Why exhibit?
There are many reasons a few to consider are:-
-Generating sales leads
-Sell goods at the exhibition from your stand
-Become know in the marketplace.
-Reach a specific targeted audience.
-Meet your customers, competitors and suppliers.
-Launch new products and services.
-Live product demonstrations.
-Recruiting distributors or dealers.
-Educating your target audience
-Prospecting for new business.
-Support your other marketing efforts.
Benefits of exhibitions
Exhibiting should be part of a marketing strategy rather than used in isolation. Exhibitions are a powerful marketing tool they only last a few days in one location, and bring together thousands of exhibitors and potential customers. Exhibiting can have a number of unique benefits.
- They attract highly targeted buyers and decision makers
- Make a bigger impression than you really are
- Level the playing field with your big competitors
When you compare Exhibiting to other forms of marketing it can actually save you money.
- For More Exhibiting News Follow Us On Twitter
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Reasons to Exhibit
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Business Cards
A key part to exhibiting is lead generation. Normally this involves taking a business card then transfering the data to you PC. Business card scanner are becomming more popular. It makes the whole process much easier and quicker.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Product Demonstrations
Product demonstrations
Exhibitions and trade shows are the ideal occasion to launch new products and demonstrate them to your visitors. You spent a great deal of time and money on your stand to launch a new product how do you make sure the demonstration goes smoothly.
What are the main benefits of your product. What problem will it solve for your clients? Once you have established this how can you demonstrate this feature in 3 minutes or less? Come up with a few ideas then test them. Which works best? What will impress the customer the most but also be easily repeatable with the minimum chance of it going wrong.
You must have seen product demonstrations go wrong. It can happen but the best way to avoid it is keep the demonstration simple and test it over and over again before the show.
Once you’re at the show run through the demonstration again before visitors start to turn up. Also consider having a back up product, just in case!
The best demonstrations are appealing visually, simple and often hands on. Giving the prospect the chance to try the product themselves can be the deal clincher.
Problems can happen so have a contingency plan rather than struggling on. Planning Prevents Poor Performance!
Exhibitions and trade shows are the ideal occasion to launch new products and demonstrate them to your visitors. You spent a great deal of time and money on your stand to launch a new product how do you make sure the demonstration goes smoothly.
What are the main benefits of your product. What problem will it solve for your clients? Once you have established this how can you demonstrate this feature in 3 minutes or less? Come up with a few ideas then test them. Which works best? What will impress the customer the most but also be easily repeatable with the minimum chance of it going wrong.
You must have seen product demonstrations go wrong. It can happen but the best way to avoid it is keep the demonstration simple and test it over and over again before the show.
Once you’re at the show run through the demonstration again before visitors start to turn up. Also consider having a back up product, just in case!
The best demonstrations are appealing visually, simple and often hands on. Giving the prospect the chance to try the product themselves can be the deal clincher.
Problems can happen so have a contingency plan rather than struggling on. Planning Prevents Poor Performance!
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Plan your stand
How much space are you going to need or can you afford. Where's the best sport in the hall? What staff will you need. When deciding all these issues remember your goals. If you are selling products direct from the stand or doing demonstrations the look and feel will be very different to a corporate meet the buyers stand.
What type of exhibition equipment should you go for. A lot depends on budget. First choice is whether you go for a fully custom designed and built exhibition stand or a portable exhibition display. Much of what you could only previously achieve with a custom built exhibition stand can now be achieved for a fraction of the price using portable display system.
The advantages of portable display systems over custom built solutions are:
- Reduce capital cost Portable exhibition display systems are a fraction of the cost of custom built stand
- Your exhibition stand can be used in days rather than weeks.
- Try before you buy You can see and test the exhibition display equipment before you buy.
- Ease of transport.Portable display systems by their definition are design to pack up quickly and be easy to transport.
- Small and lightweight means cheaper shipping costs.
- Lightweight banners stands can be sent to a show by courier or even taken on aircraft.
- Most systems will fit in the boot of a car
- Installation, all systems are chosen for their ease of use. Even the most complex systems are simple to use after the first time and assembly instructions are included.
- Flexibility Choosing the right combinations of stands means you can use the same equipment time and time again regardless of the exhibition space you have available
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Use your web site to promote your show
Your web site is a great marketing tool for your show.
In no particular order:-
1. Tell people all about the show and why they should visit
2. Get them to register for a FREE ticket and capture their data for future use
3. Make a special show offer.
4. They have to register and get a voucher number to use on the stand to get a FREE.......
5. Post show, get them to order goods form a dedicated web page so you can look at the data to see if the exhibition was a success.
The page can be simple and quick to make. Use information and images from the show organizers web site. Make sure you take digital photos at the show to upload after the show.
If you go to several exhibitions each year list them with details to encourage visitors to bookmark and return.
In no particular order:-
1. Tell people all about the show and why they should visit
2. Get them to register for a FREE ticket and capture their data for future use
3. Make a special show offer.
4. They have to register and get a voucher number to use on the stand to get a FREE.......
5. Post show, get them to order goods form a dedicated web page so you can look at the data to see if the exhibition was a success.
The page can be simple and quick to make. Use information and images from the show organizers web site. Make sure you take digital photos at the show to upload after the show.
If you go to several exhibitions each year list them with details to encourage visitors to bookmark and return.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Which Trade shows are on?
Which shows are on? If your trying to decide on which show to attend you might find these sites usefull.
http://www.exhibitions.co.uk
Offers the comprehensive listing on all consumer & trade exhibitions held in major UK venues.
http://www.exporama.com/
Multi lingual site (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Turkish, Greek). Contains data on exhibitions worldwide..
http://www.exhibitions.com
Equips the user with detailed information about exhibitions, venues, organisers, exhibitors and suppliers throughout the world and in every industry sector.
www.eventseye.com
Free web source dedicated to key exhibitions and trade shows worldwide.
http://www.tsnn.co.uk
Contains data on more than 15,000 exhibitions and conferences and more than 30,000 seminars.
http://www.exhibitions.co.uk
Offers the comprehensive listing on all consumer & trade exhibitions held in major UK venues.
http://www.exporama.com/
Multi lingual site (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Turkish, Greek). Contains data on exhibitions worldwide..
http://www.exhibitions.com
Equips the user with detailed information about exhibitions, venues, organisers, exhibitors and suppliers throughout the world and in every industry sector.
www.eventseye.com
Free web source dedicated to key exhibitions and trade shows worldwide.
http://www.tsnn.co.uk
Contains data on more than 15,000 exhibitions and conferences and more than 30,000 seminars.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Questioning Tips
Getting people on your stand is just the first step. Now you need to win them over.
Here are some tips to improve your questioning and listening skills.
1. Spend 70% of the time listening and 30% of the time asking questions.
2. Ask ‘open questions’ – questions that cannot be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
3. Use questions that will uncover areas where your company can add value.
4. Use the ‘let’s pretend’ technique to get the prospect talk about their requirement.
5. Constantly evaluate and adjust your line of questioning during the show.
6. Respond with a compliment when the prospect asks a question
7. Don’t grill the prospect.
Contibuted by online exhibition stands
Here are some tips to improve your questioning and listening skills.
1. Spend 70% of the time listening and 30% of the time asking questions.
2. Ask ‘open questions’ – questions that cannot be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
3. Use questions that will uncover areas where your company can add value.
4. Use the ‘let’s pretend’ technique to get the prospect talk about their requirement.
5. Constantly evaluate and adjust your line of questioning during the show.
6. Respond with a compliment when the prospect asks a question
7. Don’t grill the prospect.
Contibuted by online exhibition stands
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Cost Of Exhibiting
Costs of Exhibiting
Space. usually charged by the square meter. Most exhibition venues offer space only, which is exactly that, or shell scheme. A shell scheme usually consists of a panel system on the stand perimeters, with a named headboard above the entrance. In theory, a shell scheme should enable you to turn up, hang a few graphics and get on with the show.
Stand Design. Can be very simple to extremely complex. Some exhibitors find it cheapest to do their own stand whilst many companies will employ a stand designer to gain maximum impact.
Stand Build. Again, whilst it is possible to create your own stand, many companies will employ a stand builder to build and breakdown the stand. Many companies offer a combined design and build service. Portable exhibition stands are very popular and a much cheaper alternative to custom built trade show stands.
Lighting and Electrics. Don’t forget, once the stand is built, you will need to provide power and light. These facilities are often controlled by the event organisers and can be costly.
Literature. Its all very well having a lovely brochure and literature, but be aware of the cost of handing them out at a show. You can get through huge numbers, and if they are given to the wrong people, that could prove very costly.
Transport. The whole stand, together with any literature, furniture and flooring as well as your products will need to be transported to and from the show.
Entrance tickets. Most exhibitions will allow a fixed number of tickets for the size of the stand, and if you need more for staff or invited guests, you may be asked to pay.
Staff. In addition to having to pay staff for longer hours, there are usually associated costs involved such as accommodation, food, travel and parking.
Catering. Whilst some exhibitors request their staff to feed themselves at the venues facilities, others may order in catering from the event organisers.
Insurance. Make sure you have adequate insurance, not only for your goods on display, but also liability insurance should anyone hurt themselves whilst on your stand.
Clear up costs. Make sure you take your rubbish and leftovers with you or you may well get charged.
Damage Cover. If your designated site is damaged in any way, such as marking the flooring or damaging the shell scheme panels, you are likely to receive an invoice for the repair.
Space. usually charged by the square meter. Most exhibition venues offer space only, which is exactly that, or shell scheme. A shell scheme usually consists of a panel system on the stand perimeters, with a named headboard above the entrance. In theory, a shell scheme should enable you to turn up, hang a few graphics and get on with the show.
Stand Design. Can be very simple to extremely complex. Some exhibitors find it cheapest to do their own stand whilst many companies will employ a stand designer to gain maximum impact.
Stand Build. Again, whilst it is possible to create your own stand, many companies will employ a stand builder to build and breakdown the stand. Many companies offer a combined design and build service. Portable exhibition stands are very popular and a much cheaper alternative to custom built trade show stands.
Lighting and Electrics. Don’t forget, once the stand is built, you will need to provide power and light. These facilities are often controlled by the event organisers and can be costly.
Literature. Its all very well having a lovely brochure and literature, but be aware of the cost of handing them out at a show. You can get through huge numbers, and if they are given to the wrong people, that could prove very costly.
Transport. The whole stand, together with any literature, furniture and flooring as well as your products will need to be transported to and from the show.
Entrance tickets. Most exhibitions will allow a fixed number of tickets for the size of the stand, and if you need more for staff or invited guests, you may be asked to pay.
Staff. In addition to having to pay staff for longer hours, there are usually associated costs involved such as accommodation, food, travel and parking.
Catering. Whilst some exhibitors request their staff to feed themselves at the venues facilities, others may order in catering from the event organisers.
Insurance. Make sure you have adequate insurance, not only for your goods on display, but also liability insurance should anyone hurt themselves whilst on your stand.
Clear up costs. Make sure you take your rubbish and leftovers with you or you may well get charged.
Damage Cover. If your designated site is damaged in any way, such as marking the flooring or damaging the shell scheme panels, you are likely to receive an invoice for the repair.
Friday, September 02, 2005
About Exhibition Graphics
Exhibition Graphics advice
You only have seconds to attract passers by at you trade show or exhibition. Exhibition graphics are the icing on the cake that can entice trade show visitors onto your stand rather than competitors.
Exhibition graphics have changed radically over the last few years with the advent of large format digital printing. With minimal set up costs large format digital printing means affordable one off full colour images.
Portable stand graphics
The type of exhibition graphics you choose depend on the type of stand you choose. If you book space only a good solution is to use banner stand or pop up stands that come complete with graphics. No need to take time fixing graphics to your stand the graphics roll up so the are easy to transport and protect.
Shell scheme / custom build graphics
For custom built stands or shell scheme walls the most popular graphics solution is to use full colour ink jet printes mounted onto a lightweight rigid board and overlaminted for protection. Often these graphics panels will be simply fitted to your stand using Velcro.
Headline graphic panels
You can now stand out from the crowd with big, bold visuals and a compelling message.
Think of you stand a bit like an advert. First off you need a headline. Since you only have a few seconds to get noticed and get your message across your headline exhibition graphics need to be compelling, concise (no more than 5 words as a rule of thumb). Combine this with a stunning image and you maximize the impact.
There is no point having a compelling exhibition graphic with impact if it canÂ’t be seen. Think carefully about where the headline graphics willappearr on you site. Make sure they are not going to be obscured by passing traffic or visitors to your stand. So high up and towards the front help. Banner stands are ideal for this since they are easily portable and take up little space so can be strategically place on your stand
Information graphics
Once you have enticed your potential customer onto your stand you need graphics that can keep them there with more information about your products and services. Depending on the size of your exhibition stand this can be in the form of exhibition graphics panels or roll up exhibition graphics that you attach to a shell scheme wall or a pop up exhibition stand. ideal for cxreating a stand backdrop
Most exhibition graphics are printed onto paper on large format digital printers then mounted onto rigid or flexible material then finished with a scratch and glare resistant laminated for added protection. Graphic panels would usually be attached to walls simply using Velcro and graphics for exhibition pop up stands use special hangers and magnets to fix to the frame.
You only have seconds to attract passers by at you trade show or exhibition. Exhibition graphics are the icing on the cake that can entice trade show visitors onto your stand rather than competitors.
Exhibition graphics have changed radically over the last few years with the advent of large format digital printing. With minimal set up costs large format digital printing means affordable one off full colour images.
Portable stand graphics
The type of exhibition graphics you choose depend on the type of stand you choose. If you book space only a good solution is to use banner stand or pop up stands that come complete with graphics. No need to take time fixing graphics to your stand the graphics roll up so the are easy to transport and protect.
Shell scheme / custom build graphics
For custom built stands or shell scheme walls the most popular graphics solution is to use full colour ink jet printes mounted onto a lightweight rigid board and overlaminted for protection. Often these graphics panels will be simply fitted to your stand using Velcro.
Headline graphic panels
You can now stand out from the crowd with big, bold visuals and a compelling message.
Think of you stand a bit like an advert. First off you need a headline. Since you only have a few seconds to get noticed and get your message across your headline exhibition graphics need to be compelling, concise (no more than 5 words as a rule of thumb). Combine this with a stunning image and you maximize the impact.
There is no point having a compelling exhibition graphic with impact if it canÂ’t be seen. Think carefully about where the headline graphics willappearr on you site. Make sure they are not going to be obscured by passing traffic or visitors to your stand. So high up and towards the front help. Banner stands are ideal for this since they are easily portable and take up little space so can be strategically place on your stand
Information graphics
Once you have enticed your potential customer onto your stand you need graphics that can keep them there with more information about your products and services. Depending on the size of your exhibition stand this can be in the form of exhibition graphics panels or roll up exhibition graphics that you attach to a shell scheme wall or a pop up exhibition stand. ideal for cxreating a stand backdrop
Most exhibition graphics are printed onto paper on large format digital printers then mounted onto rigid or flexible material then finished with a scratch and glare resistant laminated for added protection. Graphic panels would usually be attached to walls simply using Velcro and graphics for exhibition pop up stands use special hangers and magnets to fix to the frame.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Which show?
Which show Should I Attend?
To find out what shows are on visit http://www.exhibitions.co.uk or http://www.tsnn.co.uk
Check Out The Show History – have a look at their web site
Is it a show that regularly attracts large crowds?
Call up trade magazines who attend. What do they think of the show?
Will the show be adequately promoted to your potential customers?
Are your competitors attending?
Have vendors who have participated in the show in the past done well?
What has past attendance been?-
Are the same companies coming back from last year?
What is included in the cost?
What’s your breakeven?
Friday, August 26, 2005
Discount Displays: Exhibition stands & Banner display Stands, Pop Up Displays, Exhibition Graphics & PVC Banners UK
Cheap deals on exhibition stands and banner stand, pop up stands and exhibition displays. Discountdisplays UK exhibition systems & Accesories.Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Top Exhibiting Tips
I asked my client what their exhibition tips were.
The top 10 results
Exhibition tip 1. Planning Prevents Poor Performance
Exhibition tip 2. Wear the most comfortable shoes you own, not the best looking.
Exhibition tip 3. Keep mints in your pocket. Keep your breath fresh.
Exhibition tip 4. Use your web site before and after the show. Creat a page specifically promoting the show. How to get there who they can meet. Why they should visit, Book free tickets.......
Exhibition tip 5. Take an emergency Tool kit. Spare buinesscards, compliment slips, stapler, 4 or 5-way power lead, sticky tape, scissors, bluetack, superglue, Velcro, penknife, screwdriver (flat & crosshead), Folding Trolley, tie wraps.
Exhibition tip 6. Book your vital services early, especially hotel reservations and stand design.
Exhibition tip 7 - Digital camera is essential to record info for newsletters, web and your in-house magazine. Also ideal for collecting new ideas for next years show
Exhibition tip 8 - You only have seconds to attract attention. One of the most cost effective ways is with well designed exhibition graphics. They needen’t cost a fortune and can make the difference between some stopping or passing by.
Exhibition tip 9 - Keep an emailing list of interested parties so you can let them know of updates and significant milestones being reached.
Exhibition tip 10 - Stand up straight, look keen, smile!
If you've got any tips to help fellow visitors please let me know.
The top 10 results
Exhibition tip 1. Planning Prevents Poor Performance
Exhibition tip 2. Wear the most comfortable shoes you own, not the best looking.
Exhibition tip 3. Keep mints in your pocket. Keep your breath fresh.
Exhibition tip 4. Use your web site before and after the show. Creat a page specifically promoting the show. How to get there who they can meet. Why they should visit, Book free tickets.......
Exhibition tip 5. Take an emergency Tool kit. Spare buinesscards, compliment slips, stapler, 4 or 5-way power lead, sticky tape, scissors, bluetack, superglue, Velcro, penknife, screwdriver (flat & crosshead), Folding Trolley, tie wraps.
Exhibition tip 6. Book your vital services early, especially hotel reservations and stand design.
Exhibition tip 7 - Digital camera is essential to record info for newsletters, web and your in-house magazine. Also ideal for collecting new ideas for next years show
Exhibition tip 8 - You only have seconds to attract attention. One of the most cost effective ways is with well designed exhibition graphics. They needen’t cost a fortune and can make the difference between some stopping or passing by.
Exhibition tip 9 - Keep an emailing list of interested parties so you can let them know of updates and significant milestones being reached.
Exhibition tip 10 - Stand up straight, look keen, smile!
If you've got any tips to help fellow visitors please let me know.
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