Posts Tagged ‘Trade Show Displays’
Monday, October 18th, 2010
Every couple of weeks the rumor mills gear up, the blogs begin posting their theories, and the 24-hr new sites can’t help but spread the buzz as word begins to spread of yet another major announcement by Apple. The latest event occurred less than a month ago and brought us the new iPod design along with a better version of Apple TV, both of which left half the planet salivating the moment the first designs hit the web. Now comes word that this Wednesday will be yet another historic day in terms of what the electronics giant has up its sleeve. Best guess as to what will be revealed include a new version of the Macbook Air “the world’s thinnest notebook”, a new operating system, or something as simple as a software upgrade. Regardless of what will be offered though, Apple succeeds repeatedly where others fail…they capture our attention by building up the mystery.
As a company that regularly makes the rounds on the trade show circuit, there are a few Apple inspired things you can do to help build a little mystery of your own. The first thing you need to do is come up with something people want. It could be a new line of products that you are waiting to revile, a lower price, or a even a new contest. Once you’ve come up with something people want to see, it’s time to spread the word. Reach out to every contact, every friend, every person that ever signed a visitor sheet at one of your exhibits. Tell them where you are going to be and promise them an announcement that they will just have to see to believe. Finally on the day of the trade show, cover the landscape in teaser ads that are designed to leave people with no choice but to see what all the fuss is about. Place posters outside the event center, electronic information displays inside the main entrance, or if possible a billboard sign similar to the Truss System all geared toward pointing people in your direction.
Everyone loves a good mystery the same way we all hate to be left out of the crowd. By building an air of mystery around your next trade show exhibit you create a feeling in the consumer that a major opportunity will be missed out on unless they visit your exhibit. If you need more proof that a little mystery can do wonders just tune in Wednesday when Apple makes their latest announcement…I know I will.
Tags: Apple announcement, Apple TV, booths, conventions, creating buzz, Custom displays, Custom graphics, Display Booths, iPod, iTunes, kiosk displays, marketing tips, mystery marketing, portable trade show display, potential customers, Trade Show Displays, unique trade show display
Posted in marketing tips | No Comments »
Friday, September 24th, 2010
Not to toot our own horn, but Godfrey has been in the custom display business for a long time and we know what we are good at. Sure we can supply you with a literature display that looks like a modern work of art. Yes nobody can beat our pop-up displays and kiosk designs. I dare you to find a rental program better than the one we offer featuring a level of quality better than anyone else. Yet there is one thing that Godfrey does better than all else and that’s our ability to create a custom exhibit just as technical as anything else on the market that is completely portable and looks like it all came in one piece.
A couple of pedestals, a few posters, some counter space, and two or three fabric walls may not seem like much on their own, but put together and what you get is a first class exhibit that is very easy to transport from one location to the next. As we our saying goes “A portable display shouldn’t look portable.” This phrase is more than just a campaign slogan or marketing tag line, it goes straight to the heart of how Godfrey designs every single display it sends out the door. From the moment you click over to Godfrey’s amazing design gallery to that first conversation with your personal project manager, Godfrey begins to narrow down the list of options to the point where the end result is a custom built trade show exhibit that is sure to meet your every expectation. Plus you are constantly kept up to date with what is going on with your display through email, video, and pictures. By putting together all the pieces of the puzzle such as our amazing Truss, Pod Forum, and TechForm systems the end result is a custom built display that looks like it is one complete structure.
If you are a trade show vendor and are looking for a first class custom built display that looks like it was built there on the spot, look no further than Godfrey! Contact us today at 1-800-789-9394!
Tags: booths, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, Display Booths, Exhibit Booth Company, fabric structures, hanging headers, inflatables, kiosks, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
According to some historians the handshake dates all the way back to the days of Camelot when kings and knights would shake a person’s hand in order to make sure no weapons were being concealed. Today the handshake is a sign of respect, a gesture indicating that a deal is done, and for some it’s just as much an indication of who a person is as anything that is being said by them. A proper handshake takes practice and isn’t something you do half heartedly, it takes a commitment to the action and a lack thereof could lead to a major miscommunication.
Types Of Common Handshake Errors
- Make sure you get in there- When shaking hands you want to make sure you complete the motion so that the hands are pressing together in equal proportions. If you don’t commit, the person you are introducing yourself to may get a handful of fingers and it could appear that you are not interested in meeting them.
- Avoid sweaty palms- There’s nothing worse than to stick your hand out only to be met with a cold sweaty hand. Sweaty palms could indicate that the person is nervous or lacks confidence. One good trick for avoiding this is to keep a tissue in your pocket at all times and occasionally stick your hand inside to keep them dry.
- The shake is not a test of strength- While you definitely don’t want to extend a limp wrist to a person you are introducing yourself too, trying to break their hand won’t do you any favors either. The trick is to be firm without squeezing in such away to cause any type of discomfort. A firm handshake exudes confidence, will power, strength, and a bit of attitude. Remember that it’s important to not over due it without appearing weak at the same time.
A good handshake has the ability to make every first impression a good one similar to the way that a custom designed trade show exhibit can also make a person feel an immediate connection with a company. Whether your company is in the market for something portable and easy to put up, an exhibit for outdoor use, or want to show how much they care about the planet by purchasing an environmentally friendly trade show display; Godfrey has just the thing you need to turn that all important first impression into the start of a beautiful friendship.
Tags: communication, Custom displays, customer service, customers, Displays, Eco-friendly displays, first impressions, kiosks, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show, trade show booth, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade shows
Posted in Custom displays, marketing tips, Trade Show Displays | No Comments »
Monday, September 13th, 2010
We’ve all heard the term ‘you never get a chance to make a first impression’, but what happens when it comes time to make that second impression and you can’t remember the other person’s name. With all the chaos that continuously swirls around each of us, it’s easy to understand how we could forget a person’s name, but that still doesn’t make it any less awkward or damaging to the relationship. I use the term relationship here because exchanging names is the first thing that takes place at the moment you meet someone. When you are able to recite someone’s name back to them weeks or months later, that person immediately gets the feeling that the previous encounter between the two of you meant something. That in your mind they stood out among others you met and have placed a value on that encounter.
Still with thousands of people walking past your trade show exhibit every day, it’s not always easy to remember every single person you shook hands with….but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Tips On Remembering Names
- Say It Back To Them- The moment someone tells you their name begin to look for ways to work it into the conversation. For example: “Well that’s a nice dress to you’re wearing Nancy.” “So what brings you out in this kind of weather today Frank?” “Steve I gotta tell ya, this is the best deal of the whole event.” By doing this not only are you making a connection with the consumer, but you’re e also memorizing their name at the same time.
- Ask Them To Spell It- We are a world of unique individuals and to match our individual personalities, we want are names to be just as special, even it is in spelling alone. Christy could be Kristy, Melanie might be Mailenie, Katherine may prefer Catherine. The point is that if you are making notes on whom you are seeing during the event; don’t be too shy to ask how a person spells their name. Again this lets the visitor know you are giving them your full attention and that what they have to say is important to you.
- Give The Name Meaning- In school we are taught that one of the best ways to remember something is to give it meaning. AU is the scientific abbreviation for gold; I know this because someone once taught me the sentence “A-U bring me back my gold!!” Using the above examples: Kristy is spelled like Krispy as in Kripsy Crème Donuts. Mailenie might remind you to check your mail every day. Catherine might be the name of your favorite song which is also spelled the same way.
Remembering a potential customers name is important and so is making sure they remember your name. A custom built display from Godfrey featuring your company’s name and logo all around your exhibit is a sure fire way to guarantee that when it comes time to meet again, there will be no need for reintroductions.
Tags: booths, Custom graphics, customer service, customers, Display Booths, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
We all know that trade show vendors will go to extraordinary lengths to attract attention to their booths. Far beyond custom displays and game props many vendors feel that the best way to attract attention is by putting a pretty face in front of their booths. While an attractive person will definitely get you attention, it may not be the kind you want. In fact scantily clad models bring about three very distinct problems that are hard to get around if you are vendor looking to utilize this type of marketing:
•1. They draw the wrong crowd. The main problem with using a model as the main way to sell your product is that it gets everyone’s attention. Every company has a target market in mind for their product. A segment of the population that they feel is the perfect fit for their product. By placing a model in front of your display, instead of zeroing in on that target market you may find yourself wasting huge amounts of time on people who are just there to see a pretty face and don’t have any interest in what you have to offer.
•2. They ruin your clean image. First impressions mean everything and they are often virtually impossible to reverse because you almost never get a second shot at talking to the customer. If a visitor walks by your booth and sees a model that could be considered inappropriately dressed, that customer could immediately classify you as a company that is less than family friendly. When designing a display for a trade show you want to be as professional as possible at all times. You want custom fabrics, clean lines, and quality video presentations. By putting a less than wholesome face in front of the exhibit you are alienating a large portion of the population.
•3. They distort your message. Once you consider all of the expenses that are involved in getting to, setting up, and promoting yourself at a trade show, the last thing you can afford to do is have people walk away from your booth not knowing what you are all about. Again using a model may get bring the crowd your way, but moments later if asked visitors to your booth might be able to remember what the model looked like, but not what she was there to sell. Models get in the way of what you are there to do and that is burn your company’s name in the minds of hundreds of consumers.
Instead of using a model to promote a product, the best move is to invest in a custom built multicolored trade show display that only Godfrey can provide. With a wide variety of kiosks, hanging headers, and pop-up displays to choose from; Godfrey is the answer to all your trade show woes.
Tags: booth, booths, conventions, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, Displays, Event Planners, Exhibitors, Exhibits, fabric structures, hanging headers, kiosk, marketing tips, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Overhead banners, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
When someone leaves your exhibit they may not be able to quote what was shared with them word for word or tell recite the names of the people they met, but for the most part people do pay attention to the details. Ask any recent visitor to your booth and more than likely you’d receive info on what promotions were being offered, how polite the staff was, and what their thoughts on the layout of the exhibit were. Sure they may miss some of the larger things that were being promoted, but sometimes it’s the little touches that tell people whether or not they would be happy doing business with a vendor. Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth once gave a classic example of how not paying attention to detail can lead to larger issues. The discussion revolved around a liner in the bands contract that specifically called for a bowl of M&M’s free of any brown colored chocolates, “So, when I would walk backstage, if I saw a brown M&M in that bowl . . . well, line-check the entire production. Guaranteed you’re going to arrive at a technical error. They didn’t read the contract. Guaranteed you’d run into a problem. Sometimes it would threaten to just destroy the whole show. Something like, literally, life-threatening.”
Godfrey practically specializes in minor details that are sure to make a big impact on trade show sales and among the best are a couple of items that are guaranteed to light a fire under any customer:
It may not seem like much at first, but an Earth Frame is the perfect addition to any trade show exhibit. There’s just something about the shape of our planet that when used as a logo or prop gives a company a sense of trust and wisdom. When they see a Earth Frame encircled by the shape of the continents the consumer gets an idea that the company they are looking at is a global presences and cares about the world it operates in.
Fire is something else that evokes a specific emotion in all of us. A flame represents hope, a new life, a victory, and a new idea. Nestled atop a fabric column, a fire bowl can often appear so real that many would swear they felt the heat coming off of itand if the vendor isn’t careful that heat might just be enough to set the entire display on fire. As an added bonus the fabric column easily converts to a product pedestal and even supports a conference tabletop.
Trade shows are often far too hectic to allow vendors to do more than make a quick first impression. By designing an exhibit full of small details that tell the customer they are meeting a vendor that truly cares about them, a company has the power to take that first impression and turn it into a lasting relationship. For more information on how to make that perfect first impression, contact Godfrey today and get on the path to higher trade show sales!!
Tags: booth, booths, custom designed displays, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, Display Booths, exhibit tips, Exhibitors, fabric structures, high impact displays, increased sales, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show, trade show advice, trade show booth, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade show sales, tradeshow display, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, marketing tips, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, August 27th, 2010
Earlier in the week we brought you a post all about information displays and how they have the ability to transform into any number of displays depending on what a company needs most. Today’s discussion is going to get back to the idea of information displays being suited for many tasks, but specifically we want to discuss the value of an electronic message system. In today’s world information is key to being successful no matter what business you are in. As individuals we want the latest and greatest news and product info in our hands the moment it happens. It’s as if the time spent having to look for something is time wasted that could be used somewhere else. What an electronic message sign does is it gives people all that they need to know the moment they walk into a building or enter an event. These types of information displays can be used effectively to keep people safe, direct them to where they need to go, or to alert them to an emergency that that requires their immediate attention.
Electronic message displays are programmed by a hand held IR pad or computer, have the ability to store 160 characters per page with 90 pages available, and each page can contain as many as 8 lines consisting of 1.2” characters. Measuring at 26.75” wide, 73” hi, 4.5” deep, using only 90 watts of power, and featuring letters available in red, yellow, or green; this type of information display can be used at many locations including:
- The Bank or other public places to provide the hours of operation, notify visitors of weekly specials or rates, or announce new locations
- Hotels to provide vacancy info, special events that are taking place, or rules and regulations
- Trade shows to point visitors to certain areas of the event or by vendors as a way to give directions to their specific demonstration
- Government offices or on freeway overhangs to provide info on Amber Alerts, impending bad weather conditions, or construction zones up ahead
If information is king than the ability to dispense that information in hopes of saving people time, keeping them safe, and helping to make their lives easier is certainly something that should be looked upon favorably. By adding a company’s custom logo and name to the top of the message they are essentially telling the reader that they care about them and there is something they must know. This concern is then translated into sales when the consumer begins to feel that a relationship exists between them and the company and a bond of trust is created. An electronic messaging display may sound simple, but the information it can provide is priceless when it is used to make a connection with a potential customer.
Tags: booths, Custom displays, Custom graphics, electronic signs, Event Planners, information displays, marketing tips, potential customer, potential customers, trade show display, Trade Show Displays
Posted in Custom graphics, marketing tips, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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!!
Tags: alabama football, booth, booths, college football, Conference Vendor, conventions, custom exhibit, Custom graphics, custom logos, customers, Display Booths, Displays, Event Planners, Exhibit Booth Company, Exhibitors, Exhibits, fabric structures, Godfrey Group popups, kiosk displays, kiosks, literature stands, marketing tips, outdoor displays, pedestals, portable trade show display, potential customer, tailgate party, trade show booth, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade show vendor
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Modular literature displays, Mushroom kiosks, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show game themes, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, August 12th, 2010
It’s the perfect day. The sun is out and a cool breeze blows in your face as you jump on up on your board ready to charge the next available wave. The sounds of Jimmy Buffet and Jack Johnson can be heard just off in the distance. You see your chance. That perfect wave just begging to be tamed. You jump up, get in your stance, and a quick click-flash-print from a nearby camera records the triumphant moment. You’ve got a memory to last a lifetime and if you wish you don’t even have to tell anyone that you never actually went to the beach this year. In fact you were at trade show somewhere in the middle of the country and the entire
surfing experience took place as part of your company’s brand new
trade show exhibit.
While there is a lot to be said about getting your point across, burning the name of your company into someone’s brain will take you a long way. Everyone needs to let loose from time to time and have some fun. Why not be the company at the otherwise boring trade show that brings the party to the people? There’s nothing that people like better than laughing it up with their friends and family just as there are some games that never get old. Imagine a line of people all waiting to take a turn on your
Putt-Putt Golf course or a chance to win a few freebies by stepping up to the
football toss. Why not turn the entire trade show into your own personal event? With the help of a few well placed
posters, a
overhead banner, and a couple
flag stands each featuring your company’s name and logo all pointing in your direction, you can easily create a buzz through the crowd that will send them flocking to see what all the fuss is about. While they’re in line surround them with a
literature display featuring everything they need to know about who you are and before they can play ask visitors to fill out a contact sheet located on a
pedestal at the starting point of the game.
Regardless of who you are or what your product is, by connecting your company’s name and image to a prop or game you are creating a memory in a person’s mind all based around the fun they had at your booth. By making a point to get their contact info before they step up to the plate you are
generating tons of leads sure to last you for months and years to come.
Tags: booth, booths, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer service, customers, Display Booths, flag stands, football, generating leads, literature display, marketing tips, outdoor banners, outdoor displays, Overhead banners, pedestals, photo props, portable trade show display, posters, potential customer, putt-putt, surfing prop, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade show exhibit, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Custom hanging headers, marketing tips, Overhead banners, Poster frames, Promotional Ideas, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show game themes, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
With the state of the market these days if you are company that makes their living off of the leads gathered from trade shows, then you need to be sure that you treat each event as a learning experience. Regardless of whether or not you’ve been to only a couple of shows or two hundred, everyone has something to learn and every vendor has something to teach. To this end today we are going to discuss the importance of a trade show packet and some of the things you can do at your next event that might help you down the road.
Simply put a trade show packet is a series of observations that require you to pay attention to not only how you did, but how other vendors faired. Before you can get started though make sure that you’ve got away to keep the notes so that you can review them from time to time; the last thing you want is to be stuck jotting a bunch of random thoughts down on a bunch of scrap paper.
What worked for you? To say that a trade show can be hectic at times is definitely an understatement. We all know what it’s like when you are slammed and how things can turn around at the drop of a hat. Once you have a moment to catch your breath though, look around your booth and see what all the fuss was about. Did you sell out of anything? Was there a specific style you ran out of first or that people were asking about? Was your display set up to handle traffic accordingly or could you have setup a different way. Did you get any compliments on your exhibit?
What didn’t work for you? Every presentation has its flaws. Even the most customized of displays can miss if the way you present it is wrong. Delivery is just as important as any popup display, portable signage, or custom logo you surround yourself with. If you come across as rude, arrogant, or uncaring all that attention that your exhibit brought will quickly go the other way. In the same respect if you’re not clear and to the point as to what it is you are offering, those that visit your booth may not stick around to find out. A custom display will bring the crowd to you, but it’s your job to keep them there.
What did other vendors do? You shouldn’t have to look too far to see what other vendors at the show are doing. Take a walk and make a few mental notes as to what others are doing. Is anyone using games such as a money booth, Frisbee toss, or Plinko that are attracting a lot of attention? Maybe someone is getting a good response from a photo prop. Whatever the other guys are doing compare that to your own display and see who you think comes out on top. Maybe there are things that other vendors did well that may fit in nicely with your style or maybe you will see some things you are doing also which could be turning customers away.
A trade show packet is kind of like an exit interview you conduct with yourself. Take some time to really think about what happened during your trip, what your impressions were of the event as a whole, and what you might do differently your next time out.
Tags: booths, custom designs, Custom displays, Custom graphics, customer, customers, Display Booths, Display Company, Exhibit Booth Company, Exhibitors, fabric structures, frisbee toss, Godfrey Group popups, kiosk, kiosk displays, marketing tips, money booth, photo props, Plinko, popup displays, portable signage, portable trade show display, potential customer, potential customers, Trade Show, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, trade show kiosk, trade show packet, trade shows, unique trade show display
Posted in Custom displays, Custom graphics, Expert trade show advice, marketing tips, Promotional Ideas, SpaceStation Popup Displays, Trade Show Booths, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show game themes, Trade show popups, Trade Show Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »