Displayit.com's Blog - Trade Show Displays, Booths, & Exhibits

New Modular Trade Show Display Video

We just launched a new video for one of our trade show displays the XRLine display system.  I've blogged about this display a number of times but I thought this video does a great job of showing off this sleek trade show booth.  Enjoy!

How Do You Handle the Guy That Steals Your Mojo?

Today, I'm bringing a question to you.  We recently exhibited at the TS2 show in Philadelphia and we had one of the biggest challenges in trade show marketing sitting right across from our booth.  You know what I'm talking about.  You've done all the work necessary to prepare for your show.  You developed a great theme, a beautiful trade show display, and sent an enticing pre-show mailer.  Your prospects are excited and ready to visit your booth.  Only one problem, the guy across from you is so obnoxious your prospects wouldn't come near your booth even if you were giving away $100 bills.

This guy was unbelievable, he was standing in the middle of the aisle with flashing red lights around his neck scanning badges as folks tried to sneak by him.  We did ok for portions of the show, especially after he left but it was a challenge.  This is one of the times, where I don't have any ideas or answers for you.  I need your help.  What do you do when your exhibiting neighbor is sucking the air right off the show floor?

Video on Great Portable Flooring System

A couple of days ago I posted options for portable flooring at trade shows.  I mentioned using modular flooring squares and we just finished a video that shows our BruMod Tile Flooring system.  These are carpet squares that have a sticky, reusable backing that allows you to simply place them on the floor without any carpet tape.  We used this flooring at TS2 last month and we had the flooring set up in less than 5 minutes.  A complete 10' x 10' flooring section will pack in a single flat-packing case with wheels.  Check out the video:

More Ideas to Create a Special Trade Show Display

Earlier this week, I posted about the importance of creating a display that is unique and special on the show floor.  Mark Johnson, our Sr. Exhibit Consultant always has good ideas about how you can create a unique trade show display.  Today, he asked me to share information about using the basic Exhibitline EX2 in the place of a 10' x 10' Mural Pop-up Display.  Mark makes a strong case for the advantages of the exhibitline.  The price for both packages are very similar.  Here are some of the pros for the Exhibitline system:

1. The EX2 will provide a unique look that will not be seen very often on the trade show floor
2. The EX2 is going to weigh 15 lbs. less than the pop-up package
3. Setup and takedown time will be shorter with the EX2
4. The cost to replace the large graphic will be half of the cost of replacing the pop-up mural

Video of Best Portable Counter

You've seen me blog about what we believe is the best portable trade show display counter ever, the NLC1.  This counter is very easy to set up as you only need to use 10 thumbscrews.  There are no tools required.  The counter is a true locking counter.  Some portable counters have locking doors but can't easily be taken apart.  That is not the case with this counter.  It is also visually stunning.  The sides are finished with beautiful Dibond aluminum and the tops and sides are available in 5 different laminate options.  Watch the video we just created and meet your new favorite portable display counter.

The Value of a Unique Trade Show Display

For those of you that have been to a number of trade shows, you know that most exhibits fall into 4 or 5 basic styles.  Many exhibitors select either pop-up displays, banner stand backwalls, straight portable backwalls, panel exhibits, or aluminum tension fabric structures.  There is a lot to gain if you can create a trade show display that has a unique look.  We have just launched a new 10' x 10' truss display design that features a very unique look.  It is called our Cirrus 10' x 10' Truss Display Kit C.  It features dual, layered half circle graphic wings and a full header.  This display is also very portable as it packs in two flat-packing wheeled cases.  The package is affordable, the total price is $5,430.00 including graphics, casing and lighting.  I would recommend purchasing this exhibit with a custom colored drapery backdrop so you can control the color of the drape area behind your exhibit.  This is a rare exhibit that provides a unique look with value and ease of setup.

Let's Talk Flooring

One of the biggest challenges for exhibitors using portable exhibits is coming up with the right plan for trade show flooring. I wanted to go over some of the pros and cons of the the various trade show flooring options, so you could select the one that works best for you.

1. Renting at the Show - This is the most convenient option.  You simply rent your flooring from the show and it is setup and waiting for your when you arrive at the booth space.  No need to ship it in or worry about setup.  However, the rental carpet is very often worn and pretty bland.  It will do nothing to improve the look of your booth.  Plus, it can be pretty costly.  It can cost almost as much to rent carpet for an event as it would to buy it.  An important tip though when making this comparison don't forget to include shipping and drayage costs for the flooring to and from the event.
2. Buy Standard Rolled Carpet- One of the most popular options is the traditional rolled carpet and padding.   This provides a continuous color and traditional look that is still very cost effective.  However, if you purchase a standard 10' wide roll of carpet and padding you will not be able to ship this via FedEx or UPS and that should be factored in your decision making process. Setup for traditional rolled carpet will also take longer than some of the modular options.
3. Buy Modular Flooring - In the last few years a number of new modular flooring products have come on the market.  You can choose from cost effective soft modular flooring, this is modular flooring that is created from the same material that flip-flops are made from. This option is very affordable and quick and easy to setup.  There is also an option that has the same squares covered with carpet or a faux laminate.  If you are interested in a higher end modular flooring option you should consider the flex floor to go or trade show carpet tile package called BruMod. These modular options are going to save on shipping and be much easier to setup then traditional rolled carpet.

 

Make Your Table Top Displays More Effective

One of the best ways to make your trade show table top displays more effective is to add a custom printed table cover.   An attractive printed table cover can actually double the amount of branding space you have for your display.  It is almost like you are turning your table top display into a full height exhibit.  Today, there are a variety of methods you can use for producing your table cover.  You can use a screen printing method that is great for large quantity orders and for matching PMS colors or you could do an economical vinyl heat transfer option that is perfect for quick turnarounds.  These types of printing techniques are somewhat limited as you cannot produce gradients or complex logos.  If you need to produce a table cover with a complex logo, I would recommend producing it via a full color printing process on fabric called dye-sublimation.  The nice thing about producing your table cover via dye-sublimation is you can print on a much larger portion of the table cover and really enhance your branding efforts.

Software Tools to Manage Your Event Marketing Programs

I wanted to revisit TS2 a little bit.  For those of you that attend multiple trade shows or hold a significant number of marketing events, you might want to consider checking out a software program called Exhibit Force.  This web-based application will help you to better plan, organize and execute your event marketing programs.  I have always been impressed by their product and would recommend checking it out.

Let Me Know How That Display Packs!

Yesterday I asked what the most important question is when you are purchasing a trade show display.  I know this was probably an easy one, but if I was buying a display, I would want to know how it packs/ships.  A trade show display that ships and packs well will benefit your trade show program in many different areas.

1. It needs to be protected - I have seen a number of beautiful displays that were not effective because they could not be packed safely.  Certain large, custom pieces simply cannot be packed effectively, and when that's the case, they are not going to last very long.  Make sure your exhibit company has a plan for protecting all of your display elements.
2. A well-packed display helps keep costs down - One of the most expensive parts of any trade show marketing program is drayage and shipping costs.  A well-packed exhibit can literally cut drayage and shipping costs in half.

Everyone loves a beautiful display, but unless you are exhibiting in a virtual trade show, you better make sure you can pack it efficiently.  I figured I would provide some links to some displays that are well packed.  For a great 10' x 10', check out the ex1v, the entire display packs in 1 shipping case.  It is rare that you can have a full 10' x 10' trade show display that has two counters, the ability to support monitors and everything ships in 1 case.  For table top displays, check out our new xpressions table top display in super small smartpak banner case. For a larger 10' x 20' display, take a look at this 10' x 20' XR Line Trade Show Display that packs in only two flat packing cases with wheels.