Archive for the ‘Trade Show Booths’ Category

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New ESP Store Website Coming Soon

In Booth Rentals,display boards for trade shows,Display Booth,Display Booths,Display Rentals,Display Stands,ESP News,Exhibit Booth,Exhibit Display,fabric trade show display,Oversize Banners,Portable Booth,Portable Displays,Show Displays,Trade Show Booths,Trade Show Displays,Trade Show Graphics,Trade Show Marketing,trade show planning,Trade Show Pop Up,Trade Show Tips,Trade Shows,Uncategorized,Video Conference on April 25, 2015 by ESP Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

ESP front pageNew ESP Store Website Coming Soon!

We’ve got exciting new changes coming to our store. We’ve selected a new shop platform that we will be transitioning to in the next few months. The new shop will include an easy to use interface, and make it more efficient for each visitor to search and find products. For more information contact us at esp@expexhibits.com

We will be sending out more information as we get closer to the transition.

ESP
Extraordinay Show Productions

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Season to save at ESP Exhibits

In Display Booth,Display Booths,ESP News,Exhibit Booth,Exhibit Display,Show Displays,Trade Show Booths,Trade Shows on December 2, 2013 by ESP Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd. Tagged: , ,

PMI Piggybank

Save during this Holiday Season with ESP products. Call one of our friendly representatives at (619) 222-8813 to find out how. Be sure to sign up for our informative E-NEWSETTER too.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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Trade Show 101 – Just Getting Started?

In display boards for trade shows,Display Booth,Display Booths,Display Rentals,Display Stands,Exhibit Booth,Exhibit Display,fabric trade show display,Portable Booth,Portable Displays,Show Displays,Trade Show Booths,Trade Show Displays,Trade Show Exhibits,Trade Show Graphics,Trade Show Marketing,trade show planning,Trade Show Pop Up,Trade Show Tips,Trade Shows,Uncategorized on May 30, 2013 by ESP Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Trade shows are an important part of marketing your company, and the contacts and impression you make at a trade show can be critical to your success. There are some basic steps to consider for making the most of your trade show experience. Click the link below to learn more.
How to Plan for a Tradeshow: Trade Show Basics by ESP

http://www.espexhibits.com

Trade show basics by ESP helps you with all the steps to plan a successful tradeshow exhibit with tips on exhibit.

Timeline

Begin with creating a timeline that will help you avoid last-minute rush charges and lost opportunities. There are a number of software packages available specifically for project management. Or, you can just use a simple spreadsheet or word processing program. Use this Trade Show Preparation Timeline  as a guideline in developing a schedule tailored to your trade show participation.

For organizational purposes, it is nice to create a notebook divided into sections, including budget, shipping information, trade show services, graphics, promotions, travel logistics, and miscellaneous information.

Strategy

Research the trade show. Review who will be attending as well as the trade show’s history. Many trade shows begin their space reservations before the previous show closes. Visit the show’s website. The majority of trade shows are available for exhibit booth space signup through the Internet.

Sign up as soon as you make the decision to participate – this could prevent late signup costs. Most trade show organizers will ask for an initial deposit to confirm your booth space and then provide you with the due dates for additional payments.

Determine who will be part of your exhibit team which may be both internal and external personnel.  Setup a meeting with your team and determine their assignments and deadlines.

A handy method for keeping track of each task is to jot down on your calendar each task per specific date and follow-up when you turn to that date.   You also should determine exhibit design, promotions, lead handling processes, staffing and logistics.

Exhibit Design

It is important to have an idea what you would like for your exhibit design, meet with other members of your marketing/sales department and determine what your message should be for this trade show. If you will be building or renting an exhibit, planning should begin at least three months in advance. If you are going to be using structure already available and making minor or no modifications to existing booth graphics, this can be done in about a month.

Promotion

Trade show organizers will allow you to rent prior years’ attendee lists as well as the current year’s pre-registered attendees. With these lists, you will be able to send notices of your trade show participation as well as the exhibit booth number. Additional promotional strategies also are provided by show organizers and should be included in your exhibitor-services manual.

This also is a good time to determine what promotional giveaways and literature to handout during the show. Add this to your time schedule.

Lead Handling and Collateral

Work with your marketing/sales team to determine what information you will want to obtain from attendees. Decide whether you will use an electronic or manual system for retrieving leads during the trade show. You should also determine what your post-show lead fulfillment plan would be. This should be done about three months prior to the show.

Staffing

Decide who will be attending the trade show and staffing your booth as soon as possible in order to communicate any show particulars and share your show strategy. You will need these names to order exhibitor badges as well as providing the staff information on show dates, location, conference registration, hotel accommodations, and air and ground travel arrangements.

Installation and Dismantling (I&D)

Determine who will be installing and dismantling your booth well in advance of the trade show. Estimate how many hours it takes and the dates you will be setting up and tearing down your booth. Provide this to the show organizers by completing the paperwork located in the exhibitor-services manual. This should be done about 30-45 days prior to setup.

Shipping

Determine what you will be shipping to show i.e. structure, equipment, display hardware, giveaways, literature, and supplies. This will help you decide what type of carrier you should use – van line or air freight. Provide the pertinent trade show information to your carrier and they will determine when your shipment should be ready for transport. Make your return shipping plans with your carrier at the same time.

The return shipment date can be determined by referring to the trade show teardown date and scheduling the pickup for the day after show closing.  This should be done at least two months prior to the show.

On-site Services

When you receive your exhibitor-services manual, all of the on-site services deadlines will be identified such as: material handling, carpet rental, furnishings, floral arrangements, cleaning, electrical needs, and computer equipment rental. Order online or complete the paperwork for each service you will be using. Normally, there is a discount for providing this information early.

At the Show

Prior to the trade show, make a list of details to be completed at the show including: picking up badges, confirming you have received all items ordered, ensuring your shipment has arrived, supervision of exhibit installation, pick up lead retrieval systems and blank bills of lading.

Show Close

Dismantling usually begins as soon as the show closes although not in all cases. This information can be found in your exhibitor-services manual. It is usually the time you return your lead retrieval system as well as audio visual and computer equipment. Normally, the floral will be yours to keep; however, plants ordered are typically on a rental basis and will be picked up by the floral company. The furnishings also will be picked up soon after show closing.

Exhibit dismantling sometimes can be started immediately upon show closing although some trade show organizers may wait until the next day. The repackaging of your exhibit is done after dismantle and, at that time, the completed bill of lading should be turned into the exhibitor services center. If you do not submit your bill of lading, your shipment will not be released to your designated carrier but rather it will be sent via the shipper of choice of the trade show contractor company.

Post Show

The trade show is over and it has been a success! Now is the time to turn leads over to the appropriate sales people; submit a personal expense report; work with the exhibit house to inventory the exhibit and determine necessary repairs; review final show invoices and finalize show budgets.   ESP can help you with any of the above details. We are ready to help you with our range of products, advice and experience for successful trade show participation.

 

Your First Trade Show

Advice for your First Trade Show Display

If this is your first time at a trade show, you are possibly a little bit nervous about how the event will unfold and if you’ve forgotten anything in organizing your display.

This is one of the advantages of dealing with ESP – a company that can help you every step of the way. We’ve seen all kinds of trade shows and displays and there is little for which we can’t provide either some advice or a definitive answer.

But let’s go back to the beginning for a moment and speak to those who are just beginning to think about their first display.

What are the criteria for your first trade show display?

Price

Either you’ve put together a budget yourself, or you’ve been given one by your company. In any case, the total cost of your trade show display is a determining factor in what you should be looking at.

  1. If your budget is under $5000.00, you should consider portable tabletop displays, freestanding popup displays such as SALESMATE presentation displays, XpressionsSNAP 3D popup displays, VBURST! stretch fabric popup displays, classic popup displays with Velcro-friendly fabric panels or mural graphic panels, folding panel display packages, or banner stands.
  2. More elaborate portable displays and simple modular display systems or possibly a combination of these display types usually fall within the budget range of $5,000.00 to $10,000.00.
  3. If you have more to play with, say between $10,000.00 and $30,000.00, you should be looking at simple to slightly customized modular display systems and full custom displays depending on the size of your display booth and the image you want to portray.
  4. And if price is no object, then you should consider custom modular display systems and full custom exhibits. Note that custom exhibits can be modular to a degree although they usually don’t have the same flexibility as modular display systems and are often heavier and bulkier resulting in higher shipping and show site drayage costs.

Combining display types is an option to help you meet budget objectives. For example, you can combine a tabletop display or a freestanding portable popup display with a banner stand.  Or you can use three banner stands to create a 10’w display backwall in your exhibit booth space.

Also, popup displays can be combined with modular display systems to help meet budget restrictions.  The possibilities are virtually unlimited.

Space

  1. If your trade show booth space is linear (in a line with several other exhibit booths), your display is usually restricted to a height of 8′. While any display type can be used in a linear space, the most common are freestanding popup displays such as classic pop ups, XpressionsSNAP 3D popup displays, VBURST! stretch fabric popup displays, folding panel display systems and tabletop displays. Multiple banner stands are also frequently used to create a linear booth space backwall.
  2. For island and peninsula (also known as end cap) exhibit booth spaces, the typical display is either a modular panel system or a custom exhibit. Although less common, portable popup displays are also used in island and peninsula spaces.

Multiple story displays are almost always custom exhibits or a combination of custom and modular display systems.

Portability

If you’re looking for the best in portability and convenience; if your ideal trade show display is something you can transport and set up yourself or ship inexpensively, you should be looking at portable tabletop displays, freestanding popup displays, and banner stands

 

These portable displays are lightweight and usually can be transported by car, plane, or via express shippers.

If you want an idea of how the preparation for a trade show should look, take the time to read our Trade Show 101 section.

And don’t forget, if you’re confused at all or feel overwhelmed while planning your first trade show display, please feel free to call 619-222-8813 or contact us anytime for advice.

http://www.espexhibits.com/trade-show-planning.php

Articles

A Trade Show Exhibit for any budget

In display boards for trade shows,Display Booth,Display Booths,Display Rentals,Display Stands,Exhibit Booth,Exhibit Display,fabric trade show display,Portable Booth,Portable Displays,Show Displays,Trade Show Booths,Trade Show Displays,Trade Show Exhibits,Trade Show Graphics,Trade Show Marketing,trade show planning,Trade Show Pop Up,Trade Show Tips,Trade Shows on April 5, 2013 by ESP Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Trade Show Exhibit for any budget

stretch-your-dollars

Whatever your budget dictates, ESP has a solution to meet your exhibiting needs. From table throws and banner stands to popup booths and from custom portable to custom modular, we’ve got it covered with no rush fees – EVER.

Shop online at your convenience http://ow.ly/jNoEb, browse our Virtual Showroom http://ow.ly/jNpd2, or call us for a consultation and custom quote 619.222.8813.

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What Do You Mean Hybrid Trade Show Display?

In Display Booth,Exhibit Booth,Exhibit Display,Portable Booth,Trade Show Booths,Trade Show Displays,Trade Show Exhibits,Trade Show Graphics,trade show planning,Trade Show Tips,Uncategorized on November 8, 2011 by ESP Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd. Tagged: , , , , ,

Perhaps no term is more hyped and less understood in the exhibit industry than “hybrid.”  Nearly every exhibit manufacturer and custom builder refers to their latest designs as portable hybrids, modular, hybrids, or even custom hybrids. Why the emphasis on this term? The answer is simple: Value. More than ever, exhibitors are demanding displays that do everything – assemble quickly, look custom, ship light, and reconfigure. Just a few years ago that would have been impossible, but not any more.

The Building Blocks

If you’ve walked a trade show recently, you’ve seen a profusion of aluminum structures and tension fabric graphics. Those are the building blocks of hybrid displays. Aluminum is attractive, structural, and lightweight. Tension fabric is vibrant, durable, and cost-effective. Together they serve as the creative foundation for displays priced from $3,000 to $250,000.

But what makes them hybrids. For the past 30 years, the exhibit world was divided into two worlds: portable/modular displays or custom exhibits. Portable/modular displays have been dominated by pop ups, panel displays, and modular laminate exhibits. These “systems” have well-defined configurations, components, and accessories, but limited design flexibility. Custom exhibits, built primarily from wood, have offered exhibitors endless design possibilities but are rarely portable or modular.

Hybrid Exhibit Systems

Hybrid exhibits merge those two worlds. Hybrids start with tension fabric and aluminum extrusion systems (such as MODUL). Beyond that, the design can be anything and can include anything. There are portable hybrids, such as Sacagawea or Magellan, consisting of an aluminum extrusion frame and tension fabric graphics, which pack in portable roto-molded cases. There are modular hybrids, like Euro LT, which add modular laminate components and pack in roto-molded tubs or small crates. And there are custom hybrids, such as Visionary Designs, which combine extrusion with just about anything else – metal, wood, plex, glass, and sometimes even portable or modular systems. As with all custom exhibits, the final design is whatever fulfills the marketing and budgetary requirements of the client.

Hybrids may not be the ideal for solution for everyone. For many exhibitors, a basic pop up or full custom makes more sense for their exhibit marketing goals. However, hybrid exhibits are here to stay. Only hybrids offer the lightweight strength of aluminum extrusion, the bold impact of tension fabric graphic, and the flexibility of unlimited design – all at a terrific value.

Guidelines

  • Before deciding on any portable, modular, or custom display, the following guidelines and questions should apply:
  • Know your exhibit goals. What are your immediate and long-term goals? A portable display should be viewed as a long-term investment rather than a short-term solution.
  • Is your organization expecting to grow over the next couple of years? How does this effect your trade show needs?
  • Do you need one product to accomplish multiple display requirements? Or, is it better to purchase different displays to accomplish your various trade show needs?
  • View decisions about exhibit hardware, exhibit design, and exhibit graphics separately. It is too easy to be swayed by any one element. All three must work together.
  • Consider shipping and drayage costs.
  • Price is important, but price should never be the number one factor in your decision when purchasing a portable exhibit.
  • Ask questions. Not all portable displays are created equal. Each has its unique strengths and weaknesses.

Source:  Mel White, Classic Exhibits

Click to search more than 600 Hybrid Trade Show Display Designs. or just a few of our favorite Portable Hybrid Trade Show Displays.

Learn more about ESP (Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd), 619-222-8813, esp@espexhibits.com

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Motivating Trade Show Booth Staff

In Display Booth,Display Stands,Exhibit Booth,Trade Show Booths,Trade Show Displays,Trade Show Exhibits,Trade Show Marketing,Trade Show Tips,Trade Shows on January 4, 2011 by ESP Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd.

The Hawthorne Effect

Cookies? Coffee? Free lunch? How to keep your booth staff in the booth and effective is an age old question.

Companies today still follow lessons learned from a study done some 80 years ago dubbed the “Hawthorne effect”. The experiment found that performance improves when people perceive they are receiving special consideration.

Turn consideration of your booth staff into productivity with treats and perhaps modest but special “thank-you” awards of $10 or $20 gift cards. And be sure to let them know you recognize their toil by thanking them for their hard work and support. It works!

More trade show tips:  http://www.espexhibits.com

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Trade Show Exhibit Booth Design

In Display Booth,Display Rentals,Display Stands,Exhibit Booth,Exhibit Display,Show Displays,Trade Show Booths,Trade Show Displays,Trade Show Exhibits,Trade Show Marketing,Trade Show Tips,Trade Shows on November 17, 2010 by ESP Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd.

How much space do people need?

Most of us are uncomfortable in narrow aisles – especially when there isn’t enough space to pass someone without brushing them. We don’t like being squeezed tight when perusing a booth. When designing your booth, leave enough room between display elements so visitors can maneuver in your booth space untouched. And instruct your staff to avoid blocking the narrow spots.

Find more tips at www.espexhibits.com

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Graphics Made Simple

In Display Booth,Display Booths,Display Rentals,Display Stands,Exhibit Booth,Exhibit Display,Portable Booth,Portable Displays,Show Displays,Trade Show Booths,Trade Show Displays,Trade Show Exhibits,Trade Show Graphics,Trade Show Marketing,Trade Show Pop Up,Trade Show Tips,Trade Shows on September 2, 2010 by ESP Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd.

As an exhibit manager, you are expected to know everything about everything – including graphic production – when it comes to managing your trade show program.  Graphics used to be my least favorite topic simply because I didn’t know a PMS from a CMYK.  While I still defer to experts when it gets too deep, just knowing the basics gives me comfort.  Hopefully it will do the same for you.

Know Your Suppliers
Make sure your graphic designers are capable.  Review samples of their work from concept to end product.  Evaluate quality and compare to your need.  Is the work relevant to the scope of your project in terms of graphic size, materials, and level of difficulty?

Resolution = Dots per Inch (dpi)
To assure quality images, hire a professional photographer or purchase images from a photo company or web site.  Images simply copied from a website are rarely good enough for exhibit graphics.  Usually at 72 dpi or less, copied website images lose resolution when enlarged which translates to poor quality.

Your images should be 100 dpi or more at final size.  That means an image at 300 dpi can be blown up to three times its size (to 100 dpi at final size) before losing quality.

The Color Challenge
Maintaining consistent color is challenging.  Printing the same graphic from the same artwork on the same printer on different days can result in a difference in color.  Also, different digital printers print colors differently.

To prevent color differences, many graphics including logos use the universally recognized Pantone Matching System (PMS).  Traditional ink printers use the exact PMS color ink to print colors.  Digital printers however use CMYK – a 4-color (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) printing process.  Digital printers can be calibrated to achieve PMS colors.  Providing a printed sample of the color you want matched is very helpful but a printed proof is the best way for you to confirm that the color will be accurate.

The finish (glossy or matte) of a printed graphic can make the color look bright or dull.  If color matching is critical, request a printed proof – preferably a finished printed proof.

Formats and File Types
You don’t need to be an expert on formats and file types.  Your printer should provide guidelines specific to their production capabilities and your graphic artist should follow those guidelines.

In general, the most commonly accepted files for PCs or Macs are those created using Adobe software including Illustrator, PhotoShop, & InDesign.  Files created in Quark Xpress, Macromedia Freehand, and Corel Draw are also accepted by some printers.

Vector Art
Vector art often referred to as being “outlined” consists of lines and curves that are mathematically defined.  Vector art is ideal for type and drawn shapes because they can be enlarged to any size while maintaining crisp outlines and details without sacrificing quality.

Raster Art
Raster images consist of colored squares called pixels.  Digital photos are made up of pixels.  Printing a low resolution file at a size larger than its resolution results in pixelation which translates to reduced quality.

TIFF or JPG?
Graphics can be printed from either a TIFF or a JPG.  TIFF files are large uncompressed files that produce excellent quality.  JPG files are compressed and although quality is usually not as good, they can be used for printing if resolution is high enough.

Linked Images or Embedded Images
Linked images are files that are “placed” or “imported” into your document.  Printers prefer linked files because they can verify resolution and color information and edit or adjust during the printing process for optimal output.

Embedded images are files that are placed into your document and then “locked” or embedded so that the document is self-contained.  Embedded files cannot be edited or checked for resolution or color.  This means the overall quality of the graphic cannot be determined until it’s actually printed at full size.

Files That Won’t Work
Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher documents cannot be used to print large format graphics.

Submitting Artwork
Simple files with just a logo for example are usually small enough to email. Production files of good quality are frequently too large for email and must be submitted on a CD or DVD or zipped and uploaded to an FTP site.  Printers typically have an FTP site with easy upload instructions however we often download artwork from a client’s FTP site or a third party site such as yousendit.

Sandy Flom | CEO, ESP Exhibits | sandy@espexhibits.com

Primary Source:  “Graphics Made Simple” by Susan Bendily/Freeman

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Trade Show Reform in Chicago

In Display Booths,Display Stands,Show Displays,Trade Show Booths,Trade Show Displays,Trade Show Exhibits,Trade Show Marketing,Trade Show Tips,Trade Shows on May 27, 2010 by ESP Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd. Tagged: ,

Reforms passed earlier this month by the Illinois General Assembly are great news for exhibitors and long overdue.  Pressure for change by those affected in the convention and trade show industry forced these reforms into reality. 

Fewer rules, less hassle, increased flexibility, expanded rights and lower costs for exhibitors.  Sounds great to me!

Highlights for exhibitors include:

  • Although five unions remain at McCormick Place, new labor work rules reduce crew sizes, require less overtime pay and eliminate hassles for exhibitors.  A standard crew size is now just two people and stewards will be working; individual workers can be requested by name.
  • Straight-time shifts can be any eight consecutive hours between 6 AM and 10 PM Monday through Friday.  That means big savings on booth setup labor costs since overtime rates won’t necessarily kick-in at 4:30 PM.  Saturday and graveyard shifts are time-and-a-half while Sundays and holidays are double time.  Labor charges are based on a half-hour minimum.
  • Exhibitor rights now allow exhibitor staff to do much of the light work on their booth during setup and take down regardless of booth size.  The only requirement here is that exhibitor employees need to have been employed full-time by the exhibiting company for at least six months.
  • Although McCormick Place will continue to offer food service, exhibitors will be allowed to bring food in for personal consumption. 

Less stress in managing logistics for your trade show booth leaves more time for focusing on other aspects of your trade show marketing program.  And perhaps makes exhibiting in Chicago a pleasant rather than dreaded experience.  Have a great show!

See more trade show tips and/or sign up for our newsletter at www.espexhibits.com.