How to Select a Table Top Show Display
Once you've taken the time to understand "who" you should be marketing to and have researched the appropriate shows to exhibit at, you will need to be certain that you are making an impact on the attendees' mind through your messaging, booth staff and trade show display.
Depending on the size of the booths or table top expos that you exhibit at there are a wide variety of options to choose from, ranging anywhere from table top displays, panel systems, "Pop-Ups", banner stands, stretch fabric displays, custom modulars, to full custom exhibits.
My "No B.S." opinions will be shared with you, particularly focused on Table Top Displays this month - so you can run out and purchase the most powerful display for your Table Top exhibiting! These opinions are based on feedback from my clients, results for my clients, industry research and my extensive experience in the Trade Show industry as a former PR/Trade Show Manager and now as a Trade Show consultant.
You'll also definitely want to read "How to Select a Pop Up Trade Show Display"; the Rockin "Pop Up" Displays used for small exhibits, such as 10' x 10', 10' x 20', and so on...
Table Top Show Overview
The "Budget Exhibiting Option" of choice!: Table Top Expos are offered by many Chambers of Commerce, Business Groups, Associations and sometimes as a "Budget Option" at many of the larger Trade Shows; so businesses with smaller budgets can take advantage of the opportunity to participate in a large show.
That's all they cost!: For several hundred dollars, you really can't go wrong; Table Top Expos are typically very inexpensive to participate in and can be particularly beneficial if you are looking to reach prospects in a certain local market. Visit the websites of your local Chambers and business groups to look for these Table Top Expo opportunities - I guarantee that there is one being planned by a local organization "as we speak"!
Want the Competitive Advantage?: If you take the time to target your exhibiting efforts with a clearly defined plan, you will have a competitive advantage and leave with many QUALIFIED business opportunities; primarily because the other exhibitors often tend to have very limited experience with exhibiting at these type of shows and don't know how to do it effectively! ; )
What is this type of Exhibitor's typical strategy you ask?: For the most part the majority of exhibitors will place some collateral and promotional items on their table and put out "the dreaded Fish Bowl" to collect "Leads"; which for the record are NOT LEADS at all -- when businesses use a fish bowl approach in their exhibits, they are collecting stacks of business cards, NOT leads!!! Trust me, your sales team DOES NOT want to follow up with those type of leads - they want QUALIFIED leads to follow up with!!!
I can use my display everywhere!: You only need to spend several hundred dollars on a Table Top Display to present a polished image for your business. An added benefit with many of the Table Top options is the ability to use the display in unlimited ways; in your showroom, at meetings where you can set up signage, sales meetings, client presentations and MANY MORE -- just think outside the box to maximize the minimal investment spent on your display!
Now that you are armed with this knowledge, if you take the time to train your company how to acquire qualified leads, find a display that attracts the attendees' attention and create targeted messaging, you will speed your sales cycle and get the business instead of your competition!
OK, now let's move on so I can describe the type of Display options available for your Table Top exhibiting!
Panel Table Top Displays
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Easy to set up
- "Entry level" type of display
- Many can be converted into a larger display
- Easily portable
Cons:
- My personal opinion about these type of displays are that many of the Panel Table Top Displays make your image look "dated" and "cheap"
- Takes up most of the Table Top area available
Pop-Up Table Top Displays
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Easy to set up
- Easily portable
- More visually appealing than the panel systems and makes a better statement about your company
Cons:
- Takes up most of the Table Top area available
Double Sided Banner Stands
A personal favorite of mine that my clients find to be the most effective for Table Top Shows is Double Sided Banner Stands; they fit up against the side of the table and allow you to create MANY messages about the benefits of your company and products!
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Easy to set up
- Easily portable
- Lightweight
- Leaves your table top space available for collateral, demonstrations, etc.
- You can place them in your larger exhibits when you are ready for that type of booth, or even the lobby of your office, or bring them to meetings where you are allowed to place signage; the possibilities are limitless!...
Table Throws
No matter what type of display option you choose, you should definitely purchase a Table Throw with your corporate logo to complete your image with a consistent, crisp look! Otherwise you are at the mercy of the colors and table covering selected by the show organizers (which are usually pretty ugly and cheap looking)! CLAIM YOUR SPACE; show off your corporate colors and brand your business by prominently displaying your logo on your table throw!
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Easy to set up
- Easily portable
- Lightweight
- You can place it in your larger exhibits when you are ready for that type of booth, bring it to meetings and seminars where you are allowed to place signage and MUCH More; the possibilities are limitless!...
written by:
Linda Musgrove
Tradeshow Teacher
www.tsteacher.com
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Contributing Author:
Linda Musgrove is President of the Miami based Trade Show Training & Consulting firm, TradeShow Teacher, catering to businesses nationwide.
She has taught many companies over the years how to improve their trade show results through educational "Trade Show Tutoring" programs for individuals, departments or entire teams; and with the Trade Show Training Manual she authored, titled: Trade Show Training, for Increased Return On Investment.
Other Articles By This Author:
•Guerrila Marketing
•Fish Bowl Marketing
•Competitive Intelligence 101
•Market Segmentation
•Trade Show Technology Trends
•How To Select A Pop Up Trade Show Display
•How To Select A Table Top Show Display
•Table Top Expos
•How To Select A Targeted Trade Show
•Networking Skills
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