Ecology Action of Texas received approximately 1,500 lbs of recyclables during Xtreme Xhibits’ afternoon trip to their downtown facility.  With yesterday’s recycling haul, which included paper, plastic, aluminum, class and cardboard items collected by employees, Xtreme Xhibits has diverted more than 1 long ton of recyclable materials in under a year’s time.

Xtreme Xhibits began its own internal recycling initiative in June 2009, and has demonstrated to employees and clientèle alike that small changes can make drastic differences.

Is the Mirage composite display frame more durable than other aluminum tradeshow display options? The answer is a resounding, “YES!”

Though this test might be a tad drastic, accidents and the mishandling of display materials is not uncommon and can happen to even the most careful of exhibitors at an inopportune moment.  Xtreme Xhibits by Skyline’s Mirage display frame gives you peace of mind and unmatched durability. You’ll look your best show after show, year after year, with the pop-up that performs every time!

Click HERE to see our Mirage e-brochure

Want to improve your trade show marketing? Put it to the test.

In direct mail, you can test the list, the format, and the offer. In print ads, you can test the headline, the ad size, and the placement. In internet advertising, you test the pay per click ad, the ad bid, and the landing page. But what can you test in trade show marketing?

You would be surprised at the amount of productive experimentation you can do to refine and improve your trade show marketing. Here are 6 things you can test:

1. Trade Show Selection

This may seem obvious, but you really can choose which shows you keep and which you stop exhibiting at. Last month I met an exhibitor that has for years tracked the sales they get from every show they exhibit at, and only keeps exhibiting at a show if the profits they get from the sales generated are greater than the cost to exhibit at that show. He focused on shows outside his industry that were in the vertical markets of his best clients. That’s a great item you can test.

2. Booth Staffers

Sounds odd to test people rather than a headline or an offer, until you realize that your staff is the headline, offer, and more, rolled up into one. So track how many qualified leads each of your booth staffers bring per hour they staff your booth. You’ll be surprised at what a range of results you get. Then strive to keep the top performers for future shows. (I am assuming that you’ve already given each booth staffer equal training.)

3. Engaging Lines

While veteran booth staffers have their favorite engaging lines, there is no guarantee they will always work. If you exhibit at different vertical market shows, or have a different promotion in your booth, you should encourage your staffers to try various opening lines to engage booth staffers. Huddle with the staff after an hour or two into the show to see which ones are working best, and then ask your booth staffers to all use the winners.

4. Promotions

You can test different promotions at different shows, or even different promotions at the same show. We’ve gone to a show with two different at-show promotions, one fun and one more professional, and tried both simultaneously. After an hour, we stopped using the fun promotion that had been a major hit at a previous show. The more professional promotion did better because it was better tailored for the second show’s specific vertical market. You can also test whether you get more bang for your buck with pre-show or at-show promotions.

5. Exhibit Design

Just as you can try a different message in an ad, you can also try a different image or main benefit statement on your trade show exhibit graphics. If you exhibit at lots of shows, it’s a justifiable expense to get two mural graphic to see which gets the most leads. You just have to count the leads during the times you have the different graphics up. You’re best off switching the graphics for complete show days, or even entire shows. But be aware of a variance in the traffic level in the exhibit hall during those two time periods to make it a fair test. Hint for your test: Try exhibit graphics.

Do you do something not mentioned in this post which boosts your Trade Show Marketing?  Leave a comment and share your knowledge with other exhibitors.

Join us for a Webinar on March 24 at 11 AM CST

Join us for this fast-paced Webinar that emphasizes exhibiting tips that every booth staff can implement to maximize their trade show experience. Exhibiting veterans and rookies alike will come away with new ideas they can be put to use right away.

Tips include:
• Simple ways to cut expenses,
• How to increase your leads,
• How to keep attendees in your booth longer,
• Appropriate giveaway ideas, and
• Booth etiquette tips.

Title: 60 Tips in 60 Minutes
Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST

Presented by Xtreme Xhibits’  Senior Account Manager Danny Kent

Attendance at this Webinar, coupled with your exhibitor registration for TexMed 2010, qualifies you for an Apple iPod drawing to be conducted at TexMed on May 1, 2010.

Click Image to view short demonstration video

Scheduled to be unveiled at EXHIBITOR2010 next week at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Skyline’s new ARRIVE case table is sure to grab some attention.  Enabling exhibitors to conveniently consolidate all their exhibiting materials into a single portable case, the ARRIVE system makes mobile exhibiting obtainable for even the most hectic of schedules.

If you’d like to get a sneak peak at this exciting new exhibiting opportunity and more you’ll have to visit Skyline at EXHIBITOR2010.  If you’re unable to attend EXHIBITOR this year,  keep your ear to the ground as Xtreme Xhibits will have this display solution available this summer.

Notice the black object that comes flying out of nowhere?  Hence someone usually shouting, “Clear the flight deck!”

See more of the awesome machines exhibited at Heli-Expo 2010 by visiting our Flickr album here.

No one was injured during the filming of this, though one hat was lost in the “wash.”  But it was a Redskins cap so… meh.

• Ensure your message gets across to your customers and prospects
• Utilize specific elements to make your exhibit a more productive workspace
• Squeeze more out of your exhibiting budget, ensuring it is viewed as an investment rather than an expense

Download Now (42.8 MB WMV file)

Prepare & Succeed

Essential

__ Exhibit

__ Business cards

__ Literature and brochures

__ Product samples, if any

__ Computers, as required

__ Pens (Highlighters)

__ Lead sheets, log book or scanner

Personal

__ Good shoes (can make the difference between an enjoyable show experience or a horrible one, despite whether the      event was a success or not)

__ Aspirin/Pain relievers

__ Antibacterial water-free hand wash (you’ll shake more hands than you probably care to)

__ Facial Tissues

__ Bottled Water

__ Band-Aids

__ Energy Bars/Candy

__ Breath Mints

General travel

__ Confirmation nos. (hotel, rental car, airline)

__ ID, credit cards and cash

__ Clothes and required personal items

Repair and cleanup (You never know when a minor-emergency might arise)

__ Strong tape

__ Sewing kit

__ Scissors or pocket knife (not carry-on)

__ Cloth or paper towels

__ Recommended cleaning agent for your exhibit

__ Trash bag

__ Screwdrivers or appropriate wrench (not carry-on)

__ Extra fasteners (screws, nuts, etc)

__ Extra extension cord

__ Extra light bulbs

__ Electrostatic duster with extension

Shipping

__ Shipping labels for return shipment

__ Packing tape

__ Instructions for return shipment

Have you come across any other items which you deem as “essential” to your trade show excursions? If so, leave a comment and educate our community.

Join us for a Webinar on February 24 at 12 PM CST

Learn the process of developing effective exhibits that generate more leads, sales, and better results.  In this free one-hour Webinar you’ll learn of tips and compelling real-life accounts demonstrating how to:

• Ensure your message gets across to your customers and prospects
• Utilize specific elements to make your exhibit a more productive workspace
• Squeeze more out of your exhibiting budget, ensuring it is viewed as an investment rather than an expense

Attendance at this Webinar, coupled with your exhibitor registration for TexMed 2010, qualifies you for an Apple iPod drawing to be conducted at TexMed on May 1, 2010.

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/500551096

Title: Design Your Exhibit as a Marketing Tool
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST

Presenter: Xtreme Xhibits Senior Account Manager Danny Kent

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh-based attendees
Required: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or newer