There are several key points to consider when you are planning your attendance at any trade show or exhibition. Whether it is a 1 day event or a 5 day trade show, you need to ensure you are fully prepared.
Trade shows can be a very competitive environment, often you are faced with your direct competition, so you need to work hard to stand out.
At Oaks Exhibitions, we have over 20 years experience and expertise doing just this. Our main objective at any exhibition is to make sure your business stands out, by creating show stopping stands, that capture attention. Our team will work closely with you and the event organisers to ensure a successful and worthwhile exhibition, Interested in getting started?
Below we have put together a list of hints and tips we have collected over the years to ensure a successful exhibition and a show stopping exhibition stand!
What do you do?
If this is the first question a visitor asks when they enter your stand, then I am afraid you have failed. Your stand should clearly show or state what your products or services are. If your brand isn’t well known, then you need to be clever with your messaging. If you manufacture hospital equipment then say that, but this is a wide and varied market, so go one step further. Show some images of the types of products you manufacture. If you are an I.T company, then list some of your key services. We understand that your graphics need to look professional however they are also a huge part of pulling in the crowd.
Above the belt (not below!).
As a rule of thumb, make sure your main messaging is above waist height. Visitors don’t tend to walk around looking at their feet (unless they have amazing shoes!). So make sure your messaging is clearly visible. Select a few key points displayed in a large clear font and hit them with it.
Nobody Likes Clutter
Whilst you don’t want a white box for a stand (unless you do). It is important to make sure the design on your graphics is not cluttered. Make sure there is space between messages and images. You do not need to tell them everything you do, just choose a selection of your specialisms and focus on that. The rest you can talk about when you get them on the stand!
So Fresh and So Clean…!
If you are using images on your stand, then MAKE SURE they are high resolution.
High resolution images are pictures or photos where the media has higher concentrations of pixels or dots, resulting in better quality and clarity of the image – as it contains more detail. By contrast, images with lower resolutions tend to have fewer pixels or dots and thus less detail. If you are using a graphic designer then they will know exactly what to do, they will also know if an image is not suitable. If they say, we can’t use this image as it is not a high enough resolution, then believe them and choose another!
Brand Consistency
Make sure that you keep your branding consistent, the more a visitor sees your logo, the more likely they are to remember you. It takes an average of 5-7 brand impressions for a customer to remember your brand. (Source Brandagility). If a visitor see’s your logo on your stand, and then collects a leaflet with the same logo and message on. If they then go on to find out more about you on your website, then this also needs to reflect the first, and then the 2nd time they saw your brand. Are you keeping up? In summary, keep your brand and your messaging consistent! This may mean creating new marketing collateral and having some work done on your website BEFORE the show.
Show your True Colours
Colours have the power to influence our actions without us even realising it. This concept, known as colour psychology, looks at how different colours can affect behaviour and emotions unconsciously. Red is the colour of power. It gets people’s attention and it holds it, which is why it’s the most popular colour for marketing for example the word SALE is always red. When you want to be viewed as trustworthy, blue is the colour for you. Colour can provoke powerful reactions from humans both mentally and physiologically. So choose wisely!
Next Level Interaction
If you want to keep visitors on your stand, give them something else to do (other than talk to you). Competitions and games are always a draw for visitors. They get the chance to win a great gift in exchange for a business card or filling in a form. Please note if you want to use their data for marketing purposes after the show, then make sure they have ticked the opt-in form on your form!
At Oaks Exhibitions, we have over 20 years experience and expertise designing and building bespoke stands. Our design team will make sure your stand works for your objective. Whether that is to launch a new product, brand or to introduce your business to potential new clients. Our main objective at any exhibition is to make sure your business stands out, by creating show stopping stands, that capture attention. Our team will work closely with you to make every exhibition your best. Contact us for details.
If you are planning an event this year maybe we could help? Contact the Oaks Exhibitions team on 01484 644 368 or email us on info@oaks-exhibitions.co.uk