Trade show staffing – these SMI staff-members are happy to be here.

Trade show staffing is one of the most important aspects of attending a trade show. Below are a couple of tips we have learned over the years, and which continue to apply today.

#1: The Complainer – Be prepared to handle a current or ex-client who has a bone to pick with your company. In fact, be prepared to turn that complaint into a gold star. We have learned that some of the best and most loyal clients are the ones that had a major issue that we resolved with flying colors. Take advantage of this seeming disadvantage.

#2: The Overworked Trade Show Booth Staff – Take breaks. Trade show days can be very long and if you’re standing all day or not eating, you won’t be performing at your optimal level – and that only means that you won’t be helping potential customers to the best of your ability.

#3: The Party Animal – We’ve all met this trade show attendee, the one who sees trade shows as a vacation. Don’t be that guy. Sure, you are probably in a new city, with lots of new things to see and do, but your number one motivation for being in that city is to represent your company. There is nothing worse than being on the trade show floor after a night of too much partying.

#4: The Robot – You are a representative of your company and should be telling your company’s story. Be interesting, be sincere. Smile warmly and mean it. If you find yourself getting tired and lackluster, take that break that we talked about in #2.

#5: The Clock-Watcher – Trade show days can be long, and at times the hours seem to creep by. Keep in mind that your company probably invested a large sum of money to attend the trade show, and though the hours may seem long and slow, they are actually quite limited. Take full advantage of the brief amount of time that you have at a trade show by always being present, alert, and available to customers. Checking your email or texting while in the booth sends the message – I’m bored and can’t wait for this to be over. Potential clients will flee from this negativity. Cell phone use should be limited to break time only.

Trade show staffing is a valuable investment. Successful trade show attendees pay attention to all the details, from staffing to technology to great design. 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 to get more information on trade show booth layout.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Press Releases, Staff, Trade Show

ADM Two’s Tony Ricci to Speak About Tradeshow Marketing at Triangle Marketing Club in Raleigh

2016-03-16 Shannon Bennett

ADM Two senior account manager Tony Ricci will speak about maximizing ROI from tradeshow marketing at a Triangle Marketing Club event in Raleigh, NC on March 22, 2016.

TAMPA, Fla. (March 15, 2016) – ADM Two Exhibits & Displays’ senior account manager Tony Ricci will present lessons on how to maximize your company’s exposure and ROI using tradeshow marketing.

Tony has over 20 years in the exhibit industry. He has served in many capacities and comes to ADM Two from the wholesale side of the industry. Tony gained sales and marketing experience in direct display sales beginning in 1994, then moved into show management, event facility management, and more recently served as a regional account executive with a national graphics and hardware wholesaler.

“I always welcome the opportunity to share the insight and best practices as they apply to this industry that my peers, mentors and customers have taught me over the years. It is the best part of “networking” the shared knowledge base we all as professionals rely on to be informed consumers in our public and private lives.” said Tony Ricci.

About ADM Two

ADM Two was founded in 1983, and since then has emerged as a respected leader in exhibit design and fabrication. Serving an expansive range of clients throughout the museum, tradeshow, corporate, and retail industries, ADM Two continues to foster the deep appreciation for innovation and craftsmanship that the organization was founded on. For more information, visit www.admtwo.com.

About Triangle Marketing Club

Triangle Marketing Club is an organization that is designed for marketers of all experience levels, from the entry level Marketing Assistant to the Chief Marketing Officer, everyone will walk away with either a new connection or a new idea to implement. It’s about every channel operating in harmony. For more information, visit www.trianglemarketingclub.com.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Press Releases, Sponsorships, Trade Show

ADM Two Supporting Sponsor for 2016 Gasparilla Interactive Festival

2016-03-05 Tony Ricci

ADM Two will provide infrastructure support to the 2^nd Annual Gasparilla Interactive Festival, held March 10-11, 2016, at Hillsborough Community College in Ybor City, FL.

TAMPA, Fla. (February 5, 2016) – ADM Two Exhibits & Displays will provide infrastructure support to the 2016 Gasparilla Interactive Festival, Tampa Bay’s showcase for cutting-edge technologies, digital innovation, and entrepreneurial inspiration. The event will feature compelling presentations and forums from some of the brightest minds in technology, interactive media, and disruptive entrepreneurialism. As members of the Gasparilla Interactive Festival Founder’s Club, ADM Two has a special stake in the event.

We sponsored the front desk and popup trade show booth elements at the Gasparilla Interactive Conference in Ybor City, FL.

“We were part of the Founder’s Club for the Gasparilla Interactive Festival last year, and it was quite a fascinating event that brought some great minds and talents together,” said Susan Canonico, CEO of ADM Two. “We are proud to be a part of something that puts the Tampa Bay Area on the map of technology, especially at a time when this community is undergoing such a growth spurt.”

About ADM Two

About Gasparilla Interactive Festival

The Gasparilla Interactive Conference is a Florida non-profit organization that was founded by the past presidents of the American Advertising Federation and Ad 2 Tampa Bay chapters. Proceeds from the conference will be used to create an endowment for scholarships, educational programing and economic development. The conference is a community event and is made possible through the collaboration of Tampa Bay’s public, private, non-profit, and academic institutions. For more information, please visit www.gasparillainteractive.org.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Trade Show

Lighting Display Walls with Extravaganza Productions

2015-12-10 Nikki Devereux

On this week’s gratitude list is Extravaganza Productions, who prove that lighting makes all the difference. Earlier this year, we partnered with Extravaganza Productions to create display walls for a large corporate event in Orlando. We completed the fabrication of the display walls and Extravaganza brought them alive with beautiful graphics and a colorful array of lights. The result was a spectacular backdrop that made a stunning presentation for the evening’s events.

Lighting is always a very important consideration for us when designing a trade show booth, display wall, museum installation, or corporate interior. It is a part of the design process that people often forget, but it makes such a huge impact on the aesthetic for a relatively small price. Working with a company that knows the value of lighting is a treat, and we especially love the drama of lighting display walls like the Extravaganza Productions project.

Extravaganza Productions is a full-service “one-stop shop” for live event production, providing all creative services, AV, lighting, theme decor and event management from one point of contact. Starting at initial concept through final “strike”, Extravaganza Productions creates beautiful displays for conferences and special events in all types of venues and settings. Visit their website at www.extravaganzaproductions.com.

Display walls with Extravaganza Productions.

We’ve also been looking at other displays that use lighting in interesting and dramatic ways, so we thought we would share a few. Below are some examples of lighting that enhance the message and the brand. When considering creative lighting designs, consult with a professional like ADM Two. We have decades of experience with design of display walls for a wide variety of industries, so we can help you achieve the look you want within your budget. Great lighting can enhance a trade show booth, but bad lighting can be a drawback.

The lighting on this Philips booth is stunning, creates mood, adds texture, and overall enhances the already interesting and stunning design.

The mixture of spotlights, accent lights and ambient light in this trade show booth adds dimension to this Blackberry display.

Glowing walls, soothing blue lights, and accent lighting galore give this booth by MPi a powerful presence.

Below are some types of lighting to give you ideas for lighting your display walls.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Awards, Blog (Exhibit Insight), Custom, Trade Show, Trade Show Customization

Award Winning Trade Show Booth for Helios – Giving Thanks

2015-12-02 Nikki Devereux

Creating an award winning trade show booth design is no one man job – it takes team work and collaboration. Our collaboration with client Helios has yielded not one but TWO award winning trade show booths. This is something special – there is a sort of magic in teamwork that is so consistently good. We want to give thanks to Helios – we couldn’t have done it without them. Their ideas combined with our ideas and lots of excellent craftsmanship from our staff produced two incredible trade show booths.

ADDY Award Winning Trade Show Booth

Our first award with Helios was a silver ADDY at the American Advertising Federation Awards held by local Tampa Bay chapter February, 2015. The trade show booth was custom designed and fabricated by ADM Two in preparation for Helios to participate in the 2014 National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference in Las Vegas.

“Our goal was to create a contemporary and clean, yet inviting environment for our 600-square foot space at the 2014 National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference,” stated Sarah Berger, VP of Marketing for Helios. “ADM Two collaborated with us to meet our visual and functional objectives and help us realize this vision.”

To achieve the look and feel the client wanted, ADM Two incorporated two vertical towers that provide height along with a feature canopy that spanned the booth space in Helios orange. The space features a welcome area, casual white seating, a private meeting room for quiet one-on-one discussions, and a rollable wood floor to finish the sustainable and inviting look Helios wanted in order to stand out at the show. The result is a truly stunning visual display that is also very functional. It was a perfect fit for the client, and that is what we strive to achieve with every trade show booth we create.

Helios’ award winning trade show booth.

“We understand that companies are on strict budgets but still need to make an impact at trade shows,” said Shannon Bennett, ADM Two’s vice president of sales and marketing. “By repurposing existing components, refreshing them with new treatments, selecting cost-efficient finishes, and keeping the design simple, we were able to produce the Helios trade show booth for half of the industry’s standard square foot price. While we are proud to win the ADDY, we are more pleased that our design worked for our client.”

Best in Show

Winning the ADDY and creating a beautiful trade show booth at a great price set the stage for the next collaboration, which was a custom trade show booth for Helios’ participation at RIMS in New Orleans. The booth we created won Best of Show and appeared in the trade show publication.

This award winning trade show booth featured many of the same elements that allowed Helios to stand out at the National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference. The wood, the comfortable seating – all conveying the warmth of a home away from home – creates an atmosphere that is welcoming. Small details like table art and potted plants make a world of difference. It’s the little things that make a home.

Helios’ award winning trade show booth at RIMS New Orleans.

A little information about Helios

Helios is the new name for Progressive Medical and PMSI. It is bringing the focus of workers’ compensation and auto-no fault pharmacy benefit management, ancillary services, and settlement solutions back to where it belongs – the injured party. Along with this new name comes a passion and intensity on delivering value beyond just the transactional savings for which Helios excels. To learn how Helios’ creative and innovative tools, expertise, and industry leadership can help you, visit www.HeliosComp.com or call 800.777.3574.

ADM Two doesn’t just envision potential, we make your vision a reality, no matter what the circumstances. Creating an exciting and engaging award winning trade show booth starts with choosing a great team to help with design. We can even help you with your sustainable trade show practices, which will save you money and save the planet. ADM Two are experts in custom trade show fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with design ideas. Also, check out some of our other articles for information about trade show booth design and museum fabrication.

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

Custom Trade Show Fabrication Case Study – South African Department of Trade

2015-11-24 Nikki Devereux

Our recent project, completing the custom trade show fabrication for the South African Department of Trade, highlights many of our strengths as a team. One of our partners, Mobius Exhibits, came to us with the RFP for the project. The ADM Two design team came up with the overall design based on the written RFP. It required at least eight individual kiosks within the space, a reception area, a conference room, and a lounge. It was a big project, but ADM Two excels in creative problem solving, and this was definitely a challenging project that would require a great deal of creativity.

Mobius Exhibits came to Tony Ricci, our Senior Account Executive and relationship-building master. Tony builds a rapport with clients and keeps in touch with them for life. People trust him, because he is not just an account executive, he is an ally; he cares about their business as if it were his own. Mobius Exhibits is one of his well-regarded industry contacts, and they knew they could trust Tony and ADM Two to create something that would wow the client.

Rendering for the custom trade show fabrication for the South African Department of Trade.

One of the most challenging factors for the South African Department of Trade custom trade show fabrication was time. This was going to be a big build, and our team knew that the typical time for completion of a project this size is around four to five weeks. On top of that, the time zone difference between South Africa and Florida is drastic and caused delays in communication and review. Despite these challenges, ADM Two completed the project in less than two weeks, including the management of the supplied graphics and content. We have the ability to prioritize in this way because we give personal attention to each and every project. If we know that a project has a tight deadline, our team collaborates to make it happen. Teamwork is essential during these tight deadlines, and because our team is like a family, we are able to communicate and work together to make the most of our time and skills. It is one of our greatest strengths.

In order to accomplish this incredibly tight deadline, we knew we had to save time on the fabrication. We decided to use some of our existing rental inventory for the reception area and conference room. The custom trade show fabrication came into play with the kiosks. We custom built them to fit the specs of the project and to create that unique feel that gives custom trade show fabrication its curb appeal. The custom pieces will remain in the ADM Two rental inventory. Blending custom fabricated pieces and rental pieces is a great way to save time and money, while still accomplishing that custom feel.

This project also posed the challenge of limited artistic direction. Because of the time difference and often little direct communication, ADM Two had to use a great deal of intuition and industry experience to complete the design. Knowing what we know about this industry, the nuances of trade show traffic, attendee engagement, and other factors, we were able to create a design that suited the client almost perfectly. In the end, the customer was very happy with the result and the show, CAMEX, held in Dallas, TX, was a success.

The finished pavilion for the South African Department of Trade at the CAMEX Trade Show in Dallas, TX.

The vision of the South African Department of Trade is to foster a dynamic industrial, globally competitive South African economy, characterized by inclusive growth and development, decent employment and equity, built on the full potential of all citizens. For more information, visit the website HERE.

ADM Two doesn’t just envision potential, we make your vision a reality, no matter what the circumstances. Creating an exciting and engaging custom trade show fabrication starts with choosing a great team to help with design. We can even help you with your sustainable trade show practices, which will save you money and help the planet. ADM Two are experts in custom trade show fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with design ideas. Also, check out some of our other articles for information about trade show booth design and museum fabrication.

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

Custom Trade Show Booth Case Study – Global Refining Group

2015-11-19 Nikki Devereux

When working with custom trade show clients, we encounter many different clients that span countless industries. This is what is so exciting about our work – we get to learn more about familiar companies and brands, and in some cases we learn about industries that we never even knew existed. Each of our clients has unique needs, so during the design and fabrication process, we are kept on our toes. Our custom trade show team assesses the client’s brand from every angle to determine design, functionality, and technology.

Global Refining Group

One of our recent projects was a custom trade show booth for Global Refining Group. They were attending the ARA Show in Charlotte and needed something to showcase their brand as an industry leader with cutting edge technology and processes. The custom trade show booth we helped Global Refining Group fabricate was just that – sleek and modern, with a technology edge. The simple lines, colors, and metal evoke technology, while the wood floors are down to earth, providing a balance that keeps visitors feeling grounded.

Technology mixes with earthy in this well-balanced custom trade show booth.

The clients were duly impressed with the trade show display, as were other trade show attendees.

“We received many compliments on the booth and in my opinion we were by far the best there!” said the client after the show was over.

That’s what we love to hear. We enjoyed collaborating to design the trade show booth and we enjoyed learning about what Global Refining Group does. We even learned some interesting facts along the way.

Global Refining Group custom trade show booth – the other side.

Global Refining Group is a catalytic converter recycling and processing company that serves clients worldwide. Their processing system is one of the most efficient in the world and they have spent years of research and millions of dollars on its development.

Have you ever hear of platinum group metals? These are the metals that are being recycled and processing by Global Refining Group. They are a family of six precious metallic elements clustered together on the periodic table. The six metals are ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. These metals are resistant to wear and tarnish, chemical attack, possess excellent high-temperature characteristics and stable electrical properties, which makes them useful in a variety of applications. Check out Global Refining Group’s website if you want to learn more about what they do: http://globalrefininggroup.com/

One of the reasons we love this business so much is learning about what our clients do and helping you design something that will facilitate a part of what you do, whether it’s corporate office design, trade show booth design, or museum fabrication. ADM Two doesn’t just envision potential, we make your vision a reality. We can even help you with your sustainable trade show practices, which will save you money and help the planet. Give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with design ideas. Check out some of our other articles for information about trade show booth design and museum fabrication.

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

Trade Show Installation and Dismantle

2015-10-14 Ginger Reichl

Trade show attendees rarely think about trade show installation and dismantle process, but it looms large in the minds of those who are planning and executing their company’s trade show booth setup, shipping, labor, and more. The process requires a vast amount of organization and attention to detail. Trade show installation and dismantle is as much about brains as it is about brawn.

Trade show installation and dismantle behind the scenes perspective.

Check out our blog post and video that beautifully and succinctly allows you to visualize the vast amount of work that goes into the setup of of a trade show booth.

Preparation is key, but experience helps as well. Sometimes, errors are your greatest learning tools, although it’s nice when you can learn from the mistakes of others, as in ExhibitorOnline’s article, “Labor of Love.”

“My personal experiences with I&D have certainly never been flawless, but it’s the outright disasters and near catastrophes that are the most memorable,” says Candy Adams in the opening paragraph of the article.

Candy Adams’ article on ExhibitorOnline.com is a great read for any trade show planner. Ms. Adams goes into detail about the different types of contractors, unions, and other nuances of the industry that only an experienced planner could know. Read more here.

Creating an exciting and engaging trade show booth is a multi-step process that includes great design. ADM Two staff are experts on trade show display design, 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 graphics and staff etiquette.

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

Trade Show Checklist – Trying to Remember it All

2015-10-02 Nikki Devereux

First thing on the trade show checklist is the trade show checklist!

The moment you decide to participate in a trade show, start your trade show checklist. There are so many things to remember that the trade show checklist is not just important – it is essential for success. Failure to adhere to the trade show checklist could be disastrous.

We recommend breaking the trade show checklist down into sections. Below is a sample that may help you get started. Depending on your industry, you may need to add and subtract items and sections, but this list will give you a general idea of what your list will look like.

Marketing Materials

Business cards
Brochures
Rack cards
Folders
Giveaways
Prizes

Staff

Business attire
Dinner wear for any after parties or dinners during the event
Casual clothes for down time
Comfortable shoes
Bathing suit
Toiletries
Itinerary
Computer and charger
Cell phone and charger
Ipads or other devices to be used on the trade show floor

Trade Show Checklist – Booth Design

Graphics are professionally designed and exemplify your brand
Wires are hidden for aesthetic and safety purposes
Fabric signs are level and not wrinkly
All elements of the booth are where they should be
You have an area for storage space
Lighting, computer/television screens and all electronics are functioning properly
All equipment is safely in place
All electronics are either plugged in or fully charged

You can start to see that it is easy to forget small items. Your trade show planning should include a revisitation of the trade show checklist periodically, to ensure that you are covering all corners.

If you need professional 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. We will make sure that your trade show booth design checklist is complete – the rest is up to you! Also, check out some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show display graphics.

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.