Using Audio/Visual Equipment
In order to keep a competitive edge, you need to be up on all of the latest technology, and know how to take advantage of it at trade shows. A great audio/visual display will definitely bring in plenty of potential customers to your display, because they will want to see what is going on. You have loads of options when it comes to audio/video displays, including:

• Powerpoint slide shows on a screen
• DVD’s played on big screen televisions
• Films

By using an exhibition rental company, you can get all of your audio/visual needs included in your trade show display package.

Signage
Just like your store front, you need great signage to attract potential customers to your trade show display. Many small business owners who can’t afford such luxuries, you can still have wonderful signage created by your exhibition hire experts. Not only do they provide great trade show furnishings, they also have graphic designers who can take care of all of your signage requirements.

Display
If your customers cannot see your product, why should they purchase from you? Talk with the exhibition design company experts to come up with a display plan that will definitely attract customers to the stand. You can use eye-catching devices such as a pop-up display stand, a rotating display stand, or shelving that puts your product right at eye level as people wander around the trade show.

There are all kinds of things you can do to create an effective, eye-catching trade show display that people will want to visit. To get the most out of your trade show experience, you should take advantage of the services offered by exhibition hire experts. They know exactly what it takes to create the best trade show displays, and how to do it within your budget.

1) Bring lots of literature with you. As you are working your display, you can hand out brochures, pamphlets and other items to passersby, introducing yourself and your business as you do so. This way, you can talk to people about your business and product/service, and show them what you are all about. They will have been able to speak to you personally, and ask any questions they may have, and they will also have the literature to take home with them. They may even holler over to their friends, and get them to come and listen to your pitch.

2) Leave your display as often as possible, and take your literature with you. Approach visitors and other displays, introduce yourself, and let them know what you are doing at the trade show or exhibition. Talk with people, and find out their needs. Then, find a way to let them know how they can benefit from your product or service, and tell them where to find your display. More often than not, they will stop by and visit to learn more.

3) Walk around without literature too. Visit other trade show displays, and talk with the staff and management at the various booths. Get to know them, and their products and services. Talk to them about possible ways to do business together to increase profits for all of you, or how you can combine promotions to save money on advertising. Basically, you want to get out there and work the room!

4) If you have staff at your trade show display, make sure they get out and network themselves. They may be able to better target specific market groups. For instance, if you are selling a product that is aimed toward teenagers, you should have one of your younger employees (or a friend or family member) talk to people about the product. Or, if you own an antique furniture restoration business, have one of your carpenters talk to people about the processes involved. This is a great form of networking, and you don’t even have to do anything yourself.

5) You can even start your networking before the trade show begins. If you use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, you can put out the message to everyone that you will be at the trade show. Have online chats with other business owners who are planning to attend as well, and talk with them about your individual strategies. This is a great way to get advice before the trade show, especially if this is your first.

When you are attending trade shows, you have the opportunity to network with possibly hundreds, even thousands of people in just a few days, and you need to take advantage of this opportunity. This is one of the best ways that you can advertise for a relatively low price, and be able to reach a mass audience in one small place.

If you have a new product that you have designed and would like to start marketing, participating in trade shows is an excellent way to introduce your product to the public. Here are some ways you can introduce new products at trade shows, and potentially see your customer base grow by leaps and bounds:

• Have a great, eye-catching trade show display. If you don’t have anything that is going to attract customers, you are going to have a long, quiet and boring trade show experience. Use colorful signage, audio/visual displays, and great furniture to create an effective trade show display.

• Offer plenty of literature and promotional items to promote your product. People are bombarded by information at trade shows. If they have literature to look over later, when they are not feeling so overwhelmed, chances are they are going to read it.

• Whenever possible, offer free samples. If you are selling food items, make some there and give samples to people walking by. This is a great way to introduce yourself and your product, and when people like it, often they make purchases right on the spot. If you have opened up a printing company, give away pads of post-it notes with your company logo on them.

• Along the same idea as free samples, you should also have some candy or other treats (home-baked sweets are terrific) to entice people to visit your display.

Trade Shows Are Inexpensive Advertising
Okay, maybe they’re not that inexpensive (it may cost a couple of thousand dollars or more to take part), but spending a few days getting the word about your business out to potentially thousands of people at a trade show is actually less expensive than many other forms of advertising. Plus, if you have a website, or use social networking such as Facebook and Twitter to promote your business, you can get the word out to people about the trade show, and that you will be attending. By doing this, you are not only giving yourself free advertising, but also advertising for the trade show itself.
Trade shows are terrific if up until now you have been doing the bulk of your business online. This way, your customers (as well as many potential new ones) will get a chance to see your product up close, and not just in photos.

Make New Contacts at Trade Shows
Trade shows are an excellent way to meet new business contacts. Ideally, you will have a couple of employees, or at least some friends or family members, who will be at the trade show with you to help you out.

This way, you will have an opportunity to get out there on the floor and talk with the thousands of potential customers walking around the trade show. Make sure you have plenty of literature and promotional items on hand, so you can give them out as you are meeting people, and entice them to visit your display, try your product, and maybe come back with their friends.

Taking your small business to a trade show gives many benefits for a few days of hard work and the initial costs in setting up your stand. If you use the trade show as a successful marketing tool, you will see your small business grow rapidly.

Any new technology plays an ever increasing role in all areas of business. Here at CeBIT is where the leaders in the field of ICT can discuss future long and short term solutions in reducing costs, achieving greater productivity and driving new business by using Information and Communications Technology.

This year, the show organizers are expecting over 600 exhibitors, covering 28 different business technologies and over 30,000 visitors. The huge concentration of ICT decision makers and business leaders will provide a unique environment for information sharing, networking opportunities and knowledge exchange which will, in turn lead to new business opportunities for all involved.

CeBIT Australia is based on CeBIT Germany which is the largest event of this kind in the world. This being the case, the show creates a perfect stage for many satellite events, organised by sponsors, government departments, trade organisations, exhibitors and industry associations.

An informative and widespread conference program featuring over 120 speakers together with workshops and the exhibition itself will provide a massive networking opportunity for all key players in the ICT industry.

CeBIT will come to Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 24^th – 26th

Sanofi - Exhibition Stand, Dec 2009

Over time, trade shows have become a leading way to conduct business-to-business marketing with higher numbers of businesses attending shows each year. Offering a venue unlike no other, trade shows cater to the needs of many business owners. However, for a sales campaign to be effective and profitable at a trade show, you must first have a fail proof marketing strategy.

Know the Numbers
According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR),
• 88% of attendees have not been seen by a member of your company’s sales staff in the preceding 12 months;
• 7 out of 10 attendees plan to buy one or more products;
• 76% asked for quotes and 26% signed purchase orders (average all shows);
• 72% of show visitors say the show influenced their buying decision;
• 87% of attendees will share some of the information obtained at an exhibition;
• 64% of attendees tell at least 6 other people about the event;
• 58% attend only the show in which you are exhibiting;
• 40% are first-time attendees; and
• It costs 22% less to contact a potential buyer at a show than it does through traditional field sales calls.

Trade shows are a win-win situation; however, exhibiting at a trade show can require lots of hard work and preparation. Without a proper marketing strategy, all of your hard work could go down the drain. Effectively plan your time at the show and you can ensure residual success long after the show is over. Cover all the bases with a full-scale three step marketing strategy, which consists of before, during, and after show marketing.

Before – Pre-Show Marketing
Marketing before the trade show is all about getting the word out that
(a) you are attending the show,
(b) where your booth will be located, and
(c) what your incentives are for people visiting your exhibition stand.

Advertise your incentives. This will make current and or potential customers seek you out once they arrive at the show but do not forget to include your booth location. If your customers cannot find you, it will not matter how good your incentives are. The best way to gain attention and guarantee people will show up at your booth is to offer discounts, issue coupons, and advertise drawings and or giveaways. In today’s economy, everyone is looking to save money.

Examples of incentives include a certain percentage for example 20% off on a certain day or a higher percentage off for a certain number of hours or for the first 100 orders placed. Coupons work much the same way as discounts; be creative, it is all about driving traffic to your booth. Free giveaways are always an attractant such as free t-shirts, hats or perhaps a drawing for a free briefcase or weekend vacation. The possibilities are limitless.

During – Marketing at the Show
Marketing at the show is all about your booth. Your booth should be designed in a way that it is irresistible drawing people in for a closer look. The most effective way to have a dazzling booth is to appeal to the senses using proper lighting, color combinations, motion techniques, sound, and smell. Pay close attention to the detail of smell for your booth. Even though the trade show floor may be crowded and not everyone can see your booth, with tempting aromas emanating from your booth, they will follow their nose and find you.

In addition, take time to properly train attending staff prior to the show and make sure they show up properly dressed. Nothing looks worse than someone who does not know what he or she is doing, what he or she is talking about, or who looks unprofessional. Your product may be great, your booth may look great, but the wrong impression could kill a potential sale.

After – Post Show Marketing
The show is over, now what? You must remember to keep marketing your business even after the show is complete. Following up with contacts gathered at the show is crucial for continued sales. You received their contact information because they were interested in your products and or services. After the show is over, make sure to follow up with these people. It is best to wait approximately one week after the show is over and begin calling those people back, which will likely result in additional sales.

Marketing your business at a trade show or exhibition can be a terrific step in building your business. Plan your three point marketing strategy with care to ensure your success at the trade show.

Every company needs exposure  in order to succeed in the business world. Taking part in trade shows is an excellent way to get that exposure  and you don’t necessarily need to spend a large amount of money. A successful trade show booth is one which is well designed and decorated, and a good way to accomplish this without breaking the bank is to use exhibition hire and rental equipment. To create the most effective trade show display, hiring an exhibition rental professional is the way to go.

Trade show hire is convenient for many reasons. If you decide to rent exhibition furniture rather than purchase equipment, you don’t have the inconvenience of storing it for future use. You also won’t have to worry about delivery to your exhibition stand site or removal at the end of show. Your exhibition hire professionals will take care of everything for you, from set-up to tear-down. There is a huge selection of hire furniture and accessories you can choose from…and anything you can’t find, you can always ask your exhibition hire company as they can find or custom build something to suit.

You want your trade show display to look as if some thought has gone in to it. So again, ask advice from your exhibition hire professionals. They will know what looks good with what and which style of furniture will suit your business type and stand, not to mention your budget.

Once you have the basic furniture items in place, you will need to look at lighting and AV options. It is important to keep up with technology. This shows your potential customers that your business is moving with the times. Find out what options are available. Go and have a look at other trade shows and see what catches your eye and what works for you.

You will probably need some kind of display boxes or computers plinths, cabinets or brochure racks. Again, there are many options of each so try and keep to a theme which will leave an overall look of professionalism and good design.

Once you have everything organised, your exhibition provider should be able to provide a concept drawing including your chosen furniture and accessories for you to see the final stand. For the final touches, get your exhibition company or graphic designer to design your signage to fit in with your chosen components, colour scheme, theme and style.

Ultimately, your trade show display should be attractive, functional and comfortable both for your staff and your customers.

It can take a lot of work to create the right image of your product, but speaking to an expert in the exhibition design industry can help you to come up with a theme for your stand and marketing products.

An exhibition stand typically consists of a presentation podium, back ground exhibit and usually some furniture. Many exhibition stands often have accessories like lighting and self-serve brochure holders built on to them. You can furnish your exhibition stand with audio-visual features such as interactive touch screens, high impact graphics, and plasma screens showing visual scenes that will peak visitor curiosity.

The pop-up exhibition stand is the cost efficient, lightest weight and is the easiest to assemble making them the most popular of all types. There are a lot portable display stands available, including banners and stands, table top display, pop up display, and pull-up banners.

There are different and large ranges of things to consider for the design of a trade show exhibition stand. The exhibition stand should instantly deliver and update a targeted message to the viewer. The graphics, banners and the text should be straight forward and attention grabbing. The displays should highlight the main benefits a customer would enjoy by purchasing your product. Everything should be accented with smart lightning and layout. Match the colour scheme to the marketing theme you have selected.

The exhibition designers must understand the maintenance and importance of exhibition design. The designer must remember that art work is only a tool of portraying products but not for the purpose of exhibition. Exhibition design is coupled with many factors such as outreach planes, exhibits, colour, charts, layout, and lighting. The design of a good exhibition is always the integration of all these factors.

The exhibition must have a specific theme to leave a long lasting impression on the viewers and to give desired message. The exhibition booth should be designed from viewer’s perspective, target viewers taste; response should be researched before selecting the booth design. A professional and certified booth designer can guide to plan an attracting booth design.

The products and finishes of the exhibition booth should be carefully accomplished as it reflects the brand value and business identity of the exhibiting company. The booth design can be made more attractive by incorporating audiovisual features such as interactive touch screens, attractive lighting, high impact graphics and plasma screen in the exhibition booth design. Creative discipline in the interior design, architecture and product development of the exhibition booth is a must check.

By taking time to plan, exhibition design can be made appealing and attractive. You can dramatically improve the business by marketing effectively at a trade show using a themed, well designed exhibition stand and complete marketing strategy.

Whether you operate a small, medium or large business, having the right exhibition furniture will help create the look you are going for, and make your clients feel at ease with you and your business. One idea to consider is the convenience of exhibition stand package rental, which, with the help of an exhibition hire expert, you can customize to suit your trade show needs, as well as your budget.

When you decide to rent your exhibition stand package, an exhibition hire expert will help you pick the right package for your business. Graphic designers will help you design the look of your package, taking your print files and turning them into high quality graphics for your display. When it is time for the trade show, your exhibition stand package will be delivered and set up by the experts, giving you the time you need to take care of other important details.

Accessorize!
Once you have decided on the look you want your exhibition stand package to have, you will need to ‘decorate’ it. Exhibition furniture can help you create a comfortable, home-like feeling for your clients. You may want to go for a café style setting, or offer your clients the homey comfort of a living room-like setting with an ottoman and coffee table. If people have been walking around the trade show for many hours, yours could be the display they want to sit down at for a while.

There are a number of exhibition hire furnishings and accessories you may want to consider so your trade show display will make potential customers take notice:

• Tables and seating- offers a comfortable place for you to meet with clients.

• Counters – display your products and literature, accessorize with counter-top displays.

• Cabinets – great for administrative items and paperwork.

• Lighting – not only necessary for optimal viewing of your trade show display, lighting helps create ambience. With the proper lighting, you can showcase individual items or products.

• Audio/visual displays – a must-have for any business that wants to retain that competitive edge. Technology gets noticed, especially by the younger generation who expect interactive displays.

• Signage – colourful signage is attractive to the eye, and good signage will draw customers to your trade show display!

• Electrical outlets – a must-have for lighting, audio/visual displays, and any other item you have that requires electricity.

• Flooring – choose from a variety of colors of carpet tile, or opt for a raised floor.

Don’t Forget The Small Stuff!
Just because you have created an amazing exhibition stand, it doesn’t mean you’re finished quite yet. Now you need to decorate, and an exhibition hire expert can help you choose from a number of options. If your display includes clothing items, you may want to consider adding a clothes rack, with a variety of models that you can choose from.

Often at trade shows, companies offer draws and other contests. If you plan to do this, a great accessory to have is a competition barrel. Brochure racks are a necessity if you offer literature, and a spec stand will draw your clients’ eyes to a particular product or item. Having a small bar fridge is convenient, and, of course, you must have a waste basket.

Operating a display at a trade show can be hectic and time-consuming, but when you choose to take advantage of exhibition package rental, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that all of your trade show display and furniture needs will be taken care of, from delivery to set-up to tear-down.

One of the first things to consider is the exhibitor rules and regulations to ensure your design and stand size are appropriate. Then you will want to have a planning session, where you will establish your objectives, set a budget, develop your sales message, and create a marketing plan.

Other much-needed information to confirm prior to the trade show includes available storage, shipping options, freight deliveries, and telecommunications; the facility layout, your booth location, available transportation and parking, unloading and reloading zones, area hotels and restaurants as well as the location of an office supply store in case an unexpected situation arises.

Your trade show stand should jump out, which will entice people to take a closer look. Be sure to keep your target audience in mind as well as the marketing message you are hoping to bring across during the design process. The best way to do this is by appealing to the senses using proper lighting, color combinations, motion techniques, sound, and smell, which is sure to make your exhibit irresistible.

• Proper lighting will help bring focus to certain products especially if using the spotlight effect.

• Always choose colors that help bring your message across and compliment products without being overly loud or too dull.

• Employing a motion technique may be useful for product demonstrations or other moving applications.

• Keep sounds low enough so they do not disturb neighboring exhibitors but loud enough for your visitors to thoroughly enjoy. Sound elements may include nature sounds, soothing music, and in some cases live entertainment.

• Smell is a strong attractant used to draw in visitors but should not over power your neighbors. Many exhibitors use popcorn however, freshly baked cookies, cinnamon rolls, and brownies have irresistible aromas as well.

Another consideration when trying to design your trade show stand is deciding which type of exhibit display you want to use. There are several styles to choose from which include tabletop, pull-up, pop-up, and panel displays. Tabletop displays are inexpensive, and lightweight. These are typically made of three panels and use velcro graphics. Pull-up displays function similar to a reversed window shade, offer versatility and are lightweight.

Pop-up displays are backed with vinyl, fabric or plastic panels that create angled views and are constructed of lightweight foldable frames. Panel displays are versatile giving numerous options as standalone or wall mounted displays, which are typically rectangular in shape and covered with fabric.

There are numerous professionals within the industry who will assist you in bringing your design to life. The key is to shop around and speak with several companies of interest to find the right fit for you and your vision. If this is your first time out, you may also consider renting a display to defray costs and get a feel for what is available, which will better prepare you for the next trade show.

• Exhibits which communicate the company’s message in a simple, graphically appealing, universally understood manner to potential customers from all over the world.
• Exhibits which are light-weight and can be easily assembled, dis-assembled, packed and shipped economically.
• Exhibits which are attention grabbing from the trade show aisle and comfortable and informative once the customer is inside the booth.
• Exhibits which are technically sophisticated.

The future of trade shows and exhibitions as an effective marketing tool remains strong and the targeted customers are expanding and changing. There are many more trade shows in Asia, and other emerging markets. As businesses expand their international sales goals and purchase more products and services from international companies, they are attending international tradeshows as exhibitors and visiting international tradeshows as potential customers..

Companies who are interested in exporting their goods and services to international markets want to be represented at trade shows in many locations. The language and cultural challenges of marketing products to businessmen from all over the world makes the use of a professional tradeshow design company especially important. An effective tradeshow booth whether designed for a tradeshow in the company’s home country or for a tradeshow abroad needs to be designed to appeal to decision makers from many different cultures and backgrounds.

Today’s exhibits must be designed so they can be shipped to and from distant locations easily and economically. The exhibits have to assemble easily and breakdown quickly and pack compactly and securely to minimize the chance of damage in shipping and allow economical transportation over large distances. To meet these demands fabric is being used more often in exhibit booth design; metal and wood are too heavy, bulky and awkward. Fabric can be used as a backdrop for the entire booth creating a distinctive, light airy feeling. Fabric is also being used to create light-weight, easy to assemble signage often as eye-catching vertical banners either suspended on stands or hung above the booth.

Trade show exhibits are no longer all about the new product or service, they are about creating an exciting environment that engages the potential customer so completely that he forgets about the competition. The new exhibit is all about the soft sell; the booth is an inviting space and the customer’s time at the booth is an interesting interactive experience. The goal is that the customer enjoys visiting your booth and leaves with good feelings about your company and your company’s products.

The trend in exhibit technology is anything interactive….computer games and videos on plasma screen monitors are popular. Product “edutainment” is the new approach. Testimonials are always good as well as videos featuring people using your product.

Booth lighting has also gone high tech with many exhibits using filtered, colored or wash lights to create a more subdued and comfortable atmosphere in the booth.

To take advantage of the expanding global markets, new exhibition stand concepts, materials and technology your company needs a professionally designed exhibit. Hire a reputable trade show exhibition design company; your investment will pay off many times over.