4 Tips to Planning your next outdoor event

Outdoor Event planning can be as much about preparing for the unanticipated weather as it is about planning the actual event.

You can't control the weather on event day (even if you wanted to) and you can't ask mother nature to not spring an unexpected thundershower, tornado, or heat wave on you. But what you can do is be prepared with the right outdoor promotional gear than you are in even better shape to start the day and have a smile on your face.

To keep you on track here are just a few tips to help things go smoothly whether it's your first or hundredth outdoor event:

1. Check weather records. If you can't postpone the event due to an unsightly day of weather at least you can be prepared. Our custom printed logo event tents will do just the trick on those sweltering sunny summer days and rainy day or evening events. Our portable event tents come in 10ft x 10ft, 10ft x 15ft, and 10ft x 20ft sizes. Or have a beach event then check out the newly added Branded Umbrella, perfect for beach events or outdoor restaurant and bar decks.

2. If the site is local and it's a first time event spot for you then take a moment to think about visiting the site beforehand. Watch it over the course of a day/night and figure out how the sun moves, in accordance with existing shade-ability, so you can plan for sun exposure, shade structures, and lighting after dark. Then you can gauge how your booth area should be set up to maximize your outdoor advertising dollars.

3. Think about the little extras to help your event staff. Like a branded water cooler (ask us - we got those too!!) , a first-aid booth, mosquito zappers, sunscreen samples – think some little things that will keep your attendees and event staff s comfortable and happy as possible.

4. Think about the venue area from all points - as a passerby attendee and from the attendee just walking in. Can they see where you are right off the bat? That's why you shouldn't forget to make sure all can see where your event space is located with the branded outdoor sail flag. We offer many shapes and sizes for you to choose from. Ask about our Empire single pole event banner. It's just under 19ft tall and commands attention from any point!

Androscoggin B2B Trade Show June 12th - It's not too late to order your Trade Show display!

It's that time of year again!! 

The annual Androscoggin Business to Business trade show
happening @ the Colisee, Lewiston Maine on June 12th! 

Stop by and visit us for some

FUN IN THE TROPICS at Booth 536 & 537! 

But, it's not too late to get your last minute order in today. We have many products
with a 3 business day production time so order by Monday, June 9th.

Visit www.AffordableDisplays.com to shop now

Stop wondering what your Exhibitor's Handbook is trying to tell you!


Ever wonder what terms like drayage, dim weight, raceway or net square footage means in your show exhibitor booklet?? Take the guessing out with the Glossary of Trade show Terms.

Scan through these A-to-Z alphabetized definitions the next time you need to decipher your exhibitor booklet.

Check it out here  Glossary of Trade Show Terms
The exhibit industry has a unique language all its own. Learn to speak it fluently with our A-to-Z trade show glossary.

Exhibiting at the same trade show year after year...good or bad?

You're standing in your booth space, scanning the trade show crowd and you feel somewhat surprised at how many people stopped their everyday business to attend the show.  Coming from local and faraway places and yet all are there for the same reason.  But does exhibiting at that same trade show year after year with so many familiar faces seem tedious and repetitive? Do you feel your efforts are worth it in the end? 

Well, repetitive exposure even if to the same people, is an important piece for any successful Trade Show!  But what if you don’t have the ‘WOW’ in your Trade Show display you wish you had, 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 strategies to keep your business looking fresh and new at the same shows because the point is: repetitive exposure is reinforcement of strength in both presence 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: Focus on the Product.
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 detergent, 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: Focus on Service.
Have great customer service and keep on proving it. Highlight your best services that make your customer's happy to work with you again and again. 

So, even if you think you don't have something new to say or exhibit, step back and really think about it. The point is: you can find something new by looking what you already have in a different light.