Pop-Up Displays

Cell phones, laptops, iPads, iPods and the list go on. It is a portable world for sure. One internet source defines ‘portable’ as: easily movable; convenient for carrying; built to withstand movement; easily dismantled; transported to another location and easily reassembled. (GMDN Expert Team) Little is static anymore in this ever-changing fluid world. It is no surprise that the tradeshow and marketing industry increasingly looks to modular display products for their event needs.
Options for modular exhibiting are immense. Within the portable trade show display category are pop up banner stands; panel displays; kiosks; display counters; truss exhibits; light boxes and table-top displays, in addition to full custom modular exhibits. There are categories within these categories. Companies can use one, several, or all of these in creating diverse, enticing and affordable portable trade show booths for all their marketing venues. An ever increasing favorite option for exhibitors and marketing managers are Pop Up Displays. Lightweight and portable, they are wonderful for making great impressions at trade shows or other events within budget.

Pop Up Displays. are made of an expandable frame (small to large, ‘pop-up’ action) which creates a back wall for your tradeshow booth. The skeletal tubing can be a thin-wall round rolled tubing; extruded round tubing; or extruded square tubing. If your plans are to put your display to long-term use, it is advisable to go with better quality construction (A bit more expensive up front but more cost-effective in the long run). The image is typically printed on one solid piece; fabric and full graphic versions are available in a wide variety of colors. Accessory items such as monitor mounts, shadowboxes, shelves, and waterfall brackets can be added to most models for enhancement. For a nominal additional cost, side fabric panels covering framing that might otherwise be visible from a side view, are a worthwhile option. These versatile marketing tools set up quick and easy; and continue to bring a good return on investment for our exhibiting customers.

ExhibitTrader2.com offers budget friendly, imported models and more durable, made in the USA Pop Up Displays. built for long term use. We are currently running a special promotion on a model in our inventory. Manufactured by Abex Exhibit Systems, this 10 foot, full-mural graphic pop-up display is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty. Taking less than 30 minutes to set up, it measures 94.4” tall x 118.8” wide. The shipping weight is only 95 pounds and comes with its own wheeled shipping case. This type of display creates one of the most portable trade show booths available. The special price we are offering on this model is $1,594.00 and free-shipping is included. This limited time offer is $400.00 off the regular price; visit us on the web today to see if this model might be right for your next venue.

Trade Show Exhibits Fit for a King- Part I

If you have not seen the Oscar winning movie, The King’s SPEECH, do so. It is an exceptionally well done film with superb acting. In light of the recent royal wedding, it was all the more interesting as it was beneficial in clarifying the lineage of the royal family and the Queen’s place in such. The opening scene returns us to the 1938 Empire Exhibition where, the then Duke of York , played by Oscar winner Colin Firth, is waiting in the wings to deliver the opening speech (which I will share in part II) as requested by his father, King George V. It sparked my curiosity regarding the event –being part of a Trade Show Exhibits family-so I did a little research.

The fourth of five great exhibitions to be hosted by Glasgow since 1888, the 1938 Empire Exhibition covered some 178 acres. Marking the fiftieth year anniversary since Glasgow’s first, the exhibition exceeded the original by more than 100 acres. It was to be ‘the most extravagant exhibition ever held in Britain’ and offered a chance to boost the economy of Scotland-then recovering from the depression of the 1930’s. Over 100 individual palaces and pavilions were constructed in BellahoustonParkin just over ten months time (though underground work had commenced a year earlier). Having 716 exhibitors, this last public showcase of the British Empiredrew slightly over 12.5 million visitors from May to October 1938. ["Exhibition Facts”. Empire Exhibition Scotland 1938. Digital Design Studio]

By comparison, The Consumer Electronics Show is North America’s largest convention, having some 2700 exhibitors with trade show exhibits spread over 3 million square feet of floor space. Drawing over 100,000 attendees toLas Vegas for the four day event in January every year (according to PC magazine, some 140,000 in 2011), it showcases the industries latest and greatest.

Certainly not an exhibition on the scale of that held at Glasgowor the ChicagoWorld’s Fair of 1936, but impressive when you take the temporality of the show into consideration. Installing and dismantling some 68 acres of Trade Show Exhibits in -let’s say a week’s time- is quite a feat. Just as we live in an electronics world; analogously, it was an industrial world in 1933, as reflected in several of the named structures (Palace of Industry; Palace of Engineering North/West). The Palace of Arts (the lone remaining structure) and the Concert Hall, attest to the ‘Art’ consciousness of the period, as does Fair Park here in Dallas. Having trod for decades through countless miles of disarray on tradeshow, convention and exposition turf, Exhibittrader.com understands the art and appreciates the industry it takes for both. Keeping pace with this electronics world, our new sister website, Exhibittrader2.com, offers customers a world of display products and services at their fingertips.

Trade Show Exhibits Fit for a King – Part II

Initially, I searched the internet for actual videos of the opening ceremonies of the Empire Exhibition of 1938, to compare against the scene of such portrayed in THE KING’S SPEECH. The movie does not show the Duke of York’s entire speech; it only reconstructs the difficulty he had delivering such due to his speech impediment. Dictating the speech, I felt need to share some of King George VI’s words with fellow Americans as we struggle to keep our economy afloat and the engine of capitalism of this great nation oiled and running:

…. The exhibition is an empire undertaking. We do well to remember that it owes its origins and to a great extent its execution to the people of Scotland. It is a significant act that the plans were being prepared at a time when this country was still under the cloud of a long industrial depression. For this reason alone, many people would have hesitated to embark on a scheme of so wide and formidable scope. But, in addition, the fact had to be faced that this exhibition would inevitably challenge comparison with those held at Wimberley, New Zealand and South Africa. Yet Scotland was not daunted; for that has never been her way. She believes that the best means of avoiding trouble is to provide against it; and that new enterprise is the safest insurance against the return of depression. It is in this spirit that the exhibition has been built. And I see in it, the symbol of the vitality and initiative upon which the continual prosperity of Scotland must rest. I have spoken first of Scotland; but I am well aware that without the generous help and support of the rest of the empire, this exhibition would not have been possible. It now stands before us to testify of that willing of cooperation which I would rejoice to think that is the hallmark of the Commonwealth of Nations. As confident as I am, that this great exhibition can make a real contribution to the general well-being, I have the greatest pleasure in declaring it “open”.
[Retrieved 5 May 2011: http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=50494]

These words, spoken almost 75 years ago inspire ExhibitTrader.com to not stutter in providing quality Trade Show Exhibits for our customers, here and abroad. The tradeshow is a place where business starts and trickledown economics ensue. It is our hope that this speech-in some small way- will provide the same ‘industrial’ motivation for you and your company. We may not be a Commonwealth of Nations; but the common ‘wealth’ of our nation can best be insured-as The Duke put it- by new enterprise.

Remember that despite 1938 being one of the wettest summers on record, the Exhibition still attracted 12 million visitors. As you attempt to build a successful marketing campaign; we feel confident that partnering together can create trade show exhibits that will help increase attendees to your booth, no matter the economic forecast. As the King overcame a speech impediment with the help of a coach and friend; we can overcome impediments to a growing business climate with the same.

If you wish, you can view an interactive map of The Empire Exhibition of 1938 at http://www.empireexhibition1938.co.uk/html/map.html. The Digital Design Studio, a postgraduate and research centre of the Glasgow School of Art specializing in 3D visualization, created a 3D model of such in 2005 with research funds awarded them by The Arts and Humanities Research Council. As you view this electronic reproduction of an impressive work of industrial art, remember that our modern day tradeshow and the trade show exhibits they house are in part, spinoffs from these magnificent events created by human beings persevering under trials and facing the ensuing threat of war. It is our belief that that same fighting spirit has followed man (and woman) into the 21st century.

Successful Staffing of Trade Show Booths

By definition, a booth of any type usually denotes a structure -whether temporary or permanent- for the purpose of vending something. Food booths at a fair; toll versions on highways; and the ticket box office at a concert, all dispense something to the consumer in exchange for currency of some type. Trade show booths are analogous to the aforementioned, in that the objective is to provide information about a product or service to potential customers.

In the past, Trade show booths were often custom built displays occupying large floor spaces on a convention floor; not so much today. The large and traditional, custom-built exhibit is giving way to custom modular exhibits due to their flexibility and cost savings. Driven by economic woes, many of the giant trade shows have been greatly reduced in size or split into smaller shows as well. Recent years have also seen an expansion for the use of traditional trade show components into unconventional venues.

Smaller, quainter exhibits put even more focus on the interaction between exhibitor and attendee; contributing to the importance of a well-trained staff to interact with potential customers. While both a tradeshow tool kit and a well stocked supply kit might prove as crucial to your success as a well-designed exhibit. (Your staff’s focus should be on potential customers not scrambling to find office supplies, electrical accessories, or a screwdriver); all is mote unless you have well-trained individuals to staff your booths. Linda Musgrove, The TradeShow Teacher, resonated this truth in her article, Booth Staff Superstars:

Did you know that your booth staff plays one of the most important roles in forming an opinion about your company in the minds of attendees? No matter how well you organized everything else, your booth staff- their behavior and their techniques -will be the single biggest factor in making the show a success or a failure. You will need to make sure your booth staff understands that physical appearance, choice of words, general demeanor and their level of knowledge and enthusiasm are what determines the impression attendees will have about your company.

Outlining key steps to follow for selecting and training individuals to man your exhibits, Ms Musgrove’s lesson includes advice for creating highly effective booth staffers:

Booth staff training is extremely important to the success of your trade shows. There is no such thing as too much booth training nor is there any employee that knows it all. You should either hire an outside consultant to conduct this training; or develop your own training program. In either case, the training needs to prepare staffers to sell and function in a trade show environment, with competing sights and sounds.

As it may take a few minutes to collect all of the items for your tool/supply kit; it will take extra effort to ‘ready’ your employees. But having both in your booth bag could save the day or ‘deal’ respectively. Look to The TradeShow Teacher (www.tsteacher.com) for booth staff training; leave it to us to ‘ready’ the display you choose. At ExhibitTrader.com, we understand that Trade show booths are more than backdrops. They need proper lighting, a sense of depth, and a well-designed layout. Our Chief Operating Officer, Chad Rogowicz, sums up the characteristics of such, “A great booth must be functional in its application, eye catching, and budget friendly.” Our exhibit designers understand these principles and specialize in creating environments that will amaze visitors at your next trade show. Allow our tradeshow expert staff to create one for your well-trained, tradeshow staff.

Modular Displays

The continuing trend towards employing custom modular displays or hybrid exhibit systems is a smart band wagon for many. Providing flexibility and cost savings, they lend an enormous agility in event-venue attendances. Falling between a pop-up display and a panel & frame system; they employ either a standardized or custom basic structure. Thin panel construction or a light weight frame work, they can be easily confined/expanded to meet space allocations. Weighing-on average-less than 50% of the custom built exhibits of the past; their cost saving ability increases by reducing not only shipping crate and drayage cost, but also labor rates for installation and dismantling.

During the first three decades in this industry for large tradeshows and conventions, what we did was analogous to erecting entire rooms of a house-including kitchen and bath-for clients. The set-up time began days and in some cases, weeks before the show opened. The freight was heavy; the exhibits were complicated; and the labor hard, long and intense. Companies required large marketing budgets to compete with exhibiting competitors. The initial construction of a custom built exhibit is only the beginning of the cost involved with such; add storage, shipping, installation/dismantling labor, drayage cost and the resultant price tag often left many small to medium size companies out of the mix. The growth of Modular Displays has changed all that.

Modular exhibits are one of the most efficient ways to create a display fitting your business needs within marketing budget. They are constructed of standardized pieces for easy configurability. Due to the compatibility of components, many modular models can be “reconfigured” from a larger structure to smaller units. Their affordability allows much customization without breaking the bank. How far you want to customize a modular exhibit is up to you and your budget. With features such as quick graphic change capabilities, their use is expansive and potentially long lived.

Being either portable or custom, depending on the design, the lightweight aluminum fabrication allows ease of transport to trade shows and greatly reduces drayage cost. The simpler models-such as banner stands or pop ups-collapse and ship in cases the size of a large golf bag. Many larger, custom models can be shipped by Fed-Ex or UPS; the remaining are often shipped to the trade show via a freight carrier as ‘less-than-truckload’.

Webster’s definition of modular hints why these displays can fill the bill for any size space on the trade show floor: “Composed of standardized units or sections for easy construction or flexible arrangement; a self-contained unit or item.” Expanding vertically and/ or horizontally; they can form a wall or several walls to form a booth environment. Easily interconnected is the mantra of our clients who learn to set their own portable trade show exhibits with ease.

ExhibitTrader2.com would love the opportunity to put our knowledge to work, in assisting your efforts toward successful trade show exhibiting and event marketing. Whether you are in need of a pop up display for a local trade fair; light weight modular displays for multiple shows; or a large, custom trade show exhibit for your large annual industry event, we can help.

An Imported Pop up Trade Show Booth versus a Domestic Pop Up Trade Show Booth

They set up quick and easy; they are wonderful for making great impressions at a trade show or event within budget. Lightweight and portable, they are an ever increasing favorite option for exhibitors and marketing managers. ‘They’ are pop up trade show booths.

ExhibitTrader.com offers budget friendly imported models, and more durable, made in the USA models built for long term use. Fabric and full graphic pop up exhibits are available in a wide variety of colors. Accessory items such as monitor mounts, shadowboxes, shelves, and waterfall brackets can be added to most pop up Trade show Booth models for enhancement.

As with most products sold on the internet, you will find that there are hundreds of pop up displays available with an even wider price range. While ExhibitTrader.com offers the budget friendly, imported models at half the price of the ‘Made in the USA’ brands; we caution buyers and highly recommend staying away from these imports. Why you ask?

1) Quality – We have found that the quality of the material used in imported systems is nowhere near the quality of materials used in the USA models. In fact, we find that over half of the imported models sold, are returned within one year due to manufacture’s defects and/or breakage of poor quality materials.

2) Size – The majority of the budget import models are built below industry standard dimensions. We have found that imports are either shorter in height or width, as compared to models made in America.

3) Returns / Repairs – Getting an imported pop up trade show booth repaired or replaced can be a real hassle; often requiring an investment of time and money beyond that originally planned.

You may ask, “Then why does ExhibitTrader.com even offer a budget friendly imported pop up trade show booth?” The answer is simple. In order to compete in today’s online market place, we must offer a wide variety of solutions in order to accommodate every marketing requirement and most importantly, every budget. While we are constantly explaining the pros and cons-trying to steer our buyers to domestically produced systems-there are those who are doing only one show; have a very limited budget; or just simply feel the import is their solution.

Either way, a pop up Trade Show Booths is a favorite of many exhibitors because of its portability, ease of set up, and ability to deliver an impactful marketing message. ExhibitTrader.com offers the largest variety of pop up exhibits on the market including 8 foot, 10 foot, and 20 foot sizes; we carry island and stretch fabric models as well. Available within a large price range, a portable pop up display system (foreign or domestic) landing within your budget could be waiting. Visit our website and allow one of our knowledgeable display consultants to assist you in your search.

Trade show Booths Underfoot

By definition, a booth-of any type- usually denotes a structure whether temporary or permanent, for the purpose of vending something. Food booths at a fair; toll versions on highways; the ticket ‘box’ office at a concert; they all dispense something to the consumer in exchange for currency of some type. While there are automated versions, such as the photo kiosk at your local mall; most are manned. At ExhibitTrader2.com, we understand that trade show booths are much more than just a backdrop for peddling your wares. They often provide the face and image of a company to a very large audience.

While much attention is often paid to the exhibit design itself, graphics and overall layout; rarely is the same attention given to flooring. Linda Musgrove, The Tradeshow Teacher, advises to think outside the box when selecting flooring for your booths- to not always stick with the same old thing. In light of April being National Foot Awareness Month and the toll a tradeshow floor can take on your souls; we share some of her explanation for exhibiting options available for under foot, in her article TradeShow Teacher’s Flooring Tutorial:

Single Color Carpet: When selecting carpet for purchase or rental, you should always select a color that will complement your corporate colors and image. There are many styles available: basic, deluxe, premium, pristine, shaggy, etc. …

Digital Carpet: This type of carpet gives you the ability to have photo-realistic, printed graphics on your carpet. She advises to select an image that will create emotion or surprise for the attendees; lure them into the booth.

Logo and Inlay Carpet: You can have your corporate logo, tagline, product name or a creative, attractive design custom inlaid into the carpet. A great way to continuously brand your company and makes your Trade show Booths look professional and well thought out.

Floor Mat Carpeting: These can be used to make an impressive entrance area by adding your logo or messaging to the design. A great option to focus interest particularly if you have a reception area or stations where attendees view presentations or demonstrations.

Interlocking Flooring Tiles: Foam interlocking carpet tiles, having the ability to easily lay down in creative styles, in a wide variety of color combinations. Very comfortable to the exhibitors/attendees walking around the booth; a welcome change for the feet from the hard aisle carpet/ cement floors in the exhibit hall!

Hardwood Flooring: Typically provided as modular, interlocking panels that are easy to assemble; available in a wide range of wood finishes. Sets your exhibit apart from the majority of exhibitors that use carpeting; the look is very polished and stylish.

Snap Flooring: For a very trendy and edgy look. A great option is the diamond plate pattern in silver, which looks somewhat like metal. It has a very industrial, hip look to it.

Stone Looking Flooring: Typically made with a strong combination of fiberglass and urethane. A durable product with a great classy look to it. This will prominently set your booth apart since not may exhibitors use this style. Stone Flooring is a good way to create an environment, rather than ‘just an exhibit’.

ExhibitTrader2.com perseveres to stay on the cutting edge of the latest exhibiting strategies and promotional trends. We can offer many creative suggestions if you find yourself experiencing ‘exhibitor’s block’. Next time you are at a show or other marketing event, take notice of Trade show Booths that seems to be catching everyone’s eye; then give us a call so we can began putting one together for your next venue. Exhibittrader2 selling spectacular Trade Show online is our business. We also offer a wide variety of eco friendly Trade show Booths.