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.

Trade Show Exhibits

Exhibiting at a trade show should be a positive experience for both the individual and their company as a whole. Regretfully, this is often not the case for a multitude of reasons. Reasons that perhaps may be valid at the time; but steps can be taken to lessen the chances of complications arising. To quote Charlie Brown, “Prior planning prevents *** poor production.” Exhibittrader.com has dealt with about every issue that could possibly raise its ugly face relating to Trade Show Exhibits. We have learned from both our own and others’ mistakes. Our familiarity with products; show services; installation and dismantling; and shipping related to Trade Show Exhibits is second to none. Our experience can help greatly reduce the odds of your marketing event going south.

Assessing your situation thoroughly before deciding on options is the first step. Our display representatives will ask questions that will help determine the proposal(s) they formulate for you. Once our proposal is accepted-after as many adjustments needed are made - our sales staff will get to work on the details. Availability of product; budget constraints; shipping time-lines; ease of assembly; portability and flexibility of components; graphic quality requirements; all but a few of the considerations that go into a personalized proposal at exhibittrader2.com.

Why take our word for it? This is what Timothy L. Booth, Director of Guest Services; Michigan International Speedway had to say about his recent encounter:

I found my experience with Exhibit Trader completely positive. I phoned them initially having no knowledge of, or experience with, exhibit displays. The staff was exceptionally helpful in listening to my needs, reviewing possible products and providing the education and product information to make a decision. The staff completed the sale with an attention to detail, value and customer appreciation. They were magnificent!

More client testimonials can be found on our website exhibittrader2.com; along with one of the largest inventories of modular and portable display systems in the industry. Graphic design, quality and options are among the most diverse clients will find. Further, because we partner with reputable service, shipping and construction partners throughout the industry; EXHIBITTRADER.com can become your one sure source for ascertaining that your journey through the land of Trade Show Exhibits is not a sore course that leaves much remorse.

Resale Trade Show Exhibits?

If you have been in the trade show industry for any time, you no doubt have read comparative analyses for maintenance cost of custom built trade show exhibits versus custom modular displays. Lightweight and modular versus heavy and static; ease of set up versus labor intensive; drayage and shipping cost savings versus those of traditional exhibits. But have you entertained the possibility of the resale-ability of custom modular displays? The market for pre-owned trade show exhibits is growing. Let’s do a bit of comparative analysis between two similar products on our sister websites, www.exhibittrader.com and www.exhibittrader2.com as food for thought.

ExhibitTrader.com is proud to be home of the world’s largest buying and selling network in the trade show industry. We host the largest and most current inventories of pre-owned properties and accessories available to customers anywhere. We directly market to a target-specific database consisting of buyers looking for this type of purchase.

Our Ad 4493 is a listing for a 10 foot pre-owned modular panel display. Manufactured by Nimlock in 2005 at a price of $3,995.00, it consists of Velcro receptive fabric panels that connect together to form a back wall for graphic attachment. A pedestal and two shipping cases are part of the package. It is listed as in ‘above average’ condition with an asking price of $795.00. Let’s do the math: that is six years of use with a 25% recuperation of the original cost; almost $800.00 towards a new modular exhibit of choice. To view this item, go to our homepage, exhibittrader.com; click on the search feature on the top navigation bar and enter the Ad number (4493).

Now swap over to our new sister website, ExhibitTrader2.com, featuring an immense inventory of display products and accessories that can be viewed and ordered right from clients’ desktops. Using the quick nav feature, use the drop down box and go to panel displays> 10 foots> Kits>and click on ‘PLP-5 Fabric Panel Display’ listed at $2,995.00 (prices have moderated somewhat but Nimlock and Skyline Modular Trade Show Exhibits continue to be a bit pricier than other brands). This display kit is manufactured by one of our primary suppliers-ABEX Exhibit Systems. This is a fabric panel display system similar to the model discussed above. A bit more flair in the design- with curved end caps and an inset counter- than the Nimlock model above; and of more substantial construction (100 lbs heavier) but close enough for horseshoes. If you purchase this new model today-which is an incredible value with a lifetime warranty included- we have the market to help you resale this display (if in good condition) and reclaim between 25%- 50% of your original purchase price when you decide it is time for a new trade show booth. The final selling price will be affected by age, condition, market and your timeline for selling the product.

We take pride in contributing to a greener environment through both the pre owned site and new display products site. ExhibitTrader.com has saved some 3,400,000 cubic feet of used trade show display products (and toxins) out of dumps over the last five years. We have sold the equivalent of over 1000, 53 foot tractor trailer loads of Trade Show Exhibit products for rebranding. A large percentage of our new products are made from recyclable and reusable materials.

With economics of purchase and management added to their extreme versatility; modular trade show exhibits are a good value. The feasibility of easy resale with the capability of easy rebranding adds to their appeal. When the time comes, we can assist in determining a fair market value for your display with our patented estimator tool; list your booth for resale on our pre-owned site; and assist in locating a new modular exhibit for you on our new products site. Don’t forget we also offer many services and excellent customer service as you look to ‘turn- key’ your exhibiting needs.