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.

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.

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

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

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

Tradetec Skyline in Chicago, realizes there is a great potential to reach high quality attendees at trade shows, increasing your lead generation by exhibiting is one of the major reasons that companies should continue exhibiting.

Tradetec Skyline would like to help you get the exposure on the trade show floor, by helping minimizing some of the cost that goes into your trade show marketing. With dedication to customers and quality exhibit solutions Tradetec Skyline is willing to help minimize the cost and concerns when you are trying to make the decision and answer the question – Should I Exhibit at Trade Shows?

Offer valid upon signing up for Tradetec’s Blue Ribbon Service

Promo Details:

• 10′x10′ or 10′x 20′ Tube Ultra Hardware Rental – FREE OF CHARGE* – A $3,500 VALUE
• Choice of inline exhibit designs from 10′x10′ to
  10′ x 20′
• Design & Purchase the graphics to be applied to Tube Ultra Hardware

With the concern of fuel prices and economic uncertainty, your trade show marketing strategies may be in flux, any exhibit house can build you an exhibit booth, but what kind of Trade Show Services do they offer? Tradetec Skyline will never let SERVICE get lost in the sales process.

Tradetec Skyline is excited to offer their NEW Blue Ribbon Services. Designed to take the tedious work of show books, booth inventory and exhibit shipping off your hands, leaving you time for more important trade show planning, marketing and event preparation.

For immediate information on the Free Exhibit Booth Program:
Contact Tradetec Skyline via email or phone 630-629-9317

Aug 13th 2008SusieTrade Show Tips

Looking for some cost saving solutions for creative trade show displays, that are easy to assemble, flexible and can grow with your companies trade show needs?

Skyline SkyTruss are easy to assemble and flexible trade show display systems, with several possibilities for creating different looks in your trade show display.  Reconfigurable components that offers excellent strength for the support of products and monitors for your exhibiting presentations.

With either straight or curved sections, the universal connectors will give you unlimited trade show display design potential.

SkyTruss folds down and compacts nciely in cases or crates, helping reduce shipping and storage costs.

SkyTruss reconfigures to fit your changing exhibiting  needs. Adding components to your trade show display as your exhibiting needs grow, you can create a 20 x 20 exhibit display with ease as needed.  Our graphics are easy to change, you can update your graphics as your marketing message evolves.

With several trade show display components, you can customize your message, create a unique exhibit enviornment and continue to have the flexibility needed for multiple trade show events.

With light boxes, shelving and tables added to your Skytruss trade show display, you can incorporate your products, literature and presentations in a clean and crisp inviting display.

by anutt
The trade show is the business information and networking hub for many different kinds of industries. Without a place to show their products and services off, many businesses would falter. Every year, there are thousands of trade shows across the United States and other parts of the world, and to that end the means of helping companies show off what they have to offer has become an industry onto itself. Trade show displays are such an important part of getting the message out that an entire industry has grown to fill this niche.

One look at all that ’s available will show you the depth of what these places can do for you. But like all industries, this one has its prominent players and the 10ft popup display is the most economical and the most familiar trade show display. As far as trade show displays are concerned, these are the ones that most of the industry uses even though they start at around one thousand dollars. However, the pop up part of the display is not the only element that goes into making up the entire experience. The 10 x 10 booth is another element that needs to be considered, and the ones that can be set up and taken down as quickly as possible are the ones that are the most popular since the labor costs there are the lowest.

There is a variety of different outdoor accessories that the enthusiastic entrepreneur will want to take a look at as well and most of these are the type of advertising that ’s designed to get the people inside and on their way to your one of your trade show displays. To that end, there are a variety of different things that you can choose from including sandwich boards, banners, and even portable billboards. All these features are designed with one thing in mind and that ’s to give your brand the maximum exposure possible so that you’ll get a good amount of traffic to your booth. And the booth is the real mainstay of any trade show displays that you might come across since it ’s at these booths that prospects come across the most concentrated pitch for your product.

And one of the most important things that you’ll need to decide on is the kind of counter that best suits both the company and the people that you want to sell your product. These two aspects should compliment each other and to that end there are usually many different styles of booth to choose from. Some of the options are completely enclosed so the prospects can approach it from all sides while other styles have an opening at the back for easy access. The booth is just another one of the elements that goes into trade show displays and needs to be carefully thought out to maximize the entire effect that you desire.

Of course there ’s the furniture to consider as well. Bar stools and bar tables are popular since they are both familiar and give the impression of casualness and there are director ’s chairs that are available from many of these companies that can be emblazoned with graphics. Finally, lights are the last element that you’ll need to consider when looking at trade show displays. Again there is generally a wide selection to choose from and it ’s best to have a good idea of the overall scheme before you start selecting lights.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

by infocus
Wouldn’t it be great if every prospective customer you had came right out and said, “Here ’s what is most important to my company; and here ’s what I need your product to do for me’? That would definitely increase your closing ratio.

Usually, however, discovering a customer ’s hot buttons is not quite that simple. You have to create an enticement before you can get through it and push that button.

One way to do this is through the use of banners. Banners are flag-like pieces of cloth bearing an emblem, badge, catchphrase, or other types of message. These banners are commonly geared into catching the audience ’s attention.

Banners come in different sizes and form. Some of the types of banners are heraldic, church, advertising, protest, and trade show banners.

Among them, the trade show banners are the type that is more dominant nowadays, aside from the advertising banners which is also one of the main advertising materials.

Trade show banners are gradually increasing its function because a lot of businesses had found out that it has an awe-inspiring effect to their audience. Trade show banners create such visual phenomenon in the event that people can’t help but notice.

Usually, a trade show banner, as its name implies, are used in trade shows. These trade shows are presentations coordinated by a company or group of companies in a particular trade. Normally, the event is focused on showing off and exhibiting their services. It is also used when launching the new products of the company.

In order to have marvellous visual aid of the event, companies utilize trade show banners. Creatively made, these one type of display serve as an emblem for their products.

Moreover, in order to fully maximize its function, there are accessories that should tag along with trade show banners. These things are “must-haves’ for every trade show so as to ensure the protection of trade show banner. These are:

1. Trade show banner stands.

Stands are utilized for ease in assembling the trade show banners. It can be displayed in any place with a snap. And because trade show banner stands are manageable, they can be easily tagged along. It is also convertible. It can adapt in many instances whenever the trade show calls for it. It can be displayed as a “tabletop display” or placed alongside two banners so as to reflect a larger agnostic trade show exhibit.

With a perfect combination of trade show banners and stands creatively made with lively graphic images, these items can display your products in such an extraordinary way. Trade show banners and stand can alone speak for itself.

2. Trade show banner graphic cases.

Because trade show banners are usually carried along and are not permanent displays, it has to be protected from wear and tear by using graphic cases. These graphic cases are specifically designed to safeguard the trade show banners from any cuts and scratches.

With these excellent graphic cases, you are guaranteed that your trade show banners will always be on top condition, before and after the show.

However, before you start with your trade show, you should decide whether you would display your trade show banner as a table-top, or panel display.

For trade shows that have limited space, you may utilize the table-top trade show banners. It can be displayed on top of a table or in any place where it can stand. Table-top type of banners is very convenient to use because they are manageable and easy to travel with.

For quick assemblies and set-ups, you can also use the pop-up trade show banner display. These pop-up displays are effective when you want to quickly but precisely exhibit your trade show banners.

Or, if you want to have a more customized look, you may use the panel displays. Because it is made up of “unfolding panels” it can be easily converted from table-top to a full height trade show banner. It is ideal for bigger displays and exhibits.

Indeed, these different ways in exhibiting trade show banners are a must for every company who wish to conduct a trade show. These items are great in adding more zest to the event.

With all of these things incorporated in your company ’s trade show, you are right on target.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

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.