Trade Show Display Pros

Heading to a trade show this summer? We're glad to report that the trade show scene is back with a bang and now attracting pre-2020 level crowds. With masks and social distancing measures out of the way, trade shows are drawing larger crowds than the last two years combined.

So, if you want your booth to shine amongst the crowd, you need to ramp up your marketing game. This is where videos come into play. An attractive video displayed on your digital trade show displays can capture visitors' attention and get your message across. These displays are an excellent way to grab attention and get people interested in your brand, products, and services.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top five video types that you can use at your next event to attract visitors to your trade show booth.

1. Video Testimonials

Never underestimate the power of an authentic customer review. According to a 2020 survey by BrightLocal, 79% of customers say that they trust online reviews as much as they trust a personal recommendation from a trusted friend.

Testimonial videos are an excellent way to showcase the benefits customers receive by using your product or service. When potential customers watch others explain how they use your product, and what a difference it has made for them, your target audience will be more inclined to try out the product for themselves.

Also, when walking through a trade show, if they see people like them using and speaking about your product, it’s likely they’ll be interested and check out what’s going on at your booth.

2. Product Demonstration Videos

A product demonstration video showcases how to use your product. This video highlights your product's key features and benefits and explains how the product works. Product demo videos also show examples of models (or real-life customers) using your product in their daily lives. The best product videos are crisp and highly engaging. They create more awareness about your products and services and they get trade show visitors to stop at your booth.

3. Explainer Videos

Unlike product videos, explainer videos are more detailed and give in-depth explanations regarding how to use your product. These videos can include frequently asked questions and customer interviews. Unlike product videos that have to be updated frequently, explainer videos are evergreen; they’re a long-term investment. You can make them a staple, along with your other trade show marketing materials like tabletop banner stands and fabric displays.

4. Company Culture Videos

These videos are super popular at trade shows as they give visitors a behind-the-scenes view of what goes on at your company. Company culture videos can be formal videos that explain your organization's mission statement and ethics, or you can make the video quirky, showing snippets of employees having fun at work. People love to do business with organizations that have a positive company culture. So, including a company culture video is an excellent way to make a good impression on trade show attendees.

Trade show videos are great tools that can generate excitement, build curiosity, and educate prospects about your products and services. Use these four types of videos at your next industry event to attract your target audience and stand out from the crowd.

A hybrid trade show has a mix of both physical and virtual booths. These have gotten more popular because of the pandemic-induced restrictions on travel. Companies that are free from travel restrictions purchase physical booth space while global firms and those unwilling to travel exhibit using virtual booths and digital trade show displays.

Any kind of business can use a virtual trade show display. If you prefer, you can skip the physical booth and exhibit virtually or vice versa; the choice is yours!

So, which is better? Should you go the traditional route and rent a physical booth or should you exhibit virtually? Well, there are pros and cons to both approaches. In today's post, we highlight the pros and cons of physical and virtual exhibits so you can weigh all the factors and make an informed decision.

The Pros And Cons Of Physical Exhibits At Hybrid Trade Shows

Pros:

• You can enjoy face-to-face interactions with event attendees. In-person networking is an integral part of trade shows; it is also an excellent way to generate leads and widen your reach. While virtual events also offer networking opportunities, they don’t generate the number of leads you generate at a physical booth.
• You can enjoy a high level of engagement. Despite the advances in streaming and video technology, there is something charming about interacting with a real person who answers your questions and addresses your pain points.
• You can impress your audience with a grand spectacle. A well-designed physical booth has the potential to be buzz-worthy. You can impress your target audience with a grand show by using high-quality trade show displays like retractable banner stands, tabletop pull-up banners, and floor displays.

Cons:

Attending a physical trade show is a lot of work. You've got to book the booth far in advance, and you have to pay a hefty fee to secure your space. You must plan the display materials as well, and you have to arrange booth staff's transportation and accommodations. Getting all this work done might become challenging, especially if you're traveling a long distance to attend the event.

The Pros And Cons Of Using Virtual Booths At Hybrid Trade Shows

Virtual booths are relatively new to the scene. Since digital technologies are popular today, it's possible for companies to attend trade shows virtually. Live streams, interactive digital webinars, and video marketing can give your company a presence at a trade show, even if you don't attend it in person.

Pros:

• Attending a trade show virtually is more budget-friendly as you don’t have to spend on travel and accommodations. However, a digital booth has to be decorated and marketed just like a regular booth. So, there’s the cost of the display and marketing materials to consider.
• Virtual booths make it easy to attend trade shows in any corner of the planet. A company in Tokyo can exhibit in L.A. and vice versa. They’re great for expanding the global reach of your brand.

Cons:

One of the biggest drawbacks of a virtual booth is that you're reliant on technology. If your internet connection is spotty or your video files are in the wrong format, you're likely to have nothing but an empty booth with blank screens. So, stay on top of your technology and have a plan B in place to avoid any last-minute technical glitches.

Which Is Better: Physical Or Virtual Booths?

Why choose when you can have both. If budget isn't a constraint, you can rent physical and virtual booth spaces. Design your promotional and marketing materials so that your digital presence complements your physical booth and vice versa. If only one is possible, consider your goals and the potential benefits of both these options and choose the right strategy that best fits your business’ objectives.

Outdoor banners are one of the most versatile and effective ways to reach a large audience. Think about all the foot traffic that trade show displays get and the attention that outdoor signs attract.

The biggest challenge for business owners is choosing the right type of outdoor banners that get their message across to the maximum number of people. In this post, we highlight some of our favorite outdoor banner materials and walk you through the durability, mobility, and versatility of these signs.

1. Vinyl Banners

When it comes to outdoor signs, vinyl banners are the most common. They are popular, thanks to their durability and affordability. You can get your banner printed on 13- or 18-ounce vinyl, depending on the usage. For temporary signs, you can opt for lower-weight vinyl. For heavy-duty usage, 18-ounce vinyl is an excellent choice as it provides increased tensile strength and greater durability. Trade show retractable banner stands use low-weight vinyl banners.

Besides durability, vinyl banners also offer other benefits like exceptional image quality and display flexibility. Since vinyl banners can be rolled or folded easily, they are perfect for tabletop pullup banners and other retractable displays.

To display vinyl banners outside, you can install metal grommets to the banner’s edges or hang it from a pole or rope using pole pockets. They are also compatible with banner stands and are perfect for situations where you require portability.

2. Mesh Banners

You have likely seen these banners at music festivals, concerts, and sporting events. They have a mesh-like appearance and allow light and air to pass through. When compared to vinyl banners, mesh banners are expensive. However, they can withstand the harsh outdoor elements and last for years.

3. Fabric Banners

Fabric banners score both on aesthetics and functionality. They offer gorgeous printed quality and are incredibly lightweight. They are made from polyester and do not crease or wrinkle easily. They are easy to transport and display. They also make an excellent choice for both indoors and outdoors. However, fabric banners are not suitable for outdoor usage when there is heavy rain, snow, or wind. Bad weather conditions can cause the fabric to rip, tearing the banner.

While choosing fabric banner stands, look for materials that offer slight transparency. The light transparency allows light to pass through, making the colors more visible and brighter. They are usually hung from the ceiling or a canopy.

4. Self-Adhesive Vinyl Banners

As the name suggests, these banners are easy to stick on surfaces. They are generally used for storefronts. They are made using a thin vinyl material that is highly versatile and flexible. They are water-resistant and fire-resistant and are 100% removable. Just like regular vinyl banners, they are cost-effective and budget-friendly.

5. Dibond Banners

These banners have a plastic core wedged between two aluminum pieces, giving them a 3D look. They are incredibly versatile and can be designed in any shape. They are durable and lightweight, making them an excellent choice for outdoor usage.

Wrapping Up

Irrespective of the banner material you choose, keep the colors bold, letters big, and call to action clear to get your message across. Get in touch with banner printing experts to find the perfect banner that suits your business needs.

As an entrepreneur, one of the most crucial challenges you face in your business is to build brand awareness. Brand awareness is vital for companies of all sizes. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a small mom-and-pop establishment or a multinational conglomerate; brand awareness is critical. Brand recognition helps big companies thrive while it helps small companies grow.

Brand awareness is the ability of a brand to be recognizable and ultimately remembered when a customer requires a specific product or service. Today, most business owners focus solely on digital advertising. However, studies reveal that a mix of digital and print advertising is essential for building brand awareness. Even today, print marketing is one of the most important marketing channels to enhance brand recognition.

Print Marketing in the Digital Era

Even though most business owners focus on digital, print advertising still plays a key role in marketing. Recent research numbers reveal that it is even more important than we assume. The latest research from Marketing Sherpa^[1]estimates that:

• 82% of survey respondents state that they like print ads seen in magazines, newspapers, etc.
• 76% said they prefer brochures, catalogs, and flyers
• 69% choose outdoor billboards, posters, and banner stands

As you can see, one of the best and budget-friendly ways to boost brand awareness in your community is by using custom trade show banners and displays in areas that see plenty of foot traffic, like trade shows and other community events.

Tips to Boost Brand Awareness Using Banners and Posters

1. Keep It Consistent

Ensure that your fabric banner stands, retractable banners, and other advertising material you use are consistent with the overall brand image. The colors, fonts, logo, and messaging on your banners should reflect the overall brand image you wish to project.

2. Keep It Simple

When it comes to the messages you use on your banners, simple should be your mantra. Using simple, easy-to-read statements is the best way to get your point across. Remember that your audience will walk or drive while reading your banner. So, keep it short, simple, and to the point to get your message across.

3. Choose the Right Banner Type

Outdoor signs and banners are available in a variety of materials and styles. Choosing a suitable banner plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of your message. For example, you can use tabletop banner stands at your trade show stall. However, if you’re displaying your brand message at a large outdoor event like a music concert or a baseball game, you can select large vinyl banners.

Besides the type of banner, you also have to focus on the banner material. There are several materials like vinyl, mesh, and fabric that you can choose from, depending on the location and banner type.

Final Thoughts

The proper outdoor signage can help you create a cohesive brand image and improve brand awareness. Use these tips to find the perfect outdoor advertising banners for your business, and enhance brand recognition.

If you’re getting ready to go to a trade show, whether for a hobby or otherwise, there are definite benefits to having a trade show tabletop display. These benefits can be as simple as additional sales, but as complex as helping you organize your wares at a trade show.

Benefits of a Trade Show Tabletop Display

When it comes to the benefits of having a tabletop display at a trade show, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. The negatives are typically that you’ll have to decorate on your own and that you’re in charge of your own wares, but otherwise, there are extreme benefits.

Here are the top 5 benefits you can experience at a trade show if you have a tabletop display.

1.    A Tabletop Display Can Improve Your Brand and Business

Trade shows are a great resource for your business, no matter the size. If you run a small startup or if you’ve been in the business for 20 years, a trade show can help improve your brand and business, while also getting your name out there.

At a trade show, rather than necessarily reaching a price quota or sales amount, you can gauge your success on how many leads you get. This is great because simple tabletop displays can help you receive as many leads as something large and flashy.

Even if your display is small, you can decorate your trade show tabletop display with branding for your business so that everyone knows what your deal is. You must find exciting and innovative ways to promote your brand and reach out to customers through your trade show tabletop display.

2.    Customize Your Tabletop Display to Your Advantage

Similar to the previous point, one of the benefits of a trade show tabletop display is you can customize it however you want. If you have a new product you’re trying to promote, or a new service, you can set that upfront and center in your tabletop display. Or you can find other ways to promote your service and brand so that they’re attention-getting and that they draw customers to your table.

Make use of the fact that tabletop displays can come in many designs, styles, shapes, and other forms so that you can mix and match pieces to your advantage. Whenever it is that will benefit your brand, you can successfully procure it for your tabletop display. Additionally, you can also decide to include graphics and images specific to your brand to make sure that attendees won’t be able to forget you as soon as they walk away.

Use whatever combination of tabletop banner stands, self-packing briefcase displays, pop-up displays, folding tabletop displays, and tension fabric displays to make the best display for your needs and purpose.

3.    Easy to Set Up and Tear Down

Another one of the benefits of a tradeshow tabletop display is that you can make it extremely easy to set up and tear down. When you know what impact you need to have from your tabletop display, you can prioritize the important parts and then customize the smaller parts to be easy to transport.

A large booth will certainly have a higher visual appeal, but that also means that the large booth will require more in the way of shipping and transportation. If you don’t have the funds to handle large-scale transportation, that’s all right – bigger doesn’t always mean better.

With a tabletop display, you’ll find that even the largest of them are lightweight, compact, and, essentially, portable. Many of the stock tabletop displays offer carrying options that can help you move your display where it needs to go without spending loads of money and time on securing transportation services.

4.    Great for All Budgets

There are, of course, additional benefits of a trade show tabletop display, and the next one on the list is that they aren’t too expensive to set up or take down. No matter what your budget is, it should be possible to add in the addition of a tabletop display. Of course, the more elaborate you get, the more it will cost, but even the most elaborate model will still be comparatively affordable. Because of this, stock models can offer the same ROI as a custom, extravagant booth, meaning that you can save money and make money, no matter the size of your tabletop display.

5.    Great for Communication

When it comes to sales, leads, and getting your name/brand out there, there is nothing better for your business than having face-to-face interactions with your potential customers. Tabletops are one of those elements of a tradeshow that are meant to increase how much you can communicate with your potential customers.

Because of how small they are, it’s extremely easy to communicate with customers even if you can only afford a small amount of time for each interaction. The small size also will allow whatever group of staff members you have in your booth to attend to whatever they need to attend promptly.

Find a tabletop display that is great for your needs and the size of your staff, and then adapt your desires to the best tabletop for the tradeshow. You’ll be surprised at how beneficial a tabletop display is.

Takeaway

When it comes to the benefits of a trade show tabletop display, there are many more than what was touched upon in this blog. When it comes to many of the benefits, you might only discover what they are once you participate in a trade show!

You’ll have to figure out which elements of a trade show tabletop display are best for your needs. It may take a few different trade shows and displays in various forms to determine which display is best for you, but once you settle on one, you’ll find that the benefits keep coming.

Just like many other things, trade shows and exhibitions have gone digital, in large part because the Covid pandemic necessitated this. If you’ve never heard of a virtual trade show before—and you’re looking to benefit from participating in one—read on!

What Is A Virtual Trade Show?

Virtual trade shows are a lot like traditional in-person trade shows; the main, obvious difference is that virtual trade shows are held online. At virtual trade shows, attendees can interact with companies and brand representatives, and this is what attendees would be doing at a regular trade show.

Benefits Of Virtual Trade Shows

The biggest benefit of a virtual trade show is that individuals from around the world can connect at one of these. Brands that are looking for maximum exposure are participating in virtual trade shows now because they understand how many individuals can be reached at these events. After all, a participant just needs good internet connection. Here are some more reasons why brands love virtual trade shows:

• Reach A Wider Audience: Virtual exhibition crowds are 8x to 10x larger than the crowds you’ll see at real world trade shows. You can put your brand in front of a larger audience for a low cost. And no travel is required, which is a huge perk in the post Covid-19 era.
• Increase Brand Visibility For A Low Cost: If you ask any trade show veteran, they will tell you that location matters at a trade show. Your booth needs to occupy prime real estate if you want to pull in a big crowd. But at a virtual trade show, you can maximize brand exposure without needing prime real estate. You can link trade show attendees to your site, and you can also display your most popular products and services easily.
• Engage With Interested Trade Show Attendees: Just like at a regular trade show, you can connect and engage with interested attendees at a virtual trade show. You can even make interactions totally personal by setting up one-on-one video conferences with prospective clients.
• Capture And Convert Leads: At a virtual trade show, you can use a variety of strategies to capture leads. You can engage with each attendee and seamlessly guide them through the sales funnel.

Make Your Brand Stand Out At A Virtual Trade Show

In the end, a virtual trade show is still a trade show. Therefore, all the rules of regular trade shows apply here as well. Here are a few tips you can use to make your booth stand out at a virtual event:

• Consistent Branding: Just like you would decorate a traditional trade show booth with trade show display stands, you need to brand your virtual booth as well. Use a tabletop pull-up banner or a pop-up banner to display your branding message, logos, and other information.
• Have Clear Audio & Video: Make sure that your camera and mic are working correctly. Do a trial run before the event to ensure that you're audible and coming across clear to the audience.
• Share Virtual Pamphlets: You would pass out pamphlets and leaflets to audience members at an in-person event, so you should do the same here. The only difference is that there won’t be any paper—everything is digital, of course.
• Practice Your Pitch: Prepare a short 30-second pitch. It should introduce your brand and your product/services. Practice the pitch ahead of time so you don't stumble during the livestream.
• Send Complimentary Swag To Attendees: For that extra touch, you can send attendees a real gift. Ask them to fill out a form with their contact details so you can send them free swag like t-shirts, journals, or desk organizers.

Since the world is moving online, it's no surprise that trade shows have gone virtual. Use these tips to make the most of your next virtual trade show.

As the world slowly limps back to its feet after the devastating effects of the pandemic, the trade show industry prepares for a new normal. Across the United States, exhibitors are looking for ways to organize trade shows safely and responsibly. If you’re among those who have decided to restore customer confidence through in-person experiences offered by trade shows and exhibitions, here are a few tips to help you do it right

1. Encourage In-Person Attendance by Ensuring Safety for Everyone

A recent study found that nearly 60% of trade show attendees feel it’s too early for in-person attendance. With so many people worried about their health, you must assuage their genuine concerns. Make sure your booth layout is spacious and all trade show displays are six feet apart. Use appropriate digital trade show displays as signage to encourage guests to follow COVID protocols. Use wall stickers to make reading easy and place wall signs to inform everyone about safety guidelines. You may consider asking unvaccinated guests to continue wearing masks and have Rapid Antigen Self-Test Results available during the event.

2. Look for Novel Ways to Offer Gifts and Giveaways

Offering complimentary gifts is an essential element of trade shows and exhibits. Given the situation, you’ll have to develop unique ideas to continue this practice. Consider e-coupons or gift cards that can be emailed to visitors. Or you could mail gifts to reduce health risks from shared surfaces.

3. Use Technology to Your Advantage

Implement tech tools to ensure touchless transactions and data gathering. RFID tracking, voice-activated interfaces, QR code-scanning, wireless charging stations, facial recognition software, and interactive robots are some tools that can be implemented to reduce risks and ensure safety.

4. You Don’t Have to Compromise on Booth Experience by Prioritizing Health and Safety

Safety protocols don’t have to put a dampener on your marketing efforts. You can still tell your brand story despite the limitations. Use clean and straightforward messages to capture visitor attention. Make the most of available spaces by using portable banner stands for product display. Consider working product information into a digital piece to ensure easy access during or after the show. It could be as simple as sending a PDF to avoid handing over brochures that would otherwise occupy space.

COVID-19 brought many parts of the United States to a screeching halt in 2020, but Americans have slowly returned to normality since then. Although no one knows if we’ll ever return to pre-pandemic normal, life moves forward. While we wait for a post-pandemic world, there are a few things businesses can do now to create a COVID-safe exhibit at trade shows.

1. Focus on a Socially Distanced Booth Design

You can create a welcoming environment with some ingenuity while maintaining social distance. Consider a less-is-more approach in terms of product display and booth staff. Use signage, digital trade show displays, and floor graphics to help guests navigate space within the booth. Guide visitors to walk through a designated entrance to create a one-way flow to ensure safety. Plus, you can also use trade show displays to create barriers for an added sense of protection. These displays can be integrated into the design using a wide range of materials, shapes, and colors that complement your brand. Use AV equipment for product presentations and create designated spaces for one-to-one interaction.

2. Make Sure Your Staff Are COVID-Compliant

Before addressing visitors, you must make your staff feel confident interacting with attendees. Everyone involved must have a clear understanding of what they need to accomplish and how they intend to meet these goals. Plan your strategy around staff requirements. For example, if digital interaction isn’t feasible, strategically place a hand sanitizer to allow attendees to stay safe and participate in demonstrations. If food giveaways are a part of the exhibit, they should be pre-packaged and sealed. Ensure staff is up to date on all safety measures by sending regular updates through a common communication channel. Ensure booth staff wear masks at all times, and encourage them to wash their hands frequently.

3. Be Prepared for Event Disruptions in the Future

The pandemic has brought about changes in the way companies do business. Executives and employees have needed to adapt to the situation quickly. Adapting has included digitizing their customer interactions, changing internal operations, and introducing digitally enabled products.

These changes may not be temporary. Instead, the invaluable skills learned through the crisis can be used to future-proof the business. Executives should understand that not everyone will have the same comfort level while attending in-person events. They must look for out-of-the-box solutions to address these customers. Businesses must also look for ways to incorporate hybrid elements into future events.

Call us at 877-389-8645 to buy retractable banner stands and other trade show displays at affordable prices.