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Trade Show advice
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Comments
I`d rather invest in the presentation you described!
Yeah, I don`t even like the brochure now. I`ll probably be up all night trying to improve it. I want a professional looking piece, so I`ll give it another try and see what I can come up with. Be watching for the new and improved, I`m gonna need all the help I can get!
Thanks for all the feedback, this is just what I need!!
Hey how about setting the table with two nice settings complete with charger plates etc to show off you sense of style. Even try hanging art from the back wall if you can. Be sure to cover that stock blue drape on the back wall too.
One thing I did for my company`s booth at a trade show that was for my work at home moms business was to walk the floor with a basket of fresh baked cookies in a cello bags. They were tied with a ribbon and the lable was complete with a cute message, my business info and booth number. It was a huge hit!
Netmom, since you mention that, I have the perfect props to show that off, complete with a 1988 vintage Dom Perignon! What can I use to conceal the back drape? I thought about a soji type screen, or the room screens that have picture frames built into them, and put before and after pics in the frames. I wonder if that would be overkill?
Now if I can shut my mind off, I`m going to sleep on all of this.
I love "y`all" (and I`m not a native Texan!)
Craig, I`m gonna give that a try tomorrow! That`s very clever, I need to start thinking like an artist.
Netmom, since you mention that, I have the perfect props to show that off, complete with a 1988 vintage Dom Perignon! What can I use to conceal the back drape? I thought about a soji type screen, or the room screens that have picture frames built into them, and put before and after pics in the frames. I wonder if that would be overkill?
Overkill? Absolutely not! The before and after is great if they are sharp illustrative pictures. Those screens will be perfect. A thought for the bottle of Dom. Get a unique vessle for an ice bucket, clear of course, and fill it with those clear crystals decor stones to act as ice. Maybe even play with mixing them with a very very few light green or blue crystal is stones. Set the table in a minimalist Nate Burkus style using funky plates etc that will showcase the champaign. I think you get my drift. Simple elegence...
Make sure (and I can`t stress this enough) that you dry run your booth at home several times. Even make a diagram to remember placement. Get the exact table and even ask the backdrop height. The worst thing you can do is have a setup in your mind or one based on your diningroom table and it completely fails when you get there. Replicate your booth in diminsion etc. Practice set up and breakdown. Several times.
Excellent! Thank you, thank you!
That is so true Craig! The worst thing in the world is to have this whole vision in your head and come show day find it doesn`t work. I am glad something I said may have been of help. Craig you are also dead on with the thought that you have to have a "schtick". Mine was the mom feel of the booth. Remember you are going to have to draw in those that are already mentally drained by the sheer number of things in front of them when they "walk the floor of one of those shows. You have a distinct advantage being the only one in your sector presenting, that is huge. Make the most of that.
THANK you for thinking of me today!!!
I just wanted to add my two cents about your brochure...instead of using the before and after photos from the office/den, why don`t you use the:
1. dining nook photos
2. entry way photos
3. fireplace photos
4. set dining table photo
I was looking through your web site and watched your presentation video (nicely done by the way); the office/den photos are not as dynamic as the other rooms.
Also, I would match your brochure to your website; you want everyone to see one consistent look (branding). The blue on your site is much more dramatic than colors you used in your brochure. It is very important to have a consistent image associated to you and your company. You want to be remembered and you want to stand out. Hopefully, your business cards will also coordinate with the rest of your material (website, flyers, brochures, DVD label, folder, etc.) Keyword here is coordinate; they should not all be exact mirror images of each other, but they should have the same logo and color scheme. For instance the same shade of blue used on all of material. If the other color you use is white or ivory, make sure to use the same shade.
Good luck with your show; I am looking forward to hearing great news about your success!
Claddagh, When I developed the design for the brochure (using the term "design" in the loosest possible way) we had not started with the website, and the dark, starry background sorta evolved So now, you are correct, they just don`t blend. Our signage really stands out because it is on a black background and the logo really pops, but our stationery and related materials use the lighter scheme. My actual business card is pictured on what would be the back panel of the brochure. And I totally agree with the picture choice, I actually have some new work to put into the brochure that has even more impact.
Thanks for the advice, I`m going to rework things for the next week or so and see what develops. Website should be ready for official critique on Wednesday.
Thanks to everybody, you are great support!!!
They may not remember your product, but they will remember a good creative hook:)