Blog

Top 2019-2020 Trade Show Watchlist

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Oct 29, 2019 10:45:00 AM

 

If 2019 was any indication of how trade shows are trending, then 2020 is going to be a banner year. Below is a highlight of some spectacular upcoming trade shows, organized by industry and date. Based on the 2018 Top 250 US Trade Shows by Trade Show News Network, 2019-2020 is sure to please and there a few, in particular, you’ll want to look forward to.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, Tradeshow event, tradeshows, trade show leads, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, trade show planning and logistics, event planning

North American Trade Show Travel Tips

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Oct 22, 2019 10:45:00 AM

 

As the old saying goes, “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” You actually have no idea what is going to happen at a show – what could go wrong or who you might meet. There are a LOT of moving parts to a show – from the travel to the hotel to the display setup to the tech. Anything could happen. So, why even have a solid plan? Because the actual planning of the trip helps you think through all those moving parts. Even if you’re a veteran exhibitor, you need a checklist and a plan to help your trip go smoothly. Here’s a quick list to keep you from stressing out about the details and to help be plan-savvy about the parts you CAN control.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, Tradeshow event, tradeshows, trade show leads, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, trade show planning and logistics, event planning, human interaction, travel, safety, air travel

The #1 Way to Improve Trade Show Effectiveness

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Oct 8, 2019 10:45:00 AM

 

Recently, two separate studies were conducted involving hundreds of exhibitors to determine exactly what works and what doesn’t when it comes to trade show practices. Skyline Exhibits and Access Intelligence Research & Consulting asked over 400 exhibitors how to get better results from their trade shows.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, Tradeshow event, tradeshows, trade show leads, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, event planning, human interaction

3 Questions to Spark Conversations in Your Trade Show Booth

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Oct 1, 2019 10:45:00 AM

3 Surefire Questions to Get Your Booth Attendees Talking!

It’s no surprise that the most important goal at a trade show is also the biggest challenge – getting people into your booth space. Obviously, the first step is to have an eye-catching exhibit. Many companies try product demos, professional entertainers, and giveaways to attract visitors. But what if your budget doesn’t afford professional corporate entertainers? What if your exhibit is more subtle than dazzling? What if your product or service doesn’t lend itself to a demo?

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, Tradeshow event, tradeshows, trade show leads, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, event planning, human interaction

Surviving the Unexpected Airline Delays to Your Trade Show

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Sep 24, 2019 10:45:00 AM

In the event and exhibit industry, airline travel is frequent and common. Usually, it all goes off without a hitch. You grab your stuff, get to the gate, board the plane, and off you go. However, if you’ve racked up millions of frequent flyer miles, there’s a chance you’ve also racked up an airline delay or two. And despite our best efforts at managing delays, layovers, connections, and other unforeseen stresses, we might even be faced with an overnight airport stay due to weather or airplane mechanical issues.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, Tradeshow event, tradeshows, trade show leads, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, event planning, human interaction, travel, safety, air travel

Travel Tips for Safety

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Aug 27, 2019 10:45:00 AM

“Safe travels!” We hear it all the time when someone’s wishing us farewell for a trip, and we say it to each other, too. In fact, it’s SO common that we handily dismiss it without even really thinking about what might help us actually HAVE safe travels.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, Tradeshow event, tradeshows, trade show leads, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, event planning, human interaction, travel, safety, air travel, Uber

Tips for the Trade Show Rookie

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Aug 20, 2019 10:45:00 AM

Managing a trade show is not a job for the faint of heart. It is a demanding job with a lot of moving parts, which we’ll discuss below. A trade show manager might work for the sponsor or the organizer of a trade show; or they might work for a company participating in a trade show. If a business is smaller and only occasionally participates in trade shows, the trade show manager hat might be worn by the marketing manager or to someone from the sales team. No matter where the trade show manger comes from, their job is to provide an experience benefits the company and satisfies the customer.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, Tradeshow event, tradeshows, trade show leads, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, client engagement, event planning, human interaction, trade show etiquette

Trade Show Etiquette 301

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Aug 6, 2019 10:45:00 AM
Less Obvious Trade Show Do's and Don'ts

You probably wouldn’t talk on your phone or blow bubble gum or eat a Subway sandwich while manning the booth at your tradeshow. These are egregious errors in protocol that none of us would commit. However, have you ever skipped an opening event? Overlooked a surly-seeming booth visitor? Been too tired to give a client your full attention? These more benign breeches in etiquette might not strike us as that unbecoming, but to a prospective customer or client, our behavior matters. A LOT. If you think you’re above slipping up in the area of manners, look over the following trade show etiquette tips and judge for yourself.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, Tradeshow event, tradeshows, trade show leads, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, client engagement, event planning, human interaction, trade show etiquette

Ice Breaker Questions

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Jul 30, 2019 10:45:00 AM
Ice Breaker Questions for Trade Shows

With actual human connection going the way of the dinosaur recently, people have to work harder than ever to see (literally!) eye-to-eye. Think of your day to day life. You’re at work and you see people over the top of a computer screen or listen to them as you work on your iPad or device. You’re in a public space and people are just head down, ear buds in, face in phone. You’re in your car at a stoplight, and chances are all the people around you in their cars are on their phones; not that you’d notice, because you’re checking Instagram.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, tradeshows, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, client engagement, event planning, human interaction

Strengthen Your Empathy Muscles

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Jul 16, 2019 10:45:00 AM
Empower Booth Staffers and Drive Better Staff Interactions

Albert Einstein once said, “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”  If he said that over 80 years ago, I wonder what this brilliant scientist would have to say about technology and human interaction today.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, tradeshows, success, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, human interaction, empathy

Don't Be "That Guy"

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Jun 18, 2019 10:45:00 AM
Don't Be That Guy At The Show!

Nobody wants to be “that guy.” You know, that guy that talks too loud. That guy that tells dumb jokes. That guy who wears too much Axe body spray. “That guy” is doing all the wrong things, and people are noticing.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, marketing, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, tradeshows, success, F2F, B2B, client relationships, booth staffing, technology, trade show staffing roles, trade show humor

5 "E's" of Trade Shows

Posted by Exhibitor Source on May 21, 2019 10:45:00 AM

Go Beyond Selling Products or Services  

Facing the trade show season can be daunting for the experienced and first-timers alike, because the whole of trade shows are just such a large undertaking and incredibly detailed. Not only do you have to pick the best events that are the best fit for your product or service, but you also have to attend to the myriad details involved in actually pulling it all off. One thing to keep in mind to keep from getting overwhelmed is to remember that trade shows are not really about your product, your service, your booth, your giveaways. Sure, that matters.  A LOT.  Still, what’s MOST important in the trade show world is {drumroll, please}. . . the PEOPLE. You already knew that, but it bears saying.  The connection between your company’s booth staff and your booth’s visitors is primary in every interaction. As you begin to think about how to connect with your attendees, remember the 5 Es of the trade show world. The 5 Es are based on research found in “It’s Not Your Father’s or Mother’s Trade Show Anymore – Engage with Caution,” an article hosted by CEIR Industry Insights Series.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, marketing, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, sales leads, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, client relationships, booth staffing, experiential marketing, trade show promotions, trade show product displays, booth lighting

Time for a Change?

Posted by Exhibitor Source on May 7, 2019 10:45:00 AM

 10 IDEAS TO GET YOUR EXHIBIT NOTICED  

Some things take a larger amount of time and money to implement.  Here is a list of 10 fast and simple to implement ideas to get noticed.  Look to these quick, easy ideas to spruce up your booth environment to get the attention of attendees and set up for the best trade show yet.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, marketing, trade show marketing, Blog, trade shows, sales leads, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, client relationships, booth staffing, experiential marketing, trade show promotions, trade show product displays, booth lighting

Top 15 Tips to Get Noticed

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Feb 26, 2019 10:45:00 AM

Using Trade Show Promotions

Trade show promotions are a no-brainer. The basic 3 categories you can break this down into are pre-show promotions, at-show promotions, and post show follow up.  Overlaying all promotions are the goals you have for the attendee experience and what we want accomplish as a company.   There’s no better way to DRIVE people to your booth and draw attention to your company and products.  What’s more, there’s an endless variety of ways to do it!

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, marketing, trade show marketing, Blog, trade show leads, sales leads, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, client engagement, trade show promotions

Our Booth Staff Does What?

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Feb 19, 2019 10:45:00 AM

CC MM You do What  [FR AE] FEB 19 2019.pptx 1

50 Things a Booth Staffer May Do...

When I was in college, I worked summers at our city’s publishing house. I had the lofty title of “Office Staff.” I always hated that title because it conjured up images of a slothful slacker who was hard on the rolling chair they were plopped in all day. Anyway, another reason I felt disdain for the title was that I was so much MORE than “office staff.” I had so many jobs in that office – errand boy, social planner, events coordinator, warm body to guard the phones and the office, and more – that I sometimes wondered how on earth they operated when I was away at college! I figured I was the hardest working person in the building. I’m not sure what I wanted my title to be, but whatever it was, it needed to cover a LOT of areas!

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, marketing, trade show marketing, Blog, B2B, booth staffing

Oscar Winning Performances at Trade Shows

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Feb 5, 2019 10:45:00 AM

CC MM Oscar Performances [fr JOHN] Feb 5 2019 1
As we are settling in to 2019, it is always good to look back at what worked in a “2018 Year in Review.” I always love the year-in-review posts that flood the online world this time of year. Some are fun, but they offer a real look at what actually happened in the year that just flew by.  Here is a year-end recap of the marketing world’s best tips and trends.  Read on to discover (or remember!) the year’s best trends and takeaways.

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, marketing, trade show marketing, Blog, B2B, booth staffing

Which Animal Booth Staffer Have You Seen?

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Jan 29, 2019 10:45:00 AM

Which Animals
It's time for a bit of lighter side humor in trade show booth staffing. On occasion we will go to trade shows and see some of the following personalities. Some of them are easy to recognize because they act just like their animal kingdom counterpart. Here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly of the beastly world of booth staffers. See if you recognize anyone you have observed on the show floor?

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show displays, Nashville trade show exhibits, Nashville trade show installation, marketing, trade show marketing, Blog, B2B, booth staffing, trade show humor

11 "Oops" Moments at Trade Shows

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Jan 22, 2019 10:45:00 AM

Trade shows are pivotal events for your business. They create a steady stream of customers perusing and passing your booth. A captive audience, almost. You get to encounter massive amounts of people who are interested in your exact product line. Consequently, you’ve dedicated money and talent and manpower hours to preparing and manning the booth. However, you might inadvertently be making some key errors as you go along. Are you planning well? Do you and your staff have staying power? Are you following through? You’ve got a tremendous investment, not only in money, but also in time, training, and team-building in marketing your business at trade shows. Pay attention to these classic mistakes exhibitors make to ensure you don’t get in the way of your own success!

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show exhibits, marketing, Trade Show Exhibits Knoxville, trade shows, B2B, booth staffing, trade show planning and logistics

12 Things I Wish I Knew...

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Oct 31, 2018 10:45:00 AM

...Before Starting Trade Shows

Once you’re thrown into the whirlwind world of trade shows, the learning curve is steep. It’s like being thrown into the deep end of the pool – you either sink or you swim. Either way, there’s a lot of flailing! And although there is nothing like hands-on experience to teach you how to maneuver the trade show life, there are a few things I wish I’d known before I started. Here they are:

Read More

Topics: marketing, trade show displays Knoxville, trade show exhibits Nashville, trade shows, trade show leads, sales leads, branding, marketing budget, ROI, return on investment, face to face marketing, B2B, trade show regulations, booth staffing, trade show planning and logistics

13 Bad Booth Staffers

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Oct 23, 2018 10:45:00 AM


The Worst of the Worst...How Your Company Can Avoid Them!

You know them. You’ve met them. Maybe you’ve even BEEN them. Bad Booth Staffers. As long as there have been trade shows, there have been booth staffers behaving badly and ruining the company rep. See how many of these you recognize:

Read More

Topics: marketing, trade show displays Knoxville, trade show exhibits Nashville, trade shows, trade show leads, booth staffing

Talking Taboo...Promotional Models

Posted by Erik Koglin on Mar 27, 2018 10:55:00 AM

Do a web search on hiring models for your trade show and you’ll find not just a few articles that decry the practice.  There are a lot of reasons to be cautious in the use of models.  For one thing, having a gaggle of hot models in your exhibit can actually intimidate some people.  That high energy and frankly “intense” atmosphere that is often associated with the proverbial “booth babe” environment is tough for the more reserved people, and can even cause anxiety just by being in the area.

Read More

Topics: Insider, Nashville trade show marketing, marketing, trade show marketing, trade show booths, trade show exhibits, trade shows, trade show leads, branding, ROI, return on investment, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, booth staffing, promotional models, island trade show exhibits

Booth Behavior: Convention at the Convention

Posted by Exhibitor Source on Mar 1, 2018 10:58:20 AM


In the South, we are raised to be "nice." 
Nice is always expected, but nice means nothing without sincerity.  Too often nice can be a passive-aggressive behavior where you are smiling and nodding while inside you're really rolling your eyes or looking for an escape route.  What does this have to do with staffing at your trade show booth?  When you're hosting at your booth, you should strive to treat each visitor as you would a guest in your office or home.  Here are some suggestions to ensure your guests are sensing sincerity in your interactions at the booth. 

Read More

Topics: Nashville trade show exhibits, marketing, Trade Show Exhibits Knoxville, F2F, face to face marketing, B2B, southern hospitality, booth staffing, Maya Angelou, Exhibitor Source

Tactical Engagement-2

Click Here for Your Free eBook

Decide on the right tactics for attracting attendees to your trade show booth by gaining understanding of the relationship between the attendee and you, the exhibitor.

Key Takeaways Include:

  • Paralysis by analysis is a very real thing.
  • Who's at the end of the colored carpet?
  • What's the perfect promotion?

Subscribe Here!

Recent Posts

Posts by Tag

See all