Too Risky?
Insurance. There’s a word that conjures up mixed emotions. Nobody wants to pay for it but it certainly is nice to have when you need it. In the tradeshow industry, there are many steps to take to ‘ensure’ success on the show floor. Partnering with a reliable exhibit company like Skyline Exhibits for instance is a great start. But one step that is overlooked every now and then is insuring freight to and from events. Sometimes it’s skipped simply to save a few bucks and other times it’s just an oversight. But more often than not, it’s that ‘one time’ that will come back to haunt you.
If you arrange your own freight, double-check to make sure you have checked the insurance box. Or be sure to ask your sales representative to please insure my freight. Because all of the other steps that you have carefully and methodically planned to ensure your success may be all for naught if your exhibit and graphics arrive on the show floor damaged and unusable. Nobody wants to be that person!
Now if your show is in Las Vegas and you’re out on the casino floor playing blackjack and you’ve got 17 or higher when the dealer has an ace showing and they ask you if you want insurance…well good luck with that!
Berkeley Dowd
Skyline Displays Bay Area
Skyline Displays Northern California
Filed under: Berkeley Dowd, Creative Marketing, Show Tips | No Comments »
Jessica Blog: LED video curtain
As the fall season is underway I have been constantly approached with new audio visual ideas as technology gets better and better every year. The LED video curtain is a new dynamic and eye catching presentation system. The first time I personally viewed it was at CES 2011 being used by Motorola. Their curtain wall I would have to guess was close to a 20×20 hanging square. It was just amazing. The panel was quite modular as it starts off in tiles, however some manufacturers even produce in rollable sheets. I stood literally inches from it and no feeling of heat radiating off, which is always my concern with new lighting effects.
The most beneficial use for this projection would be in large island spaces. I would have to say at least 20′ x 30′ and over, just to give the right amount of viewing distance to achieve the overall effect. Content on this will not be your typical high res or HD so creative content bill will be at a minimum!
For more info or our rental rates for the LED video curtain feel free to email me at jlorias@skybay.com
Jessica Lynn Orias | Exhibit Consultant | 44111 Fremont Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538 | ph. 510.933.2212 | jlorias@skybay.com |fx. 510.490.9949 | www.skybay.com
Filed under: Audio Visual, Creative Marketing, Jessica's Blog, Show Tips | 1 Comment »
Putting Color in its Place
When I walk into most trade shows today, I still can feel overwhelmed by the competition of visual effects that stand before me. Tall structures with bold logos and large format graphics….spinning towers… rear lit hanging signs are all out there to get my attention. What is it that really does catch my eye? Plain and simple, it is the smart use of color. I honestly feel it can help make the difference between blending in… or standing out against your neighbor.
Smart color accents:
Small booths are no exception to this concept. I really like how the conservative grays of the hardware, backdrop and flooring of the Con+text exhibit are brought to life with the contrasting orange and green accents. Simple, yet effective.
The Freshness of Green anchored by the Play of Orange
Contrasting colors:
3PAR- Color against color. Yellow against purple. Did you know that complimentary colors have the greatest contrast and will pop most when placed against each other. What a great way to get those bridges and large banners to catch your eye from afar!
3 PAR - The Royal Duo - Purple and Gold
Black tones down bold color
Wow… The Chick Chocolates design almost glows in the dark, but the smart use of a black carpet actually tones down and frames the bright pinks, yellows and greens. And as a bonus , it helps bring your focus to the “Chicks” figures throughout the space
Color in Chic Chocolate
Multiple color mix
Using bold and large color blocks, Broder shows how multiple colors, one on top of color as well as next to another, can really stand out. Notice how the white booth hardware gives it extra punch as it also frames matching color products.
600 square feet of color splash: Border
After all, isn’t your booth actually a work of art?
Mary Hutton-Ladner
Skyline Displays Bay Area
Skyline Displays Northern California
Filed under: Creative Marketing, Exhibit Rentals, Experiential Brand, Graphics: Tips and Tricks, Intelligent Design, Mary Hutton, Show Tips, trade show marketing | No Comments »
Do Your Homework.
If you are entering the trade show arena for the first time, and you have been assigned the task of purchasing a new exhibit, then I would like to offer you some helpful advice for you to consider prior to determining your purchasing budget. Many people often make the mistake of purchasing just one main exhibit for all their events ‘to save money’ when actually purchasing at least two or more exhibits may be the most cost effective route to take. I know, you’re saying to yourself, “Of course that’s what you would say! You’re Skyline Exhibits!” Well, I promise you this is good advice.
First, rate your shows according to importance. This may be determined by a number of factors that only you and your company can identify. For starters, create two tiers – primary for your most important shows and secondary for your other events. Second, rate your shows according to the length of the show by number of days. Maybe you have several one day events or even a couple of targeted shows that may only be a couple of hours in length and the cost of sending in the big guns just isn’t justifiable. Third, identify conflicting show schedules and dates. If you have an event on the east coast that ends on a Tuesday and your next event is the following Thursday on the west coast, make a note of it.
What you learn from this exercise may surprise you. Say you have your most important show and you obviously are planning on having your primary exhibit on display. Well, your next event is a second tier show and it happens to be only a day or two after your main event – and it is a thousand miles away! The operating costs associated with transporting your main exhibit from point A to point B may well exceed any perceived value you were hoping to recoup from attending this event in the first place. Perhaps a smaller, simpler exhibit can be shipped to the lower tier event in pace of the main one – and at a less accelerated and costly rate. You may find that the cost of a secondary exhibit alone may be far less than just the operating costs you would have incurred from rushing your large exhibit across the country.
So you get the point. This is just a helpful suggestion to conduct an exercise of this sort to help you plan your show schedule and determine a purchase budget for ALL of your exhibit needs. Please give us a call and schedule your appointment today. You’re well on your way to successful exhibiting!
Berkeley Dowd
Skyline Displays Bay Area
Skyline Displays Northern California
Filed under: Berkeley Dowd, Creative Marketing, Show Tips, trade show marketing | No Comments »
Tried and True – Popping up the Energy of your Pop-Ups!
Mezetta
In my 25 years of working for Skyline, I am still amazed to see how so many of our modular exhibits have morphed themselves into something new. With companies growing and changing brands or just adding new products, it is essential that their tradeshow exhibits be kept coherent and current.
I like to think of Skyline’s display hardware as “work horses” because of the number of times my clients have returned to update rather than replace their exhibits. Whether it is a new graphic mural, change of logo or color, or the increase in booth size, it has always been easy to accommodate them within their time frame and budget.
G L Mezzetta is one of my favorite examples … Their original purchase of a Mirage 10′ inline exhibit showcased several different graphic murals and logos for several years. Then as they needed to expand their booth space and highlight more products, our Inliten hardware with product shelving and other custom features was integrated both structurally and visually. And each time their logo changed and more product lines added , another set of banners and awnings were updated quickly and cost effectively. I think the real bonus was how well this 10 x 20 inline now works as a backdrop since they have moved up to a 20 x 20 space.
What a great way to make your display work for you!
Mary Hutton-Ladner
Skyline Displays Bay Area
Skyline Displays Northern California
Filed under: Banner Stands, Brand loyalty, Creative Marketing, customer loyalty, Mary Hutton, Show Tips, Success Stories | No Comments »
Spectacular Outdoor Event: California Peace Officers Memorial Run
This past Saturday May 7th was the 3rd Annual California Peace Officers’ Association Memorial Run (5k, 10k and Kid’s challenge) and Family BBQ. It was a very special event honoring those who’ve lost their lives in the line of duty, while making our lives safer. The Third Annual California Peace Officers’ Association’s Memorial Run was held on Saturday, May 7th at Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, Pleasanton. This was an extraordinary way to salute those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, while at the same time supporting their families and co-workers who are left behind to cope with the tragic loss.
Starting Line for the 5K Run and Kids 1 Mile Challenge
The Grizzly – Alameda County Sheriff’s Department newest Anti-Terrorist Vehicle
City of Martinez Mobile Command Unit
Jon Lance with Lance Communications and On Your Mark Events Specialist Tera Sanchez
Outback Favorites; Baby Back Ribs
All proceeds from this family oriented event went directly to the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) (California Chapter), a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to assist with the rebuilding of lives of surviving family members and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed. Each year, between140 and 160 officers are killed, while carrying out their sworn duties. Their families and co-workers are left to cope with these tragic losses. C.O.P.S has more than 15,000 members and provides resources and assistance to help these families rebuild shattered lives. There is no membership fee to join C.O.P.S., for the price paid is already too high.
The Memorial Run’s 10K & 5K Walk & Run courses are made up of small rolling-hill trails that run throughout the scenic Shadow Cliffs Regional Park. The Kid’s 1-Mile Fun Run is laid out through a portion of the park’s lawn area.
The Family oriented event included a barbeque from Outback Steakhouse. One of Outback Favorites; Baby Back Ribs
These fall-off-the-bone ribs are exactly the way ribs should be. Succulent and saucy, each rack is smoked, grilled to perfection and brushed in a tangy BBQ sauce. The OutBack Team included a Wheat roll, a outstanding potato salad and a cup of fruit.
For future CPOA Memorial Run information and/or an application, contact On Your Mark Events at (209) 795-7832, or visit www.onyourmarkevents.com. To register online go to www.Active.com <http://www.active.com/> or California Peace Officer’s Association website at: https://m360.cpoa.org/ViewEvent.aspx?id=26615&instance=0
For ideas or comments about the CPOA Memorial Run or other Events please contact me at amontano@skybay.com
Anthony Montano
Exhibit Consultant
amontano@skybay.com
Filed under: Anthony Montano, CPOA, Creative Marketing, Show Tips | No Comments »
Make logistical cost part of your trade show design criteria.
After visiting the Exhibitor Show 2011 a few weeks ago, it has become apparent that the industry has morphed to the Skyline model of custom modular. Because of that I started thinking more about the logistical costs associated with owning an exhibit.
With systems becoming lighter in weight in general why not demand that the logistical cost be associated with any exhibit design. Because we all now look at every penny of our trade show budget why not attack the single item (logistics) that creates the most demand on our marketing dollar!
In the example shown we have designed an custom-modular Skyline exhibit that comes ships in only 2 pieces. One 4′ x 4′ x 8′ crate & one monitor case 50″ x 24″ x 46″ (AV anvil case not pictured)
The difference alone in shipping, drayage, and installation and dismantle is $25,000 cost per show. Multiply that over the life time of an exhibit the numbers becomes staggering. The exhibit shown below is priced at $56,000. You can justify the cost of a new exhibit after just 2 shows. And keep in mind this does not include storage, in and out fees, material handling fees, and labor to upkeep your exhibit.
So demand from your design team that they incorporate in the design process the logistical demands of the exhibit. I know that you will find that justifying a new exhibit purchase will become much easier in your next marketing meeting.
Chuck Boyle
CEO, Skyline Northern California
Custom Modular from Skyline
Filed under: Chuck Boyle, Creative Marketing, Envoy, Envoy Phase II, Exhibit Rentals, Island Design, Show Tips, trade show booth designs, trade show marketing | No Comments »
Jessica’s Blog: Back to Basics
There is a common ground amongst exhibitors in the trade show world, to out do one another. Your top marketing teams have come up with many ways to achieve this, has it reach its hiatus? Is there anything left that has not already been possibly done at a trade show? It reverts us back to the marketing basics.
Here are some of the top trade show myths:
” The Chachki”
Yes, the are characterized as a gimmick, but as we revert back to basics, who doesn’t like free stuff? And yes, you are right, majority of the time it will not be put to use by your target individual, and typically land in the hands of children or spouses as a gift back from prospects business trip. I say no to key chains, but yes to the branded cell phone accessory, which can initiate an awesome conversation.
“The Brochure”
This is a subject that will always be up for debate and fall in the “grey” area. We all know the chances of literature from a trade show being read are slim to none, but can you really afford having a prospect walk away empty handed? I always say you can not eliminate chance. That custom printed folder with case studies, testimonials, data sheets, and press releases may be found by your prospect the morning back to the office, while unpacking their luggage. If the stars are really working with you, it can luckily make it back to the office and read? Who says it can’t happen???
“Entertainment”
It’s safe to say the booth magician and jugglers are long gone, but entertainment is definitely a must. No offense to you sales staff, but not every booth at a convention can just be loaded with salespeople. Opt for interactive activities, I.E. photo booth, Wii/Xbox, anything celebrity related, or probably the new standard of entertainment, a lounge with dj/music/or visuals.
There is so much more to cover in this topic. Keep an eye out for the next chapter, Back to Basics II.
For ideas for your next show feel free to email me at jlorias@skybay.com
Jessica Lynn Orias | Exhibit Consultant | 44111 Fremont Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538 | ph. 510.933.2212 | jlorias@skybay.com |fx. 510.490.9949 | www.skybay.com
Filed under: Creative Marketing, Jessica's Blog, Show Tips | No Comments »
Branding Demystified
The definition of branding has evolved quite rapidly over the past couple of years, mainly due to the advent of social media and the decline of the influence of traditional media. No longer are brands manufactured in board rooms and no longer are perceptions shaped primarily based on what corporations tell us to believe through advertising. Today a brand can be defined as your reputation built off of both your promise to your customers and the sum of all of their experiences with you. Lara McCulloch-Carter has been a branding consultant to some of the world’s most recognized packaged goods companies, and runs a consultancy called READY2SPARK that helps small businesses through branding, marketing & social media consulting. Here she talks about the importance brand proposition.
Filed under: Brand loyalty, Creative Marketing, customer loyalty, Island Design, Sarmistha Tarafder, Show Tips | No Comments »
Take Back Your Schedule
Simply put, if you allow 2 weeks to complete a project, guess how long it will take? Everyone has deadlines and those of us in the trade show display world know this as well as anyone, but if we only allow work to take up only so many hours of our day and work relentlessly to maintain that schedule you will be amazed at how you are able to accomplish.
Parkinson’s Law:
“Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.”
Think back to the day before you went on vacation or the time you had that last-minute change that you somehow were able to accomplish before the deadline. Yes, it may have been a miracle but more than likely you were conforming to the constraints that were put upon you. These constraints, whether they are exterior (say, show deadlines) or interior, you are personally putting a deadline on a project, forcing you to be more productive. Read more on Time Management.
Filed under: Creative Marketing, Exhibit Rentals, Sarmistha Tarafder, Success Stories | No Comments »