Jessica’s Blog: The Trusted Dividend
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.
Jessica Lynn Orias | Account Executive | 44111 Fremont Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538 | ph. 510.933.2212 | jlorias@skybay.com |fx. 510.490.9949 | www.skybay.com
Filed under: Jessica's Blog, Show Tips | No Comments »
Jessica’s Blog: Tradeshows at Moscone in San Francisco, CA
I have to say after traveling many convention centers in the US, I tend to neglect my own backyard of San Francisco. San Francisco has been the permanent home of some very large conferences of the past years, Macworld, RSA, Oracle Open World, Fancy Food, InterSolar, GDC (Game developers conference), Ad:Tech, etc… Here’s a quick glimpse into the city if you will be traveling here for your next big event.
Moscone is broken up into 3 halls, North, South, and West. North & South both opened in 1981. 85% of the time these two halls are the host of larger capacity meetings.
The South hall has a distinct interior. The architecture consists of grand arches that start at one end of the room and runs across to the other. As it being an underground convention center this was the best design solution to support earthquakes vs. numerous columns dropped within the convention space.
The West hall was opened in 2003 consists of 3 levels. This is the home to conventions like Web 2.0, Ad:tech, and Macworld.
It’s very easy getting into San Francisco, SFO is just about a 20 minutes away with an average cab fair of about $45.00. There is also the option of public transportation, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train system: http://www.bart.gov/guide/airport/inbound_sfo.aspx.
RESTARUANTS/NIGHTLIFE
Now for the fun stuff. After the show closes there are numerous close by and top SF restaurants/bars for corporate mingling:
Straits: Inside the Westfield shopping center, one block north of the West Hall
Jillian’s SF: Relaxed casual billiards with bar, great for private parties. Adjacent to the North hall
XYZ: Trendy boutique restaurant located inside the W hotel. Across the street from the North Hall
Buca di Beppo: Italian restaurant chain. approx. 1 block east of the South Hall
Starlight Room: SF old time socialite, Harry Denton’s lounge, a top the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake in Union Square. Approx. 5 blocks north of the West Hall
Bourbon & Branch: Fun 1920′s “speakeasy.” Approx. 6 blocks east of the North Hall
Benu: Asian fusion & great for the foodie! Owner Corey Lee is a former chef at the French Laundry in Napa. Approx. 4 blocks south of the South Hall
SIGHTSEEING
Now after the 3 days of exhibiting if you are able, or have enough energy left to even want to, to spend an extra day/s in SF. Here are some must sees if you are exploring the city. Great options for family visits as well.
Union Square: Shopping hub of San Francisco. Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Niketown
Golden Gate Bridge: A San Francisco staple, just make sure its a clear day!
Chinatown: Adjacent to Union Square with a lot of bargain finds.
Palace of Fine Art/ Exploratorium: A kid and adult favorite.
Fisherman’s Wharf/Embarcadero: The home of the famous SF clam chowder bowls.
San Francisco is a great city with a lot of history, a big favorite among convention goers. Our Skyline offices are located about 45 minutes south of San Franicsco and a local source to those coming in domesictally or interationally.
Any questions on exhibiting in San Francisco 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: Cities, Jessica's Blog, Show Tips | No Comments »
Jessica’s Blog: AG Connect 2011 Expo – Atlanta
This year’s Ag Connect Expo was held in Atlanta, GA. With a little luck on my side I departed Atlanta early enough before the extreme cold front. It was also my first time there and I was quite surprised for a metropolitain city how it was not filled with masses of pedestrians. Majority of native Atlantans drive into the city from the suburbs, especially since city parking for the entire day is just about $3. Comapred to San Francisco, $3 parking gets you shy of 30 mins.
Ag Connect is an industry event anything and everything agriculture related. Equipment vendors, to tractor supply, down to livestock management, are all in attendance. I have learned your traditional farmer has become quite tech savy and even drives around in the Lamborghini’s of tractors. You can disspell the picture of your tractor driver in overalls and a cowboy hat. They are now in an air conditioned cab lead via GPS. It’s the new land pilot I tell ya.
Being in Silicon Valley it is very rare for me to see a tractor, I never realized its scale. Check out some of the different makes and models.
Skyline Exhibits had a large design presence at this show. From our newest Myraid portable backwall to our traditional modular Tube System.
Skyline Truss System:
Skyline Tube System with Engage closet:
Skyline Tube system with 24′ fabric Structure hanging sign:
Skyline’s 10×10 Myriad Backwall with Arrive Workstation:
Skyline Hybrid – Mirage pop up and Tube ultra center Superstructure:
Next, cool design elements which caught my eye.
LED lighting on sheer fabric banners:
Video wall for theater presentation:
Overhead rear projection without light blocker:
A very good niche show with many major players. It certainly mixes technology with a mature industry. The next AgConnect will be held in Orlando in 2013.
For ideas for Ag Connect 2013 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: Jessica's Blog | No Comments »
Todd’s Blog: Ask and ye shall receive! Pop-up Digital Portability
Ask and ye shall receive! One of the more frequent requests we get as Exhibit Consultants is for a portable solution that combines graphics with audio visual capabilities. Until now your best solution was typically a standalone monitor mount that has that “add-on” look. The Mirage Monitor Mount is a great way to seamlessly add digital video impact to your Mirage Graphic display. Add the flexibility and movement of a digital monitor while maintaining the clean look Mirage is known for. The monitor mount easily hooks onto the Mirage channel bars and ships inside the transporter case. Depending on your frame you could add one, two, three or up to four monitors! And for those of you that just basically accept there is a chance your own personal monitors might be damaged in transit Skyline is now offering a sturdy Monitor Case for your monitor and audio visual equipment. Skyline innovation and creativity has once again taken another mundane exhibit solution and made it compelling and unique again!
Watch the movie and let us know what you think.
Pop-up Digital Display
Todd Anderson
Exhibit Consultant
Skyline Northern California
Filed under: Creative Marketing, Graphics: Tips and Tricks, Intelligent Design, New Products, News, Show Tips, Technology, Todd Anderson, Todd's Blog, trade show booth designs | No Comments »
Todd’s Blog: Australia Pavilion, Bio International Convention 2010
Australia Pavilion, Bio 2010
Please do not call the Australian Koala, not to be confused with the well known Sloths of South America, a bear because they are in actuality not related to the bear family and Koala’s tend to be very sensitive animals. Contrary to the erroneous meaning of the Koalas name, “don’t drink”, there were plenty of celebratory beverages being consumed in the Australia booth at the annual 2010 Bio International Convention. The Australian Trade Commission invited a group of the top biotech firms in the country to attend under a united 40×50 ft space and Skyline was tasked with designing an atmosphere that would creatively represent Australian culture and style while also providing each vendor a functional and compelling presentation area. The design incorporated Skyline’s new modern Envoy product for the demo stations with a highly visible arching Australian sign – with a Boomer or as we American’s call it a Kangaroo – attracting attendees from throughout the hall. The Koala is a humble character but we are slightly less in proclaiming we aced this design (ace is slang for “excellent” for those keeping track).
Todd Anderson
Exhibit Consultant
Skyline Northern California
Filed under: Bio 2010, Envoy, Exhibit Rentals, Show Tips, Todd Anderson, Todd's Blog, trade show booth designs | No Comments »
Jessica’s Blog: Envoy – The cool trade show design
COOL (adj.) slang – fashionable and socially attractive at the time; often skilled or socially adept
We have been taught not to use slang words to describe things, however who can avoid the word “cool” when talking in design language? In any type of design meeting, if either the designer or designee abruptly hears or says the “C” word, it automatically becomes grounds for the imaginiation switch to turn on and morphs into a creative no holds barred!
Cool can be translated in unlimited ways in tradeshow design, however there is a double edge sword, cost. Cool consists of doing things out of the box, which like anything comes with a premium. Just like buying a car, the leather interior, bose speaker system, and sports package are the “cool.”
My pick for the the current cool in trade show booths is Skyline’s release of their the new modular system, the Envoy®. It has redefined cool in a modular world. I am a strong advocate of the Envoy® and believe it delivers a cool exhibit without the custom price tag. No other system in the industry comes close. The modularity of standardized catalog parts and use of lightweight fabric is what makes this system. Unlike webbed truss and vertical “poles” this system offers more of a modern architecture.
There are a lot of proud owners of other skyline modular systems, i.e. truss, inliten, tube, however do not discredit the current inventory. The Envoy easily marries with existing Skyline lines to reconfigure without completely throwing out the exhibit. Envoy® is definitely an easy option to upgrade to the sports package.
The Envoy® has arrived and will be embraced as the new cool trade show booth.
For creative ideas for the Envoy 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: Envoy, Intelligent Design, Island Design, Jessica's Blog, Linear Trade Show Booth, trade show booth designs | No Comments »
Jessica’s Blog: The Tabletop Exhibit
Who said the tabletop was dead? Every exhibiting organization, either managed at a corporate or regional level, owns one of these trusty guys. What more can you ask for from the 10 footer’s baby brother? It stands well without lighting, it can fit in one case in the smallest of trunks (smart car tested), & you have a happy sales rep at the end of a show.
Tabletops do only one thing and that is to serve as your graphic vehicle. I like to think of it purely as a header. Keep in mind your sales rep will probably stand next to it majority of event due to limited square footage. For best results I highly recommend branding the mural in conjunction with your literature graphics and vice versa. Literature becomes the focal point in tabletop shows as the conversation time is limited. Literature is stocked on the table and plays a vital role to the display design. Consistent graphics among the two keeps the small space clean, cohesive and branded during quick glances.
Now let’s not forget about the table itself. This serves as your place holder and can not go unnoticed. I do not recommend too outlandish design ideas for this but to simply drape it with a cloth skirt and ideally printed with a simple text logo. This keeps the professional feel. Throws can be used at any corporate event, even by itself for reception. Always good to keep 2 or 3 stocked.
Kudos to Invetech for their newly designed tabletop!
(Pictured: Skyline 6’52″ Mirage Advantage tabletop with front and end graphic panels, 6′ full black twill throw with white vinyl heat applied logo)
For more table top ideas 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: Jessica's Blog, trade show booth designs | No Comments »
Jessica’s Blog: Magic Marketplace & World Shoe Association, Las Vegas
In the last two weeks Las Vegas has spotlighted the fashion and apparel industry, which is also my favorite time of year. Last week, The Magic marketplace (one of the largest fashion trade events) hosted their annual trade show between the Las Vegas Convention Center and Mandalay Bay. This event also hosts other segments, WWD MAGIC, Project, Pool, Slate, Street and FN Platform. Many of the household names exhibited, ie Lucky Brand Jeans, American Apparel, Nautica Jeans, etc.
A week prior to that, I personally attended the World Shoe Association (WSA) at the Sands Convention Center in the Venetian. The 2nd floor of the Sands hosted the larger domestic brands, i.e. Sketchers, Ed hardy, Birkenstock, etc. while the lower level geared more towards overseas manufacturing and a large China pavilion.
Orthaheel out of San Rafael, CA debuted their new exhibit (kudos to prime location). Dr. Andrew Weil, MD recommends their products to help maintain proper foot health and overall being. Andrew Weil is an author and physician, best known in the field of integrated medicine. He has several best-selling books and has appeared on Oprah. Continued success to both Orthaheel & Dr. Weil.
Of course what I love about trade shows even more is seeing the latest and greatest. Here are some shots of some really awesome exhibit details that intrigued me.
Towards the end of the first day, Holly Madison was the guest celebrity signing autographs for the charity soles 4 souls. I couldn’t leave Vegas without a picture.
In addition to the show, Las Vegas in August is peak season for vacationers. A few employees in the hotels/casinos/convention centers said the city is doing much better than last year. It’s great to see the city running as there is no where else in the world like Vegas.
For questions regarding WSA 2010 or 2011 please do contact 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: Jessica's Blog | No Comments »
Jessica’s Blog: Exhibiting International
As time goes on and the more projects I encounter, I have to say planning for an international trade show is a unique experience every single time. Throw in the surprises of dollar conversion of the current second, time difference (smartphone gets heavy usage), language barrier, and cultural ways of exhibiting, I’m constantly on my toes. I have a good amount of countries under my belt, Germany, Dubai, Italy, Spain, just to name a few. I find international exhibiting refreshing as some countries union laws are not as prominent as the US . You really can work outside the box and get ultra creative.
Now the #1 challenge, the distance. It’s not as easy as driving to a design center to develop creative. Unlike the US, there is no consistency going country to country or even continent. It is very easy for someone in the Bay Area to plan for a trade show in Orlando. Not challenging at all. Planning outside the US takes a bit more time and experience. Exhibitors are constantly looking for a local referral or even resorting to show offerings which is extremely limited design-wise.
My #1 rule, we should never sacrifice the look of our spaces overseas. Some countries are just as critical as the US or maybe even more. Show management is the easy solution, but when you arrive 90% of the time you wish you could have done more. You agree, because you look around the exhibits are so impressive. Skyline has the largest global network in the industry and can cover a majority of international metropolitan cities. As simple as planning for Orlando, you can plan for ASIA, without the 12am email. The advantage to Skyline is our offices speak the same language, no matter what language it is.
For questions on international exhibiting you can contact me directly at Skyline Exhibits – 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: Jessica's Blog, Show Tips | No Comments »