Custom Exhibits: A Major Investment In Your Corporate Image
As the spring trade show season approaches, it's time to determine what your marketing presence will be this trade show season. This is particularly true for businesses with new products to introduce to the market. If you are a newcomer to the world of trade shows, the steps required to prepare custom exhibits may be new to you. Trade show presentation requires a lot of thought. For these new companies, the most difficult issue is that of getting the custom exhibits ready for the show. The exhibit is one of the most important factors in setting the corporate image of the company, and skimping on costs when building this display can hurt you in the sense that it will harm your corporate image.
When considering their custom exhibits, you should first decide just how much customizing you really require. A simple set-up with a low level of customizing may fit your needs at a low cost. Having your company logo, motto, and keywords printed on silk paneling may be sufficient.
These types of minimally custom exhibits are fine if you are exhibiting at a pretty small local or regional show. If, however, you are showing your wares at a major national or international show, and you are competing with world class companies, you are more likely to need to step up to the realm of custom exhibits.
The first move you need to make is to find an exhibit house that will give you the professional help you need to make it in the big time. Start your search by checking online or in the yellow pages and making a list of a few possible companies that are near enough for you to visit personally. While visiting you should ask to see samples of their work, find out what they charge, and get an estimate for the time it will take them to build to your needs. You also need to check references with prior customers.
The professional exhibit house you choose will discuss your marketing objectives with you and then work with you as a team to decide on the most effective way to exhibit your product. After thoroughly learning your goals, they may recommend the use of custom exhibits such as double-deck exhibits or multilevel exhibits.
In designing a successful trade show exhibit, you need to concentrate on the way that your goods and services are being presented. Take a good look at the exhibit and try to see the message your customers will get when they first see your presentation. If they don't get a positive feeling from what they see at first glance, there's a good chance they won't bother to stay and view the actual exhibit.
A major issue in the trade show game is the preparation of custom exhibits. This is a major investment in your corporate image, and it's going to cost you. The type of exhibit you choose will depend largely on the venue. If you're planning to present your products in a major national or international show, then you'll need to pull out all the stops to compete on the world stage. You should examine the exhibit house, check references and get cost and time estimates on what you would like to have built. A professional company can help you choose between double deck exhibits or multilevel exhibits.
Published December 30th, 2007
Filed in Business, Management
