OK, Lee Knight and company in Rochester–what’s with flooding my mailbox with advance literature?

In the past week I have received no less than four Exhibitor Show guides, two in one day yesterday. Now, I really do intend to register and go to this event, but I really only need one book. Read More...

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...

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...

In order for us, as a trade show suppliers, to provide the best solution for our clients, we MUST know their business.

That is, will the exhibit we provide work with the goals the client has set for the show and their company? If we think we are just filling a space we are wrong. From what the exhibit looks like to how it flows to how the staff is trained (let’s start with these three), if it doesn’t reflect the company brand or how the product is sold or what the messages are that need to be conveyed, it won’t work. Period. And we will have wasted our client’s precious budget. Read More...

“The Real Deal Expo” is a buying show aimed at putting distributors, retailers, brokers and suppliers together. AWMA (American Wholesale Manufacturer’s Association) hosted this expo and conference annually in rotating cities.

With a show floor comprised of over 180 exhibitors selling candy, tobacco, health and beauty aids, general merchandise, technology and equipment, the main target appears to be convenience operators. Booth sizes range from 10×10 (the largest proportion) to 20×40 with a few 30×30s and 20×20s scattered in the mix. The largest exhibitors include Hershey, Cadbury Adams, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco, Altadis and Commonwealth Brands. Several technology companies are also included in the mix, including our client, Retalix, a provider of point-of-sale products and back office systems. Retalix has a 10×20 exhibit at this show. Read More...