Author: Nikki Devereux

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Museum Exhibit

Recycling Materials for a Greener Museum Exhibit

One of the challenges in our industry is finding ways to be more earth friendly. The best tactic that we’ve employed has been to creatively repurpose exhibits that are no longer useful in their current format. This applies to museum exhibits and trade show exhibits alike. Our latest repurpose project was for Leepa Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs.

The Leepa-Rattner Museum is a modern and contemporary art museum featuring more than 6,000 works of 20th and 21st century art. They recently participated in the Artmobile project for Pinellas County schools, and there was a TV pedestal from the exhibit that did not have a home after the project was over. We wanted to find a way to live up to our “greener museum exhibit” challenge, so we took a look at what they currently had on display, and how we could incorporate this orphan piece.

Leepa-Rattner's TV stand display at Artmobile - before it became our greener museum exhibit piece.

Leepa-Rattner’s TV stand display at Artmobile – before it became our “greener museum exhibit” piece.

We found the perfect home for this “greener museum exhibit” piece in the Interactive Gallery. The Interactive Gallery is a space where visitors are encouraged to experience art hands-on. The museum wanted to enhance the gallery by creating a technology piece, so we decided to use the TV pedestal as an iPad dock and counter. The counter supports multiple users and conceals wiring and power for a seamless, safe interactive technology piece.

The new iPad stand in the Interactive Gallery.

The new iPad stand in the Interactive Gallery.

The work it took to repurpose the piece was minimal – for projects like this it is usually vision and creativity that are more important. We re-laminated the piece to match the museum, added a door for power access and removed all of the old graphic skins from the base. The final step was to build a custom iPad swivel stand for the top, and that was it. Greener museum exhibit mission accomplished.

Sometimes simple solutions are the best solutions. There was nothing complex about this project, but it did take some consideration. The best thing about creative solutions like this is that they often solve several problems at one time. In this case, we responded to the need for an interactive technology piece and the need to discard a large object – sometimes easier said than done. This is one of our strengths – our ability to look at something and envision its potential.

ADM Two doesn’t just envision potential, we make your vision a reality. Creating an exciting and engaging museum exhibit starts with choosing a great team to help with design. We can even help you create that “greener museum exhibit,” which will save you money and help the planet. ADM Two are experts in custom museum exhibit fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with design ideas. Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for museum fabrication.

 

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Museum Exhibit

Museum Fabrication: Bringing a Museum Exhibit Back to Life

Museum fabrication - the Palmer museum exhibit in Sarasota.

Museum exhibit fabrication – the Palmer museum exhibit in Sarasota.

 

Museum fabrication is exciting for us, as we have the pleasure of immersing ourselves in the exhibits we help build. Whether we are fabricating for a history museum or an art museum, there is always a story or a lesson to be learned. The Palmer exhibit at Historic Spanish Point in Sarasota was no exception – we were captivated with “Mrs. Potter Palmer: The Legendary Lady.”

Mrs. Palmer was an extraordinary woman, particularly for her time. She was a business savvy, politically connected socialite. She loved Sarasota, and in 1910 decided to establish a 350-acre estate there, which she named Osprey Point. Many of the lavish gardens and lawns that Mrs. Palmer created have now been restored at Historic Spanish Point. In 1976, it became the first site in Sarasota County to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Last month we had the pleasure of helping to update the Palmer museum exhibit. With just a few changes, the entire exhibit was revitalized – it is now more elegant, more modern and it is even easier to read. The museum fabrication facelift included:

  • A fresh coat of paint for a clean slate
  • New lighting for better visibility and a more modern feel
  • New graphics for texture and color
  • Layered graphic panels for dimension

The fresh coat of paint made a world of difference. It gave us a clean canvas to start with. The new lighting enhanced this clean slate, adding an air of richness. The Palmer museum exhibit no longer felt forgotten – it was given a new vitality.

We chose a china pattern from Mrs. Palmer’s era for the background graphics. The pattern truly set off the entire exhibit and added a beautiful old world feel that is both luxurious and comforting – a perfect means of conveying Mrs. Palmer’s influence.

museum fabrication

A fresh coat of paint laid the pristine foundation for the revitalization of this museum exhibit.

 

Adding more color graphics and photos gave the exhibit some depth and character. The text is more readable and the layered panels lend a more substantial feel to the presentation. Overall, the subtle changes we made had a huge impact on this museum exhibit. It was as if the story of Mrs. Palmer came alive.

Museum Fabrication

Before and after photos – before on the top, after on the bottom.

“Museum fabrication reminds us of when we were kids – how exciting it was when we would go on field trips to the art museum or the history museum. It’s this type of learning that is memorable for children, and we love to help make it a reality,” said Susan Canonico, CEO of ADM Two.

Exciting and engaging museum fabrication starts with choosing a great team to help with design. ADM Two are experts in custom museum exhibit fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with design ideas. Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show booth design. For more information on the Palmer exhibit and Historic Spanish Point, visit www.historicspanishpoint.org.

 

 

 

Blog (Exhibit Insight)

Professional Exhibition Booth Design Team – Worth the Investment

Trade shows are a major investment, so it is wise to plan as much as you can and think about hiring professionals to help you prepare. Hiring a professional to assist with the exhibition booth design and to create graphics specially made for exhibition design will save you time and money. Because trade show marketing is a little different than traditional marketing, experts can help you navigate some unfamiliar territory and guide you in the right direction based on your overall marketing goals. At ADM Two we love working with clients to streamline their process and alleviate some stress. After all, this is what we do! Leave the exhibition booth design to us, so that you can focus on your product.

Using a professional exhibition booth design team will pay off in the end.

Using a professional exhibition booth design team will pay off in the end.

A professional exhibition booth designer can help you determine the size, layout, color scheme, and theme of your exhibition design. Furthermore, they will be familiar with the rules and regulations associated with the event, so you can leave these details to the designer.

“We’ve had clients come to us after a couple failed trade shows. They were discouraged by their experience and almost ready to give up on trade shows altogether. We soothed their fears and helped them design something affordable and eye-catching. They exceeded their goals for the next trade show and came back to us with tears of happiness rather than frustration,” says Shannon Bennett of ADM Two. ADM Two staff have decades of experience in exhibition design, so all you need to do is think about what you want to achieve – we will do the rest. We make it easy.

Work closely with your designer to clearly communicate your goals. Assess the exhibition booth design of some of your closest competitors. Think about the flaws and strengths, and let your exhibition design team know your thoughts. Open up a dialogue by asking their opinion. You never know what ideas they may have for your booth design that never even occurred to you. We enjoy the brainstorming process; this is where a lot of creativity happens.

Brainstorming with your team and bringing some of the ideas back to the exhibition booth design professional can be a great way to get even more creativity flowing. The designer can give you some feedback, and your combined ideas may lead to the perfect solution. Bring up atmosphere, lighting, special effects – try to evoke an overall atmosphere with your exhibition design choices. You really want to blow the competition out of the water!

Make sure your graphics are just as extraordinary as the exhibition booth design itself. Graphics are major attention-grabbers, so making ensuring they are thoughtfully designed and well-placed will be an asset to your exhibition design. Think about the different levels in which the exhibition booth design will contain graphics. Place eye-catching logos higher up on banners, so attendees can see them from across the room. Make sure your web address is at eye level or above. The higher the better, because it will be visible from further distances.

 Also, don’t underestimate the importance of color scheme. Color evokes mood, emotion, and action. A graphic designer with experience in exhibition design should be an expert at choosing colors that will achieve the goals for your exhibition booth design.

 Creating an exciting and engaging trade show booth starts with great exhibition booth design. ADM Two staff are experts on trade show displays, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your display needs. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on trade show booth layout, trade show graphics, and etiquette.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Trade Show Customization

Notes from the Trade Show Floor – InfoComm

Trade Show Floor Photo Journal

A couple weeks ago we attended InfoComm, held at the Orange County Convention Center. InfoComm International is the trade association representing the professional audio-visual and information communications industries worldwide. The trade show provides audio-visual professionals with the ultimate experience. From the latest technology to engaging educational sessions, InfoComm packed the future of audio-visual into that showroom. Our photo journal below demonstrates a host of great, innovative ideas from the trade show floor.

 

Flooring

We were especially impressed with the unique flooring choices, from a nice organic wood to colorful geometric designs. All of these flooring choices were made with the intention of solidifying the brand and communicating a message. Remember, every element of your trade show booth is an opportunity to tell the story of your brand.

Wood flooring in this trade show booth adds a home-like atmosphere.

Wood flooring in this trade show booth adds a home-like atmosphere.

Footprints are cute and create memorable imagery for the word "leopard."

Footprints are cute and create memorable imagery for the word “leopard.”

IMG_5636

This graphic flooring is colorful and drives the concept of technology home.

Instantly recognizable Monopoly-inspired board game flooring creates a fun atmosphere and draws a lot of attention.

Instantly recognizable Monopoly-inspired board game flooring creates a fun atmosphere and draws a lot of attention. Matching wall graphics and three dimensional “game pieces” tie it all together.

 

Virtual Presenter

One booth had a virtual presenter, who came to life and spoke to you when you press a console. Pretty cool!

Loved this virtual presenter.

Loved this virtual presenter.

 

Monitors

The Christie trade show booth had a measurement in the carpet to guide you on pixels of the imagery you were seeing.

IMG_5630

TD-X used some cool geometric patterns to mount their monitors in a way that was truly outstanding.

trade show floor IMG_5635

 

Double Decker

It was hard to miss this beautifully designed double decker on the trade show floor by Denon Professional, and even harder not to walk inside.

trade show floor trade show floor, trade show flooring, trade show booth

 

For more information about InfoComm, visit their website at www.infocomm.org.

Create an exciting and engaging trade show booth by using a dynamic trade show floor. ADM Two are experts in exhibition booth design, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with trade show booth ideas. Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show exhibit graphics and etiquette.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Trade Show Customization

Trade Show Booth Customization and Personalization – Industry Trends

Recently we read an interview with Mel White, one of the general managers of Classic Exhibits. We were particularly interested in this interview because we have been an affiliate of Classic Exhibits for years; we offer their products as an option for our clients who want tailored solutions, but do not have the budget for a custom trade show booth. White briefly discussed trade show booth customization and personalization as top industry trends.

“Probably 75% of what we build is either a customized kit or completely custom, which means that customers are focusing on personalized solutions first – what do they need to be successful at a trade show, an event, or in a retail setting,” said White during the interview.

We were surprised that White bypassed technology (though he later circled back around to discuss the vast advances in trade show technology), but ultimately we agree. Trade show booth customization and personalization are extremely important in the industry, and we are on the cutting edge of both.

It’s great to know that people are placing value on refining their trade show booth to reflect their brand, rather than choosing the cheapest option that ultimately lacks character. If you want to have your cake and eat it too, we have multiple solutions that are both highly customizable and affordable. So, while we specialize in custom designed and fabricated booths where the sky is the limit, we also offer many products that meet the needs of smaller companies with big personality.

Meet the Idea Gallery, where you can browse our huge selection of hybrid exhibits, portable exhibits and a la carte items. We have a wide selection of items that fit any size or style booth, and we can help you create a custom trade show booth to show off your brand.

trade show booth customization

Trade show booth customization doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

 

Trade show booth customization doesn’t end with the booth itself. We have options for flooring, lighting, monitor stands, and kiosks. It can be overwhelming, but we’ve been doing this for generations. We will help bring your vision to life.

Create an exciting and engaging trade show booth by working with an expert at ADM Two. We have an eye for trade show booth design and the experience to customize to your budget, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with trade show booth ideas. Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show exhibit graphics and trade show staff etiquette.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Trade Show, Trade Show Installation

Trade Show Installation – A Behind the Scenes Look

We are all familiar with the excitement and bustle that comes with working the trade show floor, but do you know what happens before the show to make all of those booths look so fabulous? There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to trade show installation, and sometimes we underestimate the preparation and brains that drive the behind the scene activity.

Watch this incredibly informative and well-produced video about trade show labor. You will gain a great deal more respect for the talent, skill and time that goes into the creation of trade show booths.

 

 

trade show installation tampa

Trade show elements are dropped off on the floor, waiting for the crew to arrive.

trade show installation orlando

First things first – tape down all the electrical elements that run underneath the carpet.

 

 

trade show installation

Softening the ground in preparation for carpet.

 

trade show installation miami

Installing trade show graphics can be a challenge.

 

Creating an exciting and engaging trade show booth starts with great exhibition booth design, but doesn’t end there. ADM Two staff are experts on trade show displays, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your display needs. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on trade show graphics, and etiquette.

ADM Two Case Study, Blog (Exhibit Insight), Custom Corporate Environment

Custom Corporate Environment Case Study: Alumi-Guard

First impressions are paramount, and that is especially true of your business space. Your reception area is the introduction to your brand, so it should thoughtfully convey your message. Making a good first impression is the bare minimum; you should aim to create a memorable one. That is just what Alumi-Guard has done with their corporate reception space, with the help of ADM Two’s custom fabrication team.

Below is the lobby/reception area before the transformation to custom corporate environment. It is drab and lifeless, a blank canvas.

before, drab, lifeless reception area, custom corporate environment

Before the transformation – drab, lifeless reception area.

One of the goals was to create atmosphere in the fairly small space. In order to achieve that goal, ADM Two and Alumi-Guard used a mural off the main lobby to display the Alumi-Guard history timeline, telling the story of the brand. Custom printed wallpaper with a color photo adds a dramatic effect to the background of the timeline. We used large, frosted acrylic panels layered with graphic stand-offs that add dimension and texture.

timeline wall alumi guard, custom corporate environment

Installation of the frosted glass panels over custom wallpaper. So cool!

The company and parent logos are large and carefully mounted so as not to damage the wall in the event that they need to be removed. This careful consideration is one of the hallmarks of ADM Two.

“We tailor everything to our client’s precise needs. From designing the custom corporate environment to installation, we make sure that each and every goal is met. We are up for any challenge,” says Shannon Bennett of ADM Two.

alumi-guard, barrette, custom corporate environment

Great care was taken when installing the Alumi-Guard and Barrette logos.

Alumi-Guard also wanted this space to serve as their product showroom, and even included a multi-media area with monitors featuring video and image presentations, along with company website and internet access. The media wall also includes beautiful color images that highlight various products and technology advances.

media wall, custom corporate environment, alumi-guard

The media wall features beautiful color still images and two video monitors.

“We had in mind what we wanted for that area, and what we ended up with from ADM Two was truly amazing. Our concept came out exactly as we had envisioned. It was as if they (ADM Two) pulled it out of our heads. Definitely first rate, excellent work,” said Donna Smith of the finished custom corporate space.

We love it when we receive that kind of response from clients. It means that we delivered exactly what we promised – “Where Vision Becomes Reality.” Take a look at the time lapse of our progress below!

 

Create an exciting and engaging corporate environment by customizing and adding texture and images. ADM Two are experts in custom corporate environment design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with corporate environment ideas. Take a look at some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show exhibit design and etiquette. Also, check out Barrette’s website to view more of their product line at www.barretteoutdoorliving.com.

custom corporate environment

After the transformation and before the transformation. What a difference!

 

 

Blog (Exhibit Insight)

Trade Show Lighting: Standing Out from the Crowd

So you’ve invested time and money into exceptional trade show exhibit design and graphics. Now it’s time to think about investing in your trade show lighting. Effective lighting can help you stand out in a room full of other trade show exhibits. People are drawn to light. ADM Two works with several experts on trade show lighting, so if you need ideas for lighting trade shows, look no further. “We love assisting clients with lighting design. It is just as interesting for us to work with a team to choose a lighting scheme as it is for the people who will eventually see it. It’s just fun,” says Shannon Bennett of ADM Two.

Helios creates trade show lighting texture with spotlights pointing down at their graphics.

Helios creates trade show lighting texture with spotlights pointing down at their graphics.

Keep it simple and classy. As with trade show graphics, you don’t want to go overboard with trade show lighting. Below are some styles of trade show lighting that you can use in your display arsenal.

Spotlights can be used to draw attention to a particular product or highlight a kiosk that contains important information. Lead your visitors around your trade show exhibit with spotlights. Spotlights can be incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, or par can, which looks like a bright, focused pool of light.

Accent lights serve to call attention and clarify, which is always important. Call attention to your logo, your company literature, or any products you may be displaying. Use these alongside spotlights to create dimension and texture, but beware of overdoing it. Less is more.

Ambient light. Ambient lighting adds texture and can be used in conjunction with accent lighting to create a sense of permanence to your trade show exhibit design, giving the impression that your booth is a home.

Flattering light. Remember that one thing that will fill up your booth is people. Choose lights that will flatter both you and others. Warmer light is more flattering, and don’t forget to adjust brightness so that the lights are neither too dark nor too bright.

Gobo lights create special effects. You can project images onto any surface of your trade show booth, including your logo or moving graphics. This is a creative trade show lighting option to gain more attention.

Create a mood with lighting. If you have LED rope lights, you can add highlights to your banner to draw attention to your company name and logo. A light box can add a beautiful glow to your logo. Get creative. Lighting doesn’t have to be expensive, but it can add a priceless element of interest to your trade show exhibit design.

Create an exciting and engaging trade show booth by using dynamic display light. ADM Two are experts in exhibition booth design, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with trade show booth ideas. Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show exhibit graphics and etiquette.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Trade Show, Trade Show Booth Rental

Trade Show Booth Rental

Choosing the path of trade show booth rental is a good choice for many reasons: it is environmentally friendly, you don’t have to worry about shipping if you don’t want to, and you can customize rentals more than ever before. Planning ahead will help make trade show booth rental the most cost effective approach. We can help you create a dynamic and functional exhibition booth to reach your marketing goals and stay within your booth design budget.

First and foremost, think a few years down the line about the exhibitions you will be attending. Many trade show booth rental companies will apply a discount if you sign up for multiple rentals ahead of time. Planning ahead will force you to consider some long-term marketing goals as well, which is never a bad thing.

Work with a company like ADM Two to get ideas and suggestions on customizing your trade show booth rental to work with your marketing goals. We are experts on working with clients to create a sensational trade show booth rental that doesn’t look like a rental. Take, for example, the Autoloop trade show booth rental below.

The Autoloop trade show booth rental looks great! You wouldn't even know it's a rental.

The Autoloop trade show booth rental looks great! You wouldn’t even know it’s a rental.

“We love working with customers to create engaging, dynamic trade show booth rental designs. People get really excited during the design process,” says Susan Canonico of ADM Two.

Shipping is much simpler with trade show booth rental. If you have your rental company handle shipping, it is likely to save you money and definitely time. If something happens to the shipment, the trade show booth rental company will handle the problem so you don’t have to. Also, you don’t have to think about storage, which means even more time and money for you. We can do it all for you, so all you have to do is show up to the trade show and wow everyone with your sparkling personality.

Don’t forget that if you are responsible for either setting up the trade show booth rental or hiring someone else to do it, make sure you have instructions. Nothing could be more frustrating than having a great exhibition booth design in a hundred pieces that you have no idea how to assemble! However, one of the reasons you probably chose trade show booth rental is that more often than not, the company you are renting from will install and dismantle for free.

Creating an exciting and engaging trade show booth starts with choosing the right trade show booth rental and planning ahead. ADM Two are experts in exhibition booth design, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with trade show booth ideas. Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show exhibit graphics and etiquette.

Blog (Exhibit Insight)

Custom Trade Show Exhibits – Using Mascots to Draw a Crowd

Bringing custom trade show exhibit mascots to life is a great way to attract attention to your trade show booth and make a lasting impression on potential clients. This is especially true of mascots in the form of adorable animals. A few weeks ago, ADM Two had the opportunity to work with Solutions Management, Inc. (SMI) and their baby elephant mascot at the PRSM National Conference in Philadelphia.

HCP & Associates, Inc., SMI’s marketing agency, came up with the brilliant idea to bring their baby elephant, “Ernest,” to life for custom trade show exhibit photo ops a few years ago. Since then, it has been an irresistible draw, as Ernest is realistic looking and, of course, adorable.

Custom trade show exhibit Tampa.

Ernest and the trade show booth staff.

SMI also includes a large window cling with animals walking in a line next to you, from your hotel to the trade show booth, for added effect. The elephant theme carries through in the window cling and also for the giveaways, creating a memorable and heart-warming association with an intelligent, gentle creature.

Custom trade show exhibit Tampa.

Walking with the animals!

SMI service partners utilize a large amount of water in their day-to-day services and the company really wanted their prospects and clients to understand why they are so different. The goal was to connect the audience with an icon that was noble, environmentally conscious and memorable. They really achieve a high level of awareness with this combination of visuals that tugs at people’s heart-strings.

“Ernest the Elephant was born at HCP in 2011 and his aura focuses on his attributes that tie directly to various SMI philosophies and services. For example, a nationwide ad for emergency floods featured Ernest as “The Ultimate Wet Vac”. This campaign also opened up our creative department to entertaining relationships with other animals. It’s hard to say what Ernest will do next!” said Eric Polins, Senior Strategist/Partner at HCP Associates.

ADM Two fabricated the foundation of what proved to be one of the most popular booths at the trade show. Every time we work with HCP & Associates, they do something unique and interesting. The DENCTO mascot is another example of their creative genius at work.

Creating an exciting and engaging custom trade show exhibit starts with choosing a creative team to design and Fabricate your display. ADM Two is an expert custom trade show exhibit manufacturer, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with custom trade show booth ideas. Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show exhibit design, graphics and etiquette.