Recent Entries
June, 2008
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Your Graphics
June 13, 2008When it's time to create new exhibit graphics, examine artwork and photography from current and previous marketing campaigns before you reinvent the wheel.
Granted, sometimes the resolution or quality of other existing images may not fit your large-format needs, but simply checking your existing files could save you oodles of time, money, and creative energy.
Go Out on the Town
June 13, 2008It's happened to you. You get back from a show, and the only thing you know about the host city is that the Holiday Inn had a passable continental breakfast and the convention center was larger than you expected.
It's happened to your customers too. Kathy Hicks, trade show coordinator for Radiology Staffing Inc. has a remedy. Instead of meeting with important customers in a cookie-cutter meeting room at the convention center, arrange for a tour of the city.
Don't Get Floored by Flooring
June 13, 2008Problem: My company pays for carpet rental each time we exhibit. However, I recently saw a company that placed its exhibit directly on the concrete floor for a more industrial, unfinished look. Can we go au naturel at most shows, and what are some other ways I can cut costs on carpet rental?
Sticky Business
June 13, 2008Why pay vacuuming charges when a sticky solution can save money and effort?
Rather than cough up exorbitant fees or lug its own vacuum to clean its booth, Fortress Technologies cleans up with an adhesive roller. The compact and inexpensive device, normally meant to remove pet hair or lint, works just as well on debris littering exhibit tabletops and floors, especially in small booths.
Look for rollers with long handles to avoid hunching over as you clean.
Ten Quick Fixes
June 13, 2008Has your exhibit been around the block a few times? Here are some quick and easy fixes to help make it look new again.
- Brush on nail polish to hide scratches on hard materials.
- Smooth bubbling or peeling laminate with a Chamois cloth.
- Use caulk to fill in gouges on hard surfaces.
- Apply automotive paint to disguise large chips or cracks on most hard surfaces.
Size Matters
June 13, 2008Question: Following each show, I create a PowerPoint presentation for management, which includes oodles of show photos. However, my photo files are so big that they slow down my entire presentation. How can I quickly downsize my photos?
Answer: While each version of PowerPoint is slightly different, there are two basic ways to downsize photos for your presentation.
Snap a Picture
June 13, 2008After all the work that goes into creating an exhibit, remember to bring a camera to your next trade show so you can document your hard work.
You can use the pictures to show off your exhibit to colleagues who could not be there, to give yourself a reference point for next year, and even to hang examples of your handiwork on the wall in your office.
Remember to take pictures of things you want to change, so you can remember what not to do next year.
A Stand-out Small Exhibit
June 13, 2008You don't need a mammoth-sized exhibit or piles of money to make a big (and memorable) statement at your next show. Use these five tactics for getting the biggest bang out of your small booth.
- Use lighting. According to industry research, lighting can increase awareness of your exhibit by 30 to 50 percent. Renting a portable lighting system or using product spotlights will give your small exhibit the extra exposure it needs.