Trade Show TalesBlog

Word on the Street — August 10th thru August 14th

August 14th, 2009 Mel White 5 COMMENTS
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Social Media. . . Just a Fad? Administrative Crack Maybe . . . but It’s Clearly NOT a Fad!

OK, nobody’s looking, so you’re safe — Raise your hand if you have a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or MySpace account. If your hand is not up, then you are either lying or you are reading this on paper because you still haven’t figured out how to turn on a computer.

While I will concede that many of these, especially MySpace and Facebook, started primarily as fads over the past few years, times have clearly changed. So much so that they are affecting other mediums as well.

Did you know that ESPN just this week banned all its on-air and print talent from talking sports on Twitter and other Social Media sites? It’s true! The thought being, if they are breaking sports news in Tweets or Facebook updates and I read them there, then why would I need to watch Sportscenter.

Personally, I have a Twitter account, a LinkedIn account and yes, a Facebook page. If you had asked me about these sites a year ago, I would have laughed and said, “Heck no!” Now, I even write a weekly blog post. And I am clearly not the only one. Let me site some facts I recently read online at Socialnomics.com.

Social Media Facts

  • If Facebook were a country, it would be the world’s 4th largest between the United States and Indonesia
  • Years to reach 50 millions users:  Radio (38 Years), TV (13 Years), Internet (4 Years), iPod (3 Years). Facebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months. iPhone applications hit 1 billion in 9 months
  • % of companies using LinkedIn as a primary tool to find employees — 80%
  • There are over 200,000,000 blogs
  • 34% of bloggers post opinions about products and brands
  • 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations 
  • People care more about how their social graph ranks products and services than how Google ranks them

There are many, many more that will stagger you. When you have 4-5 minutes to spare, check out this video on YouTube:  http://tinyurl.com/qlpfln.

Business Perspective

So, from a business perspective, is there value to be found in these trending numbers? I think there clearly is. In a weird way, I would suggest that we are “coming full circle” — back before traditional print, TV and radio were the main forms of corporate advertising. Social Media provides a “Word-of-Mouth” advertising that costs nothing, and is often 100% better than any paid ad on Google could ever give you in return.

Depending on your age, ask your parents, grandparents or great grandparents about Word-of-Mouth. I think you will find that Word-of-Mouth was the most powerful form of advertising then, and it is becoming the dominate form now.

I review LinkedIn several times a day. I do not contribute as much as I would like to, but I read posts all day long. I could argue that I learn more there than I do in a three-day stint on the show floor at EXHIBITOR Show. Not to imply that tradeshows have lost their relevance. They have not! People still want to go, touch, feel, and learn.  However, LinkedIn provides controlled information from the standpoint that I am in control of what I read and learn.

I do think there are inherent dangers involved of course. Social Media can easily become a time and human resources black hole for a company. The Social Media Addiction is a very real thing. Many companies have banned or blocked virtually all Social Networking sites from their internal networks. And I think for good reason. While I see the value on many levels, I am not sure that each job description really needs to have access to such sites.

So, I know many of you have your own Social Media accounts, blogs, and sites. How have they impacted how you do business? Have they impacted how you do business? Do you see them as valuable business tools?

Please comment and let me know.

Have a great and restful weekend.

Be Well!

–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

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What You Should Know about Exhibit Marketing

August 14th, 2009 Mel White 2 COMMENTS

Visionary Designs VK-5002 Trade Show Island Exhibit

  • Exhibit marketing is more than just selling from a booth space
  • Trade shows allow companies to showcase their achievements, build their business, and maintain their competitive edge
  • You can learn to be an exhibit marketing guru. Become certified
  • Understand and track your ROI. Creating a well-defined budget is the best method to track and manage your total investment in a particular show
  • If you need help, rely on your local exhibit consultant or contract with an exhibit consulting firm

What is Exhibit Marketing?

Exhibit marketing is all about marketing your products or services to buyers at expositions, conferences, and trade shows. A successful exhibit marketing program will be rewarded with increased revenues, referrals, and industry networking. The goal is to understand how exhibit marketing differs from the other types of marketing.  

Exhibit marketing is more than just selling from a booth space. For many industries, it’s about bringing people and companies together to promote accomplishments, stimulate thought, share knowledge, build relationships, spur the competitive spirit, and reward entrepreneurial efforts. Exhibit marketing not only introduces buyers to sellers, but also fuels the competitive spirit by filling a hall with competitors, partners, and suppliers, each with goals and dreams of success. Trade shows allow companies to showcase their achievements, build their business, and maintain their competitive edge.  
Read the rest of this entry »

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Word on the Street — August 3rd thru August 7th

August 7th, 2009 Mel White COMMENTS
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

The Evolution of Design Search

Most of you have had some experience with Classic Exhibits’ Design Search. Design Search has proven to be one of the most powerful tools on the web to explore displays, exhibit photos, and trade show tips.

The idea, originally, was simple. Create a tool where a distributor or end user could search a database of exhibit designs by size, price, and keyword. But like all good ideas, it quickly morphed into much, much more.

We realized that this would be a valuable tool on the Classic site, but very quickly recognized that it could also be a valuable tool on any Distributor’s website. We could brand it so it matched their website graphics and retained their navigation — All for only $300!!

Over the past two and a half years, over 90 Distributors have added Design Search, automatically giving them access to 21 product galleries, a searchable database of both renderings and photos, rental options as well as distributor specific communication tools like Design Request, Send Me More Information, and the ability to email specific designs directly from Design Search to clients.

Again . . . all for $300!

Over the past few months, we have added new features that make Design Search even better!

Design Search Galleries

Design Search Galleries

We added Product Galleries for several Optima Graphics products and Eco-systems Sustainable Exhibits designs. These additions give Design Search even more product depth! We also added a Top 12 Slideshow button to the Home Page which shows the Top 12 most popular designs within Design Search.

Have a client with either a “Quick Ship” or “Tight Budget”? You can easily click to either Quick Ship displays or Quarterly Specials and find just what you need.

As you can probably tell, we are very proud of Design Search. If you do not have Design Search on your website, you may want to consider it. Once it’s in place, we handle all the maintenance by updating it with new designs, adding new features, and constantly tweaking the design details, graphic dims, and setup instructions. We do this all behind the scenes so you don’t have to.

Concerned with SEO and Web Optimization for your website? Design Search is highly optimized with the latest technology and focused on keywords to help your listing on Google. 

Check it out and let us know what you think. If you are interested in adding Design Search to you website, feel free to contact Mel White at mel@classicexhibits.com for more information.

Have a great and restful weekend

Be Well!

–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

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What You Should Know about Exhibit Budgeting

August 7th, 2009 Mel White COMMENTS
  • How to differentiate between normal marketing expenses and exhibit marketing expenses
  • The exhibit is the largest initial expense, but your ongoing exhibit marketing will easily surpass that initial cost 
  • Create a budget and maintain an accurate Return on Investment (ROI) on your exhibit marketing
  • Include the Exhibit Costs, Onsite Expenses, and Show Services when developing your budget

An Accurate Exhibit Budget

Companies should define a workable exhibit marketing budget, one that includes all related costs. However, the line between marketing expenses and exhibit marketing expenses can be somewhat fuzzy. You will want to create a well-defined budget that separates them.  

The exhibit is typically the largest initial expense. However, over time, the cost of using the exhibit will easily surpass the initial cost of the exhibit, often significantly. When constructing a budget, evaluate your ability to maintain the expense year after year. Weigh the repercussions of scaling back. In some industries, scaling back can be more damaging than never exhibiting in the first place.  

Creating an Exhibit Budget

Creating a budget allows you to figure an accurate ROI. You should account for pre- and post-show marketing, travel costs, lodging, and entertainment. You’ll need to factor in freight, drayage, show labor, carpeting, and electricity expenses. These can be significant expenses. Most I&D companies will estimate the labor time from a faxed set-up drawing. Most freight companies can estimate the shipping charges based on dimensions and weight provided by the exhibit seller. You should also factor in minor repairs due to freight damage or repeated set-up. Generally, common sense will determine if the exhibit packing is sufficiently for repetitive use, the vibration of the road, and the pounding of the forklift during freight handling.  

Don’t forget to factor in the usable life of your exhibit and assign a cost to each show. On average, an exhibit is effective for three years. Any longer and the exhibit may be dated or worn. Any earlier and the marketing value is not realized. Read the rest of this entry »

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Word on the Street — July 27th thru July 31st

July 31st, 2009 Mel White 1 COMMENT
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Relax! Is It Really Feasible These Days?

Sort of a weird topic, right?

If you are like me, you work long hours, travel more than you should, and constantly have work on your mind. All the while, trying to balance your home life and the current world we live in. It can be hard!

Coming off a week in Chicago at TS2, I was slammed the first three days catching up on calls, emails, and orders — as well as doing as much show follow-up as possible. What made it even more critical was that I was leaving Thursday morning for a short vacation so I had to get everything done by Wednesday afternoon . . . theoretically!

So with that behind me, now it ‘s time to relax right? Easier said than done. How does one go from 100 to 0?

For me, I try to maintain a similar routine by waking up a little earlier, having a cup of coffee, and checking the computer. But I steer clear of work stuff as much as possible. This morning I opened the laptop at 7:00 am. I had 47 emails, mostly work related. Immediately, I shut off my email, threw the headphones on, and opted to re-watch Stage 20 from the Tour De France, Mt. Ventoux. It proved to be both relaxing and inspiring. Despite the temptation to respond to every email, I have to remind myself that my Out-of-Office is on so anyone who really wants an answer knows to call Classic or ClassicMODUL.

Ask my wife what relaxes me and she would laugh and tell you that it took several years for her to figure that out. But put some good music in my ears and a concert playing , a cycling re-run, or sometimes just looking through photos and I am at peace.

What about you? How do you break the cycle of the day to day stresses we all deal with? Please share your comments

Have a great and restful weekend

Be Well!

–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

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