Trade Show Displays | Selecting a Designer
When presenting at trade shows, your booth functions as a three-dimensional representation of your company’s image. Hiring an exhibit designer or producer can make the difference between an amateur looking exhibit and a professional one that commands respect and attention. While many do-it-yourself exhibits are well done, many more have a slipshod appearance to them.
If you decide to work with a designer, it is essential that you have a well thought out concept of what you wish to accomplish with your booth. Be precise when explaining your objectives and expectations. The more specific you are with your designer, the better off you will be in the long run. On the other hand, you don’t want to be so wedded to certain concepts that you are not open to suggestions. Your designer brings knowledge of trade shows and experience to the table and may come up with possibilities that you had not considered.
When choosing a designer, it is a good idea to conduct informational interviews with business associates who have exhibited at trade shows. Ask them about designers or production companies they have worked with in the past. A wide range of choices exists among design and production companies. There are full service companies who can handle the entire development and execution of your booth, from the design stage to production. These companies can assist you with shipping, storage, set-up and take-down, promotional literature, staffing, and virtually anything else you can think of. Other, more economical options include exhibit builders who are responsible only for design and production, as well as companies who market pre-manufactured booth components.
Always ask for references and to see samples of previous work. Be certain they understand the nature of both your company and industry. Familiarize your designer with your company’s history, as well as with previous marketing efforts involving trade shows. Provide them with samples of promotional literature and any other marketing materials that are available. Let them know what products or services you wish to promote through your booth. Invest the time and effort to choose the designer that works best for your company, and your booth will show it.
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