Archive for the ‘Trade Show Information’ Category

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The rationale behind hiring a trade show model is simple – nail the first impression by leveraging the old advertising maxim of sex selling. And for years the trade show model was a staple, pulling show-going crowds towards booths and hopefully towards products. Recently, though, trade show models, or as they are more commonly known “booth babes,” have been going the way of the caribou. Case-in-point, the 2008 SHOT Show, previously known for its pairing of guns and babes, was so lacking in trade show models that Field and Stream Magazine was forced to pad their annual review of models with pictures of men sporting unusually long beards, and causing many readers to question, why are exhibitors messing with a good thing?

In 2006, the Electronic Software Association (ESA), the trade group behind the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) issued a press release stating that for the first time, the dress code, typically flouted by models, would be enforced. And by “enforced” the ESA meant a warning followed by a $5000 fine. Common motives associated with this new rule enforcement stemmed from the reputation of the trade show (previously described by IGN’s David Adams as “ribald”), the fear that the ESA was marketing sexually-explicit content to children, and the fact that the video game industry was reaching sales parity with Hollywood. There is, of course, a common thread between these arguments: the product didn’t need the sex, instead it needed to be viewed as professional. For the ESA, the video game had matured beyond the quick, impulsive sell that sex grants, and was finally a legitimate part of living rooms around the world.

The ESA was telling exhibitors to do something every trade show exhibitor should be doing anyways, they should be considering their brand. Whether you are an entrepreneur, an executive, or merely an employee, trade shows are worked with the explicit intent of drawing quality attention to your brand. The trade show exhibitor is there to build excitement that should ultimately turn a booth visitor into a repeat customer. The booth is a means to forging a lasting relationship on a personal basis. Working a booth allows a company to press the flesh and promote with a passion that simply can’t be found in traditional advertising. So, why would a company risk potentially isolating half the attendees at a conference with a booth babe?

Half? Well, close to it. According to a survey conducted by AffiliateTip.com, 70% of the female respondents and 41% of the male respondents (56% overall) said that they were less likely to visit a booth that used a booth babe. Conversely, 29% of the overall respondents said that a booth babe caused a null opinion, and a mere 15% said that a booth babe would positively impact their opinion of a booth. Perusing blogs will lead to an even larger mountain of anecdotal evidence that suggests that not only are individuals less likely to visit your trade show displays if a booth babe is present, but they are actually more likely to form a negative opinion of your company to boot.

Of course, not all trade shows are following the trend presented by the ESA, yet booth babes seem to be disappearing just the same. The use of booth babes at YAPC (Yet Another Perl Convention) sparked a thread on the Use Perl official message board regarding whether or not booth babes should be used at other conference. The quote that seemed to sum the experience up was “that is so auto show.”

The debate surrounding the use of booth babes even leaves the trade show, with various media outlets debating about whether they should continue to feature photos of the “best” babes, often opening up the discussion to readers. Tom’s Hardware, a forum and media outlet focusing on technology posed the question to their readership and the first response cut to the heart of the issue – juxtaposing the ‘for’ being juvenile and mainstream against the ‘opposed’ being adult and technical. Tech Republic, also opened the question up to their readers, and gathered likewise responses. It seemed that even the media was turning their backs on booth babes.

There is, of course, one final theory on why exhibitors were shying away from trade show models. At the 2006 E3, Disney was there presenting the video game tie in for their Pixar animated feature “Cars.” There between near-life-size examples of the film’s star cars was, you guessed it, a trade show model. The model in question was decked out from head to toe in skintight black jumpsuit, complete with plunging neckline and a checkered-flag racking stripe running up her sides, and covering just enough to show that Disney could play by the new E3 rules. Perhaps the world at large saw Disney’s display as truly jumping the shark and everyone simply moved on.

Whichever theory you subscribe to – maintaining an professional image, fear of isolating potential clients, or merely staying one step ahead of Disney, the use of trade show models are certainly on the decline. And as John Davis, editorial director for Ziff Davis Media Game Group told ABC News, "Not having the booth babes isn’t going to make any difference." Instead, of babes, the new trend seems to be presenting your products in a professional manner, with booth workers who go beyond gimmick or sex and instead have a passion for your brand and a knowledge base to match. Guess which one leads to more quality sales?

About the Author

Mat Kelly is the president of ExhibitDEAL, a leading provider of trade show displays , trade show flooring , and other trade show accessories. An environmentally friendly company, ExhibitDEAL can be found online at: http://www.exhibitdeal.com .

POP Displays great for trade shows and as sales booths

Santa Monica, CA – January 23, 2008 – Continuing to offer the very best trade show displays, booths, and accessories, ExhibitDEAL is happy to announce the addition of Point of Purchase Displays to their already impressive selection of trade show products.  ExhibitDEAL can be found online at:  http://www.exhibitdeal.com .

Offering a line of over 200 new, top of the line POP Displays, ExhibitDEAL is one again showing why they are an industry leader for trade show booths and exhibits.  An excellent choice for both trade shows and as sales booths in office buildings, malls, and outdoor venues, POP Displays are quickly growing in popularity with an increase in the number of options available to customize the display to the needs of the owner.

“These are great, new, fun [POP] Displays and we’re very excited to be adding them to our line,” Mat Kelly, President of ExhibitDEAL said.  “They’re perfect for those that already have a trade show display and want to give their business that extra nudge, or those just looking to branch out into new areas.  There really is a POP Display for everybody and every business.”

Since 2000, ExhibitDEAL has been leading the industry with trade show displays and booths that are on the cutting edge of style and material trends.  Their selection of trade show exhibits and accessories, which include banner stands and literature racks, is second to none, and their continued commitment to the environment is clear by their selection of Green Trade Show Flooring, all of which can be found on their website:  http://www.exhibitdeal.com .

Contact

Mat Kelly

866-577-3325

http://www.exhibitdeal.com

Press Contact

George R Perry

SEO Services Company

Trade show display company starts offering environmentally friendly trade show flooring

Santa Monica, CA – November XX, 2007 – ExhibitDEAl, a leading provider of trade show displays, trade show flooring, and other trade show accessories, is proud to announce the addition of environmentally friendly trade show flooring to their selection of trade show displays and accessories that can be found on their website at:  http:///www.exhibitdeal.com .

In light of so many companies going “Green,” NBC most recently aired episodes of their hit shows The Office and 30 Rock, along with others, featuring story lines centered around environmental awareness, the demand for companies both small and large to be more environmentally aware is on the rise.  With that in mind, ExhibitDEAL has begun to offer a line of environmentally friendly trade show flooring that is of the same quality expected from the industry leading company, but has a lower impact on the environment as a whole.

“We’re very proud of this product,” Mat Kelly, president of ExhibitDEAL said.  “We always want to offer the best product to our customers, but being able to offer trade show flooring that’s environmentally responsible while still being a great addition to a trade show display is a winning situation for us [ExhibitDEAL], our customers, and, most importantly, the environment.”  While Mr. Kelly wouldn’t comment on whether there would be other “green” products featured in ExhibitDEAL’s product list, he was quick to point out that they are doing their part to be more eco-friendly while still offering top level products to their customers.

As the public demands that the companies they deal with be more environmentally aware, companies like ExhibitDEAL, NBC, and Universal Studios are responding by producing shows with environmental themes, broadcasting without the use of any unnecessary lights to conserve electricity, or by offering their clients trade show flooring that is of the same high quality that they’re used to, but without the same impact on the environment.  It’s believed that companies like ExhibitDEAL, NBC, and Universal are just the first in what will more than likely be many companies that offer environmentally friendly products, services, and entertainment to meet the growing demand.

About ExhibitDEAL

ExhibitDEAL is an industry leading provider of trade show displays, trade show flooring, and accessories such as literature racks and banner stands.  Their commitment to not only their customers but to the environment is evident in their expanding line of products that are not only of the highest quality, but present a low impact on the environment.

Contact:

Mat Kelly
866-577-3325
http://www.exhibitdeal.com

Press Contact:

George R Perry
SEO Services Company

Hybrid trade show display is quickly becoming most popular product on the market

Santa Monica, CA – October 17, 2007 – ExhibitDEAL, the leading trade show display company, is happy to announce the addition of Alumalite Hybrid Displays to their line of quality trade show displays, trade show graphics, and trade show accessories which can be found at:  http://www.exhibitdeal.com .

The Alumalite Trade Show Displays are quickly growing in popularity due to their hybrid status.  Not a true pop-up display, the Alumalite Hybrid Displays consist of a backwall display with numerous optional accessories, including:  monitor mounts, counter systems, and literature racks.  The ability to add components to the trade show display after setup, adding to its flexibility, is one of the many reasons that the Alumalite Trade Show Displays are growing in popularity exponentially.

“This is a great product that we’re so happy to be adding to our product list,” Mat Kelly, president of ExhibitDEAL said.  “This is the perfect trade show display for somebody that wants to be able to customize their display for different locations and events.  The flexibility of it [the Alumalite Hybrid Display] is really quite spectacular.”

About ExhibitDEAL
ExhibitDEAL is a leading provider of trade show displays, graphics, and accessories.  Their product line includes Alumalite Trade Shows, Entasi Tension Fabric Displays, and Fabric Pop-Up Displays, as well as literature racks and banner stands.  Their entire line of products can be found at:  http://www.exhibitdeal.com .

Contact:
Mat Kelly
866-577-3325
http://www.exhibitdeal.com

Press Contact
George R Perry
SEO Services Company

Steven R. Covey has helped millions of people in their business and professional lives with his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The Seven Habits, first written 17 years ago, has proven to be an effective guide for personal and professional development. And these principles, when applied to your trade show experience, can dramatically improve your experience at the event and your results.

Treating your portable trade show display like your portable office is the key to maximizing your effectiveness at each and every event. The purpose of a trade show is connecting with people, and portable trade show displays enable you to create a space for educating prospects about what your company has to offer and qualifying leads to pitch them for a sale or follow up with them later. (more…)

Get your ducks in a row before the big event. This article at TradeShowAdvisor.com offers a timeline leading up to the event and a final checklist to keep you from scrambing around at the last minute. A sample of the artice is below:

Using a trade show check list at the final stages of your event preparation may be a valuable tool to ensure all the last-minute details are handled and you are positioned to accomplish your event sales objectives.

You’ve likely spent months getting ready for your event. The final stages are critical. Adapt the following trade show check list to suit your specific needs.

• Review your exhibiting plan and objectives. Make sure everyone involved fully understands what needs to be accomplished during the show.

Read the entire article.

Once you get traffic flowing to your trade show display, beyond the product display and basic information about the product and your company, how do you keep the prospect’s interest?

Clearly your potential client has some level of interest in your product or service or they would not have stopped at your booth. But the cut-throat competition that exists at trade shows requires you to be at the top of your game so you can demonstrate what separates you from the competition. The doorway to closing the sale is building rapport - and at a trade show you don’t have a lot of time to do that.

And while you aren’t necessarily expecting to close the sale with every prospect at a trade show, Zig Ziglar says there’s one simple way you can more efficiently move toward the close. Before beginning your presentation, you establish an agreement with the prospect that at the end of the presentation you expect them to either:

• agree that the product is in their best interest so the two of you can discuss the purchase options available OR,
• indicate the product is not in their best interest and the two of you will discuss options from there.

But first, you’ve got to make it to the close of the sale. In his article, “How to Build Trust and Rapport Quickly,” sales trainer John Boe reviews tips and strategies to consider once the prospect is standing before you.

How to Build Trust and Rapport Quickly

By: John Boe

If you’re working hard, but aren’t consistently generating enough sales and getting referrals, chances are it’s a matter of trust. One of the most critically important and yet frequently overlooked aspects of selling is creating a solid foundation of trust and rapport.

Suppose you could incorporate a few simple, yet highly effective ideas into your selling process and substantially increase your bottom line?

Successful salespeople have a knack for making people feel important. They understand the value of building trust and rapport early on in the selling process. For you see, it really doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are about your product line or how many closing techniques you have mastered, unless you earn your prospect’s trust and confidence you are not going to make the sale period.

Read more of “How to Build Trust and Rapport Quickly”

Tags: sales | establishing rapport | building rapport | sales strategies | closing | trade show tips

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When planning to participate in a trade show, how often to you really think about safety and security? Exhibitor Online’s Candy Adams reviews potential risks in her article, “Trade Show Safety and Security.” From splitting the contents of her wallet between two pieces of luggage to making sure you safely set up your trade show display, she covers common vulnerabilities and how to protect yourself, your staff and your equipment during the next trade show that you visit.

Trade Show Safety and Security
By: Candy Adams

From airports, to the hotel, to the show floor itself, exhibit managers face threats to safety and security at every step of the trade show experience. Because much of what we do, and exactly how and when we do it, is not within our personal control, planning safety and security for ourselves, our staff, and our exhibit property isn’t something we can leave to chance.

Personal Travel Safety
What would you do if your wallet, containing all your cash, traveler’s checks, credit cards, and ID, was stolen going through the security checkpoint at the airport? This exact scenario happened to me a few years ago on a two-show road trip.

I now split my cash and credit cards between two pieces of carry-
on luggage whenever I travel. I also keep a photocopy of everything in my wallet on file at home, just in case I have to report the loss or theft of my credit cards or ID.

But simply arriving safely is only half the battle. Be aware of scams at gas stations near airports where travelers typically refuel rental cars. One thief will set up a distraction as you pump gas, and another will grab your purse or wallet from the opposite side of your car.

When checking in to your hotel, be sure the desk clerk doesn’t ann-ounce your room number in front of other guests. If this happens, request a room reassignment.

Read the rest of Trade Show Safety and Security.

The most incredible, cutting-edge, innovative product or service in the world is not going to generate revenue without a valiant marketing effort. Attending trade shows is a smart initiative to get exposure for your company – but if you are not paying close attention to the details of your trade show display, you are missing an opportunity to showcase your company above the competition.

Your trade show display creates a backdrop for you to meet new prospects and hopefully lay the foundation for a lucrative relationship with them. When a trade show attendee stops by your exhibit, they are stepping into your portable office, and you are offering a snapshot of what your company is about. If you want to keep a prospect in your trade show booth for more than a couple of seconds, you must be able to quickly establish trust – and projecting a polished, professional image, combined with a personable staff, sets an excellent foundation of trust.

(more…)

Prepping for a trade show and following up after can lead to lucrative results. But you have to implement effective strategies to get there. Email is one avenue to do that, as outlined in the article below.

Maximize Your Trade Show Investment With E-Mail

By Karen Gedney

“Build it and they will come” doesn’t necessarily apply to your trade show booth. In her book “Trade Show and Event Marketing,” Ruth P. Stevens writes, “Trade show marketers often get so preoccupied with designing and building their booths, they can forget to concentrate on driving qualified traffic.” (more…)