Archive for the ‘Exhibiting’ Category



Yahoo! Ad:tech Rental Exhibit Solution

Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 | Exhibiting, Rental, Rental Exhibits, Trade Shows, TradeShow Exhibits | 0

Blazer Exhibits and Events, Inc.  takes the Yahoo! Ad:tech NY 2011 to new heights.

Blazer Exhibits Yahoo! trade show rental solution Ad:tech New York 2011Working with one of the worlds most recognizable brands is right down our alley.  Yahoo! decided against using the typical show services properties for Blazer Exhibits & Events modular rental exhibiting system. Combining direct print graphics, tension fabric signage, and the Matrix panel system, the entire visual and structural experience comes together with outstanding results.
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The Venue: Ad:tech New York is one of the nations largest digital and interactive advertising conferences. Yahoo! needed their new services to be showcased. To get the show attendees to see Yahoo!’s latest acquisitions and technologies, Blazer Exhibits took their concept of a “juice bar” and put together a dynamic rental system together along with progressive and attractive graphics to meet the events objectives and yahoo! brand standards.
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The Graphic Solution: 14′ tall portable direct print fabric banners complimented a Matrix rental wall system.  Blazer Exhibits provided temporary adhesive table top graphics to help tie in the “time line of success” theme Yahoo! was promoting on the floor and in the meeting rooms outside of the main hall.  Tension fabric hanging sign along with the Sintra wall graphics complete the progressive atmosphere Yahoo! wanted to project to attract meeting prospects.
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Tangible Results: Yahoo!’s goal was to qualify 50 meetings through their juice bar, they attracted over 120 meetings between the 5 rental meeting rooms during the conference.
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Supporting Your Brand: Working in tandem with Yahoo!’s creative team, Blazer Exhibits and Events rental solution took the show to the level expected by one of the worlds most recognizable brands.  Making sure all aspects reflected the Yahoo! standards which ultimately helped support their success at Ad:tech NY 2011

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Selecting booth space for your show pt.2

Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 | Exhibiting, Tips & Tricks, Trade Shows, TradeShow Exhibits | 0

Continuing on from the first post “Selecting your booth space for your show” we covered some of the fundamentals of the discovery process involved with these decisions (click here to read part 1). Understanding the big picture and your place at the shows you decide to attend. Is that everything? No, you need to know something about traffic flow in the show. lets continue about your choices for your trade show booth space on the show floor.

Traffic Flow

Ideally, you would have visited the show first and watched how the traffic flowed. Many studies have actually been done on this. You may also know companies that have been to that show and ask what they know of the events traffic.

Traffic in many shows tends to flow from center to right and then disperse. It also tends to gravitate to larger more unique exhibits and that goes to human curiosity. What makes exhibits / stands work is another discussion for another time. Show management tends to help you here, laying out the floor plan with groupings of large exhibits and also dispersing them among seas of smaller exhibits to help drive traffic throughout the hall.

Location, Location, Location

Your real estate friend was correct, location, location, location. There is more to consider.

Are there known exhibitors in the show who will draw attendees? Are they potentially a firm that may augment your offering? Getting close to these companies may help how many bodies you can drive to your space, but what you need and desire is qualified attendees.

Now that you have taken all this into consideration, look at your floor plan and identify three to four spaces that will allow you to stand out yet be within reach of your competitors, that have good traffic flow and in the prime areas towards the front of your hall.  Why to the front?  The human factors. People have limited attention span and tire out when walking distances and gathering information.

Final Thoughts

Taking all these factors into account and being prepared to choose the best available space for your first show will have a large impact on your visibility and overall success at your first trade show. Taking the steps from discovery to location will without a doubt, put you on the path to a successful event!

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Selecting a booth space for your show pt.1

Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 | Exhibiting, Tips & Tricks, Trade Shows, TradeShow Exhibits | 0

Selecting a booth space at your first Trade Show

It is a challenging position to be in, Trade Show and Event Manager. Especially, when you are asked to take your company to either its first trade show, or alternatively it is your first trade show. Where do you start? What do you do?  We will assume it is your first trade show.

Getting Started

First things first, sip a bit of you favorite beverage and clear your head. For me that involves a Carmel Macchiato. Now go to the show’s web site. This is also referred to as the show’s prospectus. Many shows are under a trade association’s web site. Of course, we are assuming that you advised the company on which show or the VP of Marketing has gotten approval for a specific show. Remember, this may not be your company’s first trade show, exhibition or trade fair.

Planning your Booth space at your first trade show

Discovery

Look over all show demographics, what the show is about and start to have a sound understanding of the event.

Now go sit down with your VP of Marketing and understand what they perceive the goals to be. How do they see the company exhibiting? What size space will be needed? How will you man the space?  Great! Now let’s make some assumptions for the sake of argument.  Your company is completely rebranding, you are also introducing some new products and services. You will utilize marketing staff and some tech/engineer types as well within your space. The VP would like to see an island location, but away from immediate competition. He or she thinks, 40 x 40 is enough space. He has thrown you a curve ball. You will follow this show with similar size in Europe.

Back to your cubical or office, you should take a moment to collect your thoughts. Now let’s look at the show again. Pull up the exhibitor list. Write down all of your known competitors who will be in the show and their space or booth locations. Print the floor plan and take it to Kinko’s and have it blown up where you can easily read the plan. Mark your competitor’s spaces on the plan.

The Big Picture

So what do we have so far? We have direction, we know where competitors’ are and which of them are are showing and what they are showing. Is that important in the selection process? Is it important to know what you are doing at the show before you select your location? In a word, yes. It is a driving factor. Why? Shall we return to the reasons for exhibiting? You are rebranding, and this is a pivotal moment for a company. Think of it like graduating college and now you have your first real job. Are you still out partying till morning or are you redefining yourself? Are you setting new hours, expanding your acquaintances and friends to include people in your line of work, or those who might affect your career? The same is true with branding. You want to be apart from your perceived competitors’. You will be showing off the new brand and you do not want distractions. Let us not forget you are also introducing new product and services, which will also reflect your new brand. So, position your company not too far away from your peers in business. If you believe you have a strong offering you should be close enough for a comparison.

(continue to part 2)

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Trade Show Exhibit Success With Less

Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 | Exhibiting, Tips & Tricks, TradeShow Exhibits | 0

Achieving trade show exhibiting success with less

Maximizing Your Trade Show Budget

Today more than ever exhibit managers are being forced to produce big impact shows with shoe-string budgets.  The pressure to produce innovative and functional exhibit experiences with little or no money can really put everyone involved into a corner that could at first seem to be a monumental task. There are a few things you can do to reduce cost and get the results you want at your next trade show event.  Who says that smaller exhibit spaces mean smaller results?

Exhibitor Pre Show Marketing

Some good pre show planning is a good place to start.  Ultimately your goal is to attract qualified prospects at your show, and you would be surprised how some pre-show canvasing will boost your brand awareness.  Here are a handful of tips on how to succeed with pre-show planning

1. Thoughtful and targeted marketing to your potential prospects will at the very least make them aware that you are attending.  Not only are you educating prospects on your brand and products, you are gaining visibility that will help drive traffic to your exhibit space regardless of your diminished exhibit space.

2. Messaging that targets new prospects as well as current users: It is always good business to keep in contact with your client database and a valuable resource to gain insight to their growing needs.  By taking this information you will be able to speak to exactly what they are interested in, increasing your show floor traffic and gaining more attention.

Trade Show Exhibit and Event Properties

There are multiple cost effective exhibiting systems that are not commonly seen, giving you a visual edge on surrounding cookie cutter systems.  Be aware of your booth space and show rules for any advantage you can exploit to benefit your targeted messaging.

Trade Show Exhibit Graphics

Smaller 10×10 – and 10×20 – foot exhibits are often uninspired, unoriginal, and relatively less successful in comparison to larger trade show booths. But that doesn’t have to be the case for your space! Remember your thinking outside of the booth space to increase your success.  Your staff has rehearsed, you have messaging that targets new prospects, and clients looking to upgrade.  Your pre-show marketing has been working all angles from phone calls, emails, and social media outlets.

1. Spending a little more time on quality messaging and imagery can take the smallest exhibit property to new heights!  As a matter of fact you can save a good deal of money if you are not late in producing your graphics.

2. Get started early so your not rushing, work with professional agencies or graphic designers to create outstanding and thoughtful designs to grab the attention of attendees at the show.

3. Make sure that there is a definite  tie in to your pre show marketing materials so it is easy to spot your exhibit space and easily be seen.

Trade Show Booth Staffing

Enthusiastic and qualified staffing for your exhibit space can make or break your show.  It is critical that you have the enthusiasm and knowledgable staff that will take those hard earned prospects and convert them to meeting or further contacts.

1. Have your staff practice conversations, and make sure their body behavior lends itself to a very positive experience for the show.

2. Avoid the typical mistakes such as eating in the booth space, slouching, texting and other types of behavior that can send the wrong message to show attendees.

3. It only take a few qualified and motivated booth staff members to really make a small space a big hit!

Make the most of your budget by being prepared and starting early. Now you will have the time and tools to make the most of your budget!  If your exhibit is a big hit this year, chances are that your budget will increase for your next show.

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