Trade show booth care is a special treatment to extend the life of the components, because of the time and energy put into the design and production of it, as well as the monetary investment. This means that every piece of it looks nearly new every time it’s on display. How you take care of this investment is very important, especially when it’s being used several times a year, or more.

Storage

All storage is not created equal. Direct sunlight and humidity can damage the graphics, so leaving your trade show booth exposed to the elements is not an option. A warehouse can be hazardous to your display’s health, especially if it’s not a temperature controlled environment.

The ideal storage of your booth is with a company that builds them, such as ADM2 Services. Because they understand what your booth needs, they become the custodians of your investment. And, they can ship it anywhere.

Travel

How you store your booth will affect how it travels. Specialty built cases offer better protection when your trade show booth travels from one side of the country to the other. These cases are made to be air tight. Plus, the booth materials need to fit snugly, so they don’t move or get jostled during shipping. Any movement can cause scratches or damage fragile parts. And, remember that the cargo hold in a plane can be as unforgiving as a trailer.

Set up and Dismantling

Always take inventory of the crates, cases, boxes, and individual pieces prior to shipping. Proper labeling is very important. You may also want to inspect the booth before shipping. The same amount of care is needed when dismantling the booth. Everything should fit perfectly in place, as it had when it left the storage facility.

We can teach you on the proper handling of your trade show booth, and offer specialized storage, so your components are secure and safely resting until the next show. Another great option is our professional services to handle trade show booth care and logistics. This allows your team to focus on business before and after the trade show.

ADM Two staff are experts on trade show booth care, display design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your display, no matter where your event takes place. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on trade show booth layout, trade show graphics, and etiquette.

ADM Two Case Study, Blog (Exhibit Insight), Branding, Trade Show

PSCU – The Experience Continues

2017-03-09 Shannon Bennett

Recently we finished another project or our client, PSCU. As we discussed in our case study about PSCU, they are always looking to create an experience. Whether it is through giveaways, interactive elements, or just creating a comfortable space for visitors, PSCU does a great job of welcoming and keeping trade show booth visitors.

For their latest booth, PSCU incorporated several interactive elements from previous booths. The brand is showcased in the same sleek, elegant design used for all of their communications and displays, with a slightly different layout and more kiosks for demos and information.

If you look at images below of their previous booths and the 2016 Member Forum, you’ll see how the brand identity remains consistent through in each display.

2016 PSCU Member Forum

interactive-trade-show-booth-pscu-685x457

PSCU trade show booth at the Governmental Affairs Conference.

Don’t forget to check out Part II of our project with PSCU and visit their website at www.pscu.com. It was such a pleasure to work with them on another trade show booth and creating an experience is what we do best. For more information on how we can help with your next interactive trade show booth, call us at (813) 887.1960 or email [email protected].

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Technology

Trade Show Tech and Trends: What to Look for in 2017

2017-01-19 Shannon Bennett

Technology is incorporating itself more into trade show booths than ever before. Remember when plasma screens came onto the scene over ten years ago? Unfortunately, you needed a couple linebackers to lift one that was over 50 inches. For 2017, trends for trade shows will be about portability and experience—having the “Wow!” without the weight.

With the rise in mobile and touch technology, people love to experience tech with their hands. This is a big plus for exhibitors, because it changes the way they interact with you and your products. And, high-tech is becoming more affordable to incorporate into your display. We have a short list of new technologies and show trends to look for during 2017.

Tailored Presentations – Offering unique experiences at your booth creates lasting impressions. Large format touch screens allow visitors to “choose their own adventure” while they are exposed to a presentation about your products and services. On the back-end, analytics can be generated, much like your website and click-through rates.

Mobile Apps – Here’s a great way to send invitations, locate attendees, and track visitors’ behaviors. There are a whole range of inventive trade show applications to bring visitors to your booth..

AR / VR & Wearables – New trade show tech is interesting and fun. Those funny looking goggles are catching on and people want to wear them to see what all the buzz is about. Incorporating virtual reality into your booth and presentation will create memorable experiences.

Phone Charging Stations – Battery life in smartphones seems to be dwindling more and more with the latest versions. For a tradeshow attendee, a dead phone feels like being cut off from all of civilization. Come to your visitor’s rescue with a free charging station incorporated into the theme of your display.

ADM Two staff are experts on display design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your display, no matter where your event takes place and no matter what trade show tech you need. 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), Sponsorships

Event Sponsorship

2016-12-29 Shannon Bennett

Event sponsorship is smart business. Recently we wrote an article about Et Cultura, a music, film, art, and interactive festival that we sponsored in November of this year. We sponsor several events each year, in part to help great causes and our community, but also because event sponsorship is a great way to network and get our name in front of more people.

This year alone, we sponsored two large events and one smaller event. All three gave us the opportunity to help companies and causes that we believe in, and we were able to meet some great new people in the process. There are many ways to sponsor events – as a trade show, corporate interior and event display company, we have the ability to provide very key components for event production and thus have our products be very visible to large groups of people.

et-cultura-pop-up-display-table event sponsorship

We sponsored this sign in table display at the entrance of the Et Cultura interactive sessions.

Below are a few ways we provide event sponsorship. Even if you are not a display fabrication company, use this list to generate ideas for how to use your own products and services to provide valuable sponsorships, help your community, and get your company’s name in front of large groups of people.

Provide an information table with the event’s logo and information printed on it
Provide banner stands and signs with event info
Provide charging stations
Provide koozies with the event logo on one side and your logo on the other
Provide unique printed materials such as:
- Step and repeats
- Mesh banners to cover speakers
- Printed covers for fences, barriers and even cones

No matter how you sponsor the event, make sure you know and understand exactly what that means for your company. Will your logo be listed on the website? Will it be in the program? These are all questions you should be asking before any agreements are made. The benefits will vary based on the event and what you contribute, but it is up to you to determine if the sponsorship package is worth the expense you incur.

Charging stations are a great way to support an event and get your logo in front of people.

ADM Two staff are experts on display design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your display. Event sponsorship is important to us, so stay tuned for the next story about our community involvement. 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)

Experiential Marketing: Trade Show Attendance is on the Rise

2016-11-30 Shannon Bennett

Experiential marketing is more important than ever. A few years ago we attended a TED X event at MOSI in Tampa. The topics ranged from painting as a way to heal emotional distress to a hospice professional discussing the importance of living life to the fullest. One speaker – or rather, duo of speakers – talked about collecting experiences rather than material objects. They were a couple in their mid-20’s, and had discovered that the pleasure from their memories of traveling far outweighed the pleasure they received from a new car or a new computer. Experiences replaced objects.

Perhaps these young people watched their parents work long hours and endure stress and hectic schedules in order to make enough money to pay the bills for a big house and nice car. Perhaps they realized early on in their travels that the experiences were more valuable than any tangible product they had ever purchased. The next generation is a conscientious one, more likely to think about how their actions affect the planet. This influences their decisions regarding possessions. Whatever the reason – it is clear that these people are seeking something more than just a shiny object. This is where experiential marketing comes in.

Trade shows are the perfect example of experiential marketing. While some may believe that trade shows are an outdated form of marketing, the numbers show that trade show attendance is actually on the rise. And if you take into consideration the rise of a generation who prefer experiences to objects, you can see why this is true. The next generation wants to get out of the office, go to a new city, see and experience your product. Think about this when you are designing your next trade show booth. How do you make it immersive? How do you make it an experience to remember?

experiential-marketing-immersive-product-demo

This booth we designed for Ocean Optics is the perfect example of experiential marketing. Each station had hands on product demos and staff to answer questions.

The single most effective way to make your trade show booth immersive is to set up a product demonstration. Whether your staff is performing a demo or the products are there for attendees to “play” with, having them in action lets people experience first hand how your product works. If it’s impossible to demo your product in person, try creating a brief demo video that you can play during the trade show. In addition to product demos, think about what other experiential marketing tactics you can use to capture your audience. Use audio, not just in the form of a talking head on screen, but music, ambient sounds like wind, crickets, or the ocean. You can even use scent. Think about your trade show booth not just as a place for your staff to meet and greet or hand out printed collateral and giveaways – make it a unique experience that will brand itself upon the memory of any visitor who walks through your threshold.

Making an impression on people who collect experiences is a fascinating challenge. Part of the challenge is to break through the “been there, done that” attitude of a group who seek experiences so often that they really have seen it all. ADM Two has been in the trade show design industry for decades, so we have our finger on the pulse of current trends and technology that can give your trade show booth an edge. Give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with designing a booth to maximize your experiential marketing potential. Check out some of our other articles for more information on trade show booth design and case studies on some of our projects.

ADM Two Case Study, Blog (Exhibit Insight), Design, Sponsorships

ADM Two Case Study: Et Cultura Festival Wrap-Up

2016-11-23 Shannon Bennett

Last week, from November 16-20, the inaugural Et Cultura Festival was held in downtown St. Petersburg, FL. We were fortunate enough to be introduced to the founders of the festival over the summer, so we had the opportunity to sponsor this very first year of events. Along the way, we met some fascinating people and witnessed a myriad of informative and interesting events.

We provided the information table for the entrance to the interactive sessions on Wednesday-Friday. Rather than simply provide a printed tablecloth and fold up chairs, we thought we could modernize the entrance a bit with a tall, sleek white table with the Et Cultura logo and tall, elegant stools for the volunteers to sit on. The venue, Station House St. Pete, is a beautifully designed space, so this table setup fit in perfectly with the modern, yet rustic interior décor.

We also provided vertical banner stands with the Et Cultura logo and schedule of events for outside the Station House during the interactive sessions, as well as at the entrances to the film and music venue sites. Again, these banner stands added a sleek, professional feel to the events, and really helped people find their way around.

Last, we created large banners for over the speakers on the music main stage and in the film screening space. These banners were made of special mesh fabric that allows sound to travel through so it’s not muffled or distorted. The banner above the stage added the final touch.

As usual, we used creative problem solving to find unique solutions to the needs of the festival. From offering a different type of table solution to finding the right fabric for optimal sound quality, we wanted to create a look that truly complemented the idea of the festival itself – creativity, innovation, and excitement. The result of our work, combined with so many other sponsors and volunteers, was a sophisticated, lively five days full of art, music, interactive sessions, film, makers market, and other activities. We certainly enjoyed it!

ADM Two envisions potential by finding a unique solution to your event needs. Creating an exciting and engaging event starts with choosing a great team to help with design and display. ADM Two are experts in event design and our staff is prepared to handle even the most challenging projects. 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.

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

Creating an Experience with PSCU – Client Spotlight Part II

2016-09-28 Shannon Bennett

The second project that we worked on for PSCU was their Member Forum innovation expo area. Each year, PSCU hosts the Member Forum to foster growth and education for their clients. The 2016 theme was “People. Purpose. Passion,” and it explored new ways for credit unions to engage and grow membership through superior services. Education for talent and leadership development are main focuses of the event, which was held in Nashville, TN. As always, PSCU’s goal is to stand out as an innovative yet accessible partner for credit unions in the United States.

“The ultimate goal of PSCU’s 2016 Member Forum is to equip credit unions with the knowledge and tools needed to continue growing and providing exceptional service to their members,” said Scott Wagner, EVP, Membership Development for PSCU. “The conference is designed to support our cooperative’s values and mission of helping our Owners succeed in this complex and competitive payments landscape through access to valuable, strategic content.”

Each section had its own footprint to distinguish from the others, but the layout encouraged traffic flow.

The challenge in this project was to convey all that PSCU stands for in a cost-effective way that was also quick and easy to set up and dismantle. There were some other obstacles, including narrow, at times crowded hallways and space constraints that we would not normally face at a trade show. Despite these challenges, we wanted to create a display area that was substantial – a true environment in which many activities take place.

The vast windows filled the room with light and served as the perfect backdrop for our comfortable living room style seating.

PSCU is a people-oriented organization. We have seen that with the GAC trade show booth, and we see that in the Member Forum. The very theme puts people first, and this is something we needed to convey with the Member Forum environment.

People first.

We used the same colors and modern white furniture that was used for the GAC trade show booth, to maintain brand consistency and stay on budget. The furniture again created a sense of living space, comfort, and welcome. We created three “pods” in 20×20 square carpeting so that each stood out, while at the same time flowing harmoniously into each other. Different segments of their company and product offerings were positioned in the pods, and the flooring and orientation of the structure created a traffic flow between the pods.

Last, but not least, we customized the vendor tables with each vendors’ logo in order to maintain a consistent, even look across the vendor section. This made finding what you want simple, and the tables were cohesive rather than confusing.

If you haven’t already, check out Part I of our project with PSCU – their trade show booth at GAC. It was such a pleasure to work with them on both the GAC trade show booth and their Member Forum in Nashville. Creating an experience like we did for PSCU is what we do best. For more information on how we can help with your next interactive trade show booth, call us at (813) 887.1960 or email [email protected].

ADM Two Case Study, Blog (Exhibit Insight), Client Spotlight, Design, Hybrid Trade Show Booth, Technology, Trade Show

Creating an Experience with PSCU – Client Spotlight Part I

2016-09-21 Shannon Bennett

Creating an experience is something we believe in wholeheartedly because it is so focused on the client. PSCU does this especially well. We have worked with PSCU several times over the years, so we have a rhythm with them when it’s time to do a trade show booth or environment project. As always, creating an experience for their clients was one of their main goals. The experience they wanted to provide was a fresh, inviting and innovative space to connect in order to foster relationships. We created two pieces for them based on the overall goal – a trade show booth for the Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) and an environment piece for their Member Forum in Nashville, TN.

Creating an experience for PSCU customers started with a large, open design.

PSCU is a leading provider of traditional and online financial services for credit unions. Representing more than 800 credit unions, PSCU offers credit, debit and prepaid card servicing to its customers, as well as online bill payment services. However, the company strives to do more than offer products and services – helping their clients to strengthen member relationships and cultivate revenue growth is a priority. They wanted their trade show booth to impart all of these facets.

The GAC is a pivotal event for PSCU. GAC is where credit unions converge to advocate for themselves and remind lawmakers why credit unions are the best choice for Americans. For this and all events, PSCU wants to be innovative and captivating, and that is just what we accomplished in partnering with them on this trade show booth.

Creating an Experience with Design and Interactivity

We created a 40×50’ booth for the GAC, with several areas for interactivity and connection with trade show staff. The size of the booth reflected the size of the organization – as one of the largest and most well-respected credit union service organizations in the country, PSCU needed to have a presence with impact. We included comfortable living room style seating areas for a more casual, inviting atmosphere, as well as tall bar-style tables for group discussions. A separate area showcased the giveaways – selfie sticks in slick PSCU branded packaging. On the selfie stick boxes was the hashtag #CUSelfie, which encouraged attendees to snap a selfie and share with the hashtag. This automatically entered them into a contest to win an Apple iPad. This created a very engaging and exciting buzz around the PSCU trade show booth (who doesn’t want a free iPad?). Trade show attendees were eager to gather around the PSCU booth and because of this the staff had plenty of opportunity to connect with them and inform them of PSCU’s products and services.

Selfie stick giveaway with #CUselfie for a chance to win an iPad!

Another very cool innovation aspect of the booth (which attendees LOVED), was an interactive vertical screen. When a people asked questions, the responses actually came from a live actress who was listening to the attendees in order to give personalized responses. It was a great way to be innovative and fun while at the same time showing that PSCU cares and is listening. Needless to say, the PSCU trade show booth was abuzz with activity throughout the day because of their brilliant interactivities.

The PSCU experience included this interactive vertical screen.

The overall design of the trade show booth was very open and inviting. Much of the furniture and the electronics were white, which imparted a clean, modern, tech-savvy feel, while the green from the PSCU logo evoked harmony, growth, and safety, and is also the color most associated with finance. An accent of blue evoked trust, loyalty, wisdom, and confidence, all traits that we want to see in an institution that handles our money. Overall the look is very bright, modern, and friendly, and bespeaks PSCU’s innovative, client-centered approach to all they do.

“We want our booth to be about the member experience (i.e, our credit union members), and ADM delivers. They do a great job designing and executing the production of an ‘experience-centered’ display that actually engages our members and gets them involved in activities and discussions with our team members,” said Byron Loper, PSCU’s program manager for conferences and events. “We value partners that are flexible, creative, and willing to go the extra mile to provide us the best possible product for our members and the industry.”

Clean, modern, inviting – all part of creating the experience for PSCU’s clients.

Don’t forget to check out Part II of our project with PSCU and visit their website at www.pscu.com. It was such a pleasure to work with them on this trade show booth and creating an experience is what we do best. For more information on how we can help with your next interactive trade show booth, call us at (813) 887.1960 or email [email protected].

ADM Two Case Study, Blog (Exhibit Insight), Displays

Hybrid In-Line Exhibit Case Study: Sunz Insurance

2016-09-07 Shannon Bennett

We often meet with clients who have a trade show exhibit that they have outgrown. This was exactly the case with Sunz Insurance – they needed a flexible booth that could be used both 10×10’ and 10×20’ size spaces, a fresh look, and lots of space for interchangeable graphics. We immediately thought a hybrid in-line exhibit was the solution to their problem. They wanted to debut the new booth at the FAIA show in Orlando in June 2016, and then they will also be using the new booth at NAPEO in Austin in September 2016.

sunz insurance in line hybrid trade show booth

The rendering shows the booth with blank walls as a template for versatility.

Exhibit Layout

One of the main challenges we faced was designing a booth that would allow Sunz Insurance to easily change out graphics to focus on their different brand specialties, all within a constrained budget. We also needed to keep the booth simple enough that the show services costs didn’t skyrocket. The client wanted to remain within their previous show services budget, so complicated, lengthy installation was not an option. The hybrid in-line exhibit was the perfect choice to keep installation simple, allow a lot of wall space for graphics, and be flexible enough to fit into both space dimensions. For easy previewing, we created a rendering as an all white model so we could interchange the different graphics to test them on the layout.

Why Hybrid In-Line Exhibit?

The rental furniture provided the finishing touch for the booth. Sunz Insurance decided to rent furniture from our inventory because they wanted to test out the performance and attendee response. This is the beauty of the hybrid option – it allows our clients to test-drive different elements before committing to permanent pieces. The rental option also gives variety to booths on a budget– clients can have their own permanent foundational graphics and structural pieces, and with rentals they have access to a multitude of other pieces that they can mix and match to spice things up. For Sunz Insurance this was a cost effective solution and kept their trade show exhibit cost below the national average.

The hybrid in-line exhibit was the perfect flexible solution for Sunz Insurance.

Sunz Insurance provides innovative and personalized workers’ compensation solutions. Their personalized service and flexibility in creating solutions is the hallmark of their organization. This consultative approach sets them apart from the competition. For more information, visit their website at www.sunzinsurance.com.

Blog (Exhibit Insight)

Implementing a Client Centric Process

2016-08-29 Shannon Bennett

One of the hallmarks of ADM Two is our client centric approach – the fact that we learn everything there is to know about our clients to truly understand their project. This is for two reasons: 1) We LOVE to learn and one of our favorite parts about what we do is learning about new products, technologies, and services; 2) We don’t think that we can do the best job possible if we don’t know all the details (or at least as many as you can learn in a few weeks’ or months’ time).

Learning is Everything in a Client Centric Approach

When we bring a client on, we know that in order to create the best possible trade show solution, museum renovations, museum casework, and corporate office renovations, we need to learn about the company. We want to know not just the goals of the project, but the goals of the company as well. Impress your clients by learning the history, key staff, founders, etc. Meet the staff to learn who is going to be using the items we create and how. Know what makes the company and its staff tick. Understand the who, what, where, when, and how. This attention to detail is what will separate you from the competition. Every client who works with us receives this treatment, and they love it. The great thing is, so do we.

We worked with Ocean Optics to create a series of hands-on product demonstration stations in this colorful booth.

Creating a display is one thing, creating a solution to a problem is another thing entirely. This investigation, discovery, and understanding is the first step to creating solutions. This is what makes us so client centric. When we do the research and understand the problem from every angle, we know that we are giving our clients the best possible solution, sometimes without them even realizing that our solution is what they wanted from the beginning. This is something that we recommend doing in any industry. This approach can be applied for clients and projects in everything from retail to professional services.

Maintaining Agility Through the Process

Despite the fact that we take the time for research and discovery for each client, we understand that time constraints often demand a rapid turnaround. In these situations, our ability to stay organized and goal-focused keeps us agile, so that we can achieve our goals, while at the same time respecting strict timelines. The most important facets of agility when it comes to time constraints is organization and communication. We communicate clearly and quickly with each other and the client at all times. This keeps the project running smoothly and on time.

We believe that our client centric approach is applicable to any industry, because at the heart of it, you are simply placing your client center-stage and making them feel special. When you do this, you make a lasting impression. ADM Two becomes a part of our clients’ staff in a way, a part of the family. We follow our projects through completion to successful application. We love nothing more than to follow up with a client who has had a successful trade show, won an award for their booth, or gained sales because of our designs. ADM Two are experts at trade show booth design, museum renovation, and corporate interior renovation. Give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your trade show needs. Check out some of our other articles for more information on trade show booth design and case studies on some of our projects.

Author: Shannon Bennett

Trade Show Booth Care