Monday, January 31, 2011

Dipping Into Sensory Marketing for Trade Shows

Sensory branding is based on the idea that we are most likely to form, retain and revisit memory when all five senses are engaged. By going beyond the traditional marketing media of sight and (sometimes) sound, brands can establish a stronger and longer-lasting emotional connection with consumers.

In studies, groups exposed to multi-sensory environments always outperform those in uni-sensory environments. Their recall is better all around—in quantity of information retained, clarity and duration. What’s more, sensory information can affect consumer habits, such as restaurant turnover or purchasing. Marketers are taking heed.

Full article from Let's Talk Trade Shows by Joyce McKee.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

10 Mistakes Exhibitors Make

You’ve got a tremendous investment, not only in money, but also time and hopefully training in marketing your business at trade shows. Don’t get in the way of your own success! More from Skyline Trade Show Tips.

Friday, January 28, 2011

New Tradeshow Tool: How Apple’s iPad is Being Used by Exhibitors

Apple’s iPad tablet computing device has taken the corporate world by storm, selling over 13 million units in its first year.
Its popularity has lead to a slew of competing tablets (over 30) that hit the market in 2010. A study conducted by the Gartner Group found that by 2013, 80 percent of business would support a workforce using tablets.

So this poses the question: what kind of role will the iPad play in the tradeshow world? The answer might possibly be many roles. Let’s take a closer look at how iPads being deployed on show floors as exhibitors’ newest secret weapon. Continue reading.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Study concludes Face-to-Face Trade Shows Capture Attention Best

As companies look to find ways to make every marketing dollar work harder, some trade show exhibitors have tried to reduce expenses by participating in virtual trade shows. Initial results have shown that virtual trade shows generate few leads and a higher percentage of unqualified leads. Now a report from Cornell University has started to shed some light on the behavioral effect of live vs. virtual meetings. Full article from Tradeshow Insider's Blog

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Adding Social Media To Trade Show Booths: How And Why You Should Try It

Most marketers will tell you that web marketing is the wave of the future. It’s not going to supplant trade show booths, but it’s already become a major force in just a few years. Many companies consider it as much a part of their marketing as conventions, and more are adding it to their roster every day. The companies that have the most success with it don’t just use it independently. They combine it with their trade show booths. They connect with visitors drawn in by their banner stand or exhibit booth and then use social media to continue that connection after they’ve disassembled the banner stand display.

You don’t need a big marketing department to take advantage of social media in your own trade show booths. You can use it with your current banner stand. You don’t need to invest a lot of money to try it, and the reward is almost always worth it. Continue reading.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Translating Trade Show Leads into Sales

Whatever transpires on the floor sets into motion those expectations and they portend the future relationship customers and prospects will have with your company. They can either be delighted that they were given what they were promised OR they can be disappointed and run off to the competition.

The value of creating and maintaining a strong, positive emotional connection cannot be understated. Full article from Joyce McKee, Let's Talk Tradeshows

Monday, January 24, 2011

What’s next? Event and Tradeshow Industry – Predictions a-Plenty

As we sprint headlong into 2011, we thought it would be fun to take a look into the proverbial crystal ball to see what event professionals are saying about what’s next for the industry. So…we tapped into one of the online water coolers where event pros hang out and connect. Full Article from Our 'Face to Face' World blog.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Finding Tradeshow ROI with Location-Based Apps

Location-based apps are gradually becoming part of the social psyche. As the world’s sharelust continues to intensify, location-based apps afford a unique way to know what people do – beyond what they just say they do. For regional marketers, location-based apps can help unlock neighborhoods and shopping centers. For tradeshow exhibitors, they stand to help unlock greater return on investment. Full Article

Friday, January 21, 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Tradeshow Apps

If you thought smartphones where just another technology trend likely to taper with time, think again: It’s predicted that 330 million smartphones and 42 million media tablets, like the iPad®, will be sold throughout 2011.

That’s more than one phone per citizen.

So, chances are that every trade show attendee will be hitting the trade show floor equipped with a mobile device capable of connecting to the Internet or downloading applications on the go from here on out. As an exhibitor, this is the perfect time to leverage fun, cost-effective mobile technology to engage trade show go-ers and follow up on leads after the show ends if you’re not already doing so. Read full article.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

. How to Engage a Tradeshow Audience Year-Round

In this article, you'll learn...

  • Four ways to consistently engage your tradeshow audience
  • How to use tradeshows as a long term, lead-generation tool
  • Article from Marketing Profs

Monday, January 17, 2011

10 Ways Exhibitors Got Attention at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

One of the show's largest and fastest-growing features was the “iLounge,” which debuted last year. Some 200 companies snapped up booths in the 50,000-square-foot space to showcase products compatible with Apple devices. On the celebrity scene, Lady Gaga returned for a second year to the Polaroid exhibit, and everyone from director Oliver Stone to rapper 50 Cent shilled for other exhibitors.

Here are 10 of the most eye-catching and buzz-generating exhibits and events spotted at this year’s show. Photo Gallery from BizBash

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Benefits of a Virtual Trade Show

Just like virtual training or online meetings, a virtual trade show can either be straightforward or extremely realistic and yet breathtaking. In the simple virtual meeting technology, there is afeatures a web presence that mimics a physical environment. There are virtual spaces (such as lobbies and auditoriums) and virtual rooms (such as virtual meeting rooms, offices and booths). Additionally, sequence of pages each behaving like a virtual booth for one who wants to exhibit; besides, there is instant messaging so that attendees can talk to the exhibitors all in real time. The more complicated environments are those like the high-end video games. Here, each of the contestants gets to control an avatar. The voice over internet protocol or VOIP permits them to talk to the attendees and you can email brochures to attendees or simply allow them to download them. There are indeed many benefits when it comes to hosting a virtual event. Full Article.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Costly Carry-Ons

While these figures are in British Pounds, you get the idea:

Business travelers carry an average of 12 items worth approximately £1,500 in their carry-on bags, according to a survey by Hotels.com.

An example of one carry-on from the survey:

Apple iPad – £699
BlackBerry Torch 9800 – £464.95
Moleskine ruled notebook – £15.00
Travel pillow - £5.99
Mont Blanc Rollerball pen – £230
Adaptor plug – £3.99
Economist – £2.00
Colgate Total Toothpaste – £1.45
Oral B toothbrush – £2.99
Sure roll-on deodorant – £1.69
Marks & Spencer pure cotton non-iron shirt – £25
Marks & Spencer lambswool socks – £10

Total: £1,462.06 Original article.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

CES 2011: How Social Media Transformed The Trade Show

CES 2011 illustrates how the use of social media at the event has reached the perfect storm. The combination of empowered influencers and activated grassroots communities, creating sharable content around remarkable experiences, has always been a formula for success.

Add a whole new generation of connected devices to this mix, both those on display and already being used by attendees, and you have the explosive 24/7 stream of content that was the show this year. Full article.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Get Better Trade Show Results By Leaving Your Brochures At Home

Companies spend significant manpower and budget producing hard copy materials they bring to trade shows, hoping that everyone who picks up a flyer or brochure will read it carefully. The reality is that most attendees that receive materials on-site will end up tossing them. This is an unfortunate result and a wasteful practice. Full article from Skyline Exhibits.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Five secrets you can use on your next trade show

This is not carpet. This is your lifeline for your staff. Unless you think your show staff will keep up their energy and vigor standing on a small layer of carpet between them and the concrete floor, this is the place to invest. Get quality flooring, including upgrade of padding. Do whatever you need to – you can vacuum the booth and work with staff on trash removal. Don’t skimp out on flooring for your team. Trust me, they will remember! Read Four More Here.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

10 Misconceptions about Trade Shows and Trade Show Marketing

If you’ve ever attended or participated in a trade show, you have an opinion about trade shows, trade show marketing, or exhibit design. I won’t try to dispel every myth or tall-tale, but here are 10 of the most common misconceptions about trade shows. Full article from Classic Exhibits.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Do you exhibit in Las Vegas?

by Patti Shock
Professor, UNLV Hotel College

I recently had the opportunity to tour the warehouse of Repurpose America. I have always been a supporter of green initiatives, but seeing what Zachary Delbex and his team are doing in a small warehouse just west of The Strip was a real eye-opener for me.

Zack started out as a Teamster. He was appalled by the waste he saw during the tear down of trade shows. So, he started exploring ways to not only recycle, but to repurpose materials that are not recyclable. These materials included vinyl signs, plexiglass, foamcore, magnetic, swag bags, etc. Many exhibitors also discard product and other in-booth items, rather than pay shipping, storage and other costs associated with taking them back to their own facilities in other cities.

He is repurposing vinyl signs into swag bags, badge holders, wallets, and other items. I saw a couple of dozen desk chairs, stacks of potting soil (from a garden show), a shelf full of bicycle helmets. They take décor from special or catered events. The list of items goes on and on.

Where does the stuff go? They don’t sell it. It goes to community organizations that have a need. And, he is hiring veterans and the disadvantaged to create the items.

How can you help? It will cost you nothing to contact Zack for pickup. When you are in town, go see the warehouse. zds@greenervegas.org 702/372-0986