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How to Brand Your Business at a Trade Show

September 25th, 2018 Comments off

Branding Your Business at a Trade Show

There are many reasons to attend a trade show in your industry. Not only does it get your brand name “out there” and in front of potential clients, but you’ll also learn from the other vendors. There is a sort of camaraderie at trade shows that you won’t find elsewhere. While your competition might also have a presence, it doesn’t mean you won’t also make valuable connections and learn how to present your business even better.

If you’re just getting your trade show marketing rolling and trying to convince your boss or client of the value of trade shows, point out that while it costs only $142 for a face-to-face meeting with a prospective client, it costs $259 for a meeting in that lead’s office. Not only do you have the opportunity to meet new potential clients at trade shows, but the cost of gaining a new client is also lower.

Once you’ve decided to leap into the trade show arena, you’ll want to ensure your booth is the absolute best it can be. There are eight distinct things you can do to brand your business at a trade show and beyond.

 

1. Grab Their Attention

The number of booths at a trade show varies. Some of the largest events may have hundreds of exhibitors, but some of the smaller ones may have under 50. No matter how many other booths there are, you have to grab attendees’ attention if you want them to stop by your booth. Bright colors, an excellent location and beautiful signage are all keys to success.

What can you do? Start by thinking about how your signs look from a distance as well as up close. You should reach people from a variety of positions.

 

2. Train Your Staff

Studies show that about 85 percent of the success of an exhibitor directly ties back to the way the staff performs. Take the time to train anyone staffing your booth thoroughly. They should be as passionate about your business as you are and able to answer any questions prospective clients have. The way you approach attendees may vary depending on the personality of your brand, but everyone on the staff should have a similar approach to customers stopping by the booth.

Conduct many training sessions before the event arrives. While it isn’t good just to have a memorized spiel — it’s potentially off-putting to people if it sounds rehearsed — it is good to have staff learn the full facts about your products, your services and your company. Ideally, booth staff should also wear the same uniforms so they are easy to identify. A uniform might be as simple as a company shirt and black slacks.

 

3. Stay in the Consumer’s Mind

One key to gaining traction from a trade show is finding ways to make your brand memorable. It’s good to stay in the consumer’s mind, but you don’t want it to be because you’re overly pushy. Hand out promotional items. About 85 percent of those who receive a free promotional item view the brand in a positive light. If you give them a product they’ll use frequently, they’re likely to think of your brand each time they use the product.

 

4. Make Your Booth Interactive

If you want to pull attendees into your booth, find a way to make it fun and interactive. They are also more likely to remember your brand if they had a great time visiting your booth. Make sure what you put in place matches your brand. For example, if you sell golf clubs, setting up a putting green and letting people try out your putters is an excellent idea. If you sell website services to businesses, the putting green doesn’t make sense for your booth.

Find something that puts your product or service in the hands of event attendees and shows them why you’re the best in your industry.

 

5. Integrate With Technology

We live in a mobile technology world. About 95 percent of Americans own a cell phone and 77 percent own smartphones. As people pass by your booth, they are likely to have a mobile device in their hands or pockets. You can use this to your advantage and reach them on a technological level.

Use signage to tell them about an app they can download. Create a hashtag for your event and encourage photo ops in your booth. When you think of unique ways to integrate with their smartphones, you’ll reach them “in person” now, reach their online social media followers and feeds later, and generally remind them who you are and what you do.

 

6. Run a Contest

A contest allows you to give one of your cool products away to a potential customer. It also gives you an opportunity to collect contact information from people who are interested in what you have to offer.

The smartest tactic is to offer one of your products or a service package as the contest prize. If you just offer something generic like a vacation, and you aren’t a vacation planner, then you’ll get entries from everyone. Instead, you want entries from your target demographic. Make sure the prize is something people in your chosen audience would want.

 

7. Don’t Be Afraid of the Competition

Don’t be afraid of the competition at a trade show. See the event as an opportunity to scope out what your competition is doing well and what they might be missing. There may be gaps you can fill that your competition hasn’t thought of. You also have an opportunity to set yourself apart with anyone who stops by your booth.

Around 91 percent of event attendees state that trade shows influence their buying decisions by letting them comparison shop between similar companies.

 

8. Follow Up Right Away

Once the event is over, demonstrate your excellent customer outreach skills by contacting the leads you’ve connected with. A simple email, a postcard or even a phone call goes a long way toward securing your brand in the mind of the consumer and showing that you care about gaining their business. A little extra effort here results in additional customers you otherwise might not reach.

 

Trade Shows Are Worth Your Time

Trade shows are worth the time and cost if you approach them strategically. Train your staff, create an eye-catching booth and understand that the goal isn’t always to land a customer at that moment. Instead, the result you’re aiming for is to make connections that lead to lifelong customers down the line.

 

About the Author:

Lexie Lu - Author

Lexie Lu is a web designer and UX strategist. Her work is featured on Marketo, Manta, Creative Bloq and Design Roast. Follow her on Twitter @lexieludesigner.  

 

 

 

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Why to Purchase Xpressions 3D Portable Pop Up Displays

February 17th, 2015 Comments off

Xpressions 3D Portable Pop Up Displays Offer Versatile Exhibition Solutions

With a wide array of portable modular features and visually striking HD printed dye sublimation fabric graphic panels, the Xpressions 3D Portable Pop Up Displays offers exhibitors a complete catalog of creative and customizable trade show booth design solutions for all portable trade show display needs.

Xpressions 3D Portable Pop Up Displays are the original, versatile, and dynamic flagship Xpressions Pop Up Display product line. The Xpressions SNAP is comprised of sturdy and lightweight aluminum supports intended for use with custom fabric skins. The components of the aluminum pop up frame are attached with strong magnets, and the folding accordion design enables quick and effortless pop-up assembly on location. The SNAP! includes a dozen integrated standard size frames and larger planes for integrated eye-catching tension fabric graphics. The graphic skins are interchangeable, and no tools are needed to remove skins for washing or changing them out when you update or create a new display design.  Also, the popup frame can be assembled in a multitude of different 3D designs, depending on the size and shape of the desired trade show display layout. This makes the Xpressions SNAP! design perfect for use in a wide variety of settings and uses, including merchandise displays, marketing communications, expo booths, exhibitions, special events, sales meetings, product introductions, conferences, and trade shows. No matter what design you choose, the Xpressions SNAP! will enable you to present a polished and sleek image.

Xpressions 10' SNAP! Pop Up Display

 

The Xpressions Connex Portable Display Line, available in 10 foot and 20 foot varieties, are spin-offs of the basic SNAP! system. Connex is a 3D fabric pop up graphic wall that is modular and versatile with shelving insert options, monitor screen attachment and frame attachment clips that allow multiple 3D sign display walls. The shelves are especially useful for displaying prototypes, merchandise, samples, or even giveaways.

 

xpressions connex pop up display system

 

Xpressions 3D Portable Pop Up Displays also offer the option to print your logo and brand images on sheer see-through fabric skins for an additional modern 3D graphic layered look. These stretch pop ups that feature solid fabric graphics panels with sheer print overlays; provide depth and make font, logos and images pop for maximum visual impact. The 3D Xpressions sheer printed stretch display panels are ideal for featuring artistic patterns or texture designs that provide an enhanced 3D branding effect, like water droplets or snow flakes.

Xpressions Salesmate Table Top Displays

The Xpressions SalesMate is the “mini” table top display option in the Xpressions 3D portable pop up display product line. Like the Xpressions SNAP! frames, the smaller SalesMate is a versatile and dynamic product for sales presentations and HR recruitment fairs, that’s lightweight and compact enough to fit inside most professional briefcases and hand bags. In fact, the 3D SalesMate table display is even smaller and more portable than table top banner stand displays, and is intended to be displayed at sitting eye level. Xpressions Salesmate portable presentation fabric displays provide maximum effect for a more modest price.

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Xpresssions Backlit 3D Pop Up Displays

Xpressions also offers backlit options for their portable trade show displays. By selecting add-on LED light box hardware kit, you can truly turn heads and attract extra attention from illuminating your brand with dye sublimation printed vibrant illuminated branding. Xpressions 3D LED light box graphic enhancements are installed directly on the aluminum pop up frame and can remain in place during booth breakdown and storage. However, the backlit graphic skins are best removed from the frame prior to breakdown to avoid unattractive wrinkles or creases. Because backlit displays require an electrical power sources for operation, the Xpressions 3D LED pop up system might not be suitable for all exhibition hall locations.

 

xpressions backlit fabric pop up display graphic skins

 

If you are looking for an exhibition solution to create 3D signage space, Xpressions 3D portable pop up displays are an ideal fit for many marketing teams. This creative 3D versatile trade show display also offers an innovative free-standing lightweight monitor stand kiosk package and attractive stretch fabric portable counters that also utilize the 3D design elements from the original Xpressions SNAP! system. Regardless of your trade show branding needs, the Xpressions line surely offers a booth layout integration solution that will meet your exhibiting standards.  Chat online now with one of our Exhibit Consultants for more information and pricing.

Trade Show Marketing For Small Businesses

December 17th, 2014 Comments off

There Are Many Marketing Challenges For Small Businesses

Small business marketing is an ever changing process that seems to get more complicated each year.  In 2014 there seemed to be a large push for fully automated CRM’s that include online marketing solutions.  The interface design is ideal for small businesses that want to automate all of their online marketing needs.  Do they work?  I have had some great feedback about Infusionsoft, but have had terrible feedback on some of the lower cost alternatives.

Small Businesses Must Remember The Importance Of Trade Shows

Regardless of the latest online marketing trend, most small business can’t afford not to stay relevant with their customer base.  One of the few advantages small businesses can have over their large competitors, is client relationship and service.  Getting face to face with current and future customers is the best way to sell yourself, your product, and why it’s important to choose you over the big guy.  We created a custom trade show marketing for small businesses Infographic that highlights ways for small businesses (like ourselves) to attract trade show attendees.  Tips include pre-show marketing and marketing tips at the trade show.  In addition to the cited resources at the bottom of the Infographic, exhibitoronline.com is another fantastic resource for anything trade show marketing related.

small business trade show marketing infographic

Three Trade Show Smartphone Apps

October 6th, 2014 Comments off

Adding the right smartphone apps make trade shows more efficient

With all the planning and organization that goes into any marketing event, it’s easy to forget about your smartphone.  As someone that helps companies plan their trade show’s, I have found that smartphone’s are a valuable tool for helping exhibitors function efficiently while preplanning and while onsite at the show.  This is a list of three valuable trade show smartphone apps to use while exhibiting or attending a trade show convention.

CamCard

One of the made purposes of attending a trade show is to make new contacts with people in your industry.  With that being said, a large stack of business cards can be a pain to manage and it’s highly possible to misplace to most valuable contacts.  Camcard is a free mobile app that allows you to take pictures of business cards and then the app directly inputs and saves the information into your smartphone.  In addition, you can add custom fields and notes for each contact.

camcard trade show app

Track My Budget
Everybody knows that attending or exhibiting at a trade show can be expensive. The more effectively you can track your spendings the more likely you are to not go over you preferred trade show budget.  Track My Budget will track all of your spendings as it relates to your budget. This app allows you to set up custom categories, such as meals and flights, and then categorize your transactions. You can enter your total travel budget as Income and the app will show you how much you have spent and how much cash remains in your trade show budget.  In addition, the smartphone app allows you to enter certain expenses (such as breakfast or your morning coffee) as recurring so that you don’t have to enter the expense manually each day.

trade show budget tracking

Expensify

This app I use everyday for tracking all my expenses so it’s no shocker it works great as a trade show app.  This is a free app for keeping track of all the annoying paper receipts and extracts all of the information and inputs it into your phone.  You also have the option of entering data manually. Once it’s tax time, you can easily compile expense reports from the collection of receipts.

tracking trade show expenses

 Utilizing these three app should help you organize and budget better before your next trade show.  Another great app that deserves mention is Mapme.net.  This app allows you to track your vehicle allowing you to know it’s exact parking garage location.  Never again be stuck searching multiple parking lot levels to location your vehicle.

indianapolis display companyQUESTIONS? CHAT ONLINE OR CALL 317-565-2255

 

Why are people using hanging trade show signs?

January 24th, 2014 Comments off

Why do we suggest using hanging trade show signs?

The objective of exhibiting at a trade show can vary but generally it is to promote yourself as well as your business, to gain clients, and drive sales.  The objective of the trade show display is to draw people towards your space, to keep them there, and make you look professional and stand out from the crowd.  Adding some depth to your booth space can help attract people into your booth space from the walk way but what if you want to attract people from across the room or conference center?

This is where hanging trade show signs can help you achieve your objectives in a way other products can’t.  You don’t have to worry about sight lines taking away from your brand with a hanging sign.  This also adds another dimension to your trade show display, height.

Once you’ve made the decision to add a hanging sign to your display, you will still need to consider a few things.  What shape will work best with your space and design theme?  What size will you need?  Do you want the capability for the sign to rotate?

Shapes:

We have a variety of shapes to fit all your needs, from a circular design, tapered circular (larger at the top, smaller at the bottom), ellipse oval, three varieties of triangle (regular, tapered, and curved), square, and a curved square design.

Tapered Circular Hanging Signs

Tapered Circular Hanging Sign

Sizes:

The sizes available are different for each shape, but typically come in three different lengths and widths but may vary by product.  The signs can range from 8 – 15 feet long and 14” – 48” tall but will vary by the shape.  These products pack a big punch but are very portable and easy to assemble.

Rotation:

The ultimate luxury is to have a hanging sign that rotates.  Not only will your logo be displayed above your competition, but it will be visible from multiple angles, with a rotation hanging sign, your logo will be visible from nearly anywhere on the trade show floor meaning you won’t have to worry which

Curved Square Hanging Signs

Curved Square Hanging Sign

side your logo is facing.  Exhibitors comment on how the rotation of the hanging sign not only looks great but also draws a lot of attention from prospective clients.  The rotating motor comes in three different sizes to go along with the size of the sign, the larger the sign is the larger the motor capacity needs to be.  No matter the size, the standard rotating speed is 2 RPM.

Companies spend a lot of time and money trying to differentiate themselves from the competition.  Hanging trade show signs are a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition at the perfect time, in front of a large grouping of your top potential clients.

CLICK HERE to visit our Hanging Trade Show Signs page.

 

 

Exhibit Line Display: The Modern Trade Show Display Exhibit

January 3rd, 2014 Comments off

Key players in the industry have grown aggressive in securing their own market share. Entrepreneurs have created ways on how to leverage their own strengths as they also seek ways on how to expand their current customer base and how to maximize all the other opportunities that are present in the market. One of the identified ways that is deemed to be effective in achieving all of these objectives is joining trade shows. Trade shows showcase and highlight the participating companies’ products, services, and offers. Participating in trade shows gives you the opportunity to capture your target market.

Just as much as the market has evolved through the years, trade show exhibits have also evolved as modern strategies, methods, and materials have been created. More display platforms and techniques have been introduced.

What is the Exhibit Line Display?

The Exhibit Line Display is one of the most popular innovations in trade show displays. It is a modern-looking exhibit that is made from aluminum and laminate exhibit display hardware.

Trade shows usually require a minimum amount of manpower for the display set up and for the actual exhibit. For companies who want to be cost efficient with their display package, the Exhibit Line is a good option. It is portable and is very easy to set up and you do not have to compromise your exhibit’s aesthetic appearance.  The entire Exhibit Line’s product range is designed to be set up without the need for tools.

The best and most in demand feature of the Exhibit Line is its ability to give your exhibit the modern and trendy look that will surely make you stand out from the rest. Its structure is made from custom modular aluminum extrusions that will give your trade show display the contemporary and corporate vibe that will attract new customers and will please your existing clientele.

The Exhibit Line Display Kit

The kit includes a custom flat laminate canopy that can hold 6 halogen lights.  You just need a 48.25T shipping case as your package for the entire trade show. Weighing only 56 lbs., the Exhibit Line Display is undeniably one of the most sought after trade show display systems today.

The Exhibit Line Display uses a dye sublimation graphic that is printed on poly knit fabric. The ability of this graphic is to sketch between the main custom modular extrusions without leaving fabric wrinkles once you already display it on the frame.

The entire product range of Exhibit Line carries all has a one year warranty. You can choose from the following accessory options:

  • Monitor Mounts
  • Exhibit line kiosks
  • Exhibit line counters
  • Literature shelves

10×10 kit princing includes the following:

  • Aluminum frame
  • Tension fabric graphic mural
  • Canopy header with halogen down lighting
  • Frosted plex header with graphic print
  • Frosted plex wing
  • Detailed set up instructions
  • One durable 48.25T shipping case with wheels

Another key feature of the Exhibit Line Display is its Green Display System wherein we use our eco friendly facility to ensure that the Exhibit Line product range is manufactured with minimal waste by using sustainable or recyclable materials. This is our own way of paving the path for a green and sustainable future.

10ft Exhibitline Display Kit

10ft Exhibitline Display Kit

20ft Exhibitline DIsplay Kit

20ft Exhibitline DIsplay Kit

 

20x20 Island Exhibit Kit

20×20 Island Exhibit Kit

For more information on Exhibitline and other display products, please visit www.indydisplays.com

 

Portable Trade Show Counter Options

October 30th, 2013 Comments off

Indy Displays offers a full line of portable trade show counters.  Choose from simple pop up display counters and pedestals to custom modular counter stands.  Trade show counters are an important of any displays and are crucial to completing the overall look of a trade show booth.  Below are two modular trade show counter options.  These are designed to be used with out 10ft Exhibitline Displays and 20ft Exhibitline displays but work well with our pop up display options and retractable banners.

Exhibit Line Trade Show Pedestals

 NLC1 – Locking Trade Show Counter – This portable counter has two internal shelves with a locking door.  The shape has style with a tapered base.  The countertop is 38.5” and sets up in under 10 minutes.  NLC1 is available in 5 different laminate colors; Jett Black Crystal, Graphite Nebula, Silver Alu MetalX, Designer White, and Fusion Maple.

 V-Lead Trade Show Pedestal – The V-Lead Pedestal has a sleek look that will add to any display.  A modern base with a tapered front gives you a workspace with minimal effort.  Two exposed shelves allow for easy to access storage.

Exhibit Line Trade Show Reception Counters

 RD45.2 – RD45.6 – The RD reception counter comes in various sizes based upon the 45 degree panels.  Two panels make the RD45.2 while six panels make up the RD45.6.  Infill panels can be switched out to change up a look or for a quick fix.  The counter is put together using thumb screws so no tools are required.  The reception counter can help add a custom look for your company in your booth space.

To see all of our trade show counter options, please visit us at www.indydisplays.com

10ft Exhibitline Display with locking trade show counter