Trade Show Finder from Affordable Exhibit Displays

Have you ever wondered what other trade shows are going on within other U.S. cities and beyond. 

According to the CEIR, the number of 2010 events held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico total 14,451, with Medical and Health Care exhibitions hold 17.6 percent of the total and Business Services at 10.4 percent.


But, where are they taking place?  Affordable Exhibit Displays offers a FREE Trade Show finder you can use at anytime.

Easily search by show name, city, country, or even by industry listings.

Tradeshow Finder is conveniently located on our website www.affordabledisplays.com

Exhibition Industry Census

CEIR’s Exhibition Industry Census provides the statistics needed to accurately identify current involvement, plan strategies, set legitimate goals and precisely measure progress. The data can also provide business intelligence on market changes and how to position a case for organizers in locating an event in a city and for civic and facility leaders to build a case for new construction, expansion and renovation.
The Census contains data on all exhibitions occupying at least 3,000 net square feet of space and with at least 10 exhibiting companies - including both B2B and consumer exhibitions. The Census includes data for Canada, and for the first time, Mexico. View sample report.


Exhibition / Convention Center venues host the majority of events:
Venue / Percentage
Exhibition / Convention Center 41%
Hotel 39%
Conference Center / Seminar Facility / Other Not Classified  20%
Totals: 100%

Affordable Displays works on new Table Top Display

CALLING ALL COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, CARRER FAIR AND JOB FAIR ATTENDEES!

We are working on developing a Table Top Display with you in mind.
- Carry bag w/ graphic pocket included
- Travel friendly
- Fabric covered for easy graphic changes w/ velcro
- 8 Fabric colors to choose from
- Produced with in 3-5 business days

We'll keep you posted on its progress and unveil photos!

Until then...

Here's a few photos of other displays just completed.

Focus on this, focus on what?

Scanning the Trade Show crowd sometimes can be surprising at how many people stopped their every day business to attend the show. Coming from local and from far away places but yet all are there for the same reason.

Yet, year after year attending that same trade show with so many others may seem tedious and repetitive and you feel so what’s the point in all this effort…

BAM! Well, that’s the point to a Trade Show.

But what if you don’t have that ‘BAM’ in your Trade Show, what if you don’t have that ‘something new’? What’s the point then?

The point: if nothing else, a Trade Show is no better a place to form new relationships while maintaining and reinforcing the existing relationships.

Here are FIVE strategeies to keep you and your business going. Because the point is: reinforcment of strength in both presense and relationships.

Tip 1: Focus on Features. Does every user of your product or service know it completely from the in to the out? Doubt it! Try taking your most overlooked features and push them. Get them recognized as a 'new' benefit.

Tip 2: Focus on the Future. Is something new and exciting coming but not quite there? Are you starting to focus on eco-friendly processing but it's not quite ready to unveil how. Start the buzz talk now, ahead of time, to get your new and old prospects talking and especially wanting that new service or item. Jump start it now.

Tip 3: Use the Proctor & Gamble strategy to make something old something 'New and Improved'. Here and there you may notice they use that on their laundry detergeant, shampoo brands, etc. If you have changed your product and it is New and Improved well say it. No need to reinvent the wheel when you can just enhance what you already have.

Tip 4: Focus on the People. Take your best faces and best workers and put them out there. The ones who make your products, the ones who make your services run smoothly. Put a face on the action behind the scene.

Tip 5: Foucs on Service. Have great customer service. Keep on proving it. Highlight your best services that make your customer's happy to work with you.

So, the point is even if you think you don't have something new to say, step back and really think about it. You will find something new based upon what you already have.

Tips to Improve Your Trade Show Image

Introductions… where do I start?

Establishing an instant bond is crucial when introducing yourself. A little thought and practicing can go a long way in achieving the best YOU that you can give.

Meeting new people is something everyone in business deals with on an ongoing basis and it all seems like common sense as to what you should do. Here is the simple stuff: smile, make eye contact, and maybe even offer a nice confident handshake.

Do you do it every time you meet someone new? Probably not. Here are the reasons why you should. Try a nice bright smile (fresh breath too) which is inviting and creates the feeling of a warm positive vibe. Eye contact shows you are focused on listening and you care. A controlled handshake demonstrates self confidence; a minimal squeeze is all that is needed.

You offered a smile, made the eye contact and shook hands. Now, what do you say?? Being a specialist in your specific field is what sets you apart from the rest. Properly conveying what you ‘specialize in’ can make or break the interest from a potential client standing in front of you asking, “What do you do?” Your Goal: respond with a well-chosen description to engage them in conversation.

Let’s start with some examples. Take a lawyer for instance. When you hear someone say “I’m a lawyer” your automatic thought is a question. What kind of lawyer are you? Stop the questioning in advance with your well thought out response. Try this, “I practice entertainment law and I draft contacts between film and production companies and movie stars.” Now that gets your listeners attention.

Or let’s take a writer. “What do you do?” Response is “I’m a writer.” Again, well, what kind of writer is the question that will instantly pop in your listeners mind. “I work with non-profit organizations writing their monthly newsletters that are sent to their sponsors.”

Specific and to the point is what you need to aim for in your response. Work out what you do by coming up with a few responses that will pique your listeners curiosity to make them want to talk to you longer. Hook, line and sinker.

Remember… practicing does make a difference in the quality of your actions and responses so start rehearsing in the mirror or to your spouse or friend. You may even chuckle while doing it creating the warm vibe you are aiming for.

Designing your Trade Show Booth - How to Stand out in the Crowd

Typical trade shows are loud, crowded and filled with colorful distractions. How do YOU stand out? Just like good advertising, effective trade show display graphics can make or break your show image and impact upon the passers by.

3-D marketing comes to LIFE! This is an advertisers dream: interactive, touch, feel, use and see all right out there for you to use. And for a sales person, there is nothing better!
You may have tried these medias to get your name out there:
> Newspaper ads: small with little creativity allowed along with a broad audience that can flip the page in seconds
> Brochures: very specific and full of color but may get lost In the paperwork shuffle
> Billboards: large and eye catching with a broad audience traveling by in seconds
>>> A trade show display is unlike any other media allowing you to provide large images full of color and pizzazz AND all in front of your target audience with you standing right there to catch the sales. At a trade show you have 3 SECONDS… that’s it. That is all the time you have to spark the passers by and inspire them to ask questions that convert into sales.

BUT HOW? YOUR MAIN GOAL: APPEAL TO YOUR CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS AND WANTS. A message that is short and to the point is the best angle to take. Here are some tips that may ignite the creative side in you allowing your company to display its best image.

1. Photos or illustrations? Photos are always preferred over illustrations. Photos are more credible, easily understood and have a bigger impact with the consumer. Take your own photos or for more generic photos use high quality stock photography. Good websites we have found are www.bigstockphoto.com or www.istockphoto.com.

2. Colors and tones:
> Limit the main colors to less than three
> Complimentary colors = red + green, orange + blue, yellow + purple
> Monochromatic colors = several shades of the same color are harmonious and stable
> Cool colors like blue, green and white are professional yet they may not be attention grabbers
> Warm colors like yellow, orange and red attract more attention but use them wisely since overuse can cause an overload and defeat the purpose

3. Words, words, words… how many words should be used? Try and keep it under 10 words or less and no more than 5 lines. You don't need to list all your product information on your display; that might lead to information overload - save the details for your handouts. Lead with your strongest benefit first then the next relevant benefits to follow – if you have a 30 year warranty and no one else does, then shout it out! Most importantly, keep to your branding guidelines and keep all text within the top half of the display design.
Some simple tips to follow:
> A single sentence, phrase, or word
> Use concrete facts that are a benefit – what makes you different
> Your tag line or one sentence that says it all
> Bullet lists are always a great way to show benefits

4. Utilize power words (power phrases or action verbs) - these are words used to help make a statement stronger and will effectively state your products benefits.

Use power words such as:
> Exclusive or Ranked
> New or Uncovered
> Sold or Established
> Or in a phrase such as:
> Power, Performance and Speed
> Guaranteed on time, every time
> Save time. Save Money.

5. List your Website as the contact instead of your street address, phone or fax numbers which most likely won’t be remembered. Display your website by making the name a different color than the “www” and “.com”. Or if multiple words make up your website, try displaying it like this: www.AffordableDisplays.com. Capitalizing the first letter of each word will make it easier to read.

6. Here are some don’ts to keep in mind:
> Don’t use highly technical vocabulary unless you are certain the reader will understand
> Don’t use font types that can not be seen from a distance
> Don’t use long paragraphs
> Don’t use low quality photos (such as from the web), they will only take away from your design

Final note: clearly communicating your company information in as few words as possible will benefit you in the end. Showing large, high quality photo(s) & colors will promote your products and make it easier for people to remember you.

Lastly, add lighting to help brighten up your booth space to draw the focus to your display design. This will create a warm inviting atmosphere that will attract your prospects to you.


ACT NOW!
Don’t get caught in the embarrassment trap at your next show, start planning ahead! Take your display out now and check to see if your display and design covers all the bases mentioned above. If it doesn’t then you’ve got some work to do.

Now is the time to create the positive buzz at your next show, whether your display is new or old.