Trade Show Strategy – Get a Lead or a Customer

I came across the following video on YouTube that is pretty good at explaining the end goal for going to a trade show.  That end goal is to get a qualified lead or a customer and how a company accomplishes this goal can be varied.  After watching the video I do want to comment on how to go about capturing the prospects information at the show.  The simplest way to gather this data is to solicit business cards however, this really doesn’t help you identify who is or isn’t a lead.  An entry form that qualifies the prospect is a better solution and should be required for entry into the drawing.  Furthermore a sales consultant should review this form to ensure its accuracy before submission.  Enjoy the video.

A Smash Hit! Trade Show Displays specializes in portable trade show displays, roll up banners, pop up display systems, tradeshow signage, tension fabric structures and custom trade show exhibits.  Let us make your next event A Smash Hit!

LCD Projectors, Projection Screens and Trade Show Displays

If you’re looking to use an LCD or DLP projector at a trade show you’ve experienced the challenge of trying to incorporate a screen into your booth space.  Most companies use a separate screen that ends up looking like an afterthought, however, with a little planning you can create a custom looking exhibit that eliminates the use of a separate screen altogether.  Below you will find images of two different displays we’ve designed that have an integrated projection screen built into the trade show graphics.  Both of these displays use a straight pop up displayand mural graphics as the screen is much wider than what could normally be transported as a Velcro or detachable graphic.  You must use a straight pop up frame because a curved frame would create multiple focal lengths for the projector.  In other words, the image, when projected, would be out of focus as parts of the screen are closer to the projector than others.  It is important to make sure the integrated screen matches the projector screen ratio of 4:3 (standard TV) or 16:9 (wide-screen or HD) so that the image fills the space.  If we can help you with a projection screen trade show display please let us know!

Managing Your Trade Show Activities

Planning and managing trade shows can be quite complex especially when you look at the amount of information needed for just one show.  Multiply that data by the number of shows you attend each year and you quickly realize why having an effective software program can make like simpler.  Below are two such programs that can help you manage your trade show activities.

Exhibit Force – ExhibitForce is the most comprehensive exhibit and event management web-based application on the market today. It offers online real-time inventory of assets, budgeting tools, ROI calculators, links to tradeshow resources, event calendars and all necessary features to assist your tradeshow/marketing program. Being web-based, it places all event management on one platform thus bridging the gap of communication and creating a virtual file folder, available 24/7 from around the world.

TRAQ-IT- Tradeshow management software by TRAQ-IT, makers of TRAQ-IT Online and TRAQ-IT Desktop software. TRAQ-IT provides exhibitors with the state-of-the-art solution for planning, organizing, managing and reporting their event and tradeshow activities.

The Trade Show Tracker- Complete trade show exhibit and event planning software that uses and is written in Microsoft Excel.
Trade Show Booth Product Highlight
With today being Valentines day I though I would highlight all the various color options for pop up displays.  Why, because all I’m seeing today is RED!  You see lots of Black, Gray and Blue exhibits, however we do offer 54 colors for pop up displays, including two shades of red so don’t be afraid to use color.  Click here to see all the various trade show fabric colors.

What’s your weakest “Trade Show” link?

Most of you are aware of the quote, “You’re only as strong as your weakest link”.  When evaluating your trade show strategy have you identified your “weakest link” in order to improve?  Might it be your display, outdated, bad graphics, etc.?  Maybe it’s the lack of having a plan?  If there is a “worst weakest link” it would have to be “people”.  This is the curse of death because even if you have the perfect pre-show campaign, a beautiful display and a plan, we “humans” can easily screw things up!  Don’t let that happen by having pre-show meetings as well as daily “morning” meetings at the show to access how well things are going.  These “morning” meetings will also encourage your booth staff to get to bed early and get a good nights sleep.

Trade Show Display Product Highlight
Pop Up Displays are the most common type of trade show display in use.  Why are they so popular? Pop up displays that are 10 ft wide or narrower usually pack in one wheeled case that can convert to a table or podium.  This simplified system of rolling in your display, setting it up, and rolling it out makes them very convenient.  Although you will find many different pop up displays on the market, they aren’t all created equal.  Smash Hit Displays pop upsare offered with various case options giving exhibitors lots of sizes and styles of tables that can be created with the cases.  In the end, you should by the exhibit that best fits your needs.

First Come, First Served – Tips on Getting Prime Space for Your Trade Show Display

Whether you have a pop up display, banner stand or custom trade show display you want it to be seen.  One of the most effective ways to be seen is making sure your booth is in a prime location.  Here are some tips on making sure you pick the right space!

1.) Sign up for your booth space at this years event.  Don’t wait until next year so while your at the show this year go ahead and reserve space for next year.  This gives you first choice for your booth space.
2.) Analyze the floor plan.  Look at the floor layout for next years show and identify entrances and exits.  Most people tend to walk into a exhibit hall walk to the right, however, there may be other displays setup that cause traffic to walk to the left.  Make sure you identify these on the floor plan.  Front right gives you the highest number of fresh attendees who are alert to understanding your companies benefits.
3.) No floor plan available?  Make sure the association or production company is keeping tabs on a pecking order of who signed up and paid first, second, third, etc.
4.) Stay consistent with your booth location, unless it can be improved.  Attendees may become familiar with your location, so don’t move unless your space can be improved.
5.) Never move your booth space after show brochures have been printed.  Attendees use the show guide to find your booth space so don’t move once its been printed.

Trade Show Booth Product Highlight
Smash Hit Displays is proud to introduce all full line of trade show flooring, from interlocking carpet tiles to custom printed logo carpets we can really make your display A Smash Hit!

Ten Steps to Choosing the Right Trade Show Display Products

Going to your first trade show can be a daunting undertaking. Planning the Who, What, When, Where and How can prove to be a larger project than many expect. A trade show is essentially a temporary office space and the tools (furniture, walls, signs, etc) needed to conduct business in this temporary space are trade show display products. Below you will find ten steps that will help you plan your requirements and choose the right trade show display products.

 

1.) Build a Requirements and Wish List

 

A Requirement List is the “nuts and bolts” on what needs to happen at the show. This list should include what is needed to interact with your customer or prospect including employees to work the booth space. First state the objective and then the requirements. For example, if you want to demo a feature of your website you need the following.

1.) Demo Website

a.) Computer System

b.) Demo or Computer Stand

c.) Electricity

d.) Internet Access

e.) One employee

 

A Wish List should include every imaginable concept or idea on how you would like to market/advertise the above requirements. The best way to create this Wish List is to hold a meeting of employees from different teams within the company. Your booth space should incorporate unique experiences so let the creative juices flow. You have complete control over the look of your booth space including temporary back and side walls, flooring, furniture (including tables and chairs) sans any regulations of the show or local laws. Think about these elements as you create the Wish List. Many of these ideas will quickly be deemed impossible, but they will lead to new possibilities. For example, you may wish to hire Hollywood stars to work your booth, but with high-five figure appearance fees it probably won’t work. This idea could lead to a “movie set” display theme or possibly renting costumes to dress up like
Hollywood stars.

 

2.) Estimate Pricing for Valid Wish List Items

 

Once the Requirements and Wish List has been created rank these by order of preference and contact you trade show display distributor. Discuss these options to determine feasibility as well as price. Feasibility is a very important factor with trade show exhibits. The biggest feasibility challenge is making the exhibit portable and easily transportable. Anything can be built to create a unique selling space at the trade show, but if there isn’t a way to get it to the show what’s the use? Work with your supplier to create alternatives to ideas that just won’t work. Also make sure to include estimates for graphics design. Many displays include the cost of printing a graphic, but not the cost of creating the actual design.

 

3.) Revise Wish List

 

Remove any items from the Requirements and Wish Lists that deemed impossible or unaffordable. Re-rank items based on discussions with supplier.

 

4.) Determine Display Products

 

Evaluate which display products fit your needs based of your Requirements, Wish List and Budget.

 

5.) Start Graphic Design Process

 

Once the appropriate products have been chosen you now know your trade show graphic requirements. Many companies realized too late that the look they wanted to create wasn’t feasible in a portable trade show display or from a price standpoint. They either have to start over from scratch or modify their designs which leads to delays and increased costs. For example, a client designs mural graphics for a curved pop up display that incorporates a projection screen only to learn that the curvature of the display makes it impossible to focus the projected image. The client modifies their choice to a straight pop up display, however, the mural graphics have to be redesigned as they are a different size. This results in going over their graphics design budget.

 

7.) Proof and Approve Graphics

 

After designs have been finalized and sent to your supplier make sure to get a proof before printing proceeds. Problems can arise when transferring files like changes in fonts and colors. There are two types of proofs, digital and printed. A digital proof is a scaled down miniature of the graphics that you can view on your computer. This type of proof enables you to approve the overall layout, but not actual printed colors. Many companies have specified Pantone or PMS colors and the only way to approve these is to get an actual printed sample from the actual printer.

 

8.) Order your Display Products and Graphics.

 

This step is pretty much self explanatory. Make sure to confirm lead times as well as estimated shipping time.

 

9.) Receive Display and Check for Damages

 

When your display arrives take a few moments to check the external boxes, cases and or crates for damage. Notate to the delivery company any visible damages and that if any internal damage exists you will be contacting them. Unpack the display and check for any visible damage. If damage is present immediately call the delivery company and initiate a claim.

 

10.) Perform Initial Setup

 

If possible, setup the display immediately after delivery. This can help avoid the following two pitfalls, unseen damages and missing pieces. Assemble anyone at your company who will possibly setup the display and go through the process of setting up and taking down the display one piece at a time. Make sure to train employees on correct setup and dismantle. The second most cause of damage is improper setup and dismantle procedures.

 

In conclusion, following these steps will make choosing and creating a unique trade show display much easier!

 

About A Smash Hit! Trade Show Displays

Founded in 2003, A Smash Hit! Trade Show Displays is a leading Internet distributor of trade show display products primarily servicing North America. As a wholesaler we can offer display products at half the price as local suppliers. We offer full graphics design, graphics printing and can work on displays as small as tabletop units to large island style displays.

Congrats to our American Idol Elliot Yamin

Yes, I’ve become an American Idol nut, I’ve watched the show on and off since the first year because of the love for music that I have, but ironically I never voted. I didn’t vote until I learned that one of our own, that is, a Richmond, VA native, was in the competition. Many of you may now know of Elliott Yamin and his souful voice and incredible performances. I personally think Elliott represents the best of what a person should be. Elliott is humble, very talented and very appreciative of those who have helped him get to where he is today. I have a feeling that he’s one of those kind of guys who would never let you down. I don’t think anyone showed the grace, appreciativeness or celebrated his accomplishment after he was voted off the show much to our demise. In the end, all of the top five contestests were extremely talented, however, I’ll venture out on a limb and say that our Elliott will have the biggest impact on the music industry for Season 5 of American Idol. That trend and the recognition of talent has already started. For example, just read the reviews of the compilation album on Amazon! Everyone comments that Elliott’s song hands down shows how talented he is…FYI: for those of you who don’t know Elliott is 90% deaf in one ear which can dramitically affect how well you can sing.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B000FIM2EO/ref=cm_cr_dp_2_1/102-0177256-6082517?%5Fencoding=UTF8&customer-reviews.sort%5Fby=-SubmissionDate&n=5174

All in all, we are very proud to have Elliott represent us Richmonders! Way to go you “Funky White Boy” as Paula Abdul so aptly said!

P.S. – In order to give this post some relevance of display related content. American Idol uses LOTS of pop up displays with Mural Graphics as backdrops when they hold auditions all across the country.

Hmmm… Do Guys Read Manuals?

What we learned today? September 29th, 2005

A military client called with a broken frame. Essentially, they have multiple soldiers utilizing the pop up display booth. The last group to use the display assumed they didn’t need to read the instruction manual for proper procedures on set-up/tear down.Because they neglected to read them they didn’t know the proper methods and thus broke the frame in a couple places. This could have easily been avoided.Just the simple act of reading the one page instruction sheet can save your business essential time and money it takes to return the display frame for repair.

Always take the time to read attached manuals to familiarize yourself with the product.