Trade Show Displays and Exhibits

[ A short article on using used trade show displays. In general, I do not advocate getting a used trade show display unless you are considering the higher end panel systems. Used pop up displays are not worth the headaches since the prices have come down considerably for new trade show displays. ]

by Peter Emerson

Trade show displays are the fastest and most effective ways to focus the attention of customers on your product. To yield positive results out of your investment you need to attract customers, and this requires eye-catching displays. And for this you don’t have to make a huge investment, just go for used trade show displays. It is cost effective, though the buying process is bit long. Buying used trade show displays requires patience and perseverance because you have to beware of fake and useless displays. It is better to take the help of experts before buying the used displays.

Only a few aspects of the display matter when it comes to serious business. Be sure that your used trade show displays look professional so that they can enhance the image of your company and product. It should be attractive enough to hold the customers attention and it should be small enough to fold into a bag for easy transportation. Good displays should have features like custom graphics, versatility, flexibility, and should be easy to assemble. Experts can change the design and graphics to modify the used trade show display to your specific requirement.

It is easy to choose used trade show displays because they have been used earlier for particular product or service. Since it has been used earlier, it will be easy to give it a new look based on the product and the image of your company. If you are first timer in a trade show and don’t want to invest a lot on displays, you should buy a used trade show display.

About the Author
Trade Show Displays provides detailed information on Cheap Trade Show Displays, Custom Trade Show Displays, Portable Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Display Booths and more. Trade Show Displays is affliated with Trade Show Booth Design.

[ Another good trade show displays article by Rena Klingenberg. 10 steps for planning a successful trade show. ]

by: Rena Klingenberg

Participating in a trade show involves a significant investment of time and money - and your business depends on getting a good return on this investment.

Here are 10 easy ways you can plan ahead for a successful trade show:

1) You can avoid incurring extra fees when you exhibit in a trade show by ensuring that you don’t miss any of the deadlines related to registering and exhibiting. Costs go up by a big percentage after the registration and payment deadlines pass, so it’s worthwhile to submit your application as early as possible - and to keep good files on each trade show you’ll be participating in.

2) You can usually count on the safe arrival of everything you ship to a trade show. But shipping isn’t always reliable - and what if part of your trade show booth display, your literature, or other components don’t arrive in time? As part of your planning process for the show, you should come up with a plan of action for such a situation, so you’ll be prepared to salvage your presentation.

3) Although receiving a really big order at a trade show can be exciting, you may want to check with other wholesalers to see whether the company that placed the order has a history of paying promptly and in full. Unfortunately, new exhibitors at trade shows are a frequent target for scammers who place a large order and disappear after receiving it, without paying the big bill they owe the supplier. Of course, large orders can also be perfectly legitimate; so protect your business by exercising caution and checking the company’s references carefully.

4) You can use trade shows to test and refine your new product concepts without spending any money on fully producing them in quantity. Bring a sample or two of a new product to a show, and get customers’ feedback on it. If it’s a hit, go ahead and take orders for the item and schedule delivery dates that will allow for your production time. If the item needs to be reworked to incorporate customers’ suggestions - or if it doesn’t generate the interest you hoped - it’s easy to alter or completely scrap the idea without losing money on production.

5) Your trade show booth may be approached by independent sales reps looking for lines to represent. If you’re interested in selling your products through a sales rep, consider ahead of time what commission you would be able to pay a rep and still be able to meet your expenses and turn a profit. With that information in mind, you’ll be prepared to have a productive meeting with a sales rep during or after the trade show.

6) Develop a concise, detailed production plan so you’ll know how exactly long it takes you or your supplier to produce certain quantities of your products. Then pad your estimate time slightly. That way you have a high likelihood of meeting your quoted delivery deadlines, and may be able to pleasantly surprise your customer by delivering early. It’s important to know your production time before you go to the show, so you can give your customers accurate delivery dates.

7) When getting ready to travel to a trade show, pack your displays and booth items with quick setup in mind. The things you’ll need first for setting up your booth should be on the top when you open your boxes. At the bottom of your boxes should be the last things you’ll need for setting up.

8) If the show promoter provides table covers for each booth, bring your own table runner with your logo on it. You can arrange it over the provided table cover to make your display stand out from the others.

9) Keep your own written record of the weight of each shipping case, both empty and full. That way you can ensure that you’re being charged for the correct weight by the drayage company and the contractor.

10) Set up your trade show display with “easy information” in mind. Information your potential customers may want to know should be easy for them to find intuitively at your booth, if you’re busy with another customer. You can use signs and literature with clear, visible headlines to answer frequently asked questions about your minimum orders, pricing, shipping, etc. If customers have to wait for you to answer their questions and can’t easily find the information they need, they’ll move quickly on to the next booth.

About The Author

Rena Klingenberg shares trade show success secrets in her website http://www.trade-show-booth-display.com, and in her Trade Show Success on a Small Budget newsletter, http://www.trade-show-booth-display.com/newsletter.html.

[ Author discussing the pros and cons of renting or buying a trade show booth. In my experience, however, renting the typical 10 foot pop-up display is usually not very cost effective since the prices have come down dramatically in the last 2 or 3 years.]

by Gabriel McIntosh

Are you thinking about purchasing a display, but not sure about the investment? Renting may be the best option. Good justifications can be made for both renting and purchasing a trade show exhibit. This sometimes stressful decision depends on the nature of your trade show program, marketing goals, and budget.

Renting can be a wise decision when your company has decided to start exhibiting at trade shows, your company is new and wants to make an initial big splash with a smaller budget, or your trade show schedule has overlapping shows and you need a second display. When first developing a trade show program to drive, supplement, or diversify your marketing mix, it can be difficult to determine the best exhibit for your needs. Making a large financial commitment on an exhibit under these circumstances can be a daunting task. Analyzing your company’s needs and choosing the right booth is integral to a successful trade show. It can be a good idea to rent rather than purchase a display even after you have done your research and decided on the best exhibit to fit your needs. This offers you an opportunity to “test drive” your exhibit. This renting strategy can also be used anytime you need to purchase a new exhibit, even if you have a trade show program already established.

Trade shows are huge undertakings, and when launching a start-up company with new products, trade shows are almost always in the marketing mix. Yet an exhibit, as integral as it is to a trade show, is one of the last things a marketing manager is thinking about when trying to launch a new company’s concept, service, or product at an industry trade show. All the tasks that go into a show exhibit - transportation, drayage, installation and dismantling - can be major headaches when you have leads and clients to cater to, not to mention promotional materials and product samples. Renting often relieves this burden since most display rental companies handle the installation and dismantling, shipping and drayage of the rental display, which frees up your time to handle more important things.

Renting a booth may be a great idea when purchasing an exhibit is not an option. This greatly reduces the initial expenditure and allows you to maintain the visual presence necessary to generate leads at a show.

If you only attend one show per year, it may be more beneficial to rent a display and purchase graphics, however if your organization has a more rigorous convention schedule, it will be more economical to purchase an exhibit. Typically, after about four shows the rental booth costs would have covered the purchase of a new exhibit.

The best of both rental and purchase worlds is when the rental display company offers a rebate plan similar to OneSource Exhibits’ Rental Rebate Program, which allows 100 percent of the rental fee to be applied toward the purchase price of a similar display if purchased within 90 days of the rental. This gives your company the flexibility to determine which type of display will work best for your trade show program prior to buying the exhibit. Call a OneSource Exhibits Consultant today at 1.800.767.8225 to learn more about our wide variety of rental displays.

Gabriel McIntosh
www.onesourceexhibits.com

[ A brief overview of exhibit booths. ]

by Kristy Annely

Exhibit booths are all about attracting new customers and business partners, or anyone who is interested in the exhibit. Exhibitors launching new products or services always try to put their best foot forward in order to generate wider interest from their customers. By placing eye-catching booths, exhibitors ensure that they are easily distinguishable from their competitors and that their presentation typically is in sync with their product or service offerings.

Booths can be classified into several types, based on their position on the exhibit floor. There are standard booths with 10 feet by 10 feet size, perimeter wall booths that come in the standard size but are located at the outer perimeter walls of the exhibit floor, and island booths that contain four or more standard units with aisles on all four sides.

To design a booth, exhibitors usually use the services of their in-house creative resources or seek the services of specialized professional exhibit booth service providers. The booth services offered by professional providers include a gamut of items, including lighting and display options. They have a solution for every need - from exhibitors seeking basic booths to the ones looking for contemporary high-tech booths.

Usually, booths are lightweight and easy to transport. Additionally, they are also very affordable. Tradeshow booths, for example, come at affordable prices and contain good graphics, and are very compact. Recent years have witnessed a greater demand for fabric booths that blend modern design with glossy colors.

Typically a booth includes an 8-foot-high draped backdrop with about 3-foot-high drapes on three sides, an identification sign (usually a company logo and name), and other value-added services like a security guard at the exhibit hall entrance, complimentary lunch for registered booth staffs, and so forth. However, different exhibits have different rules and regulations on the size of booths, and exhibitors should check these before beginning to workout the design of a booth. As they say, ‘creativity should have some limits’.

About the Author
Exhibits provides detailed information on Exhibits, Trade Show Exhibits, Exhibit Displays, Exhibit Booths and more. Exhibits is affliated with Trade Show Exhibit Display Booths.

[ Trade show magicians can be an excellent way to attract a crowd to your trade show exhibit. ]

by Mitch Tarr

Trade show magicians are one of the many ways to build booth traffic and separate your company from others on the floor.

At a trade show you not only have to compete against your competition’s sales reps but also you have to compete against all the ‘attention-grabbing’ strategies they use.

Louder doesn’t always mean more traffic.

One thing that really draws a crowd IS a crowd.

If you want to build a small crowd that grows larger, consider how magic works on people.

It is irresistible!

Even better, a good trade show magician understands his (or her) role on the floor and works for you to build an interested, feel-good crowd.

If you are planning to use trade show magic to draw a crowd . . . and it will, then you need to go one step further.

Just doing magic for the audience that will build in your booth is not enough.

You have to have a plan!

There are really two things you have to do to make this not just a good strategy but a great one.

First.

You have to find a way to engage people during or after the magic to find who they are. Look at your booth layout, train your staff and create some sign up tools.

But in some way you have to take advantage of the fact a large crowd has stopped at your booth.

Second.

You must ensure your key marketing message is incorporated into the act. Trade show magic is not really about entertaining people, although good magic does just that. People in good moods are easier to approach and build rapport with.

But this is a chance to add that EXTRA piece of having a larger group hear your key marketing message.

This will work great if your trade show audience is as laser-focused as your target market.

For example, if your target is dentists, and you are at a dental convention you don’t need to spend much time qualifying to discover if you have a dentist in front of you or not. They will be.

But if you are at a technology show, you may be talking to anyone from the VP to a programmer so you need to find out who they are.

So take this chance to get your message to your audience. A special offer at the end would do the trick.

Spend the time BEFORE the show during your planning sessions (you do do planning don’t you?) to use trade show magic to go to the next level.

About the Author
Mitch Tarr is a trade show marketing expert and the author of The World’s Greatest Trade Show Marketing Guide. Learn more at www.tradeshow-marketing.com

[ A fairly lengthy trade show display article discussing factors for convention exhibits such as booth size, trade show budget, and exhibit graphics. ]

by Erik Weinstein

You should choose a trade show display based on the trade show or event for which you will be using the display. The display that best presents the products, services, and company image desired, will attract future customers. Frankly, a display is designed to do assist in creating or maintaining brand awareness. For once an attendee has been lured to your display; your booth’s job is done. It is then up to you to throw down the hammer and commandeer that attendee as a future customer.

With only an ephemeral moment to seize the attention of a trade show attendee, your trade show display must make a plea to your target audience’s needs. Your display has to effectively communicate who you are, what you do, and how your company can be of aid.

But, determining the correct display can be a daunting task. When purchasing a trade show display, you want to choose a professional based company with expertise and excellent customer service. If you consider the questions listed below you will have a much better idea of the direction for your display needs. Keep in mind; you will be limited by the size of your booth. Working under that premise, take a look at some options for that area.

1) What is the booth size?

2) What is the show budget?

3) How many individuals will be working the show?

4) What are the marketing and sales objectives?

5) How will the display be transported to the show?

6) Will graphics need to be created?

By answering these questions, you will narrow the search for a display booth. Once objectives and your trade show calendar for the year have been set, the next step is to choose a display. The display decision should be based on the specific show objectives, budgetary restrictions, as well as, corporate branding goals and guidelines. If for example you are a marketing director for a big company with an unlimited budget and want to position yourself as a leader in your industry, a large booth space and a custom or high end modular exhibit for enhanced appearance would best suit your needs. If, on the other hand, you are a startup or small company with a limited budget, a great choice would be to consider an inexpensive Pop Up Display. Most companies fall somewhere in-between these two extremes.

Pop Up Displays are the most popular option for spaces at sales events and conferences. There is a wide range of pop ups and most are available with podium wraps to convert your carrying case into a podium or small table. Further, Pop Ups can be complemented with shelving, peninsula counters, backlit headers, literature racks, and other accessories which can convert an ordinary Pop Up into unique marketing tool. Some of the key factors to look at in selecting a pop-up are durability, ease of setup, availability, fabric colors, and warranty. If you sometimes exhibit in smaller spaces, you could consider a convertible booth which can be easily converted to a smaller size. Each display booth uses a frame that can “pop up” allowing the display to be assembled in minutes. The frames are extremely durable and make it easier for individuals to set up and tear down. They are made of different components, some graphite, steel, and/or extruded aluminum. Manufacturers would argue their frame is the strongest, the lightest, or simply the best. Just remember each represents their particular calling card. You could equate it to the myriad of different HD televisions now available on the market. Though, when broken down to its bare essence, no one is any better than the next. The makeup from one frame to another is not overly important. Further, most of these displays have one thing in common… a lifetime warranty on the frame. Some offer a one year warranty on their display. The frame is the most important piece to your display. Every model, big or small, is a great portable trade show display choice for any trade show exhibitor. Today, marketers must achieve their goals with reduced budgets. Again, Pop Up Displays will assist you in stretching your budget because they are lighter weight and designed for easy set-up and tear-down. Further, you will save on storage, transportation, and labor costs.

Panel System Displays are an alternative to Pop Ups, and depending on their quality and countertop options, can provide a higher end look than a Pop Up Display. Panel displays generally hold more weight than Pop Ups, so they can work well if you have heavier products or a number of computer monitors to display. They are constructed of upper and lower panels that are assembled via heavy duty bolts. Panel systems give you an extreme amount of flexibility of design choices as displays can be custom created to your needs. Flexibility also abounds in color selection as upper and lower panels can be different. Most come with panels covered in fabric, be sure to select the color that best matches your companies logo, brand, products or overall image.

Modular Exhibits are high end exhibits that provide a custom look but can still be setup in a few hours, shipped in standard rotomolded plastic cases, and thus have a lower total cost of ownership than custom booths. Modular exhibits generally use higher end materials including tensile fabric structures, extruded aluminum frames, high end composites and laminates, and innovative bold designs. Modular exhibits will hold more weight and can also be used to hold large plasma screens and LCD panels.

Truss Systems provide a brash, modern, and unique look to a display. They are also excellent functional components that can be used to mount lighting, projectors, and Plasma or LCD panels. The fact that truss systems have a high weight bearing capacity makes them great for displaying heavier weight products like computers, machine parts, free weights, etc. They also have a unique dramatic look that works well with certain target markets. The beauty of Truss systems is the ability to be used in conjunction with other display structures like Pop Up and Panel System.

Custom Exhibits provide the ultimate in branding and high impact. As their name infers, they are custom built, ergo, designed to meet very specific show objectives and may include elements like conference areas, theater spaces, rotating towers, as well as, numerous product and service display positions. Given the higher cost of design, construction, shipping, installation and dismantling, these exhibits are best equipped for those willing to invest $25,000 or more for their trade show display. The payoff in a custom exhibit can be huge because it can set you apart from the competition and create an indelible branding image of your company as an industry leader.

With each of the above-fore-mentioned display types, designing attention-grabbing graphics for your booth is essential to setting yourself apart from your competitors. Below, you will find some important strategies to consider:

- The 10 foot rule. Make sure all logos and text can be clearly read from a distance of 10 feet ( i.e. Rule of thumb for text is 2″ per 10′ of distance viewed)

- Limit bullet points to 10 words or less… Less is more.

- Infuse a bounty of visual images to illicit emotion and make your exhibit unforgettable

- Make your logo simple to view even from a long distance. You want to make sure that your target audience can find you at a glance. High visibility is a priority.

- Consider using mural graphic panels to increase the value and emotional impact of your display. Remember, “Perception is Reality!”

Remember, purchasing a trade show display allows you complete freedom of expression. Be cognizant that the exhibit design should revolve around your specific tradeshow needs. The Trade Show Display, Exhibit or Booth should project your company’s individuality, character, and panache. Over time purchasing a new tradeshow display may be your most economical long term solution to your trade show needs. Once you’ve answered the questions presented earlier and understood the dynamic differences between the many display options, you will be more informed and better suited to create your new display space.

Check the complete article at: http://www.smashhitdisplays.com/Trade-Show-Articles-News-Tips-Suggestions/2006/March/How-to-choose-the-correct-trade-show-display.htm

About the Author

Erik Weinstein, Vice President, A Smash Hit! Trade Show Displays, Founded in 2003, is a leading Internet distributor of trade show display products primarily servicing North America. As a wholesaler we can offer display products at half the price as local suppliers. We offer full graphics design, graphics printing and can work on displays as small as tabletop units to large island style displays.

[A few good design tips when dealing with vinyl banners.]

by Rick Hendershot, Linknet Publishing Network originally published in Trade Show Buzz

Vinyl banner design is about as easy as it gets for the non-professional graphic designer. Generally speaking, a vinyl banner is easy to design. Anybody with a little bit of graphic design experience can design a banner. And even if you have no experience, your supplier can point you in the right direction, or even design your banner for a small charge.

Here are some things to watch for when designing a vinyl banner…

1. Use software that handles CMYK full color output. There are at least three kinds of software you can use:

- Image editors like Photoshop, PhotoPaint, or PhotoImpact

- Page Layout programs like Quarkxpress, Pagemaker, or InDesign

- Illustration programs like Illustrator or CorelDraw

Generally speaking, programs that are designed for consumers or general office applications are not recommended: e.g., Word, Wordperfect, Publisher, Excel, etc. If you have a specific inquiry, don’t hesitate to ask your vinyl banners supplier. A good source of information is your contact person at America-Banners.com. You can ask a design or production related question by using the contact form on any page on the site.

2. Keep your vinyl banner design simple and striking. The best designs contain two or three basic elements. Usually these will be a photograph, a large headline, and an “identifier” such as your company name, logo, or phone number.

3. Use bright colors. The most striking vinyl banners have lots of bright colors.

4. Design your vinyl banner so it is readable for your target audience. If it is going on a building or beside a road on a fence, or on an outfield fence at a baseball or soccer field, MAKE SURE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE IS LARGE ENOUGH TO BE READ.

5. Make sure your images have sufficient resolution. For some advice on image resolution, see the Vinyl Banners FAQ.

6. Make sure your vinyl banner fits the area where you’re going to mount it. Don’t guess at the size. Most people who are not familiar with signage will UNDERESTIMATE the required size.

7. Consider alternative methods of mounting your vinyl banner. Grommets are the “default” method of mounting a banner on a wall or fence. But often “pole pockets” are simpler and more efficient.

For more information go to America-Banners.com or TradeShow-Display-Experts.com.

About the Author

Rick Hendershot is a writer and founder of The Linknet Publishing Network. To learn how you can benefit from original articles, and posted around the web, see our program called the Linknet Article Promotion program.

[ The article suggests that good companies specializing in trade show displays tend to do all aspects in-house — from conceptualization to design and support. ]

by Dick Wheeler

To get new business from your next trade show appearance, you would like to have a show-stopping, visually arresting and business producing trade show display, right?

But what can you expect to find at the prototypical, top-of-the-line trade show exhibit house? Look for a complete single-source, hassle-free, full service trade show exhibit capability from design concept to final production. Search for a company that offers a wide range of trade show display options from cost-effective, custom modular and custom portable trade show booths to custom designed exhibits that may occupy thousands of square feet.

As a single resource, this fully-integrated trade show exhibit house would be able to take care of all your needs -providing a seamless, turnkey trade show exhibit service that includes every possible step in your pre- and post-show appearance. The trade show “dream team” should consist of a staff of talented exhibit design consultants, graphic designers, project managers and event coordinators who are adept in making your trade show experience glitch-free. You get to decide what you want from this menu of options.

Today you should expect these exhibit practitioners to design a breakthrough trade show booth with sophisticated trade show display graphics and worry-free event planning, plus conscientious care and the full storage and warehousing of your trade show exhibit properties.

The trade show exhibit business has come a long way. In the past, the trade show exhibit booth was purchased either as a custom build or a single “off the shelf” unit with the exhibitor handling the details. As the trade show industry has matured, exhibitors have become more sophisticated, and trade show exhibit companies cater to the full spectrum of a trade show client’s exacting demands. In the early ’80s when the industry began changing, many trade show display companies started providing the portable/modular trade show booth, offering mobility and flexibility to exhibitors often moving from one show to the next. This experience helped them customize products and design exhibits that incorporated unique graphics, contemporary materials and structural refinements.

Experienced trade show display houses gradually evolved to deliver dramatic, one-of-a-kind trade show booths for clients wanting to dominate an exhibit hall show floor with a spectacular trade show exhibit occupying thousands of square feet of floor space. During the transition, the use of new finishes, fabrics and lightweight structural materials led to substantial reductions in handling costs. The resultant economies in freight, installation and dismantling, drayage, storage and refurbishing helped to defray the costs of these dramatic new custom trade show exhibits.

With new trade show expertise and innovation, top line trade show exhibit houses are able to serve exhibitors wherever and whenever they want to exhibit. Thanks to a network of exhibit partners providing design, build and show services at over hundreds of locations throughout the world, a trade show exhibit house can now handle the most complex and demanding of exhibitor requirements.

Many leading trade show display companies have become global providers serving a growing number of international clientele — many of whom, for example, engage their exhibit house to design and build a single custom trade show display for their once-a-year appearance at a West or East Coast show and then store the unit until the following year.

Flexibility and innovations add to the array of services offered by the full service trade show exhibit house. These include: custom trade show booth rentals which offer an alternative to the occasional exhibitor who may be considering options before committing to a permanent display. Also, custom rental trade show displays provide an exhibitor with options to change messages and locations frequently and appear at several trade shows simultaneously.

Look for a trade show exhibition company that fits with your comfort level. Start with a walk-through visit to a showroom where you will view a selection of trade show displays ranging from pop-ups to custom spectaculars. Take a look at graphics and display production capabilities and ask the trade show display host to introduce you to innovative and turnkey event management services. These include show services, graphics design, exhibit storage and complete pre- and post-show service and support.

You can also go online and click through trade show exhibit companies. Seek out a professional trade show staff that can make your trade show booth experience dynamic, affordable and successful.

About the Author

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. Go to http://www.proexhibits.com

By Chad Leiffert

When it comes to portable trade show displays the most common type on the market today is the pop-up, expandable-frame style; surprisingly it has been around for over 15 years. The first models had a flexible fiberglass frame with aluminum channels bars and rollable fabric that was attached to the framework with magnets. Over the years the basic design has not changed but the materials, sizes and weights have made pop-up displays less expensive and easier to transport to trade shows than ever before.

Today’s frames expand to larger sizes allowing a full 10-foot wide exhibit to be transported in a relatively small case. Most 10-foot pop-up displays weigh less than 90 pounds in their case; this typically includes the fabric, lights and vertical bars. Pop-ups come in a variety of sizes with a number of different options to give consumers greater flexibility when planning for their trade show booths. Within the industry there are 5 common types:

1. Standard Pop-up Displays

2. Photo Mural Pop-up Displays

3. Fabric Mural Pop-up Displays

4. Commercial Pop-up Displays

5. 3-D Style Pop-up Displays

1. Standard Pop-up Displays – The most common pop-up available, Standard Pop-ups are generally a 10-foot wide, curved design. They are made up of a light-weight aluminum frame, individual aluminum, PVC or steel channel bars, Velcro fabric panels (Frontrunner or Prelude), and a thermo molded shipping case with wheels. The case can usually be converted into a podium and most pop-up packages also include two 200-watt halogen lights. The price range for the Standard 10-foot, Curved Pop-up runs $995-$2995 depending on the vendor.

2. Photo Mural Pop-up Displays – This display is just like a Standard Popup but has photo mural panels instead of Velcro fabric panels. Photo murals have a greater appeal as they have powerful large-format graphics that attract attention. Photo Mural Pop-ups are more expensive because of the photo panels, but still are just as lightweight and portable as Standard Pop-ups. Be aware, there are many types of panel printing offered for this type of pop-up which will change the price dramatically, from the most expensive DURST LAMBDA to inexpensive ink-jet processes. Prices run from $2195-$5995 depending on the vendor and the print process selected.

3. Fabric Mural Pop-up Displays – A Fabric Mural Pop-up display offers the large images of a Photo Mural Pop-up without the cumbersome set up procedure. The fabric mural is pre-attached to the frame, making set-up much easier than the Standard or Photo Mural Pop-up and they weigh less than half of what a Standard 10-foot Pop-up weighs. The fabric usually gets wrinkled during transport but this can be remedied by stretching and steaming. This pop-up comes curved or non-curved and can be transported in a lightweight nylon bag or a hard shipping case. The print process needed for Fabric Mural Pop-ups is important as they are generally viewed as a lower quality graphic than what is found on Standard Pop-ups but this is not always the case depending on the vendor. Prices for these pre-attached models with fabric faces run $1695-$4995, depending on the vendor and print process chosen.

4. Commercial Pop-up Displays – Less common because they are more expensive, Commercial Pop-ups come in different shapes–straight or curved–and in many widths. This display is built to be sturdier and can take far more abuse than the standard pop-up making it a good choice for companies that travel and exhibit often. There are only a few brands that may be labeled “commercial” as the tendency in the marketplace has been to make pop-up exhibits lighter and less expensive to own. Commercial pop-up displays typically include a heavy weight frame with nylon connectors, folding steel channel bars, Velcro panels (Frontrunner or Prelude), and the choice of 1 or 2 thermo molded shipping cases with wheels. Prices generally run $1795-$3495 depending on the vendor.

5. 3-D Style Pop-up Displays – These are the newest entries to the pop-up market; essentially, they are the fabric style, pre-attached, graphic pop-up with a twist. 3-D Pop-ups come in different shapes, from square to round and even trapezoidal, and have graphics attached to the framework to give a three dimensional effect. Because the graphics are already on the frame, set up of a 3-D Pop-up is simple and quick. The graphics are also easily removable and replaceable making updating the display less costly than creating a new display. 3-D pop-up display prices run $995-$8995 depending on the shape, numbers of graphics and print process used.

As you can see, there are a lot of choices and many things to consider when selecting a pop-up display system. What is most important to keep in mind is how often you will be using the display. This will help you decide how durable you need the pop-up display to be, how easy it should be to set up and how lightweight it should be for transporting from trade show to trade show.

About the Author: Chad Leiffert is the Sales Manager for Midland Display Products. For over 23 years Midland Display has been a leader in the trade show display industry. Their website, http://www.midlanddisplay.com, provides trade show displays, booths, exhibits and accessories. Permission granted to reprint this with resource box and link to MidlandDisplay.com.

Source: www.isnare.com

by Gabriel McIntosh

Are you thinking about purchasing a display, but not sure about the investment? Renting may be the best option. Good justifications can be made for both renting and purchasing a trade show exhibit. This sometimes stressful decision depends on the nature of your trade show program, marketing goals, and budget.

Renting can be a wise decision when your company has decided to start exhibiting at trade shows, your company is new and wants to make an initial big splash with a smaller budget, or your trade show schedule has overlapping shows and you need a second display. When first developing a trade show program to drive, supplement, or diversify your marketing mix, it can be difficult to determine the best exhibit for your needs. Making a large financial commitment on an exhibit under these circumstances can be a daunting task. Analyzing your company’s needs and choosing the right booth is integral to a successful trade show. It can be a good idea to rent rather than purchase a display even after you have done your research and decided on the best exhibit to fit your needs. This offers you an opportunity to “test drive” your exhibit. This renting strategy can also be used anytime you need to purchase a new exhibit, even if you have a trade show program already established.

Trade shows are huge undertakings, and when launching a start-up company with new products, trade shows are almost always in the marketing mix. Yet an exhibit, as integral as it is to a trade show, is one of the last things a marketing manager is thinking about when trying to launch a new company’s concept, service, or product at an industry trade show. All the tasks that go into a show exhibit - transportation, drayage, installation and dismantling - can be major headaches when you have leads and clients to cater to, not to mention promotional materials and product samples. Renting often relieves this burden since most display rental companies handle the installation and dismantling, shipping and drayage of the rental display, which frees up your time to handle more important things.

Renting a booth may be a great idea when purchasing an exhibit is not an option. This greatly reduces the initial expenditure and allows you to maintain the visual presence necessary to generate leads at a show.

If you only attend one show per year, it may be more beneficial to rent a display and purchase graphics, however if your organization has a more rigorous convention schedule, it will be more economical to purchase an exhibit. Typically, after about four shows the rental booth costs would have covered the purchase of a new exhibit.

The best of both rental and purchase worlds is when the rental display company offers a rebate plan similar to OneSource Exhibits’ Rental Rebate Program, which allows 100 percent of the rental fee to be applied toward the purchase price of a similar display if purchased within 90 days of the rental. This gives your company the flexibility to determine which type of display will work best for your trade show program prior to buying the exhibit. Call a OneSource Exhibits Consultant today at 1.800.767.8225 to learn more about our wide variety of rental displays.

Gabriel McIntosh
www.onesourceexhibits.com