Bay Area Trade show display, Event Marketing

Your Etch-a-Sketch Is Not an iPad!

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:51:52 +0000

Are You Using Social Media To Maximize Your Trade Show Experience?

Social Media for TradeShows

The world is changing. Daily business habits are changing. Customer buying habits are changing. What works today may very well not work in only a few years. But what is certain is that we are all connected to the world – always. Like it or not, it seems apparent that we will not be turning backwards on this trend any time soon. Our smartphones and iPads are most likely not fads like bell bottom jeans and disco music, but more of an indication as to how life will be going forward. From now on, expect to be constantly connected. Are you keeping up? Do you know what ‘the kids’ are doing these days? If not, you better learn quickly because evidence shows that the buying habits of the more technologically savvy are trending in new directions. Old school is old news.
Facebook. Twitter. These are two words that few people knew just four years ago. Now they are towering icons in our daily lives. And what’s funny is that these ‘social not-working’ workplace distractions are quickly becoming part of our daily business lives, too. I bet your boss just loves that. But it’s true. And when it comes to trade shows and exhibiting, social media can be used in many creative ways to help tell your story. The possibilities are…limitless.

The world is changing. Are you?

Berkeley Dowd
bdowd@skybay.com

Skyline Displays Bay Area
Skyline Displays Northern California

Jessica’s Blog: Las Vegas Convention Center Expansion and Renovation

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:52:34 +0000

As much as I visit the Las Vegas Convention Center it never fails me to think when a renovation will take place. The pre function areas get me the most as lobby carpets are dated and lighting is quite poor compared to other venues across the country. As I was pinning on my Pinterest, I came across pictures of the proposed expansion and renovation from 2008. As the images intrigued me, I did a bit more digging and discovered it was a realistic projection however due to the economy’s turn it was put on hold by the LVCC board of directors in 2009. No updates have been made since.

The rendering pictures alone are great renditions on what the future can bring for this large convention space. Especially being the capital for trade shows, a face lift would be another great attraction for sin city.

With these drawings being almost 4 years old I can safely assume other design and architectural preferences are being explored. None the less, anything will definitely be an improvement compared to the current.

I do hope the economy only takes a consistent turn upward for this project to become live.

Photos via HNTB.com, http://www.hntb.com/our-work/projects/las-vegas-convention-center-expansion-and-renovation-las-vegas-nevada

Any questions feel free to email me at jlorias@skybay.com

Jessica’s Blog: Nightclub & Bar 2012 – Las Vegas

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:49:56 +0000

The name says it all.

The Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show is probably one of the more enjoyable shows compared to most I walk. I guess you can say, I can relate. This event is geared towards nightclub and bar owners who create successful environments to either serve as your local diver bar or the next dance “hot spot.” Within minutes walking the show, I realized bars and nightclubs mimic closely to those of a trades show booths. They must entice patrons using top of the line lighting, sound, & visuals. Trade shows also use similar tactics to draw attendees. Las Vegas alone is the mecca for this industry, so of course the best choice as host.

This event draws a ton of celebrities, those making appearances, or even pitching their new product. Here are some photos from the event:

50 cent’s Street King energy drink booth

Recognizable Heineken

Avion Tequila – The window shade effect I liked a lot.

Coca- Cola

LED video Curtain

TUUCI is a manufacturer of outdoor furniture. Their choice of using raised hard flooring really complimented their product.

HBO

This vertical AV video wall has a very impressive presentation. Each screen had a band member playing its own role and demonstrated as an actual live band taking turns speaking and collaborating.

Hangover Rememdy

Every nightclub and bar needs an ATM machine!

This design was by far my favorite and really encompassed the overall industry’s look and feel. Its booth models were prepared for every photo op!

E la Carte‘s tablet and software system allows you to order, play, and pay from your dining table.

…and of course the best demo of the show, the confetti launcher!

Of course, I wished I could have stayed in Las Vegas a bit longer this time around. A show like this has energy like no other!

For ideas for Nightclub & Bar 2013 feel free to email me at jlorias@skybay.com

Jessica’s Blog: Tradeshow Hanging Sign

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:48:14 +0000

To this day, the hanging sign still will forever be the staple to an island booth design. It functions as the header of all headers on the trade show floor. It does not matter if you are in the first space in eyes view of entrance doors or in a sea of 20×20 booths, the hanging sign will always be the topic of debate.

From a booth builder perspective hanging signs are often viewed as a luxury to exhibitors. It is not required to have, but if done, has a minimum financial commitment to execute. Our friendly union riggers and stagehands have exclusive rights to set up all suspended exhibit materials. Boom lift rates start at $350/hr with typically a 4 hour minimum. Right off the bat your starting expense is at least $1,400 for the simpliest of signs. A more unique sign with some flavor (lighting, rotating, etc.) starts at a $3,000 rigging bill per show.

Here are some views of hanging signs for tradeshows.

Polaroid debuted a new Skyline booth design using an awesome custom hanging sign that incorporates down to ground level. Not only was the booth a design piece, it was also the backdrop for Lady Gaga’s appearance and signing for her partnership with Polaroid at CES 2011.

LG incorporated 3D signs along with 2D signs. A good way to create more mass.

String curtain is now incorporated in many ways in design, I have seen them mostly at spas or high end boutique hotels. They have now made their way in the hanging sign world. The overall look is very chic and modern.

And now for the more traditional signs. This is the family of stocked shapes and sizes which requires a standard graphic print or color. These options have inexpensive upgrade options, interior lighting, rotating, underlays, etc.

Skyline’s latest PictureCube line. A modular line of different widths and heights that can be either suspended or ground displayed.

Ocean Spray created a finished look by doing an underlay print at the bottom of their ring sign to avoid the large whole that would show. A great use for additional exposure.

Nintendo used a very simple square hanging sign to go with their overall white color palette.

This large oval hanging sign is used over the exhibit’s reception area

Phoenix Solar uses dual layer hanging sign for depth and color.

AMD really maximized stock options with multiple layers, interior lighting, and even added overhead can lights for more brightness.

So where do I stand on the great debate? From a marketing answer, in the grey area as I decide case by case. As an example at most technology shows it is a must. The majority of exhibitors are using them which leads to attendees eyes glancing up. It now does turn into a trade show in the air of who’s who and where. It does creates tough exposure, but the signs are now becoming as important as aisle number signs. Think of it as your own aisle number in the sky. At smaller shows I would only go the distance if you want to really want to strong arm, show some power and presence (but don’t we all at every show).

For ideas on hanging signs feel free to email me at jlorias@skybay.com

Jessica’s Blog: Sun Tropics Exhibit for Fancy Food 2012 SF

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:30:07 +0000

Sun Tropics debuted their brand new booth exhibit at 37th Annual Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, California. The main focus of their 10×10 corner space was to sample and display their all natural juice products while at the same time keeping their set up and installation easy and manageable. To accomplish this they opted for Skyline’s 3000-R portable bannerstand backwall in an inkjet print at custom height of 92″. In addition they put to use the 6′ table which was included in their space rental and draped it with an imperial blue throw with a fully printed front logo. This entire exhibit of 3 bannerstands, 3 lights, and 3 table throws packed in one wheeled round case at 30 lbs.

For any questions on bannerstand backwalls feel free to email me at jlorias@skybay.com

Jessica’s Blog: Welcome 2012

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:42:56 +0000

2012 has had some buzz full of predictions and theories. No matter what you believe, this year will definitely be quite interesting. We started the year off with a spring winter in Silicon Valley, then lead into an extra day in February for leap year, and of course the world’s Summer Olympics. In the tradeshow world, we always love the fresh start of a new year as we are given a clean slate for new, exciting, and sometimes good riskay exhibiting strategies. Exhibitors and booth builders take what they have learned from the last year(s) to make the new year even better. Morphing is always awesome and only time allows us to do that.

Here are some examples of exhibits morphing over the years…

Exhibits by Skyline make transformations easy since massaging changes are vital in marketing. So definitely take what you have learned and make 2012 even better.

For new year ideas feel free to email me at jlorias@skybay.com

Jessica’s Blog: BIOMEDevice 2011, San Jose CA

admin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:13:42 +0000

The two day show right in our Silicon Valley backyard (San Jose Convention Center) has come to a close. The show featured predominantly inline spaces which some companies showed great portable & modular exhibits. Check out phoots from my visit:

RTX partnered with Skyline for their 10×10 space using Skyline’s Inliten system with tube extension kiosk. The reception table used is one of Skyline’s newest product lines, the Occassions table. A great fit for their space!

This 10×20 Inliten booth by Skyline has some great detail. This exhibitor powder coated their Inliten hardware to gloss black from the stock silver it comes in. A great look to the booth which does not eat a hefty part of the booth budget.

For ideas for BIOMEDevice 2012 feel free to email me at jlorias@skybay.com

Jessica’s Blog: Happy Thanksgiving!

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:55:12 +0000

I am always anxious to enter Q4, or even as early as September, as I know fall is waiting in the wings. Kids are back in school, the nights are colder, and the fall trade show season is in high gear. With all of these activities and in addition to the holidays, I find the most inspiration during these months. The season’s color pallet, burnt oranges, browns, deep reds, are of such rich hues that it can be implemented in various design aspects. The transitions of color gives such a great flow and in design gradients translates very well to the eye.

Now enjoy all the falling leaves, bundling up and turkey with family and friends. Cheers!

For ideas on how to incorporate a fall color palette you can email me at jlorias@skybay.com

The Pain of Non-functional Budget Breaking Exhibits

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:38:23 +0000

How Does Your Pain Rank?

Funny thing happened to me a month ago as I was walking the isles of Home Depot. I was overcome with a pain that could only be described as similar to someone driving a nail into my ankle! Waiting for the funny part? So was I! Despite inheriting my father’s ”play with the pain” and “suck it up” mentality I figured being in the fetal position in the hardware section of Home Depot for ten minutes was all the sucking up I could handle and I quickly set up an appointment to see a specialist. Funny thing happened to me at the specialist. After the overly enthusiastic doctor anxiously pulled me into the exam room, along with any and all interns within earshot, to look at the x-ray she disclosed a rare condition where the synovial sack of my ankle joint was filled with tumors! Still waiting for the funny part? So am I! After an hour and a half of waiting to see yet another specialist and fearing the worst – while also attempting to humor myself by recalling Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous line “It’s not a tumaaa” over and over again – it was explained to me that while they were indeed tumors they were most likely benign and removable. Funny thing happened after the surgery. The specialist removed 126 tumors that turned out to be a medical record eclipsing the previous measly record of 22! To my slight disappointment the specialist honestly disclosed that while this was quite a medical phenomenon, it would still take a close second to his Guinness Book of World Record for largest wrapped burrito. What’s a guy gotta do??? Now that’s almost funny in a Sienfeld irony kinda way. When I asked the specialist his opinion as to why I had eclipsed the record by such a large margin he theorized that most “normal” people wouldn’t have endured the pain for as long as I did – translation: there’s a reason the cavemen had a low life expectancy.
You knew this had to tie into trade shows somehow right? Moral of the story is I meet so many clients or potential clients that have or still do live with the pain of either their non-functional budget breaking exhibits, their excessive non-productive trade show schedule or a bad vendor for far too long because they get so used to it and they start to think it’s normal. Don’t be as stubborn as I was and wait until the pain is too much before consulting a trade show professional on solutions to ease that pain. Unless of course you have a prescription for codeine to mask the pain as I did! Disclaimer – watch out for the side effects when you stop taking it as I found myself emotionally distraught over the episode of friends where Ross had to say goodbye to his pet monkey! Now that’s funny! I can say that now because I’m over it.

Todd Anderson
Exhibit Consultant
Skyline Northern California
Skyline Displays Bay Area, Inc.

Jessica’s Blog: The Trusted Dividend

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:36:46 +0000

As I approach my 10th year of my tradeshow career and especially at the end of 2011, like companies, I look back at the last 12 months. Did I reach my goals? Did I perform to my ability? Do I have satisfied clients? I want to say yes at all, but I do not believe even the top CEO can answer it all as 100% true. With close to 500 working projects a year of various degrees of complexity and budgets, the only scenario I can provide is trust. It has been the common denominator among my successful projects.

I enjoy the achievement of a well thought out and executed project, and have never taken credit for it alone. My team and I work as a whole unit and they understand and respect my passion, and most importantly, my overall attention to detail. This level of performance strengthens the trust factor in all my account rep – client relationships.

On the darker side of projects that we wish did not happen but do, are mistakes. The honesty in communication of those mistakes maintains the trust. I am not pleased when they happen and try my best to avoid them, but over the years I have accepted they will and my role is to be prepared for them. I always have a back up plan in place even if they are under my control or not. Murphy’s Law is extremely prevalent in event planning! It is like having a 6th sense being able to anticipate them and over time after seeing it all you just know when they will arise.

In my almost decade of a career I have learned I am here for the good and the bad and that is why I am trusted. I never t take that trust for granted and I appreciate being chosen as a partner.