ted ridgway

Well run companies need to know and optimize the return from their marketing efforts. Trade show expenses fall into this category - businesses need to figure out what the return is as accurately as possible. It can be difficult to get a good understanding of return if you focus on sales. Most companies would realize trade shows can be very effective investments if they focused on a broader set of performance indicators. Here are some pointers.

Summer is around the corner and with summer comes the outdoor event circuit. These are reat events to exhibit at - fun and good for business and leads. With so much potential on the table in terms of new business, it's disappointing to see exhibitors go with a generic white tent or a solid drape backdrop. There are easy ways to make your outdoor presence known – here are some outdoor event ideas to get your company noticed.

The trade show industry takes a breather in the summer months giving exhibitors an opportunity to see if show strategies are working. We're at about the half-way mark on the year and changes you make now can still have an impact on 2011's revenues. With a focus on late summer and fall trade shows, here are some points to be mindful of.

Trade show graphics - they are so often overlooked it's an exception when they're done on time. And not only does create anxiety and stress - you usually miss an opportunity to create great graphics. Here's a list of do's and don'ts that might help.

Your company is headed to a trade show - so you know there are things that will go wrong. You just don't know what. There are certain things you can't prepare for – people miss planes, hotels lose bookings. Whatever. Your display can also experience calamity - here are some home remedies that will help you company thrive at the show and get all the value out of it you can.

Ok, so you're ready to buy or upgrade your trade show banner stands but you find a lot of different models and different prices. You need to know what's what and to make sure your company gets what it needs without paying for features it doesn't value. We break it down for you here

If you're evaluating trade show display companies, the web makes finding them seem easy. But be cautious with information you find - not all companies do the same thing or so it the same way. You will eventually need support from the display supplier you choose - make sure they can be as responsive as you expect them to be when you need them.

So your company is moving to a larger trade show display? You'll have a lot of choices. How the display is used, integrated and stored are all critical elements to making the right decision for your company. This article will help you consider some of the issues.

Your company is headed to a trade show but you need to decide how to deliver your messaging to visitors most effectively. Since a lot of your branding and marketing will be on a linear back wall (if your company is using a 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 trade show booth) this is the key element of your company's trade show display. With so many different ways to do a back wall - each with corresponding costs and attributes - it can get confusing. This article will help your company sort it all out.

So you're business is gettting ready for its first trade show - or maybe it's just been a long time since its last show - either way the planning and logistics details can be overwhelming. Use the attached checklist to help your firm cut logistics and planning craziness so it can focus on pre-show prep and get to the basics of old fashioned positioning and selling.