Trade Show Articles

Bonus Depreciation Available for 2012
Legislation passed in late 2010 provides for the expensing of 50% of new property eligible for bonus depreciation - which includes trade show displays - placed in service before December 31, 2012.

This expensing (bonus depreciation) Federal tax Section 168, allows you to write off 50% of the full purchase amount this year on your Federal income tax return, as opposed to a percentage over multiple years. While the total amount of your tax savings will generally be the same, utilizing bonus depreciation gives you more working capital up front. That working capital can be used to reinvest in areas of your company that drive business - like marketing, lead generation, staffing and more. And keep in mind, Federal tax Section 179 allows you to elect to expense up to $139,000 of qualifying (100% off new or used equipment) purchases, as well.

No Limit to Bonus Depreciation!
You can depreciate the full amount of all qualifying purchases this year no matter their cost individually or in aggregate.

It's Easier to 'Expense' Purchases
For many companies with a budget in place, requests for capital expenditures can be cumbersome and time consuming. By taking advantage of these tax opportunities, these items can be fully written off in 2012 and don't need to be depreciated.

Consult Your Tax Advisor regarding this incentive. Refer to Sections 168 & 179 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

Quality banner stands last longer, have fewer repairs & replacements

Nothing beats banner stands for communicating marketing messages in a flash. You can roll up your banners in seconds and be ready for crowds at trade shows, events, museums, lobbies, retail spaces—anywhere you want to reach your target audience. Quality banner stands from your display company may seem pricey at first; but, before you buy that $99 special online or at your local copy shop, think about where, how often and how long you plan to use your banner stands.

Six Reasons Not to Skimp on your Banner Stands:

1. You use your banner stands frequently. For repeated use of your roll up banner stands, you want high-quality units with durable winding mechanisms. If the internal spring ever breaks, you won't be able to retract or pull up your banner, which may also damage your graphic and make it difficult to use at your event.
2. You change your retractable banner graphics regularly. If you promote different messages for seasonal products or services, you need high-quality retractable banner stands with interchangeable cassettes. Simply eject the old graphic cassette and pop in a new one, and your new message is ready to go—without the need to buy another banner stand or ship your existing unit to the shop for replacement graphics.
3. You need weather-resistant outdoor banner stands. Most indoor banner stands cannot withstand rain, snow, wind, sun and heat. Ask your exhibit company about outdoor banner stands with weighted bases that keep your message in place during wind. These outdoor banner stands also feature UV-resistant inks that won't fade, crack or run in the sun and rain.
4. You want to purchase a large number of banner stands. Don't get stuck with a bunch of cheap banner stands that you will have to repair or replace at once. Ask your exhibit house about a quantity discount when buying quality banner stands in bulk. You'll save not only on the hardware cost but also the graphic cost, since you can print multiple copies at one time.
5. You are environmentally-conscious. That $99 special may very well be a one-time-use banner stand that you'll need to buy over and over again. Look for a durable model made from sustainable materials you can reuse for years to come. Eco-friendly banner stand graphics are also available.
6. You want a warranty and trusted customer service contact. Look for a quality retractable banner stand with a warranty should any of the internal mechanisms break. A free replacement pays for itself. Ask your exhibit consultant about warrantied banner stand models. He can also guide you to the right banner stands and coordinate any warranty repairs on your behalf.

If any of the above reasons speak to you and how you plan to use your banner stands, then go for value over price. Contact E&E Exhibit Solutions and let us help you find a quality banner stand to fit your needs.

About E&E Exhibit Solutions
Founded in 1995, E&E Exhibit Solutions is an exhibit company with expertise in portable display products, such as pull up banner stands and roll up banners. The company has a long-standing record of success serving more than 1,850 clients in 45 U.S. states and 15 countries and is recognized as a four-time Inc. 5000 honoree. Our award-winning solutions include custom island displays, custom exhibit rental, graphics, shipping, installation and exhibit storage.

Your trade show display company can be a great resource for all your corporate event needs

If you are like the majority of trade show managers, you've added some corporate events to your "show" schedule. A study by EXHIBITOR magazine found that more and more exhibit managers' job responsibilities have expanded beyond traditional trade shows. In 2010, 60 percent of these marketers devoted some of their time to managing corporate events.

This realm of corporate events might be new to you, but you already have a trusted partner to help you—your exhibit house. You know your event goals yet need help to realize your structural ideas. A professional, full-service event company like E&E Exhibit Solutions does more than specialize in trade show displays. Our solutions for corporate events include:

In addition, we provide the necessary event planning logistic services such as shipping, installation and tear down. Using your exhibit house allows you to minimize your event planning suppliers, while freeing up your time to concentrate on other event needs such as promotions, staffing, travel/accommodations, catering and entertainment.

Walk the floor of the business expo at CGX's Emerge 2010 conference in this short video. Designed and installed by E&E Exhibit Solutions, the custom exhibit design showcased supplier information and educational materials on many displays walls with large graphics, in addition to featuring a large truss entryway, interactive display kiosks, overhead structures with fabric graphics and designated media area.

Why Partner with Your Exhibit House on Corporate Events

1. Familiar with event process. Your exhibit house knows the deadline-driven nature of event planning and how many elements need to come together to make your corporate events a success.
2. Structural design. Creating displays for events is similar to designing exhibits for trade shows—it's all based on your event objectives. If your company owns custom portable displays or custom modular displays, you can also repurpose your trade show exhibit for your corporate events or start fresh with trade show exhibit designs that work for both.
3. Experts in logistics. Professional exhibit houses know how to transport your properties to your event site, install them on time and how to troubleshoot and minimize issues under a deadline.
4. You already have an established relationship. There's comfort in working with people you know and trust and who know your company, branding and event objectives.

If you already have a relationship with an exhibit house, talk to them about your corporate event needs. However, keep in mind that not all exhibit houses are the same. Most aren't self-sufficient and must outsource many of the products and services they advertise. At E&E Exhibit Solutions, we have the ability to help you with displays and graphics for your corporate events and meetings, field sales force, recruiting job fairs, and sporting or special events.

About E&E Exhibit Solutions
Founded in 1995, E&E Exhibit Solutions is an exhibit company experienced in events.  E&E Exhibit Solutions has a long-standing record of success serving more than 1,850 clients in 45 U.S. states and 15 countries and is recognized as a four-time Inc. 5000 honoree. As expert event professionals, our award-winning solutions include custom displays, custom exhibit rental designs, display graphics, shipping, installation and exhibit storage.  Contact us at E&E Corporate Events at 800.709.6935.

Look like you own your trade show display at 1/3 the cost with custom booth rentals

No matter the current economic climate, smart trade show and event marketers continually look for ways to reduce costs and improve return on investment. However, the cost of custom displays can quickly escalate beyond your budget. This year, consider custom trade show booth rentals and save about 60 percent on your display budget.

While show management companies do offer booth rental kits at a fraction of the cost of custom booths, these basic kits lack the ability to be customized to your specific functional needs—which may include interactive kiosks, large presentation areas or conference rooms—in addition to not adequately showcasing your corporate images and brand messaging. Frankly, show management booth rentals look rented. Protect your brand image with trade show booth rentals that can be customized to look purchased at a third of the cost. Custom trade show booth rentals look like you own your display without the same financial investment.

View this short behind-the-scenes video during the installation of a custom booth rental (also shown in image above), designed by E&E featuring a large circular rotating hanging sign and large internally-lit display frames with fabric graphics.

Four Reasons Trade Show Display Rentals are the Smart Choice:

1. First-time or minimal trade show participation. If this is your first trade show experience or if you only participate in one or two events a year, you may balk at the expense of fully custom displays. That's when it makes sense to consider trade show booth rentals. Your trade show display will look professional and include custom graphics with your corporate colors, logo and brand messaging.
2. Enhance or expand existing trade show booth elements. Custom booth rentals are convenient and affordable and allow you to easily build on to your existing trade show display properties. Rent additional custom modular display units, pop-up displays, furniture, flooring or hanging signs to add spice and functionality.
3. Create different trade show exhibit looks without breaking the bank. With trade show display rentals, you can create a different booth layout for each event. You can reuse your trade show graphics from one show to the next, but the structural elements of your exhibit can vary depending on the size and shape of your booth spaces at each show.
4. Conflicting trade show events. Don't miss out on a second event because your display is already committed to a trade show in another part of the country. Trade show booth rentals allow you the ability to participate in multiple events at the same time without investing in a second display.

Trade show display rentals are an affordable way to create the illusion of a custom-made purchased booth without the same investment. E&E Exhibit Solutions has designed and built trade show displays for over 15 years and offers a wide selection of custom exhibit rentals, including green displays, trade show graphics and accessories. E&E's trade show exhibit consultants will work with you to design the perfect custom booth rentals, complete with your company logo, branding and marketing message.

About E&E Exhibit Solutions
Founded in 1995, E&E Exhibit Solutions is an exhibit company specializing trade show exhibit rentals. E&E Exhibit Solutions has a long-standing record of success serving more than 1,850 clients in 45 U.S. states and 15 countries and is recognized as a four-time Inc. 5000 honoree. As expert trade show professionals, our award-winning solutions include custom displays, custom exhibit rental designs, trade show display graphics, shipping, installation and exhibit storage.  Contact us at E&E Custom Exhibit Rentals at 800.709.6935.

How ad agencies add value to their services by promoting trade shows to their clients

By Daniel Chaddock, President of E&E Exhibit Solutions

Over the past 16 years since opening E&E Exhibit Solutions, I have encountered many ad agency owners who look at trade shows as something that takes up a significant portion of their clients' marketing budgets—and subsequently takes away from the agency's profitability. Ad agencies have either walked away from the trade show business as too complex or have attempted to help their clients and opened a Pandora's box of trouble that equals little in revenue for the agency.

Yet, one cannot deny the importance of trade shows in the marketing mix. Businesses spend upwards of 30 percent of their marketing budgets on trade show displays, accessories, graphics and participation, for which the ad agency previously received no compensation. This leaves agencies asking, "How do we help a client with its entire marketing strategy, including trade shows, without losing money?"

There are three main concerns for an ad agency considering venturing into the trade show business for their clients:

1. Trade shows require a lot of time to plan, execute and manage the details.
2. Successful trade show participation requires a level of experience and knowledge that most ad agencies don’t possess.
3. Ad agencies don’t typically make money when their clients invest in trade shows.

So again, how does an ad agency provide trade show assistance to a client and still make a profit? The answer is to seek out trade show experts to handle the details of trade show exhibit designs, production and logistics. At E&E Exhibit Solutions, we recognize this challenge and through a partnership can address the concerns above. By working with a professional trade show display company, an ad agency can provide their clients with the best of both worlds—expert marketing guidance and expert trade show management.

A partnership with a trade show display company enables the agency to expand its billable marketing offerings, while allowing a company like E&E to manage the trade show details. Yet, this service doesn't necessarily mean added cost to the client. As the experts, the trade show display company can provide cost-saving exhibiting strategies that also improve event ROI.

This partnership can be as invisible or as transparent as the agency wishes. At E&E, we work with ad agencies behind the scenes or work side-by-side with clients as the agency's trade show division to provide complete solutions including exhibit design, trade show graphics, shipping and labor services. Either way, the agency becomes the one-stop shop for their clients.

The bottom line is that trade shows aren't going away. Time and again, studies show there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction in business. A company is going to participate in trade shows as a component of its marketing strategy. By working with a trade show display company, the ad agency can say, "Yes!" to their clients' trade shows and provide a billable service they previously shied away from. And, clients benefit by working with the ad agency they trust, along with experts in the trade show industry, to help ensure a successful trade show experience.

Since 1994, Daniel Chaddock has consulted on the effective design and use of trade show displays for event marketing. He is currently President of E&E Exhibit Solutions, an award-winning trade show display company. To discuss partnership opportunities for your ad agency, contact us at 800.709.6935.

Know just what you're getting for your investment

By Daniel Chaddock, President of E&E Exhibit Solutions

Tempted by that too-good-to-be-true $800 pop-up display you found online? Trust your instincts. That pop-up may seem budget-friendly now, but it won't be when you need to replace it next year—or sooner.  There is quite a bit of difference between cheap pop-up displays from discount online retailers or auction web sites and quality-manufactured ones from authorized dealers. Once you examine the differences, you'll see there's no comparison.

Product Quality & Materials
It's hard to tell the quality of the displays you're considering purchasing from online images. Frankly, they all can look the same. However, the difference comes in the grade of materials used to manufacture the pop-up display frame and its associated hardware. 

Discount retailers often import low-quality pop-up displays made in other countries, and those manufacturers may cut corners with low-grade aluminum and plastic to keep costs down.  This applies to not just the frame, but also the connecting pieces, cases and fabric panels—which may not even be fire retardant, a requirement to exhibit at most U.S. trade shows.  With frequent use of cheap pop-ups, you’ll notice parts loosen over time, fabric frays with repeated application and removal of hook and loop graphics, and cases or their locks break from shipping and handling. In addition, if you're looking at eBay, that pop-up is most likely used, with unknown quality, condition and origin.

To ensure you're getting a high-quality product, contact a professional exhibit house that can tell you exactly how and of what materials their pop-up displays are made. They can also provide you with the necessary fire retardant certificates to provide to show management.  When it comes to quality, think long-term value over low cost, especially if you have a jam-packed show schedule and you need a reliable, durable display that will withstand the rigors of your event program.

Product Features
When you price shop, make sure you evaluate similar systems with the same features. You might be comparing a base, low-end model to one that's top of the line. For example, cheap frames may require cumbersome assembly with individual connecting pieces. A quality, self-locking frame opens in seconds, saving you time on installation. A cheap frame may also be limited in the accessories available. Lights, shelves and counter conversion kits are pretty standard, but what about more advanced audio-visual needs, storage space or custom graphics?

Quality pop-up displays have a variety of custom accessories to take your booth from simple to spectacular. You can add monitor brackets and keyboard shelves for computer demos, locking cabinets for your equipment or marketing materials and custom large-format trade show graphics. Look for a proven exhibit provider with an in-house graphic production department that can design, print and fit your graphics to the pop-up display you purchase. Many quality pop-ups also have expansion kits to take your 10x10 displays to 10x20 displays. Take time to think about your company’s future growth plans, so you have the right foundation to build on top of the investment you make today.

Warranties & Customer Service
When that cheap pop-up display breaks, where do send it for repair? Does it have a warranty? Can you talk to an actual person to order replacement parts? With a quality pop-up, just contact your exhibit house, who can coordinate no-hassle, warranty repairs. Most high-quality pop-up displays come with a lifetime warranty on the frame and connecting hardware—just one free warranty repair can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Without a warranty, you're throwing your money away on a limited-use, disposable pop-up display.

In addition, an exhibit house will provide you with a dedicated account manager, who you can easily contact at any time with your needs and questions. You can also consult with this person on the many types of trade show displays and graphics available to make sure you are making the most of your budget.

Overall Value vs. Price
Before you submit that online order, consider the product quality, features and customer service you'll receive. How much are you willing to sacrifice for what seems like a "good" deal? With a quality pop-up display, you'll make the most of your budget over time and can relax knowing you have a great product which is covered under warranty and serviced by a company you trust. If price is still your deciding factor, consider a pop-up exhibit rental for a fraction of the purchase price.

Pop-up Display Comparison Chart

Since 1994, Daniel Chaddock has consulted on the effective design and use of trade show displays for event marketing. He is currently President of E&E Exhibit Solutions, an authorized dealer of high-quality pop-up displays, manufactured in the USA. To discuss pop-up displays or exhibit rentals options, contact us at 800.709.6935.

Create inviting environments that engage trade show attendees

By Daniel Chaddock, President of E&E Exhibit Solutions

As a trade show marketer, you know you can’t just plop down any old booth in a space and attract attendees. Designing your trade show display is as strategic as picking the right show or crafting your marketing message for the right audience. The ubiquitous counters with “please take one” literature and self-running videos just don’t do the trick anymore. And, booth staff who are too eager to give software demos can make attendees run away down the aisle.

To create buzz around your booth, look for ways to take your booth from a corporate store front to a more casual, yet interactive setting. An emerging trend in trade show exhibit design is creating environments in which to engage booth visitors. You want to put attendees at ease, so they let down their barriers before you start to talk business.

Keep the following trends in mind when working with your exhibit house on a new booth design and watch attendees flock to your booth like bees to honey.

Attract attendees by appealing to their senses.

Use textures and substances, such as virtual fire, water or steam features that entice visitors to come in, get a closer look, and even touch their surroundings. A positive sensory reaction to your booth can make attendees more receptive to a conversation and make your marketing messages more memorable.

Make your booth interactive.

While Guitar Hero can make attendees get up and move, a perfect score on "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" doesn’t provide any insight into your target market or contribute anything to your industry’s body of knowledge. Think of ways to incorporate social media into your display and start a show-long discussion about relevant topics in your industry.

Allow attendees to leave relevant comments on a chalkboard or whiteboard in your booth.

Or, provide access to computer display kiosks where visitors can make posts on blogs and fan pages. This tactic can motivate people to come back to your booth repeatedly for updates, forming a positive relationship with your company.

Keep attendees focused on your booth.

Design a booth with ceiling structures. Today’s popular aluminum extrusion exhibits, such as the LUMITURE exhibit displays, can accommodate overhead elements with ease. Use lightweight fabric printed with trade show graphics or illuminated with colored light to bring visual interest above. By enclosing your environment, you better manage your booth space and keep visitors’ eyes on your messaging and not your neighbors’ booths.

Use casual meeting areas

Skip the conference board room and opt for more relaxed seating areas, such as oversized comfy couches with a coffee table. With a less formal meeting space, you can remove physical obstacles like counters and lead retrieval machines and start a friendly discussion, in which your potential customer will open up about her business needs.

Done correctly, these environments act similar to and serve the same reaction as crowds to a contagious street performance, where people gather to see what's happening. Clever, unique and well thought out environments at a trade show communicate specific marketing messages to a specific audience.

Contact E&E Exhibit Solutions today for more advice on designing a comfortable environment for your trade show displays.

Since 1994, Daniel Chaddock has consulted on the effective design and use of custom displays for trade show marketing. He is currently President of E&E Exhibit Solutions, a custom exhibit rentals and custom exhibit rental designs company offering expertise in portable exhibits and modular trade show displays. To discuss custom exhibit rental options reach Daniel via email Daniel@exhibitsusa.com or contact us at E&E Custom Exhibit Rentals at 800.709.6935.

Is a tough economy causing concern about exhibiting costs and trade show exhibit budgets?

By Daniel Chaddock, President of E&E Exhibit Solutions

If tough economic times are taking a toll on your business, you’re not alone. Companies large and small are making cutbacks in their 2009 budgets – especially in areas like trade shows and events. But before you make far-reaching decisions about your marketing budget, consider the benefits of a trade show program. After all, participating in trade shows is vital for reaching a highly targeted market and generating new leads for your product or service.

In fact, when times are tough, trade shows can be even more important for exhibitors. Not only will some of your competitors skip the big show, but you’ll also find companies are more likely to send only their key decision-makers to the event – meaning your team will spend their time working with the most qualified leads.

Thankfully, there are many ways to keep exhibiting in your budget without breaking the bank. By remembering the basics, getting creative with your exhibit and trade show accessories and correctly managing your show time and staff, you can maximize the effectiveness of your trade show budget. Here’s how:

Make the Most of Your Space and Time:

• Should you stay or should you go? If you are debating whether or not to attend a show, first consider reducing the size of your booth space. Show management wants you to exhibit and will most likely work with you on downsizing your space, which can significantly decrease show fees, as well as exhibit costs. And if you choose high-impact trade show exhibit designs, you can still make a splash.
• Ask your exhibit house for help. If you’ve trimmed staff to save budget, your exhibit house can help you with planning and forms during crunch time. While they often charge a minimal fee for this service, this help can be vital.
• Get a pre- and post-show plan in place. Whether it’s pre-show advertising letting your targets know where to find you at the show or post-show follow-up with new leads, developing a comprehensive marketing plan for before and after a show will help increase your ROI.
• Always keep your ROI in mind. By keeping your eye on the goal, you can ensure your marketing dollars are maximizing your results.

Be Efficient with Your Exhibit:

• Try a rental trade show exhibit. Rental exhibits offer a reduced cost of ownership, eliminating the cost of storage, maintenance and handling. They also allow you to update the look of your exhibit at each trade show you attend.
• If you need a custom exhibit, shop smart. Think of innovative ways to repurpose your booth to capitalize on your investment. For example, a custom portable exhibit can reduce ownership and operational costs while allowing for structural changes and scalability. With a 20x20 custom portable island that breaks down into a 10x20 or 10x10 exhibit, you have the flexibility to choose your booth size and configuration for each show. Also, custom exhibit extras like multimedia kiosks can reinforce your branding in your lobby, office or showroom.
• Update your existing display. If a whole new booth isn’t in the cards this year, rejuvenate your look by adding a few simple elements rather than buying an entirely new portable display booth. One sleek, well-placed trade show accessory, such as flat-panel monitors, counters, shelves and stand-off graphics can help refresh your look for a low price.

Remember the Nuts and Bolts:

• Focus on one key marketing message. A clear, simple message that supports your objectives will help visitors know who you are and what you do.
• Make sure your staff is competent and well trained. Getting your trade show display to the show is only half the battle. In addition, you are also responsible for preparing your booth staff, who sell your product on the show floor. Make sure your staff know your show objectives, are attentive to booth visitors, can qualify leads effectively and are fully trained on your product lines. A well-trained staff will help ensure you have a successful show.

Despite the tough economy, trade shows remain a valuable way to market your products and services. By efficiently utilizing show space and time and making smart decisions with your custom portable exhibits or exhibit rentals, you can trim your costs – without losing out on important trade shows this year.

Since 1994, Daniel Chaddock has consulted on effective custom exhibit rental designs and use of trade show displays for trade show marketing. He is currently President of E&E Exhibit Solutions, a trade show display company with expertise in custom portable exhibits and custom modular displays. You can reach Daniel via email to Daniel@exhibitsusa.com or contact us at 800.709.6935.

Learn how to decrease your labor expenses and avoid headaches with these simple tips for setting up your display

By Daniel Chaddock, President of E&E Exhibit Solutions

From shipping and set-up to show fees and travel costs, attending a trade show can easily add up to a big expense for your company. One way to help trim your costs without sacrificing anything is by reviewing your trade show labor expenses. Left unchecked, labor costs can quietly devour your budget – and cause you a headache.

Luckily, there are many ways to efficiently manage your labor crew that will help you save time and money – and maximizing these efficiencies is actually easier than it seems. Try it for yourself at your next event with these key tips:

Save Money…Time it Right:

• Check your show book regularly and keep track of move-in and move-out dates and hours.
• Schedule your crew between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starting set-up on a Friday afternoon is usually a bad idea, as any unplanned delays will force you into overtime charges.
• Schedule labor so personnel spend their time on the clock working, not waiting. For example, if your freight is scheduled to arrive at 8:00 a.m., schedule labor for 10:00 a.m. – this gives show management time to transport crates to your trade show booth space and also gives you a buffer in case your freight is late.

Save Time…Pay Close Attention:

• Have electrical and floorplans ready to provide to the labor company.
• Make sure to send in your Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) form so you can work with a preferred company that is familiar with trade show exhibits like yours.
• Pay attention to how your booth was packed so that you can easily direct repacking after dismantle.

Save Headaches…Be the Boss:

• While supervising the trade show labor crew, be available for questions and to provide directions – this will help keep your labor crew on task and avoid confusion or improper setups.
• Visit the exhibitor services desk regularly to check on orders you placed or last-minute items you may need.
• Record any damage that occurs during installation and setup, so that you can recoup repair costs from the labor company if necessary.
• Talk to your trade show display company, which may provide services to supervise your booth installation so you don’t have to.

Attention to detail, timing and simply making your presence felt are some of the most basic solutions to dealing with labor crews – but they’re often overlooked. But by keeping a close watch on these little details, you can make a big impact on your bottom line – giving you a little extra budget for trade show exhibit upgrades or extras.

Check out our other tips for maximizing your trade show ROI or contact us today for more.

Since 1994, Daniel Chaddock has consulted on the effective design and use of custom exhibits for trade show marketing. He is currently President of E&E Exhibit Solutions, a custom exhibit rentals and custom exhibit rental designs company offering expertise in portable exhibits and modular trade show displays. To discuss custom exhibit rental options reach Daniel via email Daniel@exhibitsusa.com or contact us at E&E Custom Exhibit Rentals at 800.709.6935.

Stay up to date at your next event with this year’s innovative new exhibit options.

By Daniel Chaddock, President of E&E Exhibit Solutions

This year’s trends in trade show displays are all about versatility – and making a statement. While there are plenty of new products on the market to choose from, some of our favorite trends include innovative lighting options to help make your trade show graphics pop, easily reconfigurable exhibits, lightweight fabric displays and a resurgence in sturdy, permanent-looking panel displays – four surefire ways to stand out from the crowd.

We’ve also seen the green trend make its way to the trade show industry, catching a big buzz from the likes of EXHIBITOR Magazine, which launched www.greenexhibiting.com last summer. Green exhibits have followed suit, offering plenty of ways for exhibitors to turn their marketing message into an environmentally friendly one as well.

Check out these high-impact trends in action with some of our favorite new portable display products:

• LUMITURE exhibit displays from Exponents: Vertical frames and horizontalceilings that are lit from within using fluorescent or LED lighting give your display an open feeling and create stunning lighting effects that radiate from within the structure itself. Designed in modular assemblies, these portable trade show displays can evolve with changing exhibit spaces, while being both lightweight and cost-effective. LUMITURE is also ideal for framing graphics and product displays with attention-grabbing light.
• Lite Displays: Utilizing small, square plastic panels and round nodes, Lite portable trade show displays can be customized with vinyl graphic wraps, accessories and multimedia equipment. Lite displays are extremely versatile and can be reconfigured into as many as 10 different trade show display structures. Due to this flexibility, long-term savings on accessories and additional exhibits often outweigh Lite displays’ higher initial investment.
• Fabric Displays: It’s easy to see why fabric trade show exhibits continue to be one of the most popular trends in portable displays, Fabric displaysuse lightweight aluminum skeletal structures with stretch fabric skins. Exhibitors can create large-scale exhibits that weigh very little. These structures also look more organic and modern, as the fabric can be twisted, layered and illuminated to create illusions or movement. Lighter weight fabric exhibits save money on transportation costs and may also reduce installation times due to less structural assembly.
• Custom Modular Displays: First popular in the late 1990s, panel displays are en vogue once again. These systems use lightweight aluminum frames withlaminate panel inserts to create a look that’s lasting and substantial. Unlike other trendy portable displays, such as the graphic-heavy aluminum extrusion systems that became popular at the turn of the millennium, custom modular trade show exhibits are designed for their permanent look rather than a lightweight, high-tech feel. Ideal for exhibits that recreate storefronts or retail environments, expect to see more panel displays popping up this year.
• Green Displays: Eco•Systems Sustainable Exhibits and other green trade show display options are slowly becoming more mainstream especially asthe event industry has partnered with the EPA to create new sustainable exhibiting guidelines to be released this summer.

These guidelines set new standards for eco-friendly materials, graphic production, transportation, show service and exhibitor practices and more—all to help reduce the industry’s footprint on the environment. Green exhibits help your business to be environmentally conscious, save on energy costs and stay at the forefront of the green movement. E&E Exhibit Solutions is one of the first progressive trade show exhibit companies to offer these exciting new exhibits.

By incorporating these big trends, you can keep your booth up to date – and read to make an impact. For more information on going green, incorporating new trade show graphics or other trends, contact your full-service trade show display company, E&E Exhibit Solutions.

Since 1994, Daniel Chaddock has consulted on the effective design and use of custom exhibits for trade show marketing. He is currently President of E&E Exhibit Solutions, a custom exhibit rentals and custom exhibit rental designs company offering expertise in portable exhibits and modular trade show displays. To discuss custom exhibit rental options reach Daniel via email Daniel@exhibitsusa.com or contact us at E&E Custom Exhibit Rentals at 800.709.6935.