As a part of our philosophy of providing ongoing education to help our customers get the most out of their trade show participation, Thompson/Kerr Displays presents a summary of the first in a series of informative articles from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

"Selecting the Right Trade Show" provides 10 steps for choosing which trade shows will provide "the most bang for your marketing buck."

Attending the right trade show can make a big difference to your success level, qualified leads and sales versus spending money, time and energy with no return.

The article discusses:

• Questions to ask yourself to determine who you want to reach and what you want to have happen 
• Gathering as much information as possible about show statistics and demographics
• Visiting shows to evaluate the supporting events and/or seminars included
• Importance of show location and timing
• Evaluating what other marketing possibilities the show might offer
• Importance of your booth location
• And more

Read the full Nomadic article: Selecting the Right Trade Show. (opens in new window)

For more information about how we can provide you with the affordable services to create a trade show exhibit and marketing program that will capture attention and market share, call one of our experienced sales representatives at 317-915-1500 (toll free 800-580-8161), send us an email or submit the Contact Us form.

Getting the Most Out of Trade Show Services

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the second in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

"How to Get The Most Out Of Trade Show Services" provides 10 tips for dealing with show services, probably one of the least attractive aspects of exhibiting, yet a real necessity.

The best way to get started is to read the exhibitor service manual. Know all the rules, regulations, specifications about registration, shipping & drayage information, and all deadlines that need to be observed.

The article also discusses:

• Know what services you need before the show to demonstrate and display, and what utilities, carpeting, furniture, cleaning and security services are required. Services ordered on the show floor could result in 50% additional costs. 
• Carefully evaluate your display layout on the floor plan. Understand all symbols and markings as they indicates ceiling heights, pillar locations, etc.
• Call the electrical department to find out how much power to order and where the utility ports are located in relation to your space. Always order more utilities than you think you'll need so your products perform at their optimum level.
• Careful planning can reduce drayage (material handling costs):
• Delivery of display materials to the assigned space
• Removing empty crates
• Returning the crates at the end of the show
• Delivering the re-crated materials to the carrier loading dock
• To save money, consolidate all shipments and ship one time.
  
• Have enough carpeting: 
• Make sure all your utilities are installed before laying the carpet
• Order enough to cover the bare concrete strip between the display and the aisle 
• Get to know the show services representatives, they can be your best friends. Remember, their job is to help you. 
• And more!

Read the full Nomadic article: How to Get The Most Out Of Trade Show Services. (opens in new window)

Techniques For Creating Show-Stopping Graphics

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the fourth in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

"Techniques For Creating Show-Stopping Graphics" provides 10 tips about how eye-catching graphic displays create interest, focus attention and tell visitors about your product or service.

With just three to five seconds to grab a visitors attention, graphics should communicate who you are, what you do and how customers can benefit.

The article also discusses:

• Consider what your show goals are and how to convey them graphically 
• Project the right image. This will dictate your choices in typefaces, artwork, color, etc.
• Design your graphics to your target audience. Focus on customer benefits
• Pull in your audience with graphics coupled with other special effects; lights and movement attract attention 
• Things to avoid in your graphic designs, including cliches and overused metaphors, and periods at the end of headlines as they stop the reader from reading any further 
• And more!

;"> Read the full Nomadic article: Techniques For Creating Show-Stopping Graphics. (opens in new window)

Creating Strong Presentations

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the fifth in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

According to trade show research, live presentations are the third most important reason people remember a display, after display size and product interest. "Creating Strong Presentations" provides 10 tips about how to use this powerful promotional tool as an integral part of your marketing plan to appropriately communicate your company or product message.

The article also discusses:

• Consider your show objectives - use your presentation to help achieve your objectives and to enhance your message or show theme 
• Project the right image - decide what image you want to project and the best way to convey your company and product message with your trade show display 
• Have a realistic budget - know when it's appropriate to be modest and when it's okay to be a little more extravagant.
• Monitor and capture leads - design a simple and easy-to-use lead form to capture pertinent information from your prospects 
• And more!

Read the full Nomadic article: Creating Strong Presentations. (opens in new window)

Essential Components of Power-Packed Pre-Show Mailings

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the sixth in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

Planning is the key to the success of your pre-show direct mail campaign. Your mail campaign should be used in conjunction with other pre-show promotional activities such as:

• Advertising
• Telemarketing
• Press relations, etc.

"Essential Components of Power-Packed Pre-Show Mailings" provides 10 tips about how to get more visitors to your next trade show exhibition booth.

The article also discusses how to:

• Select the product, service, or event to promote - decide which will be most likely to attract visitors to your trade show exhibit 
• Establish objectives - make sure your promotion's objectives tie into your established trade show objectives and marketing strategy 
• Target your audience - consider their respective interests and concerns to tailor your message to the appropriate audience.
• Create an incentive - an enticing offer will give prospects a reason to visit your display. Often two-part mailings can entice attendees to visit your trade show exhibit. 
• And more!

Read the full Nomadic article: Essential Components of Power-Packed Pre-Show Mailings. (opens in new window)

Use Giveaways Effectively and Leave a Lasting Impression

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the seventh in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

Gift giving builds goodwill, can be an incentive, communicates a message and creates awareness. Premiums can also be used to pre-qualify your prospects.

"Use Giveaways Effectively and Leave a Lasting Impression" poses 10 questions you should ask yourself when thinking about giveaways or "premiums" for your next trade show.

Issues the article suggests you consider before deciding on a giveaway program include:

• What do you want to achieve? Give-away items should be designed to communicate, motivate, promote or increase recognition and memorability 
• Whom do you want to receive your premium? Having a clear objective for your premium item will also help determine who should receive it. 
• What must visitors do to qualify for a gift item? Avoid leaving items out for anyone to take as this diminishes value and has little or no memorability factor.
• How will you measure the effectiveness of your premium? Establish a tracking mechanism to measure the success of your giveaway. 
• And more!

Read the full Nomadic article: Use Giveaways Effectively and Leave a Lasting Impression. (opens in new window)

Questions That Qualify Prospects

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the eighth in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

Questions are a formidable business tool. Asking open ended questions that engage a prospect and reveal needs is a powerful way to gather buying information.

"Questions That Qualify Prospects" provides 10 questions to ask visitors of your trade show booth, to help determine their wants and needs, and how you can provide them.

The questions are broken down into a three-step process, which includes:

• Opening questions - find out immediately who you are talking to and where they are from. You don't want to spend unnecessary time with visitors you cannot help 
• Investigating needs - move on to more probing, business-specific questions to create the fuel for your ultimate sale 
• Closing questions - using well prepared closing questions can help produce appropriate follow-up action

Read the full Nomadic article: Questions That Qualify Prospects. (opens in new window)

Trade Show Industry Terms

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the ninth in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

"Trade Show Industry Terms" provides definitions to some of the industry's most frequently used terms.

A few examples of the terms and their definitions include:

• Cam Lock - a locking device commonly used in custom construction 
• Drayage - term used for labor handling of exhibit materials from the freight carrier at the show location to the exhibitors' booth location within the show hall 
• Portable - term used to describe any booth that can be transported by a person without requiring a dolly, pallet jack, or forklift

Read the full Nomadic article for more details and additional terms: Trade Show Industry Terms. (opens in new window)

International Exhibitors: Know Your Audience

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the tenth in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

"International Exhibitors: Know Your Audience" provides 10 tips on how to deal with the various cultures and customs of visitors attending international trade shows.

The article stresses the importance of knowing different forms of business etiquette when interacting with an international audience. Is it appropriate to shake hands, bow or just nod your head. Do you address your guest by name or by title. These are important questions to know the answers to when dealing with people raised in more formal societies than ours.

Other topics discussed in the article include:

• Treat business cards with respect - the business card is like a passport showing status and identity. Give the same respect to a person's card as you would the person 
• Understand the significance of colors and numbers - be sensitive to the meanings of color and symbols in different countries. To be safe, always do your research 
• Use a native for translations - when translating copy or business communication always use a native speaker with technical knowledge of your products and industry
• And more

Read the full Nomadic article for more details and additional terms: International Exhibitors: Know Your Audience. (opens in new window)

A Motivated Staff Guarantees Fantastic Trade Show Results

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the eleventh in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

Staffing your company's display at a show is hard work and staying motivated can often be a real challenge. "A Motivated Staff Guarantees Fantastic Trade Show Results" provides 10 tips on how to properly staff your booth and keep your team motivated during the exhibition.

To get the most from your trade show participation, you should select people who want to be there to staff your exhibit. The key ingredient for anyone to be motivated to work a show is simple: they need to want to be there.

Other topics discussed in the article include:

• Leave negative attitudes behind - when employees have a negative attitude about being at a show, their body language lets everyone around know they feel "this is a futile and unimportant exercise" 
• Realize everyone is an ambassador - choose your team carefully based on its excellent knowledge of the company's products and services and the many customers and prospects whom you expect to visit the stand 
• Create a positive, fun and reinforcing environment - rewards and personal recognition provide an effective way of encouraging higher levels of performance.
• And more

Read the full Nomadic article for more details and additional terms: A Motivated Staff Guarantees Fantastic Trade Show Results. (opens in new window)

Everything You Need to Know About Display Transportation

Thompson/Kerr Displays is proud to present the twelfth in a series of informative article summaries from Nomadic Displays, makers of portable trade show displays.

Making the right transportation decisions for your display and materials will not only save you time and money, but also a great deal of aggravation. "Everything You Need to Know About Display Transportation" provides 9 tips on how to get your trade show exhibits from one location to another safely and economically.

The more time you have to plan, the better able you are to organize the best transportation options for your specific needs. Leaving transportation to the last minute will reduce your options and raise your costs.

Other topics discussed in the article include:

• Choose what's right - determine your right transportation option. Your four main choices are common carrier, van line, air freight or courier services like DHL or FedEx. 
• Do your homework - select a carrier that has dedicated exhibition services and drivers who have experience delivering to show sites. 
• Label correctly - label every box, carton or crate you ship with the show name and booth number you are shipping to. 
• And more

Read the full Nomadic article for more details and additional terms: Everything You Need to Know About Display Transportation. (opens in new window)