Walking the NACS show the other day in Las Vegas, I came across this cool tower. Catch the eye from across the hall and it leads the visitor to your booth.

Now, I’ve gone on about hanging signs and towers before, but this one was unique enough to catch my eye and have me look closer at the rest of the exhibit.

This is also a good example of a rental property that works well. Read More...

With apologies to Bill Engvall and The Five Man Electrical Band, this entry is all about signs–the hanging variety used at trade shows.

The NACS show was a great example of companies using hanging structures as a part of their dimensional marketing strategy. Many use them as signposts so that visitors looking for them can find their booth from across the hall. Others use them as an extension of the booth itself–whether that be a physical extension of the structure or a graphical look that ties to the booth.

They can also be used to convey a message–verbal or visual. Perhaps it’s the logo of the company, an extension of the booth message or look, or perhaps it’s a symbol from a related or overarching campaign. Any and all of these approaches are justified when it comes to the highest signage in (or above) your space. Read More...

They look so great and graceful (well, mostly) hanging in the air over the show floor. But somebody had to get hanging signs up there. Usually, it’s up to you to get the job done.

Hanging your completed sign has a few steps:

• Put in the order for the riggers well in advance of the show.
• Assemble the sign.
• Spot the location above the booth where the sign is to hang.
• Attach the aircraft cables
• Hoist the sign.
• Make sure it is turned the way you want it.

Obviously, this is all done in cooperation with your rigging contractor. By putting the order in well in advance, you take advantage of any discounts. When you arrive at the show, check in at the service desk and, if you can predict it, let them know when you’ll be ready for the riggers to come. Read More...

At some time in our career we all have to deal with the hanging sign. It is what you can see across the hall that draws your prospects and suspects (and maybe clients/customers) to your booth. They can see you “across the crowded room” without having to know or search for your booth number.

Hanging signs can take a number of shapes and sizes, but most are fabric-over-aluminum framed (otherwise known as Moss-type signs–after the most popular manufacturer) units. They can be hanging banners, pinwheel shaped, cylindrical (round) or square. They can be lit, motorized (so they turn); they can be hung from light trusses or straight from the ceiling. Professional riggers (usually a crew of two in most cities) must be hired to assemble and install hanging signs from aircraft cables using a crane (equipped with a basket) and proper tools. Read More...