Don’t Be Afraid To Try Out New Configurations For Your Chicago Trade Show Display

Standing out is a great way to capture attention and interest at a trade show. Whether you’re designing a new trade show or moving your existing elements, like pop up displays or banner stands, around, don’t be afraid to try out new configurations. You might end up with a Chicago trade show display that’s completely different any other display on the exhibition floor, and that’s exactly what you want when you’re trying to stand out in a crowd.

Getting Rid Of Mental Blocks Regarding Banner Stands In Chicago

Too often, people have preconceived ideas of what works and what doesn’t. They get stuck in a rut and can’t imagine their banner stands in Chicago working any other way so they don’t even try. Instead, be aware of these blocks and try to move beyond them during the design process. This will enable you to try out new configurations or techniques as you put together and design your pop up displays and banner stands in Chicago. Getting expert advice from a booth design pro can help.

See What Works By Visiting Other Pop Up Displays In Chicago

How can you know what’s working if you don’t check out what other companies are doing? Visiting other pop up displays in Chicago will give you the chance to see how others are incorporating cutting edge technology into their designs. It doesn’t matter if the other company has anything to do with your business – in fact, it’s better if they’re in a totally different industry. You’ll be able to solely focus on the pop up displays in Chicago, without worrying about the products they’re trying to sell. Checking out other pop up displays can help you expose yourself to new ideas and reset your expectations about what pop up displays in Chicago should look like.

Don’t Get Complacent

A Chicago trade show display can change as trends evolve and the technology advances. Constant evolution is now more important than ever. It can be challenging to keep up with the changes, but in the end, it’s important to portray an updated and professional image. If your Chicago trade show display needs an update, consider how these steps can help.

Why Give Things Away For Free At Trade Show Exhibits?

Initially, the idea of giving away something for free might seem counterintuitive. After all, isn’t your business looking to make money? In the short term, you’re certainly going to invest a bit of money on the items given away. There are two main things that make freebies such a good value in the longer term. First, if you give them away at your trade show displays, you should always get contact information from everyone who takes one. That contact information will become invaluable, as you use it to turn those prospects into qualified leads.

In addition, you’ll also benefit by reinforcing your brand. Particularly if you choose to give away items that are highly useful like pens or paperweights, people will continue to make use of them long after the trade show display has been taken down. They will become a constant reminder of your company, making it much more likely that your company will be the first choice should that recipient ever need your product.

Choosing The Ideal Gift For Your Trade Show Display

There are many different factors that should come into play when you choose your giveaway. These are some of the most important to consider:

How big is your budget? As with all aspects of trade show displays, budget matters. You have to be aware of what you can spend, and be careful not to go over that amount. However, you also need to ensure that your items will get the job done. A cheap giveaway item can often be penny wise, yet pound foolish.

Giveaways (and trade show exhibits) should always match your company image. Don’t give away something trivial, useless, or humorous unless it reinforces the image you want people to have of your company.

The more unique the item, the better. People get tons of pens and other cheap, yet useful items during any given convention. In order to make your company stand out, you need to have something that is more unique and more interesting than everyone else. There are many options that can fit this description, and they’re available without breaking your budget.

Make Sure Your Trade Show Display Gives Gifts In A Productive Manner

Giving out items randomly and indiscriminately isn’t going to obtain the biggest benefit for your company. Remember that the goal of giveaways is to promote your trade show exhibits in the short term, and your company and product in the longer term. If possible, you should never give out items without receiving some kind of contact information in return. Similarly, if you have different items to give away, don’t just distribute them at random. Make a careful choice about who gets what. Don’t have piles of freebies just sitting around – that only diminishes their value. People should feel that receiving a freebie is something special, or the overall value of that freebie is diminished.

When done well, freebies can be a big benefit at trade show displays and for the company. There are many different types of giveaways available, so don’t settle for something that isn’t right for your situation. Follow these tips, and you’ll find the freebie and distribution style that is right for your business.

Protect Your Trade Show Booth In Chicago From Extreme Temperature Shifts

The temperature in Chicago is known for rapidly changing. From scorching hot to freezing cold and back again, these quick temperature fluctuations can wreak havoc on trade show displays in Chicago. Designs like pop up displays have intricate mechanisms that must fit together for the unit to work. As they heat and cool down, the mechanisms expand and contract, weakening the mechanisms. This typically isn’t a problem with a gradual temperature change, but rapid changes can cause the structure to become brittle and possibly break. If you’re storing your trade show booth in Chicago, it’s a good idea to store your display in a climate-controlled environment.

Don’t Just Waterproof Chicago Trade Show Stands – Weatherproof Them

Damage from water and rain is often the first thing people think of when they think of weather damage. Rain is a concern, but most people are surprised that they might need to worry about keeping their trade show displays in Chicago safe while they’re inside.

Protecting against rain during transportation or against a leaky roof is as easy as buying a simple protective case. Large trade show displays in Chicago can be disassembled and stored in watertight plastic cases, while smaller elements like banners can be rolled up and placed into a protective, tube with a waterproof seal. As long as you ensure your trade show exhibit elements are enclosed, you won’t have to worry about water damage.

Using Custom Carriers To Protect Your Trade Show Booth In Chicago

A custom trade show booth in Chicago needs a custom carrier. The last thing you want to do is put your custom booth into a box or carrier that’s not specifically designed to protect it. Custom carriers are specially designed with plenty of padding to keep all the parts from moving and bumping into each other during transportation. The insulation will also add an additional level of protection against the weather.

Take care to follow these tips if you transport your own trade show exhibits in Chicago. If you’re using a professional shipping company, ask how they can ensure that your trade show booth will reach its final destination in one piece and undamaged. It shouldn’t cost much to ensure that your trade show displays in Chicago are well-protected from water, extreme temperature and more. All it takes is a little advanced planning and you’ll be able to almost guarantee a safe trade show booth in Chicago, or anywhere across the country.

Creating Fun Chicago Trade Show Displays

Today’s booths are interactive, interesting and so much more than they were in years past. By incorporating some fun and not taking the design process too seriously, you can represent your company in a positive manner. Many companies are worried about projecting a stiff, corporate image, but people want to do business with a company with personality. Of course, it’s a good idea to tailor your company’s message to the situation. For instance, if you’re presenting to a group of formal executives, limit, but don’t eliminate the elements of fun.

Do Trade Show Booths In Chicago Really Need To Be Fun?

Do you remember the last trade show you went to? Do any booths stick out in your mind? Probably not! You probably remember oceans of trade show booths in Chicago. After a few hours they probably all blended together.

Instead of becoming one in the crowd, give visitors to your trade show exhibits in Chicago something to remember. Use activities and games that reinforce your company’s message to stay fresh in visitor’s minds. Games don’t have to be complicated or involved to work. Something as simple as a game to help determine how your product fills a client’s need helps them remember you, but it also gets your product into their hands.

Show, Don’t Tell

Why is it important to get your products into visitors’ hands at your trade show exhibits in Chicago? Many people find that just watching someone else handle a product or work a computer program is an ineffective way to learn. If they’re able to explore and handle something themselves, they’ll enjoy and remember the experience.

Giving visitors a fun game to play can also help foot traffic roll into your Chicago trade show displays. Word travels fast at these conventions and a fun and exciting booth will have visitors flocking to see what your booth has to offer. To take advantage of this foot traffic, make sure your prize or giveaway ties in directly with your company’s identity. Ideally, this can be a gift certificate for your products or services, or even a free product.

Adding fun into your Chicago trade show displays means that your visitors will have a more memorable experience. Visitors will come by with greater frequency, increasing leads and eventually sales. It’s all made possible by adding in a little fun.

Modular Trade Show Displays In Chicago Are Highly Adaptable

The reason why trade show display rental in Chicago has become so much more common is that modular units permit new levels of customization in otherwise standard units. Where you previously had to purchase a Chicago trade show exhibit that would be custom-built to your specifications, now it is often possible to rearrange trade show rental displays in Chicago to meet your needs.

In addition, modular units have an important advantage over a custom-built Chicago trade show exhibit: they can be reconfigured as many times as your company desires. There is no limit to their customization options. Instead of purchasing new trade show displays in Chicago when you need a fresh look, you can simply work with the one you have. A few minor tweaks are usually enough to update any trade show display. Rental modular units can be adapted as many times as is necessary, and can often be changed on the convention floor. This advantage over fixed-state trade show displays in Chicago can be substantial.

Don’t Assume Your Desired Customization Is Impossible

When you have an idea about how you would like your Chicago trade show exhibit to look, don’t rule out customizing a rental. There are some modifications that just won’t work for a trade show display rental in Chicago. They may be too expensive to justify, or they may even threaten permanent harm to the structure of trade show displays. Chicago rental companies understand the details and will help you understand them too. You shouldn’t try to guess at the restrictions, but you shouldn’t count on being able to do a particular modification either. A company that offers quality trade show display rental in Chicago will be happy to explain the range of possibilities and price each one out for you.

Add Your Own Inexpensive Yet Custom Touches

Banner stands and other small add-on items may seem extraneous at first, but they can actually make a big difference to a visitor. Because they are inexpensive, many companies find it useful to buy completely custom small units and choose a trade show display rental in Chicago for their larger displays. The smaller units provide the customized and extensively branded look that the companies seek, while the larger Chicago trade show exhibit provides additional design at a rental cost. This method is also popular with companies that don’t have the funds or room to store large trade show exhibits in Chicago. Banner stands are a practical option as they are small and easy to store, in addition to their low cost.

Trade show display rental in Chicago is a great way to make a statement at your next convention, or to simply get your feet wet in a new marketing endeavor. When done right, rented trade show exhibits in Chicago can look great and appear highly customized, making visitors feel right at home and delivering great results when the conference is over.

Saving Marketing Dollars

Cost is almost always a factor when companies select trade show exhibits. Portable exhibits can be a cost effective solution. Properly designed portable trade show exhibits can have just as much impact as their more expensive counterparts, including custom designs and modular booths. The price for a modular exhibit quickly mounts during development because of the cost of original designs, creative talent, and additional materials. If you’re looking for something attractive, professional, and portable, you can save a great deal of money by purchasing table top or portable exhibits.

There’s also less money involved in the packing and shipping of portable exhibits. Chicago shipping companies are experienced at transporting convention exhibits and will take extra care with your materials, particularly if you’ve invested in portable exhibits that are less expensive and easier to pack and ship. Keep in mind that the price of shipping will add up quickly if you attend several trade shows or conventions each year. For portable trade show exhibits, Chicago businesses turn to our experts for advice on how to incorporate cost effectiveness with attractive, compelling booth designs.

Doing Your Own Install And Dismantle

Relying on I&D specialists at the site of your next trade show can be risky. You don’t know these people, and they probably have dozens of companies waiting for their attention. It’s so much nicer to have portable trade show exhibits. Chicago convention experts can attest to the fact that portable exhibits are so easy to set up, you won’t need an I&D team at all. You won’t have to wait for hours for an install and dismantle team, and you won’t have to pay anyone to get your booth up and ready. You’ll save time and money that can be better spent elsewhere. Since instructions are included with all portable trade show exhibits, Chicago business owners can let any member of their trade show team set up the display.

Easy Storage And Transport

Portable exhibits in Chicago are designed to be ready for travel at a moment’s notice. They are relatively small in size, feature easy dismantle, and can be quickly disassembled and packed into shipping containers for transport. If you’ll be visiting several venues across the country or around the world, the price of your portable trade show exhibits will quickly pay for themselves in postage and shipping costs. In many cases, you can simply check your portable exhibits when you’re flying to the next trade show, so you won’t have to worry about it being lost in shipment.

In between events, you can more easily store portable exhibits. Chicago businesses don’t usually have a lot of extra storage space for stowing their trade show booth materials in between events. Fortunately, the compact size and small footprint of portable trade show exhibits make them easy to store in smaller areas so that they aren’t in the way in between trade shows.

It’s important to consider the convenience and easy setup and dismantle you get with portable trade show exhibits. Chicago trade show display experts can guide you in making the right choice when you order your next portable exhibits, balancing cost, size, and style in order to find the perfect display for your business.

The Impact Of Size

Nearly everyone has heard the phrase, ‘Size matters,’ although not necessarily in relation to a Chicago banner stand or trade show exhibit. It is accurate, however, in that the size of your trade show stand will affect everything from your company image to how easily people can find your stand on the trade show floor.

You don’t always have to choose the biggest, most elaborate trade show stand. Chicago conventions take place in facilities of various sizes, and you’ll want to keep your Chicago banner stand in line with the size of the trade show floor and the space you’ve been allotted. You don’t want to have to put your Chicago banner stand away because it’s too large for your area; retiring an integral part of your display can result in a disjointed, sparse display area that leaves visitors wondering what’s missing.

Once you determine the size of your available space, you can start thinking in terms of how big your Chicago banner stand and trade show elements should be. It’s best to fill up the space without cluttering it too much. Trade show attendees notice larger displays and can find them on the convention floor more easily. Size indicates that your company has good cash flow and is willing to spend money in order to capture attention.

If you have a sizable space available and want to ‘go big or go home,’ be sure you evaluate your current trade show stand to see if it will work in the space. Having a few small elements in a large space can be disconcerting for visitors, who may wonder why you didn’t bring enough elements to properly fill it. The scale of your overall display may also be off, which is tiring to the eyes. Take the overall scale of your space into consideration when you order new trade show stands. Chicago event planners can help you choose the right sized Chicago banner stand for any venue.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to cram the entire space with trade show stands, pop up displays, or table top displays. Make sure there is enough space in and around your trade show booth for visitors to move freely. A claustrophobic feeling isn’t what you want attendees to experience.

Choosing Stands That Work For You

Every business has specific needs and goals when they set up a trade show booth. If you know what you’re hoping to achieve, you can make better trade show stand and accessories choices. Before ordering your Chicago banner stands, think about how you want your booth to function. Be specific – do you want to be able to sit down and talk briefly with select clients? Then you’ll want to create space that offers a bit of privacy and perhaps some seating for brief meetings. Will you be presenting an interactive demonstration? Make sure your trade show stands, wall displays, and table top units are arranged in such a way that the maximum number of people possible can interact with you and your staff.

Don’t forget to consider storage for your Chicago banner stands, table top displays, and trade show stands. Chicago trade show experts suggest incorporating storage wherever possible so you can stow extra supplies and protect any proprietary company information you may need to refer to during the event. Keeping extra applications, brochures, office supplies, and even your purse or briefcase out of sight will result in a neater, more professional trade show display.

Chicago Banner Stands Should Reflect Your Company’s Image

Don’t get enthusiastic about the latest, trendiest style of trade show stand. Chicago trade shows are rife with examples of companies who went with the latest styles and colors only to have their message fall flat. Why? Because the colors and stylistic elements didn’t reflect the personality or reputation of the company.  Be yourself and use trade show stands and other elements that accurately represent what your business is really about.

Chicago banner stands come in a wide range of styles, colors, and designs, all of which can be customized.  If you need some guidance, talk to someone who can knowledgably guide you in choosing the right trade show stand. Chicago’s Skyline Tradetec can help you choose the ideal trade show stands for your next appearance on the convention floor.

In most cases, table top displays and pop up displays in Chicago are only damaged in transit if you rely on an unprofessional shipping company or your materials are handled by poorly trained airline baggage handlers. If you aren’t sure about the correct way to pack your pop up or table top displays, Chicago shipping companies will be glad to help. Guessing leads to poor packaging, which can also lead to serious damage.

Don’t Skimp On Shipping Cases For Your Trade Show Exhibit in Chicago, IL

Companies sometimes assume that after you’ve purchased a new trade show exhibit, whether it’s a few table top displays or a complete island, it’s only natural to buy professional cases to protect them. Surprisingly, many other companies skimp on protecting their table top displays. Chicago trade show professionals point out that this is a mistake that can be costly. Despite the added cost for trade show exhibit carrying cases, you should always order them. In the long run, you’ll save a considerable amount of money because you won’t be replacing damaged pop up displays or other elements every few years.

A properly designed case for your trade show exhibit will always give your pop up and table top displays maximum protection from bumps, falls, and poor handling by shipping companies. They also protect your exhibits from the elements in the unfortunate event they are left outside and exposed to inclement weather. Customized interiors mean each shipping case is designed specifically to cushion and protect the individual display it is protecting. Cases are designed to hold your trade show exhibits securely, with extra cushioning where needed and an interior that is precisely shaped to cradle your pop up display or table top displays. Chicago shipping stores can do a good job, but they can’t offer a custom-fitted case. You just don’t get the same effect by pouring packing peanuts into a box or trying to find cardboard inserts to bend into place. There’s no shifting in transit with a proper shipping case; you can’t always say that about peanuts, foam, shredded newspaper, or cardboard.

How To Pack And Ship If You Don’t Have A Carrying Case

Occasionally, circumstances beyond your control may mean that you’ll need to pack your table top displays yourself. To create a relatively safe carrying case for your table top displays, Chicago trade show professionals suggest following these simple steps:

Avoid shipping altogether for your most delicate items, such as pop ups or banner stands. Whenever possible, take them as carry on luggage or drive them to your next trade show exhibit. Chicago convention centers usually have areas where you can easily unload the elements from your car directly onto the convention or trade show floor.

If there is no other way to transport your pop up displays in Chicago or to your next trade show event, you need to set aside plenty of time to pack them correctly. Using the right materials is one of the most crucial elements to safely ship your trade show exhibit. Chicago, IL display pros offer these simple suggestions:

• Properly cover your table top displays and pop up displays. Chicago shipping professionals note that many people forget to wrap up their displays in an appropriate cloth or plastic sheeting. This prevents smudging, dirt, or packing materials from leaving marks on your display.

• Packing peanuts or Styrofoam blocks can cushion fragile displays, absorbing most of the force from random blows.

• Packing or wrapping paper is a thick, brown paper that you can wrap around your table top displays. Chicago shipping companies sometimes use packing paper to protect fragile items from scratching and other potential problems caused by the packaging materials used. Taping it into place (by overlapping two ends) will protect your trade show exhibit from marks, but don’t put tape directly on your display.

• Invest in some serious packing tape. This is the wide tape used to hold cardboard boxes together during shipment. Use it to seal cardboard boxes, but never put it on the surface of your table top displays. Chicago convention planners can tell you horror stories about how packing tape has damaged pop up displays.

If you use all four packing elements, you can create a safe and secure shipping container for your table top displays. Chicago shipping companies can provide you with the materials you need. They can either pack your display for you or give you pointers on how to do the job properly. With the right materials and careful planning, your trade show exhibit’s table top displays and pop up displays will arrive safely, whether they are in a carrying case or packed in cardboard and Styrofoam.

It’s been two years since economic turmoil spooked your management and they shut down or pulled back your trade show program to conserve cash. But things are different now. The economy is looking up, shows are getting more attendees, and exhibitors are reporting increasing numbers of interested prospects visiting their trade show displays.

That resurgence has you itching to get back into trade shows, to get face-to-face with hundreds, even thousands of prospects. And since those prospects are also getting their budgets unfrozen, they’re eager to meet you, too.

But before you jump back in, don’t just dust off your 2008 plan. So much has happened since then to your customers, and in your company, your trade shows, your industry, and the economy. Instead, get a clean sheet of paper, grab a pencil, and consider these 6 points:

1. Revised Marketing Objectives
Check to see if the marketing objectives that drove your old trade show program are still appropriate. Are your marketing goals now focused on retaining clients, or were your clients so disproportionately hurt by the downturn that you’re targeting new customers now? Do you have to build distribution or increase awareness in a stronger market you’re now expanding into? Do you lack new products ready to launch, so you’ve got to take a different tack in your trade show booth? If any of this rings true with you, go back to square one. Huddle with your management team and determine your revamped goals for exhibiting, so you can adjust the rest of your trade show program.

2. Revamped Trade Show Selection
While adjusting to the downturn, your company may have remade itself. It could have retreated to its core market, or shifted its resources to focus on the stronger remaining markets. Thus, some shows on your old schedule are unnecessary, and perhaps some new shows should be sought out. Plus, the downturn affected show owners unequally. You need to determine which shows are still strong, and have the resources to invest in bringing in and engaging attendees. Also consider which shows you will choose if your budget is only partially restored. And finally, if you are in the United States, consider trying more international trade shows, because emerging markets are growing twice as fast as the U.S.

3. Reshaped Budget
Is your trade show budget completely restored, or only partially? Even if you get it all back, you may wish to adjust how it’s spent based on the shows you keep and add, the size booth you need to meet your marketing goals, how beat-up or off-message your current trade show exhibit is, and how you’ll invest in promotions in this new era of social media. And while you may be asked to bring fewer booth staffers, remember that you simply can’t take as many leads without the booth staffers to take them.

4. Reinvigorated Exhibit Design
Based on your updated marketing objectives, recalibrated show selection, and revised budget, you may need to change your booth’s size, its marketing message, and even its shape (so its architecture better supports your new goals). So pulling your old trade show display off the shelf may be counter-productive. It might be time to look at getting a new trade show exhibit that better represents the new company you have evolved into.

5. Rebuilt Booth Staffing
Take a look at the desks around yours. Is the entire crack team of booth staffers you once took to trade shows still intact? Or were some of your best booth staffers “right sized” right out the door? If so, you need to go on a recruiting mission to rebuild your team. Your best bet? Ask your remaining ace veterans who they’d choose. They’ll know the like-minded candidates who have the right attitude, knowledge, and work ethic to best represent you on the show floor.

6. Reshaped Promotions
In the last two years, social media has reshaped the marketing world. To what extent social media has taken hold in your target market will guide how much you need to shift your promotional activity into social media. You may find you can get the same results reaching out to show attendees via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn than you can with emails, directory ads, and post card mailers. You won’t know until you try.

As marketers, we are not living in the same world we had before the downturn. So you can’t go back to the same old trade show program you used to run. I hope this gives you some ideas on how to not only restart, but even revitalize your trade show program as well.

Here’s why: the job of your exhibit is to get people’s attention and reinforce the brand, NOT tell your entire story.

But sometimes when a trade show exhibit is designed, it can be mistakenly designed from the company’s perspective, NOT the attendee’s perspective. What causes this is:

The product managers want to show every product
The marketing director wants to list all the competitive advantages
The sales director asks for a graphic to recruiting new dealers
Your partners want their logos on your booth
Other stakeholders want to have their own say about what is in and on the booth
So your exhibit gets OVERSTUFFED. And you get blah… instead of bold. You get visual clutter that prevents your booth from quickly communicating why attendees should visit you.

Sure, it’s hard to say no to everyone who asks for their piece of the pie. But in the long run, you’re not really helping them by just tossing their messages onto the pile and creating a mess of a display that looks like it could be on the TV show “Hoarders.”

Trade Show Exhibits Are Like . . .

Need help convincing others in your company that “Less Is More” when it comes to trade show exhibit design? Here are 3 other mediums to consider:

Billboards: A billboard usually has only one big visual element and a few well-chosen words, because viewers have just a moment to take it in before they’re gone. Use this to your advantage. Take your team for a drive. Ask them to count how many images and words are on each. Hopefully they’ll have their “Aha!” moment before you get back to the office.
Magazine Covers: Publishers put one big picture on to catch the eye, often with a large headline of the main story. They will also have smaller headlines for a few main stories inside, but only a fraction of what is on the table of contents. Magazines arrived at this formula by testing multiple versions to find which cover will sell more newsstand editions. And it’s not the one that looks like the table of contents. Try this: Count how many stories are in the magazine, compared to mentioned on the cover. Now apply that to your exhibit: tell only your main stories, not all of them.
Your Website: Someone, perhaps you, had to negotiate with every person wishing to add another image, another sentence, another link about their personal favorite product, message, or story. Say yes to them all and you get a cluttered front page that confuses visitors. Say no and you keep a clear path to the main things web visitors usually look for. Have you said no to people, and have web traffic analytics to prove your point?
Simplify, Then Amplify Your Exhibit Design

Once you have reduced your messages and images to the essential core, you can now go bigger, and make a bigger impact, with those that remain. Rather than 100 words that are an inch tall each, you can have 7 words that are a foot tall instead. Similarly, your bold visual 8 feet tall will make a much bigger impact than the bulletin board of 12 images it replaced. And when you leave most of your products at home, you can better showcase your few remaining new and top-selling products that get a better reaction from attendees.

And the need to simplify is not just for 10 foot and 20 foot trade show exhibits – it applies equally to big island exhibits as well. Display fewer, larger visual elements in your exhibit to cut through the clutter to get your prospect’s attention. Cram too much into your booth and you risk looking like a flea market.

About the Author: Mike Thimmesch is Skyline Exhibits’ Director of Lead Generation and Industry Relations, with over 20 years of Marketing and Trade Show Display Marketing experience