Portable inline booths can be incredibly effective. If you are strategic about the way you lay out and staff your booth, you can enjoy the savings and ease of setup that comes with having a modern inline exhibit with the return on investment of a much larger booth.
We recently ran into an article in one of our favorite trade show publications, Exhibitor Magazine, about ways to maximize small exhibits. Read more in the article, Strategic Small-Booth Designs. This is an incredibly useful guide for those wishing to exhibit on a smaller scale. Below you will find an info-graphic that provides a quick checklist of features to include in your booth, depending on your goals.
It so happens that we are having a sale on our portable exhibits as well. Please visit our IDEA GALLERY for 10% off our portable inline exhibits.
For 2018, changes in workplace environments will focus on how to attract employees during a tight labor market. And, research has shown that poor workplace design negatively impacts productivity. There are a wide-range of possibilities for new designs to capture the attention of new talent and keep current employees happy. We are thus seeing trends in 2018 go beyond functional workspaces to embrace collaboration in fun and unique environments.
Clean and Simple
When seeking new design elements, go geometric. It’s called Mid-Century Modern and is famous for its fashion-forward look and feel through clean lines, asymmetrical angles, and fun shapes and patterns. This motif has been catching on in the commercial property interior design industry for years.
There are many simple ways to bring this look into your offices. Start with area rugs, window treatments, light fixtures, and artwork. You can expand it to furniture, wall coverings, and room dividers that are more substantial ways of building upon this theme.
Activity-Based Working
Wireless and digital environments have changed how people work, and this has changed how we design workplace environments. Employees need different types of areas to complete tasks or have impromptu meetings. Large booths with high backs offer semi-private areas that encourage collaboration in smaller groups, while furniture arranged in circular patterns can promote community workspaces.
There is also a need for quiet zones to offset the added noise. These don’t have to be rooms with closed doors. The best places are in the corners of a large room. Anything that’s away from foot traffic and casual conversations.
Eco-Design
Natural materials for commercial designs have beautifully warm finishes. They bring the natural world inside. Even though these are simple and have a great look, we need to be conscious of how these materials are produced and sourced. For example, bamboo flooring is durable, beautiful, plus it is a renewable resource.
When considering interior lighting, natural light is best, but not always an option. To cut your monthly lighting expenses in half, consider migrating all of your lighting to LED bulbs. There are more LED lighting designs on the market today than ever before and many of them mimic natural light.
The goal of corporate interior design is to stand out and offer comfort away from home. ADM Two is a designer you can trust to reflect the true nature and personality of your business. We are experts on 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 corporate interiors.
To get the most return on your tradeshow investment, you need to connect with the audience. How you connect with them begins with knowing who they are and what they like.
Tradeshow Demographics
Almost every tradeshow can provide some background on the attendees. These audience profiles are typically posted to the websites and may include:
Profession
Job level
Age
Income
There may be more information available on the audience. This may cost extra, but it’s worth it, especially if you are exhibiting for the first time.
The General Audience
There are certain generalizations you can make about the audience and what they like or dislike. Younger audiences are much more likely to engage with technology (although this is quickly changing). For example, Millennials are considered to be “digital natives.” Their entire life has been surrounded by technology. They will also give personal information more freely.
Older audiences use technology a little differently. They are attracted to easy navigation, a compelling story, and no frills. They are also more apt to engage face-to-face, investigate, then follow up through email.
Professionals Are People, Too
While looking at the audience profile, remember that professionals are people, just like everyone else. An interesting booth will generate more interest and spread awareness about your brand.
Interactivity is a great way for everyone to experience your brand in a fun and challenging way. Another thing to think about is where your booth is located. If your booth is in an odd location, then play to the strengths of being unique. For example, you’re in the middle of the showroom, try offering visitors water and snacks to help them get to the finish.
This Ocean Optics trade show booth had several stations with demonstrations and interactive sessions. It was pretty incredible and fascinating!
Make It Memorable
For anyone attending the same show, year-after-year, it can feel monotonous. Making your booth an experience, and not just an information depot, can leave your audience with memorable impressions about your brand. This is very important for brand recall and positive associations.
If you’re looking to exhibit your business at a trade show, the ADM Two staff are experts on display design and fabrication. 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.
We had the idea to host an event, but wanted to really make it something interesting and unique – not your average mixer or networking event. After a lot of brainstorming and some reflection, we remembered something that used to be pretty big (and exciting) in the Tampa Bay Area – The Ultimate Mixer. The Ultimate Mixer is a collection of all the area’s creative and marketing organizations in one room – truly the ultimate mixer!! So we decided to get everyone together again for the first time in many years for another Ultimate Mixer.
Because we are a display designer and fabricator, we had to bring our “A Game” when it came to the presentation of the space. Just a few of the accouterments that we put together to transform our warehouse from rugged workspace into elegant night club:
We printed each organization’s name on our favorite display tables – they are standing tables that have a taller profile and with the logos printed on the front rather than table throws or cloths, we were able to keep a uniformity of appearance for this row of tables that was super streamlined and pleasing to look at. Organizations included Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS Tampa Bay), American Advertising Federation (AAF Tampa Bay), American Institute of Architects (AIA Tampa Bay), Ad 2 Tampa Bay, Legal Marketing Association Tampa, and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Tampa Bay).
We partitioned the space with super long, dark curtains with up-lighting for a dramatic effect.
We had floor stickers with marketing and architectural facts to cater to the many organizations that had a presence.
We sectioned off some areas using carpeting and couches to create mini-spaces within the larger spaces, almost like living rooms.
We had games! There were two places to play Giant Jenga and there was a corn hole section.
Our bars and much of our furniture were sleek white or gray, which was beautiful and elegant in combination with the multi-colored accent lights and the various colors of up-lighting.
We provided a step & repeat for photos so our guests could feel special for the evening.
We brought a natural feel to the environment with some greenery – large green shrubs on either side of the step and repeat, which always adds a warm feel to any space.
Large printed wall graphics added a beautiful backdrop to the entire space, making it feel lively and fun.
Printed signs hanging from the ceiling added geometry to the overhead space.
The DJ Booth was on a glowing stage with a large screen behind – adding to the club-like atmosphere and giving this side of the room a focal point.
The choices we made for the interior design of this event were both a way of welcoming our guests and helping them feel at home, as well as a showcase of our abilities. We don’t just design great trade show booths – we can transform any space into an inviting, beautiful space for events, conferences and meetings.
ADM Two staff are experts on event space design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your design, 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.
Corporate design trends are ever-changing, and in 2017, office space is nothing like it was in say, Office Space back in 1999! Organizations have long been designing their office space with more employee-centric corporate environments that cater to creativity and well-being as the Millennial generation has demanded a focus on quality of life. Now we are seeing that trend expand to include employee education, engagement, and fitness. Re-imagining office space to encourage interactivity in a museum or gallery-style fashion has companies creating impressive displays that are not just informative, but beautiful as well.
When we think of interactive displays, many of our clients come to mind. MOSI is a great example of an educational space that encourages engagement with a wealth of displays on various subjects. Guests are encouraged not only to engage by viewing, but often by touching or pressing buttons. The office trend of using displays mimics this engagement. In particular, our client Power Design has employed this technique beautifully to the Best Practices Gallery in their new building in St. Petersburg. The colorful, interactive gallery with sweeping ceilings is a marvel of design and artistic skill. Visitors are welcome to browse through the extensive maze of educational tools, photos, interactive pieces and content. Power Design has also incorporated a gym, a basketball court, and fitness classes into their campus to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Best Practices Gallery at Power Design, Inc. in St. Petersburg, FL.
This trend exists because many people are seeking a deeper connection with their work and the environment that they work in. Studies have shown that engaged employees are happier and more productive, healthy employees are happier and more productive, and so on. White walls, florescent lighting and dull office furniture leave one feeling exactly the way the environment looks – dull and lifeless. So it makes perfect sense that a work environment with colorful art, brilliant textures, natural lighting, and options for fitness can inspire employees, give them motivation, and promote health and wellness.
As this corporate design trend continues, we look forward to working with more clients to create beautiful, healthy spaces that will improve employees’ workplace satisfaction and encourage deeper engagement and productivity. ADM Two staff are experts on corporate design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your corporate design, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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].
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].
Trade show industry veterans often talk about “tricks of the trade,” and one of our favorite is trade show engagement – allowing your customers to interact with your products. Providing your customers with an experience rather than just a pamphlet can be a very effective approach for many reasons.
Why Trade Show Engagement
Appeal to the kid within – it’s no secret, people of all ages like to play and interact with things. That’s why video games, board games and games in general are so popular. This goes for the trade show floor as well. Offering your potential customers the chance to engage with your product is a gold mine. Not only will they now “get it,” they will not be turned off by sales pitches and boring literature. In this scenario, the literature serves to support the experience and remind the person how to get in touch with you after the show.
Demonstration – allowing people to interact with your products is a great way to demonstrate why your products are worth paying attention to. Make sure the engagement and purpose is clear so people don’t walk away confused – this is worse than no engagement at all.
Fascinating product demos made this booth for Ocean Optics stand out.
Stand out from the crowd – if you are one of the few booths in the trade show that encourages engagement, you will stand out in attendees’ minds. Solidify this impression with a solid follow-up on leads.
Offering respite – in a sea of trade show booths, panel discussions, and presentations, having a trade show engagement is simply kind. It offers a break from the monotony and volume of information.
The reasons for trade show engagement are multi-fold, and can be very beneficial if executed correctly. Recently, we posted an ADM Two Case Study that featured Ocean Optics’ booth with product demonstrations that were wildly popular and made the booth quite a hit with attendees. The staff were busy all day fielding questions, helping with demos, and offering collateral. The booth was stunning and something we could all be very proud of.
ADM Two staff are experts on trade show booth design, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your trade show booth. If you are interested in product demos for your booth, we can help incorporate that into your design. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on trade show booth layout, trade show graphics, and etiquette.
For 2018, changes in workplace environments will focus on how to attract employees during a tight labor market. And, research has shown that 
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.
