Tradeshow Emergency Kit - What's a Gang Box and Why Do I Need One?

It doesn't seem like much right now, while you are in the comfort of your own office. When you're on the road, running out of staples, needing extra Velcro to attach your graphics to your booth, needing a little duct tape to fix, well, just about anything...it becomes a crisis and an expensive one at that. It's a simple case of supply and demand. You demand a roll of tape, it's 10 minutes before the show starts, the only supplier is show services...they can charge whatever they want.

Click here for extensive lists of Must Haves, Personal Items and Optional Items.

8 Easy Ways to Tie Social Media Into Your Tradeshows

Anyone who gets Exhibitor Magazine, has seen the retro photo that is in the back of each magazine, showing a tradeshow image from what seems like a century ago. As traditional as they are, tradeshows work because we are face-to-face with so many customers in just a few days.

But now, in today’s digital age, we are faced with new opportunities to mix tradeshows with social media to make our marketing efforts go even further.

Here are a few basic ideas on how can we tie the two mediums together to make for a more memorable experience overall:

1. Write a blog post about the event either pre-show, at-show or post-show to share your experiences and knowledge.
2. Prior to the show, monitor Twitter to see if there are any trending topics related to the event. If special event #hashtags are being used, make sure to put them in all your show-related tweets.
3. More from Vivid Image.
   

ExpoToGo: Tradeshow App for Android

ExpoToGo features: Exhibitor search. Session search. Customizable personal briefcase to add your favorite exhibitors and sessions. Community interaction with YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. NearMe search browse for local shops,restaurants, and more. Link.

Trade show and industry observations

We would like to take a few minutes to review some industry trends (from our point of view) that we are seeing in the event marketing industry. The last two years have seen dramatic budget cuts, reduction in show attendance and higher cost per lead at any given event…now the good news. The industry continues to bounce back with greater innovation, new ideas and smarter spending. Here are just a few of the trends we are witnessing: Full Article from Blazer

Dirty Little Secrets: Five Things Trade Show Attendees Don’t Want You To Know

Look at the show floor. Check out the attendees. They look ordinary enough -- but they have secrets for successful selling. Dirty little secrets that they'd never tell anyone, not even under duress. These secrets are strong unifying factors influencing buying decisions. If you, as a smart and savvy trade show exhibitor, tailor your exhibit accordingly, you'll come away with higher sales every time. Read full article by Susan Friedmann

The Secret Weapon Every Savvy Exhibitor Should Use

Picture this:

You're standing, with your booth staff, in your exhibit at a large tradeshow. This is one of the best shows you regularly participate in as it attracts a sizeable number of your target audience. Your team is prepared. Your display looks terrific. You've got interactive demonstrations, you've sponsored a speaker, and your giveaway items convey your marketing message, appeal to your target audience, and are in plentiful supply.

Looks good, right?

There's something in this scene, something I haven't mentioned yet, that could make it all even better. Something that will not only boost your ROI, but will create that most vital of marketing tools.

What is it? Continue.

The do's and don'ts of exhibiting

The recent FaceTime research revealed the power of exhibiting, proving what many in the marketing industry have believed for ages.

According to the study, exhibitions and tradeshows had a very strong psychological impact on visitors. In fact, after visiting such an event, people were more likely to believe it was the best form of marketing to interact with and compare, and were more likely to buy a brand's goods.

So it's not surprising that many companies use exhibitions to market their goods and services. Yet, it's not always as simple as just showing up at an event and standing at a wooden table. Exhibiting requires lots of effort to ensure it goes successfully.

1) Do research: Research various shows before you go to ensure that you attend one that works for you. But, don't be tempted to do all your research online. While using the internet to find out about tradeshows is a good idea, nothing beats attending a few. This will ensure you can experience the atmosphere of the venue and see whether it would really suit your brand. Continue reading from TSNN UK

Are You a Tradeshow Ninja?

Ninja: – noun, a member of a feudal Japanese society of mercenary agents, highly trained in martial arts and stealth (ninjutsu), who were hired for covert purposes ranging from espionage to sabotage and assassination.

While the term ‘ninja’ seems to hold reverence for a lot of people due to the clever and stealthy way in which he practiced his arts, in most tradeshow marketing cases you DON’T want to be hidden. You want to be right out there in plain sight for all to see and engage with.

And never mind the sabotage and assassination aspects of the ninja. Those blatant acts would probably get you headlines of the unfriendly type (and should it be capitalized – Ninja? – I’m a little stumped here…)

As for espionage, in a tradeshow marketing situation I’m all for it. As long as you’re not breaking and entering or hacking a competitor’s website, you should try to find out as much information about your competition as you’re legally able to. More from Tim Patterson, the Tradeshow Guy.

6 Things To Say When Your Boss Asks “Why Are We Spending So Much On Trade Shows?”

1. We spend money on ads, money on direct mail, money sending our reps into the field…all in the hope that we can get face time with the people who matter. At a trade show, all of our best prospects are in one place at one time.

2. At a trade show, we get to see all of our existing clients in one place, at one time. We can use the opportunity to ascertain their future needs and their current satisfaction with our products and services. More from Skyline Trade Show Tips.

Preview Las Vegas Hotel Rooms on Video

Planning a trip to Las Vegas isn't always easy because there are so many choices!

Vegas Chatter helps you with your decision-making process. Here is a complete video library of Vegas hotel rooms. Link.

Video on How to Inspect for Bedbugs

Demonstration video on how to find the little buggers if they are lurking in your hotel bed. From the Washington Post. Video.

Also check out The Bedbug Registry

Trade Shows: What’s In It For You—And Your Management?

For many of us, trade shows are a major part of our corporate lives: planning, scheduling, staffing, designing, developing, theming, creating presentations and product demos, ordering swag and logoed polo shirts—and traveling to them. Then there’s the show itself: three days of putting on your best smile and doing your best to communicate your company’s marketing message clearly, concisely and memorably. Those can be the hard parts of the business of trade shows—time consuming and wearying (not to mention hard on your feet).

So what are the good parts of the trade show experience, besides the last day at 5:00? Exhibitors know that trade shows are one of the best ways to accomplish four important business objectives: Continue reading at The Center

CEO of Center for Exhibition Industry Research, Doug Ducate, Sees 2012 Trade Show Recovery and Some Signs of Optimisim

2 1/2 minute video. From BizBash Hive

Douglas L. Ducate, President and CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, in their blog, reports that the Exhibition industry is about to enter its 10th down quarter but he is optimistic that some signs of uneven improvement exist including, perhaps, a recovery in 2012. He reports that once we do get into a recovery mode it could be speedy based on previous 2001-2003 experience.

Is Your Booth Staff On Paid Vacation?

You budgeted time, money, blood, sweat, and tears to a trade show. But in the eyes of some co-workers, you are a ‘glorified party planner.’ How many times have you heard that one? Well, now that you have planned your party, cleaned house, set out decorations, don’t forget the most important thing – be the hostess with the mostest!

Yes, staffing your trade show booth is a critical piece of ensuring trade show success. Some people relish the idea of being out of the office on a ‘company-paid vacation.’ Trade show venues are in vacation cities for a reason – to attract attendees to bring the family and stay longer. But this shouldn’t be the mindset of the booth staff!

There are 4 key steps for booth staffer success: Engage, Qualify, Present, Close Continue to full article from Skyline Trade Show Tips

Five Common Mistakes Trade Show Exhibitors Make

by Traci Browne on October 10, 2010

I spend a lot of time at trade shows and I constantly see the same mistakes being made by exhibitors. The five listed here are very common to smaller booths-the 10 x 10’s and 10 x 20’s. Pause for an honest assessment…are you doing any of these things?

Hey you! Get off my lawn!

Are you placing a table across the front of your booth to display products or brochures? What you are actually doing is creating a barrier. A barrier to conversation, curiosity and possibly sales. Full Article from The Trade Show Institute

Engaging the Trade Show Visitor

Two and a half minute video. Click.

3 Tips for Working with International Exhibitors in the U.S.

Many U.S.-based suppliers are eager to capture a share of the market for international companies who market themselves in North America -- my company included. As a sales leader for Freeman, the most progressive face-to-face marketing company in the U.S., I certainly get my fair share of opportunities to do so. But anyone who offers their products and services to internationals doing business here in the western hemisphere will be unprepared if they don’t embrace three fundamental business practices beforehand: Continue to full article on Face to Face with Freeman

How to Incorporate Technology into Your Trade Show Display to Gain Attention

As you begin to prepare for your next trade show, forget about same old same old. Amidst the plethora of banners, tables and people clamoring for attention, you’ve got to stand out. You’ve got to be different! You’ve got to catch the attention of potential customers in a single glance.

While spending time and energy to create a dynamic and professional booth to highlight your product or service is essential to any successful trade show booth, gaining the attention of potential clients is equally important. The best way to maximize the potential impact of your booth is to spend time thinking about how you are going to draw people to your booth. One way to do this is through the strategic incorporation of technology. Full Article from Trade Show News

Quantity versus Quality of Trade Show Marketing Leads

By: Barry Siskind

Which would you rather have: 500 mediocre leads or 25 – 30 high value leads? The answer is obvious and yet many exhibitors who attend trade shows try to talk to as many people as possible then go back to the office with a fist full of business cards and say; “see what I accomplished.”

The cost of following up on these so-called business leads is enormous and it leaves your sales reps often disheartened with the number of rejections they receive. The solution is three fold: Click here to go to full article from The Tradeshow Network Marketing Group.

TSNN Launches Two New E-Newsletters

TSNN introduces two new additions to its growing portfolio of cutting-edge publications.

Association Show News promises to provide you with all of the latest news and issues impacting the association trade show industry, while MedShow Monthly will feature up-to-date news and information related to the dynamic and rapidly changing medical and pharmaceutical trade show markets. Launched Sept. 23 and 29, respectively, these exciting e-newsletters are just the latest in TSNN offerings that will explore specific segments of the trade show industry. Link.

It's a Different Game for Tradeshow Exhibitors Overseas

Question: Is it better for an American trade show exhibitor to rent a trade show booth abroad if the exhibit hall is in Europe or Asia rather than ship a trade show exhibit from the U.S.?

Answer: Yes. It makes better sense logistically and economically to rent a trade show display in a foreign country where it will be exhibited. Why? For starters, the savings on round trip international shipping and handling charges are substantial. Full Article

International CES Named Greenest Show by Trade Show Executive Magazine

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® announced today that the 2009 International CES^® was named North America’s Greenest Show by Trade Show Executive Magazine. CEA was awarded the highly coveted “Leader in Green Initiatives” Gold Grand Award for outstanding green presence in producing the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, the International CES. Full article.

Exhibitors Warned to Avoid Conference Housing Poachers

ALA Conference Services sent out a warning yesterday asking exhibitors to “beware of housing poachers.” Conference Services Director Deidre Ross notes, “We have been having poachers trying to get exhibitors to book outside our block as well as other people trying to lure our exhibitors’ money away from ALA. So this letter is being sent out to all Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference exhibitors as we speak. This kind of thing bothers us every year. We also send cease-and-desist letters out to the offenders.”

The cease-and-desist letter from Ross reads: Continue

Confuse or Lose: 3 Keys to Avoid Trade Show Confusion

By Susan Friedman:

In a recent coaching session, my client started telling me all about the different products he was going to be showing at the trade show he was preparing for. I listened patiently and then asked “which is the most important one?” “They all are” was my client’s response.

Over the years I’ve seen this mistake played over and over again at various shows. Booths stuffed full of stuff, different stations and activities that makes it look like a three-ring circus. Presented with this jumble, the visitor may or may not try to figure out whether the exhibitor has something of interest to offer. More from The Tradeshow Coach.