Coffee Breaks have been a staple in our lives for quite a long time – in which during the day employees are permitted to unwind from the daily pressures, and they can freshly carry out the details of their jobs.

Online event management software, can be your coffee break, freeing up your trade show event management team so that they are able to focus on streamlining your exhibiting strategies for the best trade show return on investment or ROI.

Trade Show Coordinators and Event Managers can become overwhelmed with the amount of detail and fine tuning that an entire trade show program encompasses, and can overlook small details of exhibit management.  With a comprehensive planning and strategy tool available online, with access anywhere in the world, your trade show program management team can become a well oiled marketing machine.

Being able to define which trade shows have performed best in the past, will allow your team to budget, plan & enhance your overall trade show goals.  Your trade show management team and coordinators will be able to oversee and monitor all trade shows and events in a centralized location, no longer having to scavenge through stacks of paper work looking for trade show accessories, promotional items, literature, trade show graphics or worry that the wrong exhibit properties will show up on the trade show floor.

To-Do lists for trade show management can grow rapidly and those post-it note’s may just not have the staying power, with a virtual file folder that can focus on specific trade shows, each member of your trade show marketing team as well as your booth staff can have access to updated information and changes for upcoming events and trade shows, from carpeting, furniture to pre-show sales meetings, no details will get lost in the shuffle.

With a mission to help trade show exhibitors refine the process,  your local Chicago Trade Show Displays Dealer – Tradetec Skyline Chicago, Illinois -  will pour you that cup of coffee and show you the value and benefits that can be added to your trade show marketing plan with a demonstration of our Online Trade Show & Event Management System by ExhibitForce.

27 Exhibiting Do’s and Don’ts

I have experienced first hand some of the questions that exhibitors ask when they are contemplating their strategy and design of their Trade Show Display and Marketing goals.

Keeping your marketing strategy simple and straight forward will help draw attendee’s into your trade show booth.  Teaming up with a local Chicago Trade Show Display
Dealer that will be able to design trade show graphics, enhance your booth layouts for the best functionality and flexibility in exhibit design.  Along with a dedicated Trade show service Team, you will be getting a team with experience in the Chicago market that knows the in’s and out’s of Chicago Events and area convention centers.

Be open to creative and new ways of presenting your services. Trade Show attendees see hundreds of exhibits in the course of one day.  You need to be unique and engaging for your display to be memorable.

Be realistic.  Trade shows are long events.  You’re on the floor for anywhere from ten to twelve hours at a go, often several days in a row.  This is a lot for any one person to do on their own, and most Nichepreneuers are solo operations.  Ask for help.  Recruit friends to work the show with you.  If nothing else, they can spell you while you grab a quick bite to eat.

This is a biggie - Follow Up!  The most important part of any trade show takes place after you leave the building.  You see that big pile of leads you’ve gathered? Send them all thank you notes for coming to see you — and follow up with them the most promising prospects quickly.  You’ll be glad you did.

Make Your Show Leads Matter

Here are some tips for managing the leads that you and your staff work so hard to collect. First, we hear from a reader who has a suggestion for capturing more complete information on the visitors to your exhibit.

Have your staff fill out the lead generation card rather than the prospect or customer. This way you are sure to get all of the pertinent information as well as make a personal connection with that lead. It also gives the staff member a better opportunity to find out the exact needs of the prospect.

- Denise Stabler, Future Industries

90% of all sales literature distributed at an event is often thrown out at the trade show, either by sales people or attendees themselves. We bring limited quantities and only use sales literature as conversational visual aides. [You may want to load the literature into a ring binder so that it’s apparent that it is not for deposit into the show tote bag.] Always take the customers name and information and send literature after the show. Only hand out literature as a last resort when customers indicate they prefer to take it at the show.

- Kelly Steinkirchner, Product Mgr, Buffalo Filter

Prompt follow-up can pay big dividends.

Be quick and effective with the leads, not only when you come back from the show, but also when the show is still running!! Don’t wait too long; your prospect can forget you. Be the first who come back to him with all the answers, quotes, literature, that they requested! Make sure they will remember your company …so before the prospects leave the booth, ask them for the best time to call back. Let them know what you will talk about.

- Name withheld by request

Read more about Trade Show Leads and Making them Count

Tradetec Skyline Trade Show Services

Listening to your clients is a key to your success, this is an interesting piece on keeping your clients as your number one priority.

Though it may be difficult to not butt-in, just listen and let your customer vent. Listening allows you to determine what they are really angry about. Determine what the customer is really asking for. If upper management needs to be addressed, this gives you an opportunity to set up a meeting and establish a relationship.  Read More

Trade Show Help posted the following in regards to Trade Show Trends

With more high end A/V Equipment for product demonstrations, customized for the particular industry as well as interactive software that will grab the attention of trade show attendee’s and present a variety of solutions to them.  Buyers like to be able to see products in action, touching and feeling the equipment to see how it is handled, with table top displays and portable solutions that can be changed from trade show to trade show, you are able to capture your audience with a show specific message.

Designing your trade show booth to focus on your complete process and not just a single piece of equipment can help your booth visitors see an entire process that will best fit their needs.

Some of the features that we have seen incorporated into trade show booths are:

Lead Capture Technology
Cutting Edge Signs & Graphic Displays
Bright Lighting that will spotlight Products/Services
Flat Panel Video Screens
Video Presentations
Wireless Technology

How to Set-Up a Trade Show Display for Your Products

by anutt
When you are setting up a trade show display for your products, it is important to keep in mind that the two primary reasons for participating in trade shows are (1) to increase name recognition for your company and (2) to generate leads.

Increase Name Recognition

Signage can make or break you at a trade show. Your signage is what trade show attendees notice before they notice what items are displayed on your table. Make sure that your company name and logo are prominently displayed so that people walking up and down the aisles can easily see them. Don’t assume that having brochures on your table is enough to generate name recognition. Something has to attract people to stop by your table before they ever get a chance to see your brochure.

It is a good idea to have a raised element with your logo and company name prominently displayed. You could set up a screen behind your booth, or have a standing display directly on your table. The key is to have your company name and logo at eye level so that people can easily see them as they are strolling through the maze of vendor displays. The logo should be bold, and the name of your company should be large.

If people walk up to your exhibit and ask what company you are representing, you really need to rethink your display before you attend your next trade show. What you would rather hear is, “Oh you work for XTGH Company. What is it you do?” When people respond in this manner, the name of your company is going to stick with them. It is much better to have visitors who were attracted to your booth because of your company ’s name rather than the ones who just stop by for a free doughnut!

Generate Leads

One of the reasons people love going to trade shows is all of the freebies that vendors give out. Interesting specialty item giveaways and food a good tools for drawing people to your booth. With that said, keep in mind that a primary reason you are participating in a trade show in the first place is to generate leads.

While you don’t want to be stingy with your booth goodies, you also don’t want to encourage trade show attendees to “grab and run” either. Don’t put 50 pens and three trays of cookies at the same time. If you put too many items out at one time, they’ll be gone immediately and you won’t have any leads to show for it.

An excellent way to generate leads is to have a “register to win” basket or fishbowl on your table. Mention your drawing to people when they stop by to say hi. While they are registering, offer them a pen or a snack. You’ll end up getting a registration form or business card with complete contact information all for the cost of a promotional pen or a snack.

General Setup Do ’s and Don’ts for Your Trade Show Display

- Don’t overcrowd your booth. Show a few representative products, along with literature about your company and your business cards.

- Make sure there is room for people to easily access to promotional items or food that you are giving away at the event.

- Have a ready supply of pens on hand for people to use to register for your giveaway drawing.

- Keep in mind that people will assume that pens and any other items you put out on your table are giveaways. Do not display expensive or irreplaceable items.

- Sit or stand behind your booth.

- Always, always, always smile and make eye contact with people who approach your booth.

Tradetec Skyline recently announced the launching of its new trade show tips and tricks blog at www.ChicagoTradeShowDisplays.com Tradetec Displays designed this site to help their visitors that exhibit at conventions, trade shows and expos learn more about what makes a trade show event a successful one.Articles include cost savings tips that will help you stretch your exhibiting budget dollars. By following the fine print on the show service forms from show decorators such as Freeman, Champion and GES you can save up to 30% on your show services costs.

You may learn a few new words you may not have heard of before that are described in detail on the trade show tip blog such as “drayage” also known as material handling, I&D also known as install and dismantle of your trade show exhibits and displays. trade show ROI – return on investment and booth staffing. Crucial exhibiting Information such as booth staffing and body language are also covered.

Although Tradetec Skyline is based close to Chicago Illinois, exhibitors from all over the world should be able to benefit from the wealth of knowledge on their trade show tip blog.

Casey Fitzner, Venue-marketing specialist and one of the authors of Tradetec’s trade show tip blog says she likes to write about the challenges new marketing managers have when exhibiting at trade shows. The Wordpress blog format allows us to share our expertise in a quick and easy format and can easily link back to our main site at www.ttskyline.com.

Since it’s founding in 1999, Tradetec Skyline Chicago has become the third largest Skyline Displays Distributor and Designer company in the world, they providing a full range of trade show services from award winning exhibit and graphic design to trade show program management featuring ExhibitForce event management software. Tradetec Skyline provides global turn-key trade show solutions through their alliance with the network of 144 Skyline offices around the world.

Grow Your Business

Many small businesses are good at pursuing a relationship with customers, but they aren’t as good at nurturing it. Nurturing a relationship allows you to reinforce your brand and increase brand loyalty. This also helps you weather the storms of increasing competition. For example, your competitor may drop its price, but your customers will remain loyal to you. Furthermore, small businesses have a “leg up” over large competitors because they’re more flexible and personalized to the individual customer.Many entrepreneurs assume branding is expensive. But reinforcing your brand doesn’t need to cost a lot. Here are 10 easy, inexpensive ways you can boost your brand:

1. Create an affiliate program. A good affiliate network allows you to grow your e-business efficiently and affordable, channeling additional traffic to your site without the expense of pay-per-click advertising. Provide your affiliates with links and ads that carry your branding message.

2. Start or contribute to a blog. Look for a highly trafficked and searched blog in your industry, then write and post relevant articles about your business. Let your personality shine through in the tone of your writing.

3. Print your logo on labels or stickers and place them on all communication with customers. Stickers appeal to our tactile nature and add interest to just about anything. They don’t need to be fancy, but they should feature your logo and colors.

4. Attach your tagline to your e-mail signature. If you don’t already have a tagline or motto that communicates a key difference between you and your competition, create one and consider trademarking it.

5. Print your logo on an inexpensive premium like a hat or golf ball. The more memorable the item, the better. Distribute your premium on every sales call, to customers, prospects and even suppliers. Buy in bulk to reduce costs.

6. Start an e-mail newsletter for your customers and prospects. Include your own articles and link to other pieces related to your industry. This is a great way to keep your brand in front of customers and prospects regularly.

7. Offer your expertise to local or industry media publications that are read by your target customers. Make yourself available as a source for upcoming stories related to your business. Or, write an article and pitch it to target publications.

8. Visit your clients around holidays (or minor holidays like Groundhog’s Day), leaving them a holiday-themed surprise with your logo on it. Use the stickers you print (see No. 3) to customize the treats you choose. This one takes some creativity, but a little candy can go a surprisingly long way.

9. Follow up with customers to thank them for their business and get feedback on your product or service. Call, e-mail or visit current customers as often as time permits.

10. Find trade shows to exhibit at. use a website like tradeshowfinder.net to search for tradeshows to show off your brand

11. Ensure that all your promotional materials match one another graphically. At the very least, your business cards, stationery, signage, packaging, brochures and website should all feature your name, logo and tagline consistently.