Let’s face it, disaster strikes at the most in opportune time, and trade shows are no different. To avoid having your budget destroyed by disaster here are a couple of quick tips:

1. Have an emergency contact list with your exhibit manufacturer
2. Have a back up plan
3. Have a back up plan for your back up plan
To hear some real horror stories, and how exhibitors survived attend our NO-COST, NO-Commitment webinar on 7 Ways to Reduce your Trade Show Costs.

In 15 minutes we will show you how to reduce your trade show costs and improve your results.

To learn more and register visit www.wordendisplays.com/budget

Good luck at your next show.

A number of clients recently commented on the costs that trade show charge for electrical, internet and other show related services. This video briefly describes some of the challenges and ways to address them.

Attend our free webinar 7 Ways to Reduce Trade Show Costs to learn more ways to keep show service charges in control, click here for more information.

A recent survey concluded that exhibitors are becoming frustrated with the explosive trade show service costs. To limit these costs you can do the following
1. Take advantage of early bird discounts
2. Design a booth with lower operating costs
3. Know what you’re buying and what you’re paying for
To learn more specific ways to limit your show service charges attend our NO-COST, NO-Commitment webinar on 7 Ways to Reduce your Trade Show Costs.

In 15 minutes we will show you how to reduce your trade show costs and improve your results.

To learn more and register visit www.wordendisplays.com/budget

Good luck at your next show.

First time exhibitors are always shocked by the rising cost of trade shows. One of the easiest and fastest ways to Reduce Trade Show Costs is by lowering late fees.

Watch this quick video to learn some easy tips on how to lower your late fees, and if you like it check out our live event: 7 Ways to Reduce Trade Show Costs (click here for more info)

Late fees will kill any budget, not just trade shows. To save your trade show budget use a calendar to mark down every important date, especially registration deadlines, shipping deadlines and all production deadlines with your exhibit manufacturer.

To learn about additional deadlines you should focus on attend our NO-COST, NO-Commitment webinar on 7 Ways to Reduce your Trade Show Costs.

In 15 minutes we will show you how to reduce your trade show costs and improve your results.

Good luck at your next show.

For many exhibitors, the costs to exhibiting seem to be going up year after year. With budgets being tighter and rising costs impacting the return, exhibitors are looking for a way to reduce trade show costs. To learn more, watch the video below.

If you are interested in 7 Ways to Reduce your Trade Show Costs, click here to learn more.

For those of you who have not heard of Material Handling, it is what a show facility will charge you to move your trade show exhibit from the delivery dock to your booth space, and again return it to the loading dock for pick up. Whether they charge by weight, or cubic size varies by show and exhibit centre.

The best way to save on material handling and reduce trade show costs, is to know how you are being billed (by weight or cubic size or both) and to plan accordingly. For example a double deck booth with heavy structural components may cost 5x what a simpler fabric structure will cost. The savings in material handling may pay for a newer booth.

To learn more about how to reduce material handling and learn how to reduce your trade show costs, attend our NO-COST, NO-Commitment webinar on 7 Ways to Reduce your Trade Show Costs.

In 15 minutes we will show you how to reduce your trade show costs and improve your results.

To learn more and register click here.

Good luck at your next show.

3 Quick Tips to Reduce Trade Show Costs with Smart Shipping

Below is a video with 3 quick tips on how to reduce your trade show costs with smart shipping. If you prefer to read the content, you can scroll down.

Click here to register for the 7 Ways to Reduce Trade Show Costs webinar.

Tip number 1 is reduce your over all weight. There are a variety of ways to do this. We encourage our clients to purchase lightweight compact trade show displays that they can transport themselves, or more ship to the show at a lower cost. At some shows you may even be able to avoid paying material handling.

Tip number 2 is to consolidate your shipments. You can easily blow your shipping budget out of the water by shipping product in from all over the country, especially when you FedEx Overnight 2 boxes of literature. When possible, have your literature ship with, or inside the both cases.

Tip number 3 is to plan well in advance. I know you have heard this thousands of times, but rushed shipments is one of the most common reasons for blowing a trade show budget. Take the time 6 months ahead of your show to note the important ship dates and work backwards.

We hope you find these tips helpful.

If you are frustrated with skyrocketing trade show costs attend our NO-COST, NO-Commitment webinar on 7 Ways to Reduce Trade Show Costs.

In 15 minutes we will show you how to reduce your trade show costs and improve your results. To learn more or to register click here.

Good luck at your next show.

How to use a pop up trade show display in a mall

A recent client came to us with a unique challenge; they were trying to find a cost effective way to make a mobile display that could be used in a mall, but they did not want the “usual, plain, boring” pop up trade show display. Luckily, we have a pop up that allows us to have a lot of versatility.

The Instand Pop Up, allows you to do some extraordinary things. Whether it be a simple 8′ wide or 10′ wide pop up, or an entrance way to a museum, the options are limitless. As you can see by the picture to the left, one of the options presented to the client was to create an entrance way that would allow your brand to be the focus of a high traffic area.

The second option we presented to the client was the option to create an island display, which was more cost effective than a custom stationary kiosk. The client elected for the island option, known as the “Sagittarius Instand Pop Up,” because of its ease of set-up and portability. This pop up trade show display was able to fit in one case, transported by car and set up in less than 20 minutes.

This particular pop up trade show display is no limited to an island configuration, it can be reconfigured to make a 6′, 8′ and 10′ inline exhibit. Below is a picture of the Sagittarius display.

If you would like to learn more about versatility of our trade show display products, please click the “Request a Quote” button at the top right, or email us at solutions[at]wordendisplays.com.

We recently discovered new technology for your Trade Show Displays

A recent article published in Exhibitor Magazine explores some cutting edge technology for use in Trade Show Displays.  Namely, tablets, Near Field Communication (NRC), and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).  The article discusses companies that have used tablets in their booths and have experienced some astonishing results.

“Hoping to sign up 200 people for the giveaway, the company signed up more than 500 – and also compiled a database of prospects it could contact after the show.  By simply using the iPad as a way to physically liberate staff and customers from the more rigid confines of stationary PCs and the booth.”

Not only do tablets provide flexibility and mobility, they can also provide a modern and laid-back atmosphere while attendees visit a booth.

How can tablets be used in Trade Show Displays?

Tablets can be used as mini presentation theaters when a full sized theater just won’t fit into a booth space.  Exhibitors can upload a series of videos or demos onto the tablet and the attendees can select the ones they want to watch.  The interactive component of a tablet could be far more effective in captivating the attendee and honing in on their actual interests.  Attendees can then “Like” the company on Facebook or follow them on Twitter, using the iPad or tablet provided at the booth.

What is Near Field Communication and what impact does it have on exhibiting?

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a new wireless technology that is made up of an antenna and a programmed SIM or SD card.  NFC-enabled devices transmit data to each other when they are in close proximity.  Devices communicate with each other when within distances of 4 inches or less.

What is exciting is that a lot of smart phones and tablets are already NFC equipped so the technology is ready to be used!  Once more companies start offering the hardware/software required to process these transactions, NFC should become a trade show norm.   NFC allows trade show exhibitors to complete time consuming tasks, such as floor sales and the collection/distribution of information, more efficiently and effectively than ever with the simple wave or touch of a phone.  This convenience allows the exhibitor an opportunity to engage with their attendees more.

 Radio Frequency Identification and Exhibiting

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has been around for over 60 years but has grown in popularity significantly over the past few years since the usage of the technology in various markets and the decreased cost.  Some common uses of the RFID are in transponders, pet tracking and supply-chain management.  The RFID technology is made up of a microchip and a curly antenna, set on a substrate.  The microchip transmits data to a computer or ‘reader’ through the antenna.  The computer (or reader) then uses radio wave signals to allow the devices to communicate information between each other.   

At trade show displays, RFID can be highly effective.

“RFID can be used to trigger customized media to appear on monitors when a key customer or certain tier of prospect enters your booth.  You can also use RFID technology to alert your staffers so they can engage those customers and prospects.”

Companies with RFID technology at their trade show displays are able to personalize their booth experiences and draw attention to the products that the attendees are really interested in.  Companies can also use this as a way to design future booth contents, by adding more of what attendees want and eliminating what they don’t want.  Not a bad investment, at about 15 cents per tag.

To access the full article from Exhibitor Magazine, click here.

To learn more about Worden Displays products and services, please visit this link.

Penfolds is known as Australia’s most iconic winery and, starting in March 2011, Penfolds will bring wines of distinct flavors to the (PRODUCT)^RED family. The Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet traditional ‘Australian blend’ provides a fleshy fruit flavor with a frame of fine grained tannins; while the Thomas Hyland Shiraz selection offers a contemporary expression of varietal flavor. Penfolds will contribute 15% of the profits of Penfolds (PRODUCT)^RED wines sold during promotional periods directly to the Global Fund.

It was our pleasure to work with Treasury Wine Estates in developing a new trade show display to help promote Penfolds involvement and support of project (Red).

Which Trade Shows Give You the Best ROI?

Choosing a trade show that will give you a good return on your investment can sometimes be an overwhelming task. This checklist will guide you through the process of choosing trade shows that will bring success to your company.

How do you find what trade shows are available? The first step is to find what trade shows are available in your industry. There are several online sources to find shows such as www.thetradeshowcalendar.com or www.tsnn.com. Another good resource for finding relevant trade shows is through industry trade associations. Industry groups often sponsor trade shows. For example American Water Works Association often sponsors water distribution trade shows.

Okay, now you know where to look but how in the world can you choose which show is best for you? Ask yourself the following questions regarding trade show exhibiting:

1. What is my purpose for exhibiting?
2. What shows are my customers going to?
3. What demographic am I’m looking for?
4. Would a large or small show be best?
5. Can I evaluate the show ahead of time?

1. What is my purpose for exhibiting?

• New business?
• Meet with existing clients?
• New product announcement?
• Meet with sales reps?
• Mini training sessions
• Some of the above?
• All the above (if the show has multiple purposes, make sure you know which single purpose is the most important)?

2. What shows are my customers going to?

Definitely ask your customers this question. Find out:
• What shows they attend and would they attend again?
• Is there a show(s) that was a waste of time for them?
• What show(s) are they planning to attend next year?

3. What demographic are you looking for?

• Know your customer/potential customer
• Compare this to the demographic information that is available in the Exhibitor’s Prospectus.

4. Would a large or small show be best?

This is a great question. We often think larger shows give us more bang for the buck, but consider this. In a large show venue, you will be unable to talk to the majority of people unless you are a huge company with a huge booth that all attendees are flocking to. Unlikely, right? In a smaller show, you will have access to practically every single attendee. Also small shows are much more focused so the attendees are good, solid leads for you.
Small shows are typically regional/local shows or niche markets shows with an industry.

5. Can I evaluate the show ahead of time?

If at all possible you should plan to go to shows as an attendee if:
• This is a new show
• It’s an established show, but you have never attended

While you are attending the show ask yourself the following:
• Will this show meet my needs? (Refer to purpose for exhibiting above.)
• Is it geographically feasible? In other words, is it in the right place?
• Is the show management staff responsive to my questions and helpful, are they responsible and able to grow this show?
By carefully following the steps you will be able to choose shows that fit your goals and client demographics which will help increase your return on your investment, making your exhibit program successful.

Happy exhibiting,

Drew

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Worden Displays helps companies get better results from their trade show exhibits and their trade show marketing. Call or e‐mail us to speak to one of our exhibit consultants and
discuss how to make your next trade show even better.

We are happy to congratulate Ajoi Landscape Design who won the “Best Display” award in December at the “SEB Showcase 2011″ show.

The display was constructed using the Clip Modular Display System and features a bold and clean logo graphic and message allowing show visitors to focus on Ajoi Landscape Design’s impressive portfolio on a 40″ LCD monitor showing a loop of some of their recent landscape projects.

Ajoi Landscape Design is looking forward to exhibiting at many of the Home Shows in the Metro area with their new exhibit.

The CLiP Modular Display System is a simple pole and panel system sold exclusively in Canada by Worden Displays Inc. The system requires no tolls for set-up and can be assembled in minutes.