Thursday, July 29, 2010

How to FIND Tradeshows Fast

How to find Tradeshows Fast!  We've taken the guess work out for you.  Click here to use our Trade Show Finder to get in touch with the latest trade shows all around the USA!  It's fast, it's easy and it's all FREE.
Give it a try today.  Locate the show when you want and where you want.  It's all online so access the finder from work or your home office.  It's that easy.
While your on http://www.affordabledisplays.com/ take a look at our Trade Show products.  And our exclusive Maine Made Products from table top to full size, counter and towers.  We've got your next show covered.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

When to stop looking and start buying a Trade show display

Remember as a kid how it was frustrating to get started on that report for school.  I remember when I was in the 5th grade.  I had to complete a report and a draw a poster about the extinct dinosaur Brontosaurus.  I had to research the facts like, for example, they are herbivores.  Their necks needed to be long to reach the tops of the trees kind of link the modern day giraffe.  I remember having a hard time ending the research and beginnning my report.   This brings me to today's topic: how to start researching a trade show display, when to stop researching and when to take the plunge and buy.

First step in research is knowing the questions to ask in narrowing down what style that suits you and your company best.  Here are 8 - that's right - 8 questions to ask yourself.

1. What are the long term goals?  Do you have multiple shows lined up or none at all?

2. How many people will need to attend each show?  This will help on what type of booth you choose.  One, two, three, etc. people to set up?

3. How many shows are out of your state - as in travel plans?  Will the booth need shipping cases?  If so, how many and will they be shipped ahead of time or need to be taken on a plane or in a car. 

4. Do you have a budget?  If so, what's the magic number.  If you've deligated the research part, make sure you inform that person of the budget they'll need to work within.  Don't save it for last.

5. What type of product or services are your promoting?  This is very important in choosing the right display.

6. If you have a product to display, how will you display it? Will you need shelving, podiums and so forth.

7. When the display is being stored can it instead be used at other events? Maybe have it set up in your entryway or meeting room. You don't just have to pack it away.

8. Lastly, will the booth you're eyeing fit in the space you are renting? 6', 8', 10' or more...

You're now 8 steps closer to narrowing down the right display for your specific needs.   Now you should be right on top of the display that's right for you - it's time to stop researching and purchase the booth and it's accessories.

Remember, time might be running out as the show date rapidly approaches on your calender.  It's time to purchase, it's now or never, it's go time, it's on, ready-set-go.  Your nervous and you have every right to be - especially if its your first time.  But, if you use the 8 points we've outlined above the best display will be easy to decide to buy.

Good Luck!

Not just another Trade show company

Affordable Displays does not just sell tradeshow banner stands and other exhibition equipment displays, but in fact, we are the only manufacturer of 80% of our products and we also offer in-house printing and continually inspect the graphics before they are sent out, making certain that our clients only receive the best quality graphics.

Our company is a family owned and operated company and as such, we have deep-seated family values and we focus on quality and on offering our clients a top choice of eye-catching and appealing tradeshow exhibits and displays. Affordable Displays has been in operation since 1994 and over the last 16 years, we have provided the tools necessary, such as the tradeshow banner stands, table coverings, literature racks, life size cutouts and full size displays to make any tradeshow a resounding success.

When it comes to tradeshow banner stands, Affordable Displays offers several different configurations, such as the double-sided retractable stands, the single-sided retractable and the non-retractable stands. In order to view the full details and prices of the tradeshow banner stands, feel free to visit the Affordable Displays website, http://www.affordabledisplays.com/, and make you choice on the right tradeshow banner stands for your exhibition.

Other than the very effective tradeshow banner stands, Affordable Displays has also created package deals, called Trade Show Display Kits.  These all inclusive packages contain their most popular display models that will fit within your 8' or 10' show space. 





Friday, July 2, 2010

Trade Shows WORK

Dear Partner,

Please join us in a nationwide movement and campaign to revitalize and re-invigorate the tradeshow industry.

Unfortunately, as you are challenged to increase sales with fewer marketing dollars, tradeshows and events are often cut from your marketing programs. Collectively, we can help influence and educate our clients that tradeshows and events still represent the best and most meaningful way to connect with key customers. Face-to-face marketing accelerates the sales cycle and still represents the best dollar-for-dollar value versus other competing media/marketing vehicles.

With this movement, the goal is to collectively communicate that TRADESHOWS WORK! As part of this campaign, we will be placing this logo on our website, store front window, marketing collateral and more. Together we can start a trend!

Join us in taking an active role in promoting TRADESHOWS WORK.


Sincerely,
Your friends at Affordable Exhibit Displays, Inc.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

How to let Constructive Criticism be a guide

Step 3 of June's STOP THE ROUTINE MONTH revealed: Constructive Criticism

A post ago we discussed Motivation. We gave you 7 quick tips to stay on track. Today we’ll discuss getting real with how your trade show booth works. It’s about accepting constructive criticism when you can’t see the clear message anymore.

The solution! A fresh set of eyes. To know where to begin with how your current booth is working you’ll need to ask and outer source – someone who is not related to your business or industry is best.

Give your ‘fresh set of eyes’ a good look at your exhibit booth and materials. Ask yourself these questions:

What do they notice first?

What impression do they get of your company?

What emotions do your graphics evoke?

Record their impressions and compare how they measure up to your marketing objectives. This fresh set of eyes will be viewing your booth the same way the attendees do - with no prior knowledge or preconceived notions of how the exhibit is 'supposed' to look.

:: Case Study ::
Custom Service Solutions, Inc.,
2320 Colby St., Brockport, NY 14420

Recently, we had one of our returning customers, Custom Service Solutions, came to us with an idea. They wanted a small self-standing sign to distribute to the machine vendors that will attending the same trade show as them.

They submitted their own artwork and asked our opinion. We asked, “What’s the main goal?”: to inform customers about a drawing for a free Firetrace System. Our comment back: there is no clear, single message, there may be too much going on. So, with a bit of discussion Custom Service Solutions decided to allow us to come up with a single targeted message.

 BEFORE












AFTER


















Here’s our point: by opening up the door for constructive criticism Custom Service Solutions ended up with a clear, concise design that will draw customers in to ask “How can I qualify?” Thus, in turn opening the door to obtain a lead, close a sale, or boost their ROI for the show.

Many times we have looked at our own exhibits so many times that we don't 'see' them anymore. A fresh set of eyes may make all the difference in the world. Have someone who is in no way related to the trade show industry or your company look at your exhibit or marketing materials.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Trade Show Displays and Beyond

Ever think how many uses you could use your trade show display for?   They are not just for exhibiting only.  Spread your dollars wider, the opportunities for uses are endless. 

  • Exhibiting
  • Advertising
  • Retail/Store Fixtures
  • Mobile Advertising
  • POP (Point of Purchase Displays)
  • POS (Point of Sale)
  • Demonstrations
  • Merchandising
  • Office Greeting Area
  • Indoor Kiosk
  • Educational Events
  • Intimate Meeting
  • Network Luncheons
  • Military Recruiting
  • Holiday Specials
  • Food Sampling or Demos
  • Fundraisers
  • Sporting Events
  • County Fairs
  • Customer Service Information
  • Media Relations
  • Employment Services
  • Marketing and Sales
  • Author/Book Signings
  • Corporate Events
  • Church Program Information
  • Shopping Malls
  • Supermarket Sales
  • Hospitality
  • Security Checkpoints - Airports, Hotels
  • Municipalities
  • Non-Profit Agency Information


Monday, June 21, 2010

You + Motivation = Trade Show Exhibit Success

According to Wikipedia, Motivation is the activation or energization of a goal-oriented behavior. You already know the goal: Trade show success. So are you actively trying to complete the steps you’ll need in order to achieve this success. At this point, only you know. But when it comes down to exhibiting at the show all attendees will know what kind of motivation you truly had. Prepared? If not, let’s get motivated.

What can you do to enhance your motivation and awaken the power that will push you toward accomplishing trade show success?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Set one major goal for the trade show along with a few minor goals. The minor goals will act as small stepping stones heading towards your major goal. An example of a major goal is: to obtain X amount of new contacts at the show. Your minor goals are the road map to get those X new contacts - a giveaway entry form, a sign up sheet to your newsletter, product or information mailings.

2. Understand that finishing what you start is important. Whatever you start must be finished. Develop the habit of going to the finish line. Keep a running list of goals with dates on completion. Plus, keep it in plain view to look at each day.

3. Ask around. Know of someone else attending the show. Pick their brain on what steps they are taking or plan to take. Then mold their advice to fit your needs.

4. Don’t procrastinate. Procrastination leads to fewer accomplishments. Need a flyer printed; don’t wait until 2 days before the show.

5. Persistence, patience and not giving up despite failure and difficulties keep up the motivation to succeed.

6. Constantly affirm to yourself that you can and will succeed.

7. Visualize yourself at the show feeling great about the steps you’ve taken. Be proud!

Ask us at Affordable Exhibit Displays how having the right trade show display can also help your motivation.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Trade show branding vs. routine. Which side are you on?

Let's clear this up right away.  The repetition of doing the same thing, using the same display and graphics at every show you've ever been to is NOT branding.  It's boredom.  Effective branding is not just a logo or certain color scheme; it's not a product either.  A brand is a promise of a clear-cut benefit and value that is fitting to your users.

To effectively promote your brand to your users does not mean you need to keep with the same everything.  It can mean change too.  Take a large corporation for instance, for example, ExxonMobil.  They've been in business for over 125 years.  Check out ExxonMobil's history here.  They've changed their logo over the years as often as needed to keep up with the current market.  And it hasn't slowed the company's progression.

So, really it's okay to take your trade show routine in a different direction.  In fact, you really should Break the Routine all together today.

Launch your next show by breaking your trade show routine.

Routine is comfortable, it's safe and it's a rut you don't want to be in especially at a Trade Show. Trade show should be everything else but routine.

Say you go to X show each year, you bring the same display using the same graphics, you hand out the same literature even use the same giveaways, you may even wear the same clothes. By now I'm sure your're pretty bored. And so are your customers!!

June is STOP THE ROUTINE MONTH!

Look for our next 5 posts to reveal 5 steps to help you break your way out of the trade show rut you may be in and make this year's show a complete success.