The New Trade Show Season

Happy New Year!

Another year has passed and new Trade Show season is getting ready to hit us full throttle. As I have mentioned in recent blogs it very important to give lead time when ordering trade show exhibits during the busy season. Although many of the classic displays are still for sale, 2008 will bring an entire line of new products for Smash Hit Displays.

Our newest products include the Alumalite and NLine Displays Systems. We also offer a wide variety of trade show flooring and we are getting ready add more. We will soon offer an eco friendly section of our web page in order to give customers environmentally friendly options. We are also going to begin specializing in custom displays that can be made in any arrangement possible.

The New Year will be very exciting in the trade show industry and should be very productive for all people in the Trade Show Industry. Stay current with trade show news and products by visiting this blog and SmashHitDisplays.com!

Preparing for a Successful Show

After reading an article on marketingtoday.com, I realized how many customers forget about the most important aspect of their trade show, the message of the company. When it gets busy and people are in a rush to pick out a trade show display they loose site of the goal of the trade show. It is important when selecting trade show exhibits to keep in mind what the company intends to accomplish at the show.

The first step is to look at the companies marketing strategy and the intended market segment. If the company is marketing to the baby-boomer crowd then it might be a waste of company resources to incorporate laptops and high-tech electronics into the display if it does not benefit the customer. However if the company is a high-tech graphic design firm then it might be helpful to select a display with the appropriate design for laptops and electronics.

The article below is a very simple 10 step checklist to prepare for a successful trade show. At Smash Hit Displays we stay current on all trade news in order to give our customers the most accurate and helpful information possible to be successful in the trade show industry.

http://www.marketingtoday.com/shows/0105/trade_show_mistakes.htm

Trade Show Promotions

In a recent article by Mark Yokoyama it mentions how to promote a company brand at trade shows. The article makes reference to “green” companies who want to create a wholesome image but the concept can apply to anyone who has a trade show display.
Green companies can create promotions such as handing out solar powered devices or packets of seeds with company logos on them. This concept can apply to any company for any product. It is always important to make sure the promotional campaign that is being used will benefit the company and the message of the product.

Today more and more companies are steering away from the typical paper handouts to more exciting and innovative marketing. Hand outs such as puzzles, pens, and flashlights are few ideas that marketers have used in order to get people to use a promotional tool with the companies name on it. Another useful tool at shows is to use graphic design on the display. The design team at Smash Hit Displays uses simple, eye-catching designs to grab the client’s attention, but not overloading them with information.

Always keep the display simple and choose unique ways to capture a customers attention. The trade show industry is very competitive and it’s important to stand out in the crowd. Please visit our site and check out our new Alumalite and NLine display systems. Also view our Truss Systems which are a show stopper.

Matt
Smash Hit Displays, LLC

http://ezinearticles.com/?Reduce-Trade-Show-Waste-With-Environmentally-Friendly-Eco-Swag&id=687785

Trade Shows Go Green?

Recently “Going Green” has seemed to be the newest fad, but as time passes it is becoming a lifestyle for many Americans, at Smash Hit Displays we are committed to helping the environment whenever possible. We are striving to be part of the solution which is why we are adding an eco-friendly section on our web site. This will include all products that are made from recycled or recyclable materials.

In a recent article I read the EPA listed the tradeshow industry the second most wasteful industry in the United States, second only to the construction industry. This is an alarming fact and it is apparent a change needs to be made. By offering an eco-friendly section we are hoping to address a problem and put steps in motion to start solving it.

The Green section is still in the works but in the meantime one our manufacturers have switched their fabric material to 60% recycled fibers. The products include Entasi and Allure. Please continue to visit out site and check for all of our new products but more importantly the eco-friendly page. The newest additions to our site are the Alumalite and NLine Displays. Thank You for choosing Smash Hit Displays!

http://www.tradeshowweek.com/article/CA6509827.html?q=green

Positive Attitude and Trade Shows

This is my first blog post for Smash Hit Displays, LLC. We recently purchased the company from Evan and Erik and hope to maintain as good of service as them. I am taking over Eric’s blog in order to continue providing useful information relating to SmashHitDisplays.com

Today I am going to comment on the article “Blow Your Own Horn” by Susan Ward. Her article is basically referring to self marketing and advertising. Her main point is that word of mouth and a positive image among people is one of the best ways to market a product or an idea.

In my own personal experience this is a very true statement. A positive attitude can promote your business and your image more than any type of advertising. Every company I worked with in the past had a great customer service image. I could not count how many times I have been told “Thank you for being so helpful” or “I heard you guys a great to deal with so I would like to order from you”. Most people in most situations will spend extra money or go the extra mile for a vendor who is courteous and makes them feel important.

Susan also explains that people are generally drawn to other successful people. That doesn’t mean going around and telling your customers that you just bought a BMW and are going to Hawaii. It means being enthusiastic about your position in life and being happy with what you are doing. Success is only measured ones self. It doesn’t matter how much money you make or what objects you may possess. In general people are going to be more drawn to a business owner who is happy and proud of what they are doing, than a business owner who is only concerned about making money and is miserable at their job.

This brings me back to trade show displays. Trade shows are not about having the greatest display and the greatest product ever produced. It’s about being positive and getting your name out in the marketplace. At Smash Hit Displays we will always make sure you get the best display for your money, so the only thing you have to do is sell the product.

Our show displays company, Smash Hit Displays, understands what it takes to attend and successfully complete a trade show. For all those ins and outs relating to your next show give the trade show experts a call. We can also accent your booth space with the latest and greatest in tradeshow pop up booths, trade show booth truss, or Burst displays plus tradeshow booth graphics.

-Matt

Why Do Trade Shows?

We can all agree that exhibiting at trade shows offers one of the better ways to get in front of many customers and prospects in a short period of time. Trade shows offer the opportunity to display your product and service, while at the same time also creating that all important first impression.

At a typical national trade show, with 10,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors, you can see and meet as many as 200 visitors per day. That number couldn’t be attempted if you were making sales calls. Granted, the time with each visitor isn’t what what’d you would desire, but it opens the door for future communication… a door that sometimes is very difficult to get your foot into.

But before you start looking for shows, you need to set your goals. To help you do this, there are four questions you need to ask yourself:

1. Why are you exhibiting?

2. Who is your target audience?

3. What is the message you want to convey?

4. What do you want to get out of the show?

Our show displays company, A Smash Hit Displays, understands what it takes to attend and successfully complete a trade show. For all those ins and outs relating to your next show give the trade show experts a call. We can also accent your booth space with the latest and greatest in tradeshow pop up booths, trade show booth truss, or Burst displays plus tradeshow booth graphics.

What to expect from a top flight trade show company

We can all tend to agree in order to attain new business from your next trade show, you would like to have a show-stopping, visually arresting and business producing trade show display, right?

But in order to attain that visually striking display you must seek out and search for a reputable trade show display vendor or distributor. Finding them is not the issue for there is a litany of suitors. The issue will be finding one that has knowledgeable people to: answer your call, take time to assimilate which display (stand up banner, tabletop pop up exhibit, portable folding booth, or exhibit truss) might best suit your immediate needs, figure out a strategic branding campaign (trade show signage), and generally act as a guide to lead you through the myriad of trade show information out there.

A Smash Hit Displays’ people possess the skill set described above who will answer the phone and listen to your needs and make your trade show booth designs come to life! They will then process that information and formulate a plan to place you with the display and graphics that will achieve the outcome you desire.

What if you miss a trade show deadline?

Are you a procrastinator? If so, then don’t be too alarmed for you have mucho slack from most trade show exhibitors. Just keep in mind it might cost you to miss a deadline.

It's amazing how deadlines always creep up on us and pass us bye. With trade shows, missed deadlines aren't always a catastrophe. You'll just have to pay more for the service if you sign up after the designated time and possibly even more should you wait till the day of your show.

On the flip side, should you beat the deadlines, there are early-bird discounts or prepayment discounts. So red flag all of those so you know you can eliminate early. Also, be aware of the convention centers that require union labor. Usually, for those locations, if your booth requires any tools, then union labor must be utilized. Should you be one of the lucky ones and have a portable display such as a fabric banner stand, tabletop pop up exhibit, or a panel trade show exhibit, you won’t have to deal with the union imposition. Be sure and check the requirements because each show is different. It’s always better to study more than less for such an investment!

Used trade show displays

For those of you looking to purchase a trade show pop up booth, you might be better off looking at used displays as opposed to new ones. Taking that thought a step further; you might even feel more comfortable renting a display. Renting alleviates the need to store a display and pay for shipping to and fro to each show. But, you must keep in mind if you rent more than once that cost would have paid for a new display. So, there is a trade off of sorts and it just depends on what is most important at that time.

Whether renting or buying used displays, make sure your graphics are eye catching. The display is important because it gives you a professional looking backdrop but that’s only half of the equation. In order to add flavor and complete your display area you must add some sort of graphics. With graphics keep in mind less is more. You want to grab potential customer’s attention and you must try and imagine what your customers would consider viewing that would attract them to your booth space.

Remember your graphics need to be eye catching to the point it holds the customer’s attention. Great displays should have features like custom trade show graphics, versatility, flexibility, and should be easy to assemble. The representatives at Smash Hit Displays are experts who can assist you with your decision making process when it comes to your tradeshow equipment needs. Whether you decide to rent or purchase a used display, make sure you know all the pros and cons associated.

Training your booth staffers

If you want a quick to-do on how to train your booth staffers then this article is right up your alley.

For those who have exhibited previously you know one of the most important ways to ensure a truly successful exhibiting experience is the proper training of your booth staff.

Our author informs us your staff accounts for 90% of the "positive feelings" show attendees have about the show and your company. That number makes those representatives a substantial investment. Trade show attendees attend to become better informed about products and services they need. So they expect your booth staff to be knowledgeable and have the answers to their questions.

It's not enough to send your top sales reps and hope for the best. Engaging a trade show attendee takes a different approach than a typical sales call. You have to engage the attendee quickly and in a way that pulls them into a conversation. Simply saying "Hi. How are you today?" opens up the opportunity for the show attendee to say "fine" and keep on walking. You don’t have the time for small talk. All words should be focused and succinct and meant to engage the attendee to learn whether they are or are not a viable potential customer.

Our author offers a few steps your booth staff will progress through during the course of the show. The first is called appropriately “The First Cut”.

As mentioned previously, you want to send your "people-oriented" representatives, as well as those who know the most about your company. You should also look for enthusiastic, high-energy representatives who have a naturally positive attitude and an air of confidence. Because a large part of any type of sales presentation includes an element of consulting, your selected representatives must also be good listeners. For in order to address questions with viable answers your sales reps must hear what an attendee is saying or most importantly asking.

The second stage is “Sending the Message”.

Part of your show planning process is setting objectives. Realize what is going to be most important at that show. Do you want to take orders, build your brand awareness or introduce new products and gather leads?

Whatever your goals may be, make sure your booth staff understands exactly what they are beforehand. Arm them with “your” message(s). Empower them with information about your competition and your competitive advantages.

Remember the better organized and focused you and your staff are before the show the better your response from the attendees and possible future customers. A Smash Hit Displays love to consult for those customers willing to listen but we realize sometimes there is little time to speak during the day. Please consult our trade show tips and articles pages as you will most assuredly find some articles to better prepare you and your staff for upcoming shows. Always remember, we are here as a resource willing and able to set you above your competition when it comes to that all-important trade show!