Veterans are an interesting part of the trade show business. They hold the keys to many facets of the industry, and the more agile industry veterans have the ability to combine new practices and technology with the tried and true methods of the past. This is one of the most powerful assets of veterans – the insight they have from years of experience can give a great deal of depth to their approach to everything from sales to design. Not to mention that the connections they’ve cultivated over the years are an important part of their ability to thrive. In the realm of business development, these years of connection and friendship are the foundation for strong partnerships and can even serve as catalysts for innovation. This is certainly true of the ADM Two Senior Account Executive, Tony Ricci.

Industry veteran Tony Ricci joined the ADM Two family 9 months ago, and in that 9 months so much has changed. For one, we are busier than ever, and we know that Tony’s trade show business development talents have something to do with that. Tony has been on many sides of the trade show business. He came to us from Optima Graphics, and has learned quickly to navigate – and love – this side of the business. Recently, one of Tony’s colleagues at Optima, Vice President of Sales Dave Brown, wrote a nice piece about his experience with Tony and other industry veterans in the trade show business. Read the piece here: Industry Veterans.

The growing team at ADM Two is full of industry vets and experts in the trade show business. Give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your trade show display needs. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on trade show booth layout, trade show graphics, and trade show staff etiquette.

Trade Show Booth Staff Etiquette – #ICYMI

2015-12-30 Ginger Reichl

In your preparations for 2016, you are probably revisiting your trade show booth and thinking about your show schedule for the year. Design, color, branding, giveaways – all of these are important considerations for your trade show booth, but what about staff? Trade show booth staff etiquette is equally as important as design – if you don’t have good staff, you might as well not attend the trade show. Check out our article written early in 2015: Trade Show Booth Staff Etiquette.

Creating an exciting and engaging trade show booth starts with solid trade show exhibit booth planning. 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 and design.

Here are some more resources on trade show booth staff etiquette:

http://www.exhibitoronline.com/topics/article.asp?ID=1520

http://thetradeshowcoach.com/

Trade show booth staff etiquette means staff should be available and attentive, so potential clients are engaged.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Staff

Trade Show Team Building

2015-10-28 Nikki Devereux

Your booth design is flawless, your marketing plan is in place, and all of your collateral is ready to ship – what about your trade show team? Your people are essential parts of your trade show display – they are the ambassadors of your company, and they help to tell the story. Even if everything else is perfect, if you don’t have a cohesive trade show team, your booth will have difficulty succeeding. Part of what makes a trade show team effective is… you guessed it: teamwork.

Conduct a meeting for trade show team building.

Well before your staff prepares to board the flight to their trade show destination, you should make sure they communicate and collaborate well. This is especially true if you have people from several different departments who rarely work together. In a large company, it’s possible that they’ve never even met. Here are a few tips to start prepping your trade show team:

Organize a meeting for introductions and brainstorming about goals.
Hold training sessions on trade show etiquette and working the trade show booth for the entire group.
During the training sessions, have the group get together in teams to play a game for a fun way to build trust and learn more about each other.
Meet to discuss the marketing plan so that each trade show team member knows his/her role, and make sure they are able to support each other in the event that someone needs coverage.
Take the team out for a team building experience and dinner before the show so they can get to know each other a little better.

After the trade show is over, take some time to give feedback, not just to individuals, but to the team as a whole. If they know that their performance in the group is just as important as their individual achievements, they are more likely to contribute for the advancement of the whole team, which promotes harmony.

Hold a follow-up meeting in which you ask the trade show team to share individual stories, and ask them to share their own feedback. When you ask for feedback from the staff, you are demonstrating your respect for their opinions, which is empowering. Creating this atmosphere of empowerment can boost your staff members’ confidence, which is always a positive trait on the trade show floor.

Creating an exciting and engaging trade show booth starts with choosing a great trade show team to staff your booth. Trade show booth design is also key. ADM Two are experts at trade show booth design, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960. 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 exhibit graphics and etiquette.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Staff, Trade Show

Trade Show Season – In Case You Missed It

2015-09-17 Nikki Devereux

Trade show season is here! Make sure your booth shines.

Now that the trade show season is ramping up, we wanted to revisit some old blog posts featuring some interesting ideas for making your trade show booth incredible. Also #ICYMI (in case you missed it). Below are some of our favorites:

Characters

Trade show season wouldn’t be complete without characters at your booth. This blog post features some unique trade show booth characters: Trade Show Booth Case Study – Creating a Memorable Experience with Characters

This one features a story about a cute and irresistible mascot we saw at a trade show: Custom Trade Show Exhibits – Using Mascots to Draw a Crowd

Lighting

Creating an interesting and engaging booth can be as simple as excellent lighting choices, as discussed in this article about trade show booth lighting design: Trade Show Lighting: Standing Out from the Crowd

Staff

During this trade show season, make sure your staff are properly prepared. You can have a beautiful trade show booth, but if your staff are not well trained in trade show etiquette, you are wasting your time. Check out this article about trade show staff etiquette: Trade Show Booth Staff Etiquette: Good First Impressions

We hope that this article, and our many others about trade show booth design have been helpful, and we hope you have a successful trade show season. If you need help with trade show booth design, ADM Two staff are experts, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our staff can assist you with your display needs. Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show display graphics.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Sales, Staff

Who, What, Where?

2015-06-18 Tony Ricci

Since joining ADM Two just a short while ago, one of the most frequent initial questions I get is “just what does ADM stand for anyway?”

Well, ADM Two does not stand for “A Daily Meditation,” although in this industry that is not a bad idea. It would, however, be more honest to say, “I was just resting my eyes.” We all know that sleep is practically a commodity these days.

“A Daily Meditation” or “I was just resting my eyes.”

No, it is much simpler than that. The name ADM is a straight-forward philosophy where A = Art, D = Design, and M = Media. It is indicative of the foundation of quality upon which our customers’ vision is fabricated.

Thinking strategically from concept to development to production, Art-Design-Media is simply a way to ensure the key elements of any compelling display or environment project will be employed, ensuring that “wow” factor we are all striving for in this business.

Take a few moments to consider what happens at our facility in Tampa each and every day. The challenges ADM staffers tackle will be met with passion, knowledge, and teamwork. Each member of our team understands that the achievement of a project’s objectives, both aesthetic and esoteric, is the core of the work we do. This core, first realized at ADM in 1983, is our key to delivering a successful project.

Furthermore, our ability to stay relevant in the latest tools and technology is the frame surrounding our core, the pillar that reinforces our aesthetic sensibilities. We stay on the cutting edge of emerging tech and constantly strive, in this ever-evolving world of technology, to keep our clients in the know as well. In short, we “share the love.”

In my new role at ADM Two, I look forward to contributing to that core that ADM Two has developed, and to sharing in the realization of our clients’ vision with each and every project.

Now, about that “Two” part… to be continued.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Branding, Marketing, Sales, Staff

Trade Show Booth Staff Etiquette: Good First Impressions

2015-04-29 Nikki Devereux

PCSU Staff dressed to the nines in their company colors, making a great first impression.

Your trade show booth is all ready to go – you have a beautiful design, impeccable marketing materials, and engaging presentations. Now you have to make sure that it all runs smoothly by selecting your trade show booth staff. Your trade show booth staff is as important as the design of the display itself. Below are some trade show booth etiquette tips that will ensure your staff creates the right atmosphere for your potential and existing clients.

Proper trade show booth etiquette starts with well-trained, knowledgeable staff. Staff should be experts who can field the variety of questions that will inevitably arise during a trade show. They should demonstrate a genuine belief in the product, and they should be trained on the do’s and don’ts of trade show booth etiquette.
Set goals for your trade show booth staff. The goals should adhere to the overall marketing goals of the company.
Good listening skills are key to excellent trade show booth etiquette. People like to be heard. If your trade show booth staff are empathetic listeners, they may be able to help a prospective client in a way that no one else can, and this will make a lasting imprint in the mind of the client.
Your trade show booth staff should be stellar hosts. If your trade show booth is the party, the staff should be the life of it. They should be warm and friendly, but not overwhelming. You don’t want to scare attendees away, but rather, make them feel comfortable and welcome.
Avoid drama. Your trade show booth staff are there to work, so keeping a professional demeanor is of utmost importance. There are business opportunities everywhere, both inside the trade show space and outside, so trade show booth staff should conduct themselves with grace no matter where they are or when. At larger events, it is possible that you may be seated beside a potential client at a restaurant or even on the plane. Practicing discretion at all times is paramount to maintaining a clean, respectable public image.
Proper attire is required at all times. Your trade show booth staff’s appearance will send as clear a message as the trade show display itself. Staff should look polished and professional during the show and after hours. Remember, you never know when you are going to run into a potential customer. You may even want to design articles of clothing sporting the company logo for after hours.
Party time should be kept to a minimum. Trade shows can be fun, especially if the event is in a city with an exciting night life. While it is okay for your trade show booth staff to have a good time, they should also practice restraint. Facilitate this by creating a set of company guidelines for trade show booth staff regarding after hours conduct and alcohol consumption.

Trade show booth etiquette is a key component of a successful trade show campaign, and works symbiotically with the design element. ADM Two staff are experts on trade show display design, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our staff can assist you with your display needs. Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show display design and graphics.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Branding, Marketing, Sales, Staff, Technology, Trade Show

Trade Show Graphics: The Foundation of Trade Show Booth Design

2015-04-10 Nikki Devereux

Trade show graphics are a fundamental part of your trade show booth design. With this in mind, think about hiring a graphic designer who specializes in trade show booth graphics. This person will have a better understanding of the dynamic nature of trade show display design, and you can work with them to create a comprehensive set of trade show graphics that flow throughout your entire display.

Having a clear, straightforward goal and message is the first step to great trade show booth design. “At ADM Two, we love working with trade show graphics designers. They help make the process a lot smoother, and the clients tend to be happier with the final product,” says Susan Canonico.

Trade Show Graphics Tips

Create a dynamic experience for your potential customers using some of the below tips.

Remember every level – There are multiple points of view in every trade show booth, from floor level to eye level to higher up. Place important information higher up on trade show banners so people can see them from across the room. This is your first opportunity to draw attention to your trade show display, so make it big – and impressive.
Avoid clutter and too much information – People have short attention spans and no one likes to look at a cluttered page. Keep it simple and to the point by getting your message across in less than 15 seconds.
High quality graphics – Make sure all images are of the highest quality. If the images on your trade show banners are blurry or pixelated, this will look amateur or careless. No one wants to work with a careless person.
Measure – Be sure to measure everything. If your graphics aren’t the right size for the monitor or trade show banners, they may get distorted or cut off. Even amazing graphics can look terrible if they are displayed on the wrong size monitor.
Color – Colorful, vibrant trade show graphics can be a major asset to the overall feel of your trade show display. Make sure they are printing correctly, they don’t clash, and they aren’t overwhelming. This is where a professional trade show graphics designer will be essential. He or she can help decide a color scheme that will align with your goals and your brand.
Font – A font sends a message before the person is even finished reading the message itself. Don’t overdo it, and make sure to choose a font that sends the right message. Graphic designers are great at this.
Impact – You want your trade show graphics to have an impact on attendees. Work with your graphic designer to make sure you are standing out from the crowd.

The graphics for this trade show booth are colorful and emphasize the company’s brand.

Creating an exciting and engaging trade show booth starts with great trade show graphics and 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 design, lighting and etiquette.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Branding, Marketing, Sales, Staff

The Importance of the Front Desk

2014-02-04 exhibitinsight

You may have heard of the marketing expression for one of the largest grocery store chains, “Publix – where shopping is a pleasure”. I, personally, enjoy shopping at Publix because it truly is a pleasure when I am acknowledged as a valued shopper and greeted with a smile when going through the checkout line. The friendly greeting that is offered and the genuine interest and eye contact is so refreshing!

Whether you are shopping for food at a large grocery store or walking into a company where you are greeted by a person at the front desk, your level of satisfaction and entire experience can be made or destroyed by the method in which you are acknowledged. It is critical to ensure that your front desk has the right person sitting behind the desk at all times. Secretary, receptionist, administrative assistant or office manager are just a few titles that are assigned to this critical position. The employee sitting at the front desk most often helps set the tone for your clients’ visit and can turn away potential clients with just a few ill-chosen words or make them feel they have truly come to the right place for their needs.

A front desk employee with a friendly disposition and a genuinely eager-to-help attitude in any company (large or small) is vital to its’ overall success. This person is the face of the company whether it’s through answering in-coming calls, placing calls to clients or ensuring that everyone walking through the front door is greeted in a positive and welcoming manner. Providing eye contact lets them know they are special and that it matters that they walked through your doors. The same holds true for when they leave your offices. The time they spent at your business and the manner in which they are acknowledged upon departing makes a lasting impression.

Just as important as the fashion in which your clients and guests are greeted, is the knowledge that the person at the front desk is equipped with about your business. Whether greeting a vendor stopping in to drop off a business card or guests who are inquiring about your products and services, this person has to be able to provide clear direction and offer valuable assistance in a confident and timely manner.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Staff

Five Unconventional Ways to Spice up Your Client/Employee Relationships

2013-02-14 exhibitinsight

Valentine’s month and beyond…

She shuffled into the kitchen, exhausted. Her eyes were puffy and heavy from lack of sleep. Working full time, maintaining a busy house, managing and caring for her husband and several small children was certainly taking its toll. But there, on the kitchen counter, just in time for Valentine’s Day, was a box of chocolates, a bouquet of roses and a lovely card. The same gifts she received last year, and the year before, and come to think of it every…year…for…twelve…years. And she began to wonder: “Why is my Love so uninspired by me that he resorts to these stereotypical, lackluster tokens of affection?”

images2 Every year, across the world, businesses dedicate time and spend significant money to recognize relationships that are valuable to them. Holiday baskets, communication cards, visits of appreciation, employee bonuses, holiday parties, these are the boxed chocolates and bouquets of the business world. But is it possible that our efforts are actually causing us to lose ground in relationships that mean the most to us? Is a gift of candy to a dieting loved one all that different than an emailed card to a client trying to cut back on fluff in his or her mail box? Both can be well intended but can translate as thoughtless. How often does an after-hours office party turn into “just one more thing to cram into your already busy holiday schedule” for your employees?

Here are some unconventional ideas to spice up your ~~love~~ business/employee relationships:

Combine purpose with pleasantries

If possible, create communications that serve dual purposes. For example: Holiday greetings with adjusted holiday hours or a useful coupon can be pleasant and can meet client/company needs without over-running a client’s inbox.

Give gifts at unpredictable times

Don’t alter end-of-year bonus policies or successfully established practices, but do consider random, “just thinking of you” or “we appreciate you”, notes or gifts. These can foster and encourage company/client or company/employee loyalty. Everyone appreciates unsolicited encouragement. One caution here: mass emails and company wide solicitations can appear insincere and reek of hidden motivation, so keep it personal.

Note the notable when it’s not necessary

Noticing a company or an employee’s anniversary, business achievement or personal milestone can go a long way in developing relationships that really matter.

Celebrate at atypical times or places

Try hosting an employee party after the New Year, for an offbeat holiday, or to celebrate a company milestone. Picnics, events, and locations that host fun activities can also allow your employees to connect without the pressure of a “company hosted” happy hour or in-office function.

Take a tip from Google

Google released a Valentine campaign (watch it below) in 2012 depicting a simple and sweet cartoon about a boy trying to win a girl’s affection. The take home romantic business truth was this: find out what matters to your ~~love~~ client/employee and communicate a genuine interest in THAT.