Don't Toss That Old Booth in the Landfill!

We all know, change is inevitable. Logos change, marketing directions change, products change — and sometimes you just need to upgrade your trade show booth. So, how do companies decide what to do with their old booth when it's time to upgrade but still want to stick to their eco-friendly principles?

The earth friendly principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle also apply to trade show booths just as much as they do elsewhere. We'll also add another term to the list: Refurbish.
Reduce — Reducing your trade show booth's impact on the environment can be accomplished by investing in better-quality, longer-lasting and lighter booth materials that don't have to be replaced as often and don't cost as much to ship. Some environmentally friendly materials are available for pop-up displays, fabric panel displays and eco-friendly printing media for banner stands. And when you choose these materials, you'll reduce your overall trade show booth impact on mother nature.

Reuse — When you design your trade show booth, consider ways to make it reusable. For example, if you can use the same graphic to represent more than one product or use it to attend more than one trade show, you've extended the life and usability of that booth without incurring additional expense.

Recycle — Of course, there will be times when you really have to start from scratch, and this gives you the opportunity to get creative. Consider donating the booth to a nonprofit, a school, church or company that may not otherwise have the funds to afford such an item.

Refurbish — There are times when the expense of a new trade show booth are not necessary when all that's needed is a well planned out remodeling effort. If your booth is looking a little, shall we say, used and abused, Affordable Exhibit Displays can update your graphics, resurface fabric panels and add new elements of your booth that give it a renewed, fresh look for your upcoming trade show season.

Remember, keeping your booth in tip top shape doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the environment. Plus, following practices that help the environment may also save money for your company in both the short run and over the long term.

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%

Mainebiz Momentum Convention TOMORROW 10/20

The Mainebiz Momentum Convnetion is happening TOMORROW, October 20th at the Augusta Civic Center! Haven't purchased a convention or exhibition hall pass? It's not too late, visit http://www.momentumconvention.com/ to pre-register or visit the registration desk at the show for day of registration!

Once in VISIT our booth #202P

We'll be there waiting to see you!

Quick tip Trade show Packing TIP!

When getting ready to travel to a trade show, pack your displays and booth items with quick setup in mind.

The things you'll need first for setting up your booth should be on the top when you open your boxes. At the bottom of your boxes should be the last things you'll need for setting up.  Don't forget to fold any fabric items nicely to diminish the wrinkles.

Trade Shows: Why Exhibit? Read the TOP 22 Reasons

Trade Shows: Why Exhibit?

Top Reasons why Exhibitions Are Key to the Marketing Mix

1.91% of attendees rank trade shows as “extremely useful” as a source for product purchasing information.
Source: Simmons Market Research Bureau

2.The vast majority (87%) of survey respondents state that national exhibitions are an “extremely useful” source of needed purchasing.
Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research 2004 report entitled “Decision Makers Prefer Exhibitions”

3.79% of attendees say that attending shows helps them decide on what products to buy.
Source: Exhibit Surveys, Inc.

4.91% of attendees say that trade shows impact their buying decisions because the competition is in one place allowing for comparison shopping in real time.
Source: EXHIBITOR magazine, 2006

5.91% of attendees tell us they get the most useful buying info from trade shows and events.
Source: Skyline Exhibits, 2006

6.Trade shows are the #1 sales or marketing medium for quickly overcoming objections and accelerating the buying process.
Source: Skyline Exhibits, 2006

7.On average, 77% of all qualified attendees represent a new prospect and potential customer for exhibiting companies. The results from this study have been consistent for the past 20 years.
Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research report entitled “Exhibitions Attract Market of Visitors with Buying Authority”

8.In 2007, an average of 82% of exhibition attendees reported that they had buying influence for exhibited products.
Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research report entitled “Exhibitions Attract Market of Visitors with Buying Authority”

9.Approximately two thirds (63%-70%) of trade show attendees place a high level of importance on face-to face interaction during the pre-purchasing stages.
Source: CEIR's six-part study series entitled, “The Role and Value of Face-to-Face Interaction”

10.When asked the question “Which marketing mix components do you find most effective in achieving [specific] objectives?” respondents answered overwhelmingly that exhibitions are more effective than business-to-business advertising, public relations, direct mail and telemarketing.
Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research Report from research conducted by Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group report titled “Exhibitions Are More Effective in Achieving Sales/Marketing Objectives: The Power of Exhibitions II: Maximizing the Role of Exhibitions in The Total Marketing Mix”

11.76% of attendees rate face-to-face meetings with potential new vendors very or extremely important.
Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research as presented to the Major American Trade Show Organizers January 22, 2003

12.Trade show visitors will tell 6+ people about their experience.
Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research

13.87% of exhibitors rate face-to-face very or extremely important in marketing to prospects.
Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research as presented to the Major American Trade Show Organizers January 22, 2003

14.Overall, face-to-face interaction is of high importance to over 60% of attendees along most of the purchasing and customer relationship stages of the continuum.
Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research

15.97% of all qualified attendees represented a new prospect and potential customer for exhibiting companies.
Source: Exhibit Surveys, Inc.

16.The cost of contacting a prospect in the field is $308, which does not include the cost of identifying that prospect prior to the sales call! The cost per visitor contacted at a trade show is $212!
Source: Simmons Market Research Bureau

17.85% of decision makers say attending trade shows saves their company time and money by bringing vendors together under one roof.
Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research

18.Trade shows cost 38% less than sales calls for generating a sale.
Source: American Business Media, 2006

19.Trade shows are the #1 business-to-business marketing spend to support sales, beating out specialty publications, internet, promotions and PR respectively.
Source: Market Reality eSurvey

20.The average total cost of closing a sale in the field is $1,080, while the cost of closing a sale to a qualified trade show prospect is $419.
Source: Trade Show Bureau

21.Trade shows allow exhibitors to show their full product range in real life rather than a catalogue. Let buyers use all five senses to gain a full appreciation of your product and gain immediate feedback on products.
Source: EXHIBITOR magazine, 2006

22.Trade shows provide valuable insights on your current and new competition.
Source: American Business Media, 2006

According to the AEM, these are the top reasons. 

22.Trade show booths from Affordable Exhibit Displays, Inc. are able to be transported easily, set up quickly, and viewed with envy by all.  Call us today!
Source: Affordable Exhibit Displays, 2011

What is yours?  We want to hear it.