Signage Education | Making The Most of Trade Show Displays

When planning for a trade show, your primary goal is to grab the attention of attendees.
With so many exhibitors, competition for the attention of attendees can be difficult. This article presents ideas to help you maximize your trade show investment and distinguish yourself by making an impression on potential customers.

Energy
Everything about your display should project energy, from the representatives and sales people staffing your booth to the graphics displayed. Bold colors can catch the eye, and ideally your message should encourage the viewer to take action. Ensure that your booth flows well, that your display fits your space properly and that displayed graphics, banners and tables entice prospective customers and keep them in your booth.

Promotional Gifts and Raffles
Everyone likes free things. Promotional gifts should be something of value that a customer will actually use, but needn’t be extravagant. This type of give away typically includes your company information, advertising that stays with the customer well after the trade show has ended. Consider something unique – no one needs 50 different literature bags that will be collected at the show today, and in the trash tomorrow. A calendar, coffee mug, marker, pen or notepad is more likely to be retained and used.

People like to win things and wouldn’t think twice about leaving a business card to enter a raffle. That card may be a sales lead. Compared to promotional gifts, this type of promotion should be something of grater value to attract customer entrants. The item should have some value, but needn’t be a budget buster. This might include tickets to a popular show, a night at a nice hotel or dinner tickets. Be sure to promote your give away, verbally, with signage and displays, and in print – such as in show literature and programs.

Food
You can’t engage a customer or make a sale if they don’t stop by your display. Having food or even just candy can help as many may stop by initially just to grab a quick snack.

Theme
As part of your display planning, consider a them to base your presentation on. A fun or interesting theme will help distinguish your company. By way of example, consider two adjacent booths. One exhibitor’s creativity stops at color coordinated table throws, while yours looks like a jungle within the convention center – which do you think will draw more attendees?

These ideas and careful planning should help get you started on developing an attractive display. Once you have a well thought out theme and supporting displays, consider having different sets of digitally printed materials for different shows depending on your target audience. From concept to completion of your trade show booth, it may take 4 to 6 weeks or more, so be sure to leave adequate time to design and implement your theme.

About Spectrum Signs

Spectrum Signs is an independent, locally owned, full service sign manufacturing company located in Mission Viejo, California. We are affiliated with over 240 independent sign companies with access to resources nationwide. This affiliation provides significant discounts from sign suppliers, and allows us to offer competitive pricing without compromising in quality and service.

For more information, contact:

Spectrum Signs
23382 Madero Suite L
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 297-3800

Spectrum Signs