I'm switching gears a bit this morning and going with a more passive article for all the equestrian lovers and those working in that arena. The upcoming show "Road to the Horse" might be of interest.
Shop ‘til you drop to your spurs, browse ‘til the cows come home. Road to the Horse Owner and Producer Tootie Bland (of Noodle, Texas) opens the doors to Murfreesboro, Tennessee’s Tennessee Miller Coliseum Friday March 2, 2007 for a night of horse-themed shopping open to the public and loaded with more than 140 booths.
Road to the Horse tickets not required; Shopping Extravaganza admission is free.“We’ve pumped up the shopping options—in volume and spectrum,” Bland says. “We have beautiful jewelry, Western art, high-end conversion trucks and trailers, custom hats, top western clothing, at least three trailer companies represented, horse health supplies--everything for the Western horse person.”
A Smash Hit Displays would love to assist a company based in equestrian business. We love animals and would relish the idea of creating trade show mural graphics based around that theme.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Ten Trade Show Exhibit Best Practices
Our author's article is a good read and valuable resource! Darrell asks, "Is now a good time to spend on a trade show exhibit?" Good question. The answer... 'of course'. Darrell goes on to say no matter the economic conditions or competitive landscape, there are many tactics businesses can use to ensure a winning trade show.
Listed below are three of ten best trade show exhibit tactics. Glean some valuable information and take a peak. In order to learn the remaining best practices read the remainder of his article.
1> Pick an offbeat show. Sometimes an unrelated show to your target market can be the best exposure opportunity.
2> Never exhibit at a new trade show. New trade shows are untested venues.
Focus on quality. Invest in shows that reach the key decision-makers of your target market.
3> Create a buzz. Advertise on a small budget.
A Smash Hit Displays often try to explain to our potential customers why trade shows aren't to be taken lightly. They should be respected like any other business endeavor. Doing your homework beforehand can maximize your trade show experiences. Would you like to maximize your trade show display or graphics? If so, please check out our website or call us for we would be happy to assist you create a display that blows away your competition.
Listed below are three of ten best trade show exhibit tactics. Glean some valuable information and take a peak. In order to learn the remaining best practices read the remainder of his article.
1> Pick an offbeat show. Sometimes an unrelated show to your target market can be the best exposure opportunity.
2> Never exhibit at a new trade show. New trade shows are untested venues.
Focus on quality. Invest in shows that reach the key decision-makers of your target market.
3> Create a buzz. Advertise on a small budget.
A Smash Hit Displays often try to explain to our potential customers why trade shows aren't to be taken lightly. They should be respected like any other business endeavor. Doing your homework beforehand can maximize your trade show experiences. Would you like to maximize your trade show display or graphics? If so, please check out our website or call us for we would be happy to assist you create a display that blows away your competition.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Avoiding the 10 most common meeting mistakes for trade shows
With the countless details meeting and event planners need to handle, there are bound to be mistakes made by even the most thorough planner. But, to lessen those mistakes our buddy, Susan Friemann, a.k.a. "The Tradeshow Coach, made a list of what she deemed the 10 most common blunders. Below are just a few from her list. In order to stay ahead of your competition and off of the hot seat, take the time to read the article in its entirity.
6. Failing to outline specifics in contracts.
7. Leaving important details to the last minute.
8. Failing to market your event It's really quite simple.
10. Leaving the planning to someone else.
A Smash Hit Displays know all too well what happens when any of the above-forementioned blunders occur. We've made our share in the past but learned that taking your time and making proper provisions enable a company to come out ahead more times than not.
Should you take the road most traveled then mistakes are bound to happen. It's up to you to curb those mistakes and that's why empowering the expertise of trade show experts will in the short and long term make your show(s) less stressful and more productful.
6. Failing to outline specifics in contracts.
7. Leaving important details to the last minute.
8. Failing to market your event It's really quite simple.
10. Leaving the planning to someone else.
A Smash Hit Displays know all too well what happens when any of the above-forementioned blunders occur. We've made our share in the past but learned that taking your time and making proper provisions enable a company to come out ahead more times than not.
Should you take the road most traveled then mistakes are bound to happen. It's up to you to curb those mistakes and that's why empowering the expertise of trade show experts will in the short and long term make your show(s) less stressful and more productful.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Technology fueling POS displays
Technology has transformed the traditional point-of-sale display to a state of the art marketing display. By utilizing radio-frequency ID tags and cell phone-manipulated digital signs, these point-of-sale marketing pieces can retailers information until now was available only by q-and-a.
The advanced technology is necessary for a retailer to stand out in an oversaturated marketing landscape.
Whether a retail establishment or a trade show presenter, it is incumbent to go interact and create a connection between you and your customer to bridge the media clutter with which they are bombarded. For as the article relates, if the space isn't working then its considered a bad customer experience. It's imperative to create experiences that 'Wow' customers.
A Smash Hit Displays try to 'wow' customers on a daily basis. Sometimes it is through the use of the latest industry technology and sometimes it is simply through the power of an eye-catching mural graphic. It's not always easy given some of our customer's situations. But, even those mired with the many obstacles have turned out to be fantastic attention getting displays of art... the 'wow' trade show booths. In order to own your own 'wow' display booth wrapped in a graphic worthy of eye-banging praise; simply call us. You will be amazed.
The advanced technology is necessary for a retailer to stand out in an oversaturated marketing landscape.
Whether a retail establishment or a trade show presenter, it is incumbent to go interact and create a connection between you and your customer to bridge the media clutter with which they are bombarded. For as the article relates, if the space isn't working then its considered a bad customer experience. It's imperative to create experiences that 'Wow' customers.
A Smash Hit Displays try to 'wow' customers on a daily basis. Sometimes it is through the use of the latest industry technology and sometimes it is simply through the power of an eye-catching mural graphic. It's not always easy given some of our customer's situations. But, even those mired with the many obstacles have turned out to be fantastic attention getting displays of art... the 'wow' trade show booths. In order to own your own 'wow' display booth wrapped in a graphic worthy of eye-banging praise; simply call us. You will be amazed.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Sales staff Fish for leads at trade shows
For those in the business unaware, Fish Software, a provider of interactive marketing software used at trade shows and consumer events, is adopting an ultrawide-band (UWB) real-time location system (RTLS) to help identify and track event attendees.
Yep you guessed it now you can track their every move from vendor-to-vendor-to-concession-to-bathroom. A bit much in my opinion but obviously there is a need for such software.
Until now, Fish accomplished this using tags. The tags were integrated into attendee badges. By reading the tags, interrogators deployed throughout the trade show floor, and at the entrances to conference session rooms, can track the movements and locations of attendees.
Yep you guessed it now you can track their every move from vendor-to-concession-area-to-vendor-to-bathroom. A bit much in my opinion but obviously it pays to track potential customers.
A Smash Hit Displays attempt to call back all leads pertaining to the trade show industry. Most times potential customers are extremely pleased to have someone track them down by phone. Note: If you take the time to pursue potential leads your business will burgeon.
Yep you guessed it now you can track their every move from vendor-to-vendor-to-concession-to-bathroom. A bit much in my opinion but obviously there is a need for such software.
Until now, Fish accomplished this using tags. The tags were integrated into attendee badges. By reading the tags, interrogators deployed throughout the trade show floor, and at the entrances to conference session rooms, can track the movements and locations of attendees.
Yep you guessed it now you can track their every move from vendor-to-concession-area-to-vendor-to-bathroom. A bit much in my opinion but obviously it pays to track potential customers.
A Smash Hit Displays attempt to call back all leads pertaining to the trade show industry. Most times potential customers are extremely pleased to have someone track them down by phone. Note: If you take the time to pursue potential leads your business will burgeon.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Trade Show Displays with a Woman's Touch
This one will appeal to all our Arizona Valley readers out there.
Susan Ratliff, president of Exhibit Experts in Phoenix, is involved in the Arizona Valley's big-money, high-stakes, ever-expanding arena of event marketing.
In 1993, Ratliff launched Exhibit Experts, with her first customer, the telecom company now known as Qwest, and the bank now known as Chase. She subscribes to the 'wow' factor," she said of her company's focus on providing everything, even training, for booth displays at trade shows and staffing.
A Smash Hit Displays believe in the 'wow' factor and often hear such a response from our customers as they view our graphic designs. Great pride is taken due to the top rate graphics that are produced not only to elicit 'wow' from our customers but from their future customers as well. Should you need graphic assistance that will 'wow' you and yours then look no further.
Susan Ratliff, president of Exhibit Experts in Phoenix, is involved in the Arizona Valley's big-money, high-stakes, ever-expanding arena of event marketing.
In 1993, Ratliff launched Exhibit Experts, with her first customer, the telecom company now known as Qwest, and the bank now known as Chase. She subscribes to the 'wow' factor," she said of her company's focus on providing everything, even training, for booth displays at trade shows and staffing.
A Smash Hit Displays believe in the 'wow' factor and often hear such a response from our customers as they view our graphic designs. Great pride is taken due to the top rate graphics that are produced not only to elicit 'wow' from our customers but from their future customers as well. Should you need graphic assistance that will 'wow' you and yours then look no further.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
PCs starting to show up in cars!
PCs for automobiles? For those of you who can't get enough information from your Blackberry handheld, you comes the option of supersizing your new ride with a personal computer. Three decades after they began appearing on desktops, PCs are showing up in vehicles.
Just as technology has moved forward in the automobile industry, so to has it moved the trade show industry forward. Just a few years back no one would have believed they'd see flat screens, flooring with internal lights or water fountains integrated into trade show displays. But, those are just a few of the technological advancements that have moved the traditional trade show display into the 21st century and beyond.
A Smash Hit Displays tries to pair customers with displays to best suit their needs. Sometimes those pairing include technologically advanced pieces to accent a booth. Should you require the latest in trade show products look no further. Stop and take a few moments to peruse our site.
Just as technology has moved forward in the automobile industry, so to has it moved the trade show industry forward. Just a few years back no one would have believed they'd see flat screens, flooring with internal lights or water fountains integrated into trade show displays. But, those are just a few of the technological advancements that have moved the traditional trade show display into the 21st century and beyond.
A Smash Hit Displays tries to pair customers with displays to best suit their needs. Sometimes those pairing include technologically advanced pieces to accent a booth. Should you require the latest in trade show products look no further. Stop and take a few moments to peruse our site.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Trade Show Attention Grabbers
As a vendor, when you participate in a trade show, you have to take steps to really make yourself stand out from the crowd. After all, you will be sharing floor space with hundreds of other companies, many of whom may be direct competitors.
There are many ways to attract attention on a crowded floor, of course. You can offer compelling giveaways, such as t-shirts (always popular), blinking buttons, bouncy superballs, and so forth.
For such attention look no further than the booth at the recent Macworld Exp, Code Weavers, makers of CrossOver Mac, were giving out wine bottle resealing caps. It took the author a minute to figure out the relationship, but it became obvious when he remembered that CrossOver Mac is built around Wine, which is the technology that makes the product possible.
The following article continues to show some fantastic booth ideas from that show that made an attention grabbing difference. But as happens some times, even with a companies' best efforts, it’s tough to stand out. That’s because the playing field has been effectively leveled—your booth, and all the rest, open up onto a common aisle through which everyone walks, comparing your offerings with that of your neighbors. One must work extra hard in such an environment to become noticed. That is unless you’re very creative.
A Smash Hit bestows its rather unique creativity on its customers. Business owners appreicate a point of view sometimes outside the box. "Why you ask", because as an owner you are constantly viewing your day-by-day duties from one particular point of view or similar points of view (including fellow associates). But as an independent, we view your business from a clean fresh vantage point and break it down to its bare essence. Most are extremely grateful and that's why we earn such a large portion of repeat business.
There are many ways to attract attention on a crowded floor, of course. You can offer compelling giveaways, such as t-shirts (always popular), blinking buttons, bouncy superballs, and so forth.
For such attention look no further than the booth at the recent Macworld Exp, Code Weavers, makers of CrossOver Mac, were giving out wine bottle resealing caps. It took the author a minute to figure out the relationship, but it became obvious when he remembered that CrossOver Mac is built around Wine, which is the technology that makes the product possible.
The following article continues to show some fantastic booth ideas from that show that made an attention grabbing difference. But as happens some times, even with a companies' best efforts, it’s tough to stand out. That’s because the playing field has been effectively leveled—your booth, and all the rest, open up onto a common aisle through which everyone walks, comparing your offerings with that of your neighbors. One must work extra hard in such an environment to become noticed. That is unless you’re very creative.
A Smash Hit bestows its rather unique creativity on its customers. Business owners appreicate a point of view sometimes outside the box. "Why you ask", because as an owner you are constantly viewing your day-by-day duties from one particular point of view or similar points of view (including fellow associates). But as an independent, we view your business from a clean fresh vantage point and break it down to its bare essence. Most are extremely grateful and that's why we earn such a large portion of repeat business.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Trade Shows are Big Bucks and Big Business
Don't let anyone ever convince you the trade shows industry is not 'big money'. Just take a gander at the attached article describing the huge expansion of the Peoria Civic Center.
Can you say, "55 million expansion"? That's the expected price tag once the extra 45,000 square feet of exhibit space is added.
Money you say, in the upper level there will be a new club room and ballroom that will fit 1,600 people for black tie dinners.
The entire project will be adding more than 200,000 square feet to the Civic Center.
A Smash Hit Displays will expand its product lines in order to stay ahead of its competition. Check out part of our $55 million expansion right now by browsing the following links; backlit displays, banner stands, flooring, just to name a few.
Can you say, "55 million expansion"? That's the expected price tag once the extra 45,000 square feet of exhibit space is added.
Money you say, in the upper level there will be a new club room and ballroom that will fit 1,600 people for black tie dinners.
The entire project will be adding more than 200,000 square feet to the Civic Center.
A Smash Hit Displays will expand its product lines in order to stay ahead of its competition. Check out part of our $55 million expansion right now by browsing the following links; backlit displays, banner stands, flooring, just to name a few.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Technology invigorates old school marketing
This isn't your typical trade show article but it enforces the idea that technology moves industries faster than most other external forces. How will technology change our industry? Where will we be in 10 years, 5 years or even 2 years? Take a gander. Chances are you've already seen a glimpse of what I referenced below.
They're large, rectangular and target consumers from high above the nation's roadways, but these are not your grandpappy's billboards.
Technology has morphed what used to be considered passive marketing/advertising into active in your face marketing. I present to you digital billboards. One of the oldest forms of outdoor advertising is undergoing a Renaissance if you will. Resembling ballpark jumbo video screens but scrolling through several static ads each minute, these bad boys are helping to draw advertisers attention back to the outdoor medium.
The computer-controlled LED displays allow advertisers to change their message as often as they'd like, unlike their vinyl predecessors, said Christopher Ensley, an analyst at Bear, Stearns & Co. in New York.
"I think that's what kind of changing the way outdoor is being used by advertisers," Ensley said.
Bill Ripp, director of Lamar Outdoor Advertising's digital billboard business, said the flexibility allows companies to place messages such as "sale ends tomorrow" or highlight specific prices that can be changed at any time.
"Billboards have traditionally been a reminder business," he said. "We do branding and 'turn left at this intersection' sort of stuff. This product allows advertisers to drive the message on a much more call-to-action or timing basis."
A Smash Hit Displays try to employ new technology in our everyday business to make our site as eye-banging as possible. It's vital to our livelihood that our site not only look good but rank well while being perceived as user-friendly. Quite a task but Even our graphic design has undergone major enhancements in the past year allowing our customers to be seen and heard above the rest. If you have upcoming shows and need to revamp your marketing/branding look for those shows... look no further. You would do yourself a huge service by taking a few moments to call us and peruse the site.
They're large, rectangular and target consumers from high above the nation's roadways, but these are not your grandpappy's billboards.
Technology has morphed what used to be considered passive marketing/advertising into active in your face marketing. I present to you digital billboards. One of the oldest forms of outdoor advertising is undergoing a Renaissance if you will. Resembling ballpark jumbo video screens but scrolling through several static ads each minute, these bad boys are helping to draw advertisers attention back to the outdoor medium.
The computer-controlled LED displays allow advertisers to change their message as often as they'd like, unlike their vinyl predecessors, said Christopher Ensley, an analyst at Bear, Stearns & Co. in New York.
"I think that's what kind of changing the way outdoor is being used by advertisers," Ensley said.
Bill Ripp, director of Lamar Outdoor Advertising's digital billboard business, said the flexibility allows companies to place messages such as "sale ends tomorrow" or highlight specific prices that can be changed at any time.
"Billboards have traditionally been a reminder business," he said. "We do branding and 'turn left at this intersection' sort of stuff. This product allows advertisers to drive the message on a much more call-to-action or timing basis."
A Smash Hit Displays try to employ new technology in our everyday business to make our site as eye-banging as possible. It's vital to our livelihood that our site not only look good but rank well while being perceived as user-friendly. Quite a task but Even our graphic design has undergone major enhancements in the past year allowing our customers to be seen and heard above the rest. If you have upcoming shows and need to revamp your marketing/branding look for those shows... look no further. You would do yourself a huge service by taking a few moments to call us and peruse the site.
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