Author: Tony Ricci

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Technology

Technology: Do Tradeshow Attendees Really Use It?

trade show technology

Technology for tradeshows has evolved beyond simple displays and digital banners. Today, exhibitors use tablets and applications to engage with more people and gain more leads. What’s even more exciting is that these advances in technology contribute to the attendee experience rather than take away from it.

Attendees want to be impressed. They want to learn more about products and services that can help them succeed. They want to cut through all of the clutter and find the companies that are right for them. Some of the latest technology offerings can give them the chance to interact with your brand and in a new and unique way, and make it more seamless and efficient for them to find the right product for their business.

All the latest in high-tech gadgets can be expensive, such as VR headsets that start around $600 for a high-quality set. Another gadget that is sure to impress – high quality 3D printers that start around $1,350. This begs the question, is it worth the investment?

Let Them Know When and Where

The use of technology begins before the tradeshow, primarily during pre-show marketing campaigns. Emails can point them in the direction of event apps and web pages that can set appointments, as well as help keep track of pre-qualified booth traffic.

This continues during the show, where apps and smart phones increase engagement. These also spark conversations in the booth, as well as on social media. Research shows us that event professionals rely on social media for special promotions to attract even more attendees to their booth. If you can guarantee that enough people will be interacting with your tradeshow booth, it’s probably worth it to spend the extra money to wow them.

Interactivity

Touch screens, RFID, VR, and smart phones can engage booth attendees with interactive product demos and individualized presentations. The booth transforms into a brand experience and leaves memorable impressions. The more interactive your attendees are, the more apt they are to share their information and need for products and services.

Coming in closely behind your website, events and tradeshows are the second most effective marketing tool for your company. Digital signage and presentations are actually cost-saving, because they are customizable for every show. Plus, technology brings a sophisticated look to any booth design.

The Proof Is in the Leads

When you incorporate more technology in your tradeshow marketing, you’ll increase engagement. This quickly translates to generating more qualified leads, expanding your network, and creating a buzz around your brand.

If you’re looking to update or upgrade your exhibit with more technology, the 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 tradeshow needs, 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), Displays, Sponsorships

Et Cultura Festival Wrap-Up

For the second year in a row, we sponsored Et Cultura Festival in St. Petersburg, FL. This festival is full of interactive sessions, film, music, art and crafts. There was something for everyone! We attended several of the five-day festival’s events, but there was so much going on that we couldn’t possibly see everything. It was a great time, very educational, and lots of fun.

et cultura festival sponsor signage banners trade show

As we walked around, we saw lots of our banners and signage all over the event. These pieces really added color, helped to brand the festival in public spaces, and helped people get around! There are many purposes for signage, especially in the case of Et Cultura, since the footprint of the festival spans much of downtown St. Petersburg and beyond.

et cultura music festival charging station

This year, there were presentations about plant-based nutrition by leading experts in the field, there were gardening showcases and presentations, presentations about elevating education in low income urban areas, affordable housing, and youth development. At one point, they set up a half-pipe and had professional skate boarders and BMX bikers doing tricks. We provided signage and banners to spice up the half pipe. There were concerts at some of the largest venues in St. Pete, including The State Theatre and Jannus Live. Award winning documentary films were screened at Sundial Muvico, and art shows were held at the Morean Center for Clay, the Morean Arts Center, and The Gallery. Needless to say, St. Pete came alive for those five days, and we can’t wait to see what Et Cultura holds in store for us next year.

ADM Two are experts in event signage and displays. Next time you have a music or film festival, give us a call for your signage and VIP area needs.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Technology, Trade Show

How to Make an Interactive Trade Show Booth

For a successful trade show, the details within your presentation can make all the difference. One major component is interactivity—engaging potential clients through subtle or dramatic ways to capture their attention. Having an interactive trade show booth is the key to long-lasting impressions. Memorable interactions can translate into business opportunities and sales.

Below are some great tips for you to improve upon your trade show presence. These go beyond the booth and don’t require a lot of space.

Smartphone lounge – Over the course of your trade show, visitors will need to charge their smartphones and tablets. Offer them a respite and some power. Nothing is for free, so ask to scan their business card prior to using your juice.

trade show interactivity

This Ocean Optics display is the perfect example of trade show booth interactivity using product demos.

Product Demo – Make this an integral part of your interactive trade show booth experience. Spread out your demonstrations and have a schedule available for attendees to refer to. You can impress them with a polished presentation, and make it as hands on as possible. A consistent show of product value will educate interested buyers, as in the Ocean Optics example to the right.

Booth Technology and Graphics – Pictures and graphics can tell your story at a passing glance. Do yours? If not, they should. Use large displays to create separate spaces serving as walls. These interactive trade show booth displays can also capture the attention of show-goers with limited time.

Giveaways – Always have something small for anyone entering your space. Save the quality giveaways for special, potential customers.

Games – Not too elaborate. Think of fun, engaging ways you can reach out to the audience, while presenting your brand message. These could be great ways to hold their attention between demos.

Don’t forget to get their information. Sales leads are expensive, especially qualified leads that come from a trade show. Increase your ROI by increasing opportunities for information capture and direct sales. Interactivity is the quickest way to do it.

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. 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

Understand the Flow of Trade Show Traffic

trade show traffic

There are natural trade show traffic patterns and, just like real estate, location is very important. Your location is linked with how many people walk past your booth. Maybe you already knew that, which is why you paid extra for a special location.

From Right to Left

Why are some areas on the floor empty or less attractive? People follow patterns, such as turning right when entering the showroom floor. They also look to their right before turning to their left. It’s a good bet that if you’re on the left side of the aisle, you’ll be overlooked more than those who are on the right. It’s nothing personal, just the way people are.

Because this is your largest expense at the show, reserve your space early and take advantage of the discounts. You have been to the show and know what to expect. This historical perspective eliminates the guess work and research that may prevent you from committing to next year. It also lets you know if you need more space or less. Island booth or peninsula?

Stay away from Your Competition

Remember to ask about your competition and where they are located. Nothing would be worse than being across the aisle from your nearest competitor.

When deciding to be up front or in the back, you may want to save a little money from being up front and find a spot where there is a lot of congestion toward the back. You may learn more about these high traffic areas after walking the showroom floor on your own. With every trade show, take detailed notes about the trade show traffic patterns that you observe during different times of the day. The notes you take on traffic patterns and congested areas can save or make you a lot of money.

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. 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), Marketing, Sales, Staff

Trade Show Business Development After the Show

trade show business development

The planning you do before a the event will make trade show business development after the show that much easier. Your schedule may be booked solid with covering your booth, scheduled meetings and impromptu ones, but you still need to find time to engage with show presenters and speakers. Through their contacts, these people can grow your business network or provide you with direction when you need it. This is a major step in trade show business development that is often forgotten because of the hustle and bustle of the show itself.

While your team is reaching out to all of the leads made during the show, here are three things you can do to further develop new business and grow your network:

  1. Press Releases

You’ve sent the pre-show release to let everyone know where you’ll be, now it’s time to send out a release that speaks to the success of the show. This should share something fun and innovative that was learned from the trade show. You could even go a step further and briefly interview one of the speakers, using a quote or two from them.

  1. Reach out to the Speakers

You’ve listened to the speakers at the trade show and possibly found a couple that can really help your business. Presenters need you to spread the word about them as much as you may need their insight or network. Reach out to them, either by sending a quick email or a phone call to say hello. Try to remind them of who you are, then ask a question or ask for insight into a problem.

  1. Host meetings

The show is over, but you have gathered a lot of leads and new contacts. Drill down into their info and see if these people are concentrated in certain areas. If you met 30 people from New Orleans, then it’s a good bet holding a gathering in New Orleans may develop new business. Or, host a mini-conference at your corporate office, where local leads can gather and discuss business. This feels like a continuation of the show and you’ll have more to talk about when next year’s show comes around.

The benefits of a trade event can go beyond generating sales leads. Growing your knowledge base and network is very important for trade show business development. And, some of the best public relations or benefits to your current clients is sharing what you learned at the show. When you create benefits that go beyond your product offerings, word will quickly spread about your business as being a reliable and credible source for products, services, and support.

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. 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

Staying Relevant in the Trade Show Industry

rel·e·vant
adjective \ˈre-lə-vənt\

a : having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand

While attending the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association annual conference this past December, it became clear that the main goal shared by all who attended (whether we knew it or not) was practicing the art of staying RELEVANT. Staying relevant involves many things, and among my personal favorites are:

  • Product showcases
  • Attending social media seminars
  • Taking continuing education courses
  • Attending networking events and roundtables

All of these activities are designed to help connect individuals, educate, and share knowledge and awareness of yourself or your organization. Sounds like the holy grail of brand marketing, but if you think about it this way – while technology keeps evolving at a dizzying pace and everyone is connected to a device in some way all the time, this tech is still simply attempting to foster human interaction. “Hello, this is my world!” – mine is the world of trade shows, conferences, corporate events. Good old face-to-face marketing is still the desired result. In other words, technology is not replacing face-to-face, but enhancing it. When you look at it that way, even the old-fashioned among us can embrace technology, and that is a great way to remain relevant. trade show industry

Participating in industry events like EDPA Access, ExhibitorLIVE Show and others is just one of the many ways we gain the knowledge and experience needed to stay relevant and have positive impact on our peers, colleagues and customers. Yes, relevance is a bit of a buzzword, but that’s one bandwagon that seems worth riding.

ADM Two staff are experts on trade show industry 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.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Trade Show

Trade Show Emergency Planning and Preparation

Trade show emergency planning and preparation for an event are very important, even though accounting for every single detail can feel overwhelming at times. It’s also important to have a proactive approach to your planning and not a reactive one. If you’re relying on a reactive approach to an emergency that pops up during an event, then you are probably adding to its impact on you and your business.

trade show emergency planning

Preparing for an emergency is done throughout the trade show planning process. Have a comprehensive approach for every response to something that goes wrong. A great plan will cover the small “fires” that pop up. But, preparing for a major trade show emergency, such as a real fire or natural disaster is more complicated. Here are some tips that will help you plan for any emergency:

  • Make sure everyone has a copy of the detailed event itinerary. Make sure it’s digital, so it can be viewed on a phone. The itinerary should include everyone’s contact information.
  • Who is backing you up? Designate backups for each member of the team.
  • Have a list of contingency plans for specific emergencies that could arise and make sure everyone has a copy.
  • Develop a plan of action and role description sheet to help everyone understand their roles, especially when they are panicked or stressed. This will dramatically reduce the emotional impact of an emergency.
  • If a major emergency occurs, always remember that personal safety is a priority.
  • Get expert advice from emergency response personnel to help round out your plan.
  • Everyone working at the event should be educated on the building layout and their role during an emergency.

Putting out the “small fires” keeps you from your primary objectives, so try to keep them to a minimum. You can prepare for bad things to happen, and they will, like a broken display, or IT issues with an interactive screen. Just remember to be in control, on topic and remain positive, because negativity adds to the problem and may give potential customers a negative experience. As for major disasters, plan on keeping everyone safe and secure.

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. 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), Design

Outdoor Event Preparation Tips

Outdoor event preparation is much different than preparing for indoors. We have seen people make the mistake, time and again, of treating the outdoor event just the same as they would any indoor trade show or display. Being ill prepared and not predicting the potential pitfalls of outdoor events can cost you a lot of money and ruin your show. Below are some bullet points to keep in mind.

  • Water – banners, signs, and graphics should all be waterproof. Even if it’s not raining when you set up, there is always the chance that it will start raining at some point, possibly long before you are able to pack up your display. Better safe than sorry when it comes to this.
et-cultura-music-festival-sponsorship-trade-show-rental

These mesh speaker covers we created for Et Cultura festival were made to withstand many elements, plus allow sound to travel through them.

  • Wind – all of these graphic assets should also be wind proof. In some cases, this means adding wind slits, special reinforcements to the stitching or grommets to ensure your banners and signs don’t rip if a gust of wind tries to take them away. The amount of force the wind can put on even the toughest vinyl is amazing, and again, you just can’t predict the weather, so better to be prepared.

outdoor event displays

  • Sun – the sun wreaks havoc on your color printed materials, but there are many options for vinyls and other materials and pigments that will last longer when exposed to the sun repeatedly and for long periods. Do your homework and make sure to work with a professional who will know what recommendations to make for your specific purpose. We know all about sun damage – living in Florida gives you good reason to always be prepared for sun exposure
  • People – you’ve thought of your display, but what about the people staffing it? They need to be just as prepared for the elements as the display itself. That means sunscreen, umbrellas, jackets and lots of water. Your display will not be effective if the people managing it are not happy and healthy!

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. 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), Museum Exhibit

#ICYMI – Mound House Case Study

As the year draws to a close, we enjoy looking back on the variety of projects we’ve completed this year. We write case studies about each project we complete, so it’s nice to relive the work and the stories behind them. In January, we completed the Mound House project – what made this project interesting was the difficult task of creating level museum cases in an old, very UN-level building. Not to mention that the Mound House is an incredibly fascinating museum dedicated to archaeological discoveries from the Calusa Indian Shell Mound. Check out the case study for more history and photos of some of the artifacts that have been uncovered there and are now on display at the Mound House.

The custom museum cases we built fit in seamlessly with the exhibit.

The custom museum cases we built fit in seamlessly with the exhibit.

ADM Two doesn’t just envision potential, we solve problems on a daily basis. Creating an exciting and engaging museum exhibit starts with choosing a great team to help with design and museum cases. ADM Two are experts in custom museum exhibit fabrication and custom museum cases 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.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Sales, Staff, Trade Show

Trade Show Selling Tips

trade show selling tips

Trade shows can be enjoyable events, a chance to escape the office, and visit a new city. However, when you are choosing your trade show staff, make sure they are committed to the main goal of the trade show – selling. Trade show selling is an art, just like any other type of business development. The goal should always be closing, but the trade show is also a great way to introduce your company in an impactful way and show off your best faces. Below are some tips to put your best trade show selling foot forward.

  • Choose staff wisely – the office party guy may be fun to be around, but is he there to have fun or to sell? Attending trade shows is an honor, and the office party guy may not be the honorable choice.
  • Scrutinize prospects – not every person that walks up to your booth is a serious buyer, or even a buyer at all. Sometimes people attend trade shows just for fun, to get out of the office, etc. It’s almost as if some trade show attendees are wired to pretend that they care so that they can get the free stuff. Beware of these, know how to read them, and don’t waste your time with them – during the show, and definitely not after the show. If they’ve got a stack of brochures, bags and a lot of giveaways, chances are they are not a qualified buyer. Another prospect who is not a good lead is someone who is in an area you do not serve or is not in a position to make a decision, so make sure to ask the right questions.
  • To follow up with the previous point, don’t have your giveaways and brochures on display for just anyone to take. If you control the giveaways and materials, not just any person can take them. This is a great way to save money on materials.
  • If you do find a qualified prospect, schedule the appointment now. Why wait until after the show? The connection is fresh in both of your minds, so get on their calendar immediately.
  • The best way to sell is to be quiet, ask the right questions, and then be prepared to listen with presence to the problems of your potential clients. Forget about your perfectly prepared pitch. People are buying for their reasons, not for reasons given to them by you.
  • Stop treating your prospects like prey. Don’t be so aggressive – that’s for predators. Be warm and welcoming, respect boundaries, and don’t scare people away.
  • On the other hand, you cannot be passive either. Don’t just collect names and business cards. Staff should be proactively talking (and listening) to every person who walks into the booth.
  • Follow up and keep in touch with qualified prospects.

Trade show selling is an important aspect of any trade show marketing. It’s an opportunity to put your best sales people in front of a lot of prospects, but proper training in etiquette practices and trade show selling will help you get the most bang for your buck. Check out some other articles about trade show attendance here.

We hope this helps to better prepare you for your next tradeshow. Trade shows are a valuable investment and can create a lasting impression on your prospective clients. ADM Two are experts at trade show booth design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960. One of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your trade show needs. Also, check out some of our other articles for more trade show terminology and to get more information on trade show booth layout and trade show staffing.