Are Your Trade Shows Important to Your Company?

Some have claimed that online communication is diminishing the value and importance of face-to-face marketing. The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (ceir.org) recently found that 76% of attendees at shows rate face-to-face marketing as Very Important! AND, 40% of attendees find exhibitions of MORE value today than they did two years ago.

If you believe in the value of trade shows and want to make sure that your entire company feels the same, here are four ways to make sure they do!

1. Set objectives for the year ( or for the show) and make sure everyone knows what they are. That way you will be able to show if you achieved them.

2. Find success stories: Did a major contract result from an unexpected meeting at a trade show? Are relationships with current customers solidified and strengthened at shows?  Pointing to specific success stories reinforces the importance of your trade show program!

3. Measure, measure, measure. Track and communicate ROI, sales, and objectives. If they are not so positive, make adjustments to the program to make them more positive.

4. Toot your own horn. Try doing a newsletter that highlights your shows, including success stories and kudos to those throughout your company who have contributed and supported the program. Make sure everyone knows the results (hopefully positive) and demonstrate that objectives were achieved. 

Mid-summer Reminders

• Remember to not leave your display, and especially your graphics, in a hot car for an extended period of time. Heat is not a friend of lamination!
• We have new, thicker plastic sleeves that protect your graphics. If yours are getting ripped up, order the new ones. They are much easier to use!
• Booth Camp is in full swing. We still have room for some booth campers, so call for your reservation. Booth camp is the time to bring your display in for an inspection, cleaning, and general updating, before the fall trade show season gets in full swing.
• Nomadic and Thompson/Kerr have some summer specials going on - but you must say you heard about them in the newsletter to qualify!

XPRESSIONS!!

A new idea in exhibiting - creative, yet super-simple,lightweight, AND affordable. This new product, from Thomspon/Kerr Displays, can set you apart from the pack, give you interchangeable potential, and get you in and out of the exhibit hall in record time. For more information on this super new offering, click here.

Employee Recognition Display

Don't let your display sit in the case between shows. It can work for you!  How about putting it up in your office/factory and recognize the good work of your employees.

Here's a snazzy new design from Nomadic's DesignLine series. There are many more available at www.nomadicideas.com. You can search this site for lots of display ideas in different sizes, prices, and needs. And our website,www.thompsonkerr.com, has many display ideas also. Check them out!

Congrats to the MicroChicks of Speedway. Sixth Graders Emily Browning, Jessica Daniel, Kate Kenny, and Hilary Ralston entered the TOYChallenge 2004 Toy and Game Design Contest, aimed at middle school girls who are interested in science and engineering.

The girls won their regional competition, and then competed in the National contest in San Diego this summer. Their game,"World Wide Web Racing" had a "Speedway" theme and was centered around interesting facts about spiders.

The girls learned a lot during the process of developing the game and "selling" it to the judges. We at Thompson/Kerr Displays loaned them a display to take to San Diego to heighten their presentation.

Great job, MicroChicks!