The five major trade show exhibit mistakes to avoid are:

1. Picking the Wrong Show to Exhibit In

By being distracted by an overly hectic work schedule and being short staffed and overworked, hastily made trade show decisions to exhibit in an upcoming trade show can backfire. Because you were unable to put the proper amount of time in to analyze who would be attending and exhibiting in the trade show, you wound up with the wrong
targeted audience. Without doing the proper research to learn about the qualifications of the trade show attendees and how they match up with your marketing goals, you are subject to missing your target and having an unrewarding trade show experience.

2. Selecting the Wrong Location For your trade show display

If you wait until the last minute to decide on exhibiting in a trade show, you may have to put up with a less than ideal location– behind a pole, at the end of a dead-end aisle, near loading docks, close to freight doors and ceiling water pipes or in a very dark corner. You may be relegated to a site far from the industry leaders, main attractions, guest services, entrances, exits, escalators, elevators, stairs, windows and seminar sites.

3. Having a vanilla-type trade show booth with no intrigue or style

Just imagine a line forming at the trade show exhibit next to yours where there are compelling, dramatic displays with lots of attractions, audios and interactive activity on their website, sensational giveaways and prizes, fresh brewed coffee and hot buns, dancing acrobats and an oversized TV screen with a luxurious lounge for the foot weary trade show attendee. Then imagine your trade show booth with nothing but a drape. Guess who gets the traffic.

4. Having your trade show booth staff poorly matched with your qualified prospects.
If you are attending a trade show that attracts primarily engineers, your trade show exhibit staff should be comprised of engineers who will be able to communicate with its audience in an informative, intelligent way. It’s that simple.

5. Allowing your trade show booth staff to waste time by talking to unqualified prospects. The key is to identify and classify hot prospects and the products and services they are interested in buying. There are new, sophisticated software packages that allow you to identify a half dozen weighted multiple choice questions in advance that will determine how viable a client prospect is. If you do not identify the hot leads and filter out those who are not qualified, then your trade show exhibit staff will only be spinning their wheels. They will spend unproductive time by talking to prospects that do not have the budget, who will be unable to meet a specific time frame and who do not have the ability or authority to purchase your product.

Remember, by avoiding the major pitfalls of novice trade show exhibitors, your trade show display experience will be able to stay on track and you will have a successful trade show exhibiting experience. This applies whether you have a custom trade show exhibit, a custom modular trade show display or a trade show booth rental. It also applies wherever you exhibit–be it the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland, the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the Santa Clara Convention Center or the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with showroom in Sacramento. Firm is full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. http://www.proexhibits.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Wheeler

Although unforeseen events such as a major winter blizzard can cause havoc with your trade show delivery schedule and budgeting, it is always best to minimize your chances for error by picking the right professional transportation company. If you want your trade show booth to arrive in good condition, on time and within your budgeted allowance, you need to be informed on how to pick the right freight handler and transportation company.

You can take control of your trade show booth’s destiny by becoming fully informed.
Bad weather, causing flight delays at certain times of the year, is a concern beyond your control. But just like you can reclaim lost luggage from an airliner if you have your name tag on it, you have a better chance of finding a lost or misplaced trade show booth element if, for example, you labeled every part of your trade show display in advance.

Although GPS technology has been a boon to tracking trade show booths, it can’t find what is not labeled. And, since there are so many different people handing the shipment of a trade show booth, there is no guarantee that your trade show exhibit will arrive safely on the other end. You can, however, improve your odds of success by taking steps to insure your trade show display’s safe journey. Thus, the first step is to find an experienced trade show specific carrier.

George Poppe of National Transportation in El Segundo, California, offers the following tips on what to look for in a trade show freight carrier. They are:

1. Make sure your transportation company records all of your trade show exhibit information, such as destination, schedule, weight, number of pieces, and exact dimensions of your pieces. This detailed information not only determines the cost of transporting your trade show booth to the exhibit site but also drayage costs (what the unions charge to deliver your booth from the loading dock onto and off the trade show floor)

2. Look for a freight carrier that has a good rapport with the unions so
your trade show exhibit will be in reliable hands. You are better able to avoid unnecessary charges if your transportation carrier deals regularly with the trade show conference hall unions. Your carrier benefits from knowing the industry venues well–whether they be the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland, the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the Santa Clara Convention Center or the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

3. Look for a transportation company that handles a large volume of trade show business. You can get price breaks if your cargo company has multiple or less than truck load shipments to a convention site. An example of what can happen is the recent Semicon West 2006 Convention at Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco July 11 -13th.

Poppe reported that, due to the popularity of this show, his National Transportation Company had to wait in the marshalling yard for 11 hours before delivery at the unloading dock. Because he had 3 trucks and multiple shipments, he was able to waive the waiting charge fees which would normally be charged. A less experienced trucker most likely would pass along these charges to the trade show exhibitor. Marshal yard fees range anywhere from $45 – $85 hour.

4. Select a trade show freight company that has first class communication capability. Check to see if they offer 24/7 contact with a live person, since trade shows are not a 9 to 5 business. Also make sure you give them contact names and cell phone numbers of your exhibitor reps on the trade show floor. Check to see if the freight company has the capability of sending Internet air bills and bill of ladings in case an air bill is lost and you need a duplicate copy immediately.

Poppe suggests that once you select your freight company, you should ship 7 – 10 days ahead of your targeted move in date in order to avoid late penalties. And be sure to also communicate your trade show exhibit details with the company you select to do your trade show installation and dismantling. It’s really all about communicating.

Remember, do your homework in advance and know what you can do to avoid major mishaps of shipping your trade show booth. By picking an experienced freight company, you can minimize your exposure to mislaid or damaged trade show booth components and budget cost overruns.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with a showroom in Sacramento. Firm is full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. http://www.proexhibits.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Wheeler

1. Consider renting a trade show booth rather than buying one.
Renting a trade show exhibit applies only if you are planning a one time or occasional trade show appearance or if you have a simultaneous trade show in another part of the country that conflicts with your exhibit schedule. It does not make economic sense to rent a trade show display if you plan to exhibit more than three times in a given year. Be sure to rent a booth that will fit into the size of the exhibit space. Renting will save you not only on trade show booth construction costs but also the expense of warehousing your display after the trade show is over.

2. Upgrade your existing trade show booth. If you choose not to rent, you can upgrade your older booth by changing its graphics, relaminating color panels, and redesigning structural elements. This is a much more cost-effective way than starting from scratch.

3. Invest in a pre-owned trade show display. If you do not already have an existing trade show exhibit booth to upgrade, you can find pre-owned trade show exhibits that are greatly reduced from their original cost. Many trade show exhibit houses offer top quality pre-owned exhibits that are well maintained and easily adaptable to new signage, often affording reductions in exhibit design time and construction costs by more than half. You also have options on size, design, scope and price similar to trade show booth rentals with a variety of style and dimension options. Perhaps with little more than a customized graphics upgrade your trade show exhibit can be “out the door and on the floor” in a matter of weeks.

4. Consider a lightweight trade show exhibit. A lightweight exhibit will reduce operating costs such as freight, drayage, and storage. Select a trade show display that packs easily and is uncomplicated to install and dismantle. A custom modular or custom portable trade show exhibit can have the look of a custom exhibit, while reducing operating costs by 50 to 90 percent.

5. Pack extra supplies. When your installation and dismantle company installs your exhibit at your trade show, you’ll find that emergency repairs and materials replacements often are costly. So keep a backup supply box filled with items that may need to be replenished at the trade show. Include power cords, tools, light bulbs, Velcro, scissors and duct tape.

6. Plan well in advance. This will help you avoid unnecessary rush charges from not scheduling adequate lead time for the trade show display’s graphic design and production requirements.

7. Set up the trade show display during pre-show week days. Avoid costly weekend and overtime labor costs on the trade show floor. Early trade show booth assembly also helps you to avoid last minute glitches that run up the tab.

8. Understand trade show services. You will frequently require supplemental assistance from trade show services at the trade show exhibit hall. These are representatives and union laborers who provide such support services as installation and dismantling, carpeting, furniture, lighting, phones, drayage and security. If you are aware of the nuances of these charges for trade show services and plan in advance you can save money while avoiding numerous pitfalls.

Experience is the best teacher in keeping trade show exhibit costs under control. If your display team has limited know-how, tap into the wealth of knowledge available from the staff of a reputable trade show exhibit house. Also do your research on trade show exhibit company websites for industry insider tips.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. His firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. Go to http://www.proexhibits.com for more information on excellent full service trade show display, graphics and management services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Wheeler

The process starts with the obvious: selecting the right trade shows to attend; designing a high quality exhibit booth to properly portray your company; and arranging to get the trade show display to the exhibit floor on time.

Your trade show exhibit builder has the expertise to help you make your event a success. But it can often be any one of the following pesky details relating to trade show services, which, if overlooked, can undermine an otherwise well-planned trade show experience.

Here are ten key recommendations from “Tips & Techniques for Exhibiting Success” by Nomadic Display:

1. Study the exhibitor service manual. The manual is the key to what you need to know about each trade show. As every show has its own set of rules, regulations and deadlines, carefully examine the manual’s information. Read the fine print in exhibitor instructions, delivery information and trade show services contracts. Complete the required registration and services order forms accurately and retain copies for future reference.

2. Make a list of all the trade show services you need. If you plan for your display requirements and order well in advance, you will avoid those costly last minute services that can play havoc with your trade show budget. Make decisions about the extra utilities you need, as well as carpeting, furniture, cleaning and security.

3. Understand the trade show floor plan. Analyze the exhibit hall floor plan and your booth location in respect to traffic flow and proximity to food courts, service entrances and sound system equipment. Examine plan specifications, however small, indicating ceiling heights, pillar locations, even heating and air conditioning ducting.

4. Identify utility sources. Contact the exhibit builder to determine how much electrical power you will need for your display. Always make provisions for backup utilities to guarantee that your power-driven components will function dependably. Check the trade show floor plan to find out where the utility ports are located with relation to your space.

5. Understand drayage. Drayage involves delivering your display materials from the loading dock to their assigned space, removing empty crates, returning the crates at the end of the show and transporting the re-crated materials back to the dock.
Save money by consolidating all equipment and containers as part of one single shipment.

6. Arrange for adequate carpeting. Install your utilities first before laying the carpet to reduce the number of carpet cuts for electrical outlets. Remember to order enough carpet to cover the bare concrete strip between the display and the aisle. Order a decent quality carpet and underlayment. Your trade show booth staff’s feet will appreciate it at the end of the day.

7. Allow extra time for customs if your company is shipping an exhibit overseas. You need the correct documentation for your container contents, which may be opened and inspected at a port of entry. Use a reliable custom house broker or freight forwarder to coordinate arrangements and keep you posted as to the progress of your shipment.

8. Get to know your trade show services representatives. These are the folks employed by the exhibition organization who are paid to be helpful contacts for exhibitors. They can be of great value to you by fielding your questions and finding ready solutions to any problems you encounter at the trade show.

9. Know how best to work with union labor. As union rules differ in each city, be sure to read the showplace manual to learn what union rules, regulations and charges apply. If you have questions, contact the trade show management or the
service contractor. Consider engaging your trade show exhibit display house to provide installation supervision in order to arrange for a problem-free setup.

10. Bring all important trade show related files, contracts and paperwork to the trade show. This includes copies of trade show floor plans, exhibit installation service orders, tracking documents for all shipments, contact names, phone, fax and email numbers.

Remember that attention to the myriad details of trade show planning and execution can make or break your trade show appearance. It is important that you are familiar with the trade show rules. Call upon the expertise of your exhibit builder and show services representatives to help you have a successful and seamless trade show experience.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. He has over 20 years experience in sales and marketing and has won numerous awards. His firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company with showrooms in Sacramento and Sunnyvale, California. Go to http://www.proexhibits.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Wheeler

Think of your trade show display as the grand launch of your most valued
new product or business service. Give customer prospects your best look and greet them with your most competent sales staff.

Here are the tips on how to succeed at your next trade show:

Pick the Right Shows – Select the trade shows that your targeted market prospects and competitors attend. Check out trade show directories on the Web. Get statistics for show attendance and a profile of attendees. Talk to former exhibitors about their
trade show experience at the shows you select.

Plan Ahead -Determine the space size and dimensions of your trade show booth. Reserve a good location early for your booth by studying the floor plan. Avoid dead-end aisles, freight doors, poorly lit corners, obtrusive columns. Attendees usually turn right when they first enter the trade show exhibit hall and they look up so be sure to make your booth visible with dramatic overhead signage. Once you nail down your trade show booth number on the show management map, be aware of any booth rules and regulations that apply such as height limitations and any obstructions on show floor before planning your booth design.

Allow enough time to select, design and build a trade show display and take advantage of early show services discounts. You will be able to avoid costly rush charges and you are better able to insure against glitches. Identify the date of the trade show and also the move in date for your trade show display.

Set Objectives For Lead Development – Set trade show exhibit goals to reinforce your overall marketing objectives. Make sure the goals are reasonable and attainable, share them with your trade show exhibit team and set up systems to measure your results and validate your objectives.

Accurately qualify and measure your Return On Investment. There are software packages that allow you to identify a half dozen weighted multiple choice questions in advance that will determine how viable a client prospect is. You need to identify buyers, filter out those who are not qualified, and measure results. Rank your prospects as ” A” (highly qualified), ” B” (somewhat qualified), or “C” (poorly qualified) prospect. Have your sales force follow up on “A” leads immediately. Measure the results of these leads in stages from the number and dollar amount of proposals made to monies received from actual sales.

Build a Dramatic Display – Before deciding on what type of trade show booth you need, determine your space size requirements and determine the number of trade shows you will be exhibiting in the next 12 months. This information will help you decide whether to buy vs. rent. If you buy, there are three categories of trade show booths: custom, custom modular, and portable. Check out advantages and disadvantages of each. Light weight materials are less expensive to operate than the traditional all- wood displays. Use tension fabrics, woods, colored metal, layered graphics that use fewer shipping containers, have a current design trend look, and save on operating costs. Older traditional trade show exhibit booths can be obsolete because they are expensive to handle due to heavy weight, require larger size and number of crates to ship, and they are not consistent with current design trends.

Build Traffic by Being Creative- Start with a dramatic, attention-getting hanging sign. Upon entering the trade show exhibit hall the first thing attendees do is look up -Your overhead sign should have a unique design, shape and movement to it. Gobo lights traveling across a tension fabric can provide changing color and mesmerizing interest. New technologies bring high drama to your booth such as 3D video/laser image displays suspended above, your own interactive Website on large screen, robotics, holographics, waterscreen projections. Take advantage of your trade show exhibit supplier’s expertise on graphics, portability and cost management.

Recruit the Right Booth Staff – Although the sales function of your firm is usually fundamental to trade show exhibit booth staffing, you’ll want to make sure that you have representatives who match up well with the positions of those who visit your booth.
If engineers visit your booth engage them with your engineer personnel. Also, make sure your staff knows how to engage, identify and qualify attendees as important leads, and dismiss those who are not key business prospects.

Send Pre-Show Notices to Attendees – Trade show exhibit surveys report that three quarters of show attendees make out their schedule for exhibit visits and seminar attendance in advance. Set up meetings with clients, prospects, and press ahead of time. Contact them months ahead through direct mail, email and personal phone calls. Give them your trade show booth number and location and have an incentive at your booth that will be of value to them. Link your incentive to a direct prospect benefit and make it redeemable only by visiting your trade show exhibit. One example is to cut a numbered gift certificate in two and send half of it in advance and have the remaining half available only at your booth.

Understand Show Services – You will need to have supplemental assistance from show services at the trade show exhibit hall. These are representatives and union laborers who provide a range of support services which include installation and dismantling, carpeting, furniture, lighting, phones, drayage and security. If you are aware of the nuances of these services and plan in advance you can save money while avoiding numerous pitfalls.

Control Costs – Consider weight when buying a trade show display. You save substantially on trade show exhibits using lightweight materials that reduce the size and number of shipping crates.

Follow Up Immediately -The hard work doesn’t end when the show closes – this is when you have to diligently follow up on all those sales leads. It’s best to respond to your top level ” A” prospects immediately after the show. After the “A” prospects are all contacted, go on to the “B” level prospects. Be sure to have a well-planned strategy to close sales with these prospects. Tradeshow industry research shows that sales leads from a tradeshow are closed in half the time and at almost half the cost as leads from other sources.

Dick Wheeler, is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics ,and management services company. Go to http://www.proexhibits.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Wheeler

Hidden costs show up in three general areas – one upfront and two long term. They are (1) the initial purchase, (2) long term shipping costs, and (3) maintenance and updating costs. Understanding these hidden costs is critical to avoiding them when you purchase your next trade show display.

1) Upfront Costs When Buying Trade Show Displays.

In the past, your local display dealer had a monopoly on selling trade show displays, and one could see this in the price. If your town only had one dealer, prices would be even higher. But now with the internet and on-line shopping, one can buy trade show displays off the web, often directly from the manufacturer, and bypass the local dealer and his markup. Even better, multiple trade show display companies are selling on the internet, and the resulting competition has driven prices down even more. Trade show display prices have dropped over 50% in the last ten years. Due to the internet, there is now an even wider selection of types of trade show displays to select from. Your local trade show display dealer showroom is still a good place to see the various styles of displays and get ideas, but unless your dealer will negotiate and offer a fair and reasonable price, I suggest purchasing your next trade show display on-line.

Search Google for the the phrase “trade show displays”. You may be surprised at the number of trade show display companies you see (6,170,000 listings at last count, but fortunately not all of them are trade show display companies!). The resulting fierce competition is a good thing for you. Some of the trade show display companies you will find on the internet also offer easy on-line ordering for their displays – no calling a sales person – just point, click, and purchase. When you buy a trade show display on the internet (or locally for that matter), it’s important to determine the true cost of the display. The following are some points to to consider.

CHEAP DISPLAYS – There are some downright cheap displays available, but the sayings “if it sounds too good to be true…” and “you get what you pay for” are just as true today as ever. Cheap displays tend to be low quality imported displays, and should be avoided. Your trade show display is a critical tool for your trade show exhibiting success, and you don’t want to be dealing with a broken or non-functional display at your show. You also don’t want fraying or wobbling display in the background of your trade show booth creating the image of your company (first impressions do matter!). Don’t buy cheap displays!

OVERPRICED DISPLAYS – There are also some companies out there selling the exact same specifications and quality of trade show displays for more than others. The great thing about the internet is that you can determine the display you want to get, check the specifications and features, and then comparison shop to find the best price.

PRODUCT QUALITY – You need to make sure that you are getting a trade show display that will get the job done. You need a display that will set you apart at the trade show, insuring more booth traffic and more business for your company. You also want a display that will be reliable. Several trade show display companies now offer lifetime warranties on their display frames.

COMPANY RELIABLITY – It’s important to buy from a reliable trade show display company that can back up their product. Many companies now post customer testimonials and reviews on their website, which are a must-read to judge the company. Many companies also offer toll-free 800 numbers, indicating that you’ll be able to get in touch with them if you have a problem. You will probably want to update your display down the road, and you’ll certainly want a reliable company if you need to get your trade show display fixed, so be sure to select a trade show display company that provides excellent customer service (again, read their customer testimonials).

ORDER SHIPPING – One of the biggest hidden costs when buying on-line can be “shipping and handling”. Some internet companies are notorious for gouging on shipping costs. You think you’re getting a good deal until you check out and see the “Shipping and Handling” charge. Yikes! Some companies won’t even show you the shipping cost until you’ve set up an account with them and given them your personal information. Fortunately, a few on-line companies selling trade show displays today take the hidden cost of shipping your order completely out of the equation. They provide free ground shipping. It’s hard to hide any cost when it’s free. Because of this, if all the other considerations are basically equal, one should go with the company that offers free shipping.

2) Long Term Shipping Costs For Trade Show Displays.

Not too many people realize how much shipping a trade show display from show to show over the years can add up. Before you buy a new display, think about how many shows you expect to attend per year, and consider how you plan to get your new trade show display from show to show. Shipping displays is one of the biggest hidden costs in the trade show industry, and with high oil prices, it is getting worse.

The industry-standard “portable” trade show display today is the “pop-up” style trade show display, which was invented about 25 years ago. It consists of an easily expandable aluminum truss-work frame (also described by many people as an accordion or spider web frame). It generally has velcro-compatible fabric panels or custom-printed graphic panels. A pop-up display for a 10 foot wide booth space generally packs into a single shipping case. The shipping case when packed will usually weigh about 80 to 90 pounds (actual weight), but can have a dimensional weight of up to 100 pounds. Dimensional weight is calculated using the outside dimensions of the shipping container (length x width x height) divided by 196. It is used for calculating the shipping charge if one is shipping by air (such as Priority Overnight) and the dimensional weight is greater that the actual weight.

Shipping your display via ground service is fairly economical, but can take a week to get from the east coast to the west coast. If you have a last minute show, shipping the previously described trade show display from New York to Los Angeles via FedEx Priority Overnight would cost about $494 (March 2008). Imagine how the shipping costs would add up if you did this a couple times a year. And remember, you have to get your display TO the show, and the BACK from the show as well. If you take your trade show display with you on the airplane as baggage when you travel to the show, you will want to be aware of oversize and/or overweight baggage fees, which airlines have been raising and enforcing more vigorously lately.

Fortunately, there are more portable alternatives to pop-up type trade show displays. One alternative is the Signature trade show display from Pinnacle Displays, which is the same size as a traditional pop-up trade show display, but packs into a shipping case that is about both half actual shipping weight and half the dimensional size of a pop-up display’s shipping case. This can dramatically reduce long term shipping expenses. Other even more portable alternatives include pull-up or projector-screen-type banner stands, though they may not look as substantial. One does not want to go overboard on portability and end up looking less than professional at one’s show. The bottom line – always find out the shipping weight and dimensional weight of a trade show display and estimate your long-term shipping costs before making your purchase.

3) Other Long Term Costs For Trade Show Displays (updating, maintenance, expanding).

Besides shipping, there are three other long term cost associated with a trade show display that people often fail to take into consideration. They are updating your graphics, maintaining the display, and adding on to or expanding the display in the future.

Updating your graphics – One of the most important aspects of your trade show display is have great attention-grabbing graphics with a clear message. If your message changes (or, for instance, your company adds a new product), you will need to change some or all of your graphics. Find out upfront from your trade show display company if you can re-print just part of the graphics, or if you have to change out everything, and how much it will cost. Some companies charge more to replace graphics than the initial sale price once they’ve hooked you with the initial display.

Maintaining your display – Trade show displays can be handled roughly in the rush to pack up after a show, and FedEx and UPS don’t always handle shipments with kid gloves. This is why it’s important to get a well-built, high-quality display that will hold up to the rigors of trade show exhibiting. You also want to find out how you can get your display repaired if something does break on it. A few companies remove much of the worry of this by providing lifetime warranties on their display frames – a good indicator of a quality product and a reliable company.

Expanding your display – You may be buying a display for a standard 10 foot by 10 foot booth space, but you should plan ahead for the day you may get a 20 or 30 foot wide booth space. Many trade show displays are modular, and allow you to add on additional units seamlessly as your exhibiting requirements grow. If you don’t get all the accessories that come with the display, make sure that you can get them at a later date if you need them. As with many things, it pays to plan ahead.

In summary, there are many great deals to be had these days on trade show displays, especially if you buy on the internet. You want to be sure to get a display that will make your trade show booth stand out from all the other booths. You should pay what is necessary to get a professional display that will be effective. But there is no point in paying more than you should. Read and understand the three areas of hidden costs outlined above. Make a smart purchase when you buy your next trade show display. The money you save can be put towards other important aspects of promoting your trade show exhibit. Or you can just smile and put it in your pocket.

Pinnacle Displays is a leading internet trade show display retailer. Pinnacle Displays offers easy, convenient, secure, registration-free on-line ordering and free ground shipping for all of their trade show displays.

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It is makes good sense, then, to do your homework before you select a trade show display. The trade show industry identifies exhibits as either custom, custom modular, pre-owned, portable or rental. Each trade show display type suits a specific need depending on show requirements.

The top option is the custom trade show booth which is built from scratch with exacting booth space specifications in mind such as width, height and depth. With the custom build, you can have a one- of- a kind, eye-catching trade show exhibit that incorporates new design elements, materials and AV components that enhance your company’s powerful image. The custom trade show display can be the right choice when announcing a major breakthrough product or when you need to display your company’s dominance in its field.

The next trade show display option is the custom modular trade show exhibit which offers the dramatic trade show exhibit imaging without the higher cost of the custom trade show display. Its highly flexible components allow you to reconfigure the design or size of your booth from one trade show to the next. The custom modular trade show booth has interchangeable components such as back walls, counters, display pedestals and exterior panels. It uses lightweight structural materials such as aluminum, Plexiglas and high-grade fabrics. The benefits of the custom modular trade show booth are its simplified assembly, space-saving packing, and lower shipment and handling costs. This type of exhibit is a good solution for the exhibitor who wants a very high quality of design yet requires size flexibility and affordability.

Another option is the pre-owned trade show display that saves your company when you face a time or budget crunch. You can cut your trade show exhibit design time and construction costs by more than half when you select a previously owned trade show booth display. Professional trade show display companies have impressive inventories of top quality pre-owned exhibits for sale or rent. They often own exhibits that their clients have formerly used. You can find numerous options depending on size, design, scope and price similar to trade show display rentals. Be sure to select an exhibit configuration that fits your booth space and then modify the graphics and structural elements to conform to your staffing, image, communications and traffic requirements.

Yet another trade show exhibit option is the portable trade show booth. It is extremely easy to install and dismantle due to its skeletal frame that has attachable laminate panels which clip together offering multiple structural styles. It is lightweight and highly portable and is able to meet a variety of trade show display configurations while offering a distinctive creative image. Accessories such as bridges, counters, alcoves and backlighting can enhance the versatility of the interchangeable portable trade show display systems. The portable trade show display system can convert from tabletop to island trade show exhibits easily. It adapts to a multitude of trade show display situations with minimal effort. The ease of transporting and assembling is the key to the portable trade show exhibit. Cost-saving portable trade show displays are an especially suitable option for the first-time exhibitor and for appearances at smaller, regional shows.

Another way to go is to rent a trade show booth rather than purchasing one. Renting can be the perfect solution for an occasional island trade show exhibit; when you need to supplement your regular trade show exhibit; when you have a trade show booth scheduling conflict; or when a simultaneous trade show appearance requires you to exhibit at more than one location at the same time.

By selecting the appropriate type of trade show booth for your next show, you will be able to establish a trade show exhibit that will convey your company’s identity that fits your precise needs for any given trade show appearance. This is true wherever you have your custom trade show exhibit, custom modular exhibit, pre-owned trade show display, portable trade show booth or rental trade show exhibit– whether at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the Santa Clara Convention Center or the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with showroom in Sacramento. Firm is full service, premiere trade show exhibit, trade show graphics and management services. [http://www.proexhibitsdisplay.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Wheeler

Before deciding on what type of trade show display booth you want, however, you must first determine your space size requirements and the number of trade shows you will be exhibiting in during the next year. This information will help you decide whether to buy vs. rent. If you buy, there are four categories of trade show exhibit displays: custom, custom modular, pre-owned and portable trade show displays. Check out the advantages and disadvantages of each. Light weight materials are less expensive to operate than the traditional all-wood displays.

Use tension fabrics, woods, colored metal, layered graphics that require fewer shipping containers, provide a current design trend look, and save on operating costs. Older traditional trade show exhibit displays can be obsolete because they are expensive to handle due to heavy weight, require larger size and number of crates to ship, and they are not consistent with current design trends.

Let’s say you want to test the waters and you want to purchase a trade show exhibit. Did you know you could purchase a pre-owned trade show display that will save you time and money?

In fact, you can cut your trade show exhibit design time and construction costs by more than half when you select a previously owned trade show booth display. Check out the inventory from professional trade show display companies that handle top quality pre-owned exhibits. They often own exhibits that their clients have formerly used. You can find numerous options depending on size, design, scope and price similar to trade show display rentals. Be sure to select an exhibit configuration that fits your booth space and then modify the graphics and structural elements to conform to your staffing, image, communications and traffic requirements. You can then have customized trade show graphics on your trade show exhibit and can be “out the door and on the floor” in a matter of weeks.

By contrast, another option which is on the opposite side of the spectrum, is the custom trade show display booth which can be virtually anything you want it to be. As the term implies, the trade show exhibit is custom-built to your exact specifications. You can capture the drama of your firm’s breakthrough product offering and make your presence known on the show floor as you dazzle visitors with creative trade show graphic design, materials, size, elevation or AV components. The custom designed trade show exhibit is the “piece de resistance” of the trade show exhibit product field, where an exhibitor is willing to create high drama and powerful imagery for the sake of a truly powerful impact.

Another trade show display option is the custom modular trade show exhibit which offers the ultimate in trade show exhibit imaging without the higher cost of custom trade show displays. Modular construction means taking advantage of interchangeable components such as back walls, counters, display pedestals and exterior panels. Lightweight structural materials such as aluminum, Plexiglas and high-grade fabrics provide simplified assembly, space-saving packing and lower shipment and handling costs. The flexible trade show display components allow you to reconfigure the design or size of your booth from one trade show to another. Modular exhibits offer design and image quality without sacrificing value.

You may also consider a lightweight portable trade show display as a way to meet a variety of trade show display configurations while presenting a distinctive creative image. Easy to set-up, the trade show portable system has a skeletal frame with attachable laminate panels, which simply clip together in virtually unlimited structural styles. Accessories such as bridges, counters, alcoves and backlighting can enhance the versatility of the interchangeable portable trade show display systems. The portable trade show display system can convert from tabletop to island trade show exhibits in minutes and adapt to almost any trade show display situation with minimal effort. Usually your own booth staffers can transport and assemble the trade show exhibit themselves saving time and the added costs of drayage and contract workers. Portable trade show displays are an especially suitable option for the first-time exhibitor and for appearances at smaller, regional shows.

Or you may want to consider a trade show display rental. Renting before buying may be the perfect solution when you have yet to decide your trade show exhibit investment commitment. Or, for that occasional island trade show exhibit showing, when you need to supplement your regular trade show exhibit, you may wish to rent and customize a rental trade show island. You may thus escape those larger trade show exhibit management and storage costs. There may also be occasions when you have a trade show booth scheduling conflict or are booked for a simultaneous showing. If you want to hedge your trade show display purchase decision, save on an initial trade show exhibit investment or supplement your trade show booth inventory, try the trade show exhibit rental solution. If the rented trade show display works for you, you may ultimately want to purchase it as your permanent trade show exhibit.

Remember, it’s up to you what type of trade show display booth you select when you plan to exhibit in a trade show. You can have a memorable experience whether you have a pre-owned trade show exhibit display, a custom trade show exhibit, a custom modular trade show booth, a portable or pop up trade show exhibit display, or a trade show exhibit rental.

Trade show exhibit options are available wherever you have your next trade show –whether the show is in Orlando or the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the Santa Clara Convention Center or the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with showroom in Sacramento. Firm is full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. http://www.proexhibits.com

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1. Types Of Displays

There are all sorts of trade show displays that can be purchased from different sources. You can try getting your trade show displays from the internet where you can choose from numerous numbers of manufacturers. Or if pictures don’t really work for you, it might therefore be best to get your stocks of trade show displays from local manufacturers. This is better for you because you can see the merchandise beforehand to ensure you will be happy with it before it is purchased.

2. Your Displays Are Your Most Important Investment

Trade show displays greatly vary so starting from the trade show displays that are meant for table top use. If this is your trade show then it is it is useful to bear in mind that these kinds of trade shows displays are being offered for a very minimal price. This is because there are many manufacturers and suppliers who make these kinds of merchandise. There are also a lot of designs you can get for this kind of trade show display. Therefore, this is a very good investment for you to make. Such trade show displays for the table top styles are as follows:

- The pop-up

- Folding panel

- Prezenta show style

- Show max table top

3. Floor Standing Displays

These trade show displays are also called as the freestanding displays that are designed to be able to stand alone during the trade show. There are many different sizes as well as sizes and colors for these floor standing trade show displays, the most popular being floor standing trade show display models that are 10 foot-long pop-ups. The floor standing trade show displays also come in the folding panel type of display.

4. Roll-Up Displays

There is also the roll-up trade show display. The roll-up trade show display is also often referred to as the banner stands. The banners shades or the banner blades are portable trade show displays that offer tremendous flexibility and are most often used for either the trade show display stand alone units or the ones that are being used in conjunction with a larger trade show display in order to be able to highlight a particular item of interest in a trade show. This type of trade show displays are lightweight in design and are small as well as compact in size that makes them the perfect traveling trade show displays since they are also quick and extremely easy to be set up. There are two kinds of the roll up trade show displays, the single-sided roll-up trade show display as well as the dual-sided roll-up trade show display.

5. Acessories

Other trade show displays that you can purchase either from the internet trade show display stores or from the local trade show display merchants are the so-called trade show display accessories that are trade show display pieces that will not only complement your other trade show displays but can pull off that finishing touch to your trade show display. Trade show display accessories are the following:

- Extra halogen lights

- Trade show display carpet

- Podium kit

- Director’s chair

6. Good Luck!

The success of your trade show is heavily reliant on your trade show displays that is why you need to find really good pieces to act as your trade show displays. May it be newly made custom trade show displays or second had trade show displays, it really does not matter how much it costs as long as it each and every bit of you trade show displays complement each other and look great together. That is really the main key to a successful trade show.

For more great trade show display related articles and resources check out [http://www.weknowtradeshows.com]

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As a single resource, this fully-integrated trade show exhibit house would be able to take care of all your needs –providing a seamless, turnkey trade show exhibit service that includes every possible step in your pre- and post-show appearance. The trade show “dream team” should consist of a staff of talented exhibit design consultants, graphic designers, project managers and event coordinators who are adept in making your trade show experience glitch-free. You get to decide what you want from this menu of options.

Today you should expect these exhibit practitioners to design a breakthrough trade show booth with sophisticated trade show display graphics and worry-free event planning, plus conscientious care and the full storage and warehousing of your trade show exhibit properties.

The trade show exhibit business has come a long way. In the past, the trade show exhibit booth was purchased either as a custom build or a single “off the shelf” unit with the exhibitor handling the details. As the trade show industry has matured, exhibitors have become more sophisticated, and trade show exhibit companies cater to the full spectrum of a trade show client’s exacting demands. In the early ‘80s when the industry began changing, many trade show display companies started providing the portable/modular trade show booth, offering mobility and flexibility to exhibitors often moving from one show to the next. This experience helped them customize products and design exhibits that incorporated unique graphics, contemporary materials and structural refinements.

Experienced trade show display houses gradually evolved to deliver dramatic, one-of-a-kind trade show booths for clients wanting to dominate an exhibit hall show floor with a spectacular trade show exhibit occupying thousands of square feet of floor space. During the transition, the use of new finishes, fabrics and lightweight structural materials led to substantial reductions in handling costs. The resultant economies in freight, installation and dismantling, drayage, storage and refurbishing helped to defray the costs of these dramatic new custom trade show exhibits.

With new trade show expertise and innovation, top line trade show exhibit houses are able to serve exhibitors wherever and whenever they want to exhibit. Thanks to a network of exhibit partners providing design, build and show services at over hundreds of locations throughout the world, a trade show exhibit house can now handle the most complex and demanding of exhibitor requirements.

Many leading trade show display companies have become global providers serving a growing number of international clientele — many of whom, for example, engage their exhibit house to design and build a single custom trade show display for their once-a-year appearance at a West or East Coast show and then store the unit until the following year.

Flexibility and innovations add to the array of services offered by the full service trade show exhibit house. These include: custom trade show booth rentals which offer an alternative to the occasional exhibitor who may be considering options before committing to a permanent display. Also, custom rental trade show displays provide an exhibitor with options to change messages and locations frequently and appear at several trade shows simultaneously.

Look for a trade show exhibition company that fits with your comfort level. Start with a walk-through visit to a showroom where you will view a selection of trade show displays ranging from pop-ups to custom spectaculars. Take a look at graphics and display production capabilities and ask the trade show display host to introduce you to innovative and turnkey event management services. These include show services, graphics design, exhibit storage and complete pre- and post-show service and support.

You can also go online and click through trade show exhibit companies.
Seek out a professional trade show staff that can make your trade show booth experience dynamic, affordable and successful.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. His firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. Go to http://www.proexhibits.com for more information on excellent full service trade show display, graphics and management services.

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