5, promised to pick up the dry cleaning, schedule a finance meeting in the morning, quick bite to eat with the family, then back to work for a couple more hours before you pass out and do it all over again. It’s information overload to say the least.

Now take an entire day’s worth of things that you can’t forget and add 250 names to the mix. Why 250 names? Because you’ve got a trade show scheduled for this week and that’s how many people you’ll be shaking hands with. Each with their own concerns about your product; each with the potential to be the next big sell.

As we mentioned on Monday, this week we are talking sales tips. A custom designed trade show display will get you way ahead of the game, but if you don’t know how to approach the customer you’re dead in the water the moment they start wondering what all the hype is about. There’s nothing that will spark a connection like remembering someone’s name. Calling a person their name says to them you care about them and the connection that was first made was real and not just a gimmick to get them to spend a few bucks.

Playing the name game

The name game is simple. The moment you meet someone start taking mental notes of the things that set them apart from the rest of the customers you’ve met that day. Once they have left, write those mental notes down along with their contact info. It might be an unusual last name (Frankfurter), a funny story they told in passing (Tanya and the garden), talk of their son or daughter(jenny plays baseball). It could be a particular way they walk (fashion model Catherine), a particular product design they wanted (the red striped option Henry), or as simple as something they wore that day (blue suede Sammy).

Whatever it is that sets them apart from the rest, before you forget jot it down so that when the time comes to call on them you can immediately fall back on the previous conversation and pick up where you left off. In no time a difference will be seen in those sells numbers as the relationship you started at that trade show begins to grow and produce fruit!

Tips For A Better Trade Show Presentation

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

Trade shows can be stressful for the most seasoned of professionals to say the least. For those just starting out they can be a downright nightmare. You want to be prepared before you arrive so you immediately start doing your homework; the demographics of those attending the event, what they will be looking for, the best way to present your product to them. In terms of exhibit design, you’ve worked for months with a designer and have created a custom built trade show display that is sure to be a home run. Featuring your company’s unique logo and complete with tons of counter space, room to demo products, and a place to pass out brochures; from a design standpoint everything is just how you imagined it. The big day shows up, the doors open, people begin to flood the convention center…and…and suddenly you freeze. Your mind goes blank, the color drops out of your face, and you’re as lifeless as a cardboard cutout.

Everyone lets their nerves get the better of them at times and stage fright happens to everyone at some point. The trick is to know how to shake yourself out of it and turn a terrifying situation into a successful trade show.

Tips For Shaking Stage Fright

  • 1) Know it when you see it- It’s easy to fall into a trance and continue stammering along in some type of shock. The hard part is knowing when you are losing control, accept what is happening, and quickly regain that confidence that got you to where you are.
  • 2) Don’t imagine the worst- Focus on the moment, take a few deep breaths, and lean on what you know. Nobody knows your product better then you do, so fall back on all that knowledge and tell those customer why you are about to change their world
  • 3) Relax- Sure it seems impossible when you are there in the deep end, but by taking a step back and gaining some composure, in no time you’ll start to have some fun. Don’t get so caught up in the pressure associated with the event being a success and just let things happen. In no time your personality will start showing through and people will be lining up to see what you have to offer.

So many times we put these tremendous levels of pressure on our backs and expect the world to change overnight. Remember to relax, take a step back if you need to, stay focused on what you know, and don’t forget that success isn’t always instantaneous.

Our Displays Are A Work Of Art!

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.

Tips for cleaning and storing outdoor tents

Friday, March 25th, 2011

 

This past Sunday March 20th was special for many reasons (my son’s 5th birthday) but among those certainly one of the most important was the official beginning of spring 2011. Winter 2010 was one of the worst since such things were tracked and you can almost feel the entire country breathe out a sigh of relief and take in the smell of nature coming alive once again. For trade show vendors who spend their weeks bouncing from one outdoor festival to another, some of the most anticipate months of the year are now here. Before hitting the road though, it might be a good idea to set that tent up now otherwise you may be in for some unwelcome and costly surprises if you wait till the day of the event.

 

Tips for cleaning and storing outdoor tents

 

*Before taking that outdoor tent out for the first trip of the season, go ahead and set it up back at the store. Not only will this allow you to see if there’s been any damage since you last used it, but it will also give the tent a chance to air out. In fact airing it out may not be a bad idea after every trip.

 

*Beware of using any types of detergents or cleaners to remove spots on the tent. First try a sponge and some warm water. If that doesn’t do the trick go to the camping section of your nearest retail store and ask if they have any type of cleaner that won’t damage the material or ruin the design.

 

*Once the tent has been cleaned, don’t be so quick to put it in storage. Anytime the tent gets wet, it’s best to make sure it is completely dry before folding up in order to avoid problems with mildew and rusting on the poles.

 

*Store the tent out of the sunlight. Nothing will hurt a tent like constant exposure to the elements and this includes that sun that is beating down on it all day. When looking for a place to store the tent until it’s needed look for a dry place out of direct sunlight which doesn’t see much in terms of drastic changes in temperature.

 

Unfortunately constant exposure to the elements will eventually take its toll on any type of outdoor display no matter how well taken care of. When that time comes and you find yourself in need of a quality outdoor event tent or outdoor kiosk, Godfrey is here and willing to help.

Cut Expenses With A Custom Information Display!

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.

Trade Show Ideas For The Budget Minded!

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!