You hear it every day: trade shows and conferences are dying. No one wants to travel, they are expensive to put on, people buy differently.

Really? Read More...

It is interesting how trade shows are still not dead, despite the increased use of social and/or new media. Take the recent NBAA show from last fall in Orlando.

Emily Feliz of Avionics Magazine reported in a recent Editor’s Note that while the show itself, from a traditional perspective, was down, the emergence of a spirit of connectivity prevailed.  As she notes that while space went empty and numbers of attendees and exhibitors had declined from previous years, there was a spirit of connectivity in the hall. Read More...

These five basic points are good guide to having a success show and show program. Reminds me of the 5 tips my doctor gave me for basic health.

1. Pick the right shows. Do your homework by walking the show, reading stats from the promoter, talking to other exhibitors and visitors to the show.
2. Create an attention-getting display. Make sure your graphics are simple but with a clear message and not complicated. Pay attention to how products are displayed and how traffic flows in the space and the hall.
3. Prepare staff. Set realistic goals and objectives for them. Give them training and the messages you want conveyed.
4. Qualify prospects. Don’t just collect names and numbers–identify people who can make or influence buying decisions.
5. Follow up. Both with leads and by having an internal post-mortem meeting to see what worked and what didn’t.

Numbers 3 and 4 remind of the old axiom “you should be able to do this on a bare piece of concrete…” Read More...

There is no denying it: it is expensive to produce and attend trade shows and conferences.

From the Chicago newspaper, this story (http://tinyurl.com/yfqyxq5) points out what we all knew was coming to the Northern and Eastern cities: your labor costs and rules are killing marketing budgets and the desire of businesses to use trade shows in their mix. Read More...

It’s that time again: the Exhibitor’s Show in Las Vegas.

Not one to hype things, I do have a soft spot for this event. You can be certified and network all in one place–and that place is Vegas, the ultimate trade show city. Read More...

Our colleague, Kimberly Williamson of Aviall, just returned from the Dubai Air show in the United Arab Emirates. She brought back these photos of the show.

The stand was crafted by Two Heads, an exhibit provider in The UAE and London.  It relies on the backwall graphics and a few display cabinets to tell the story.  Like most international shows, it had substantial meeting space and a notable reception area. Read More...

Recently we here at Zachry Associates came up with a direct mail piece for a specific market: trade show managers. While it is targeted at exhibit managers, this package could be tailored for attendees in advance of a trade show or event or conference.

Read more at http://www.zachryinc.com/creative/2009/11/kaleidoscope-of-services/. Read More...

Our colleague, Jamey Wozniak is the CEO of Joe’s Hitches in Dallas (www.joes-hitchandtrailer.com). Jamey recently returned from the huge automotive trade show, Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. She filed this report for TTSG:

“ This is my third trek to SEMA in Vegas and a show I wouldn’t wanna miss! You’d never know about the economic woes from all the car-crazed enthusiasts from all over the world….the place was rockin! Read More...

At a recent trade show I saw this great leave behind in a booth.

As a part of customer service, many I&D companies will leave a counter card or leaflet behind in the booth prior to show opening. Usually this card has the lead man or city manager’s cell phone number and/or e-mail address.  But this package from Czarnowski Exhibit Services at the recent NACS show in Las Vegas was special.

Now while I didn’t see the contents of the box, I can imagine it had a combination of things: conta t info, tape, gum, mints, maybe some other quick repair tools.  Possibly a brochure or a list of emergency contacts for printeres, equipment sources and otehr services. Read More...

After a long and intense trip supporting a trade show, you many times find you are fried or somewhat brain dead. While the experience was positive, it was intense and takes you from the norm, which isn’t always bad.

However, fatigue does set in and getting back to normal isn’t always easy. Case in point is my friend and colleague Peggy Keene of Korry Electronics. PK is a sometime contributor to this space. She has been on the trade show treadmill these past few weeks and when I asked her for some feedback on NBAA, she reported on her Facebook page: Read More...