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Having attractive trade show displays is the first step to being successful at an event, but there’s more that needs to be done to draw in a crowd. If you are new to exhibiting, these tips should help you become a hit at the event.

Pre-Show Marketing

You can’t go to a show and expect everyone to flock to your convention booth without a proper marketing campaign prior to the event. One study showed that about 80 percent of attendees already know what trade show booths they are going to visit before even setting foot on the show floor. If you want to be on that list, it’s important to promote your display system by doing the following:

• Social Media – Reach your target audience through Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. It costs little to no money and, since everyone is using these networking websites; you’ll be able to reach a large, like-minded audience.
• Direct Mail – Send out post cards or invitations to your current customers. Have an incentive that will intrigue them to stop by your booth display, such as a free gift or discount.
• Ad in Local Newspaper – If your target audience is more likely to read the newspaper than log in to Facebook, taking out an ad may be the best way to reach them.

No matter which method you prefer to use, begin your marketing campaign at least 3 weeks prior to the trade show in order to give them ample time to plan for this event.

Dress for Success and Comfort

The trade show booth staff will be the face of your company at the event, so it is important they look professional. However, since you and your staff will be spending hours on the convention floor, being comfortable is critical. You can either wear comfortable, yet professional shoes or you can add trade show flooring to your display system. Flooring will definitely set your convention exhibit apart from the others, while also being padded for extra relief from aching feet.

Brush up the Staff’s Knowledge of Products or Services

It’s unrealistic to think that these employees will know the inner workings of every product sold, but attendees will have questions, so knowing how to answer them is crucial. Talk to your staff weeks before the event to make sure they know the answer to basic questions of your products. If they don’t, you may want to consider setting up a training course to refresh their memories.

If a staffer doesn’t know how to answer a question and has no one to ask at the trade show, it is ok to tell the attendee, “I don’t know, but let me call my office to find out for you.”

Your Trade Show Exhibits Should Stand Out

Attendees are drawn to convention booths that are unlike the others. Whether they have a unique design, games, or technology-infused display booths, these exhibits will definitely be remembered. One way to do this is to use custom trade show displays, since they are designed to your liking and will not resemble any other display system.

Visible Signage

You only have between 3 and 5 seconds to grab the attendee’s attention as they are walking by, so they should be able to clearly understand what it is your company does. Having signage that has the name of your company as well as a tagline that will tell them what you do in a short and sweet sentence. If you want to come up with a clever, catchy line, that’s great since attendees will be more likely to remember it. What you don’t want to do is be too clever, to the point that no one understands what it is your business has to offer.

Follow up

About 70 percent of exhibitors fail to follow up after the event, resulting in a lot of lost opportunities. If you want to turn the leads into new customers, it is important to follow up after the event to let them know you appreciated talking to them at the event and hope you can meet to discuss the products or services in further detail. This can be done by either mailing handwritten thank-you cards (with your business card attached) or by giving them a call. Either way, they are sure to remember you when they’re ready to do business.

With trade shows, you have the opportunity to meet thousands of people face-to-face, which can potentially become new clients or networking partners. With these tips you will definitely get the results you are looking for.

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When I think of trade shows I think of billboards along the highway because, just as cars are quickly driving down the road, attendees are quickly walking down the aisles to find the trade show booths that stand out the most to them. The first step in becoming a display system they must stop to look at is in your signage. Your signs should answer the following questions:

• Who are you?
• What do you do?
• How can I benefit from your products or services?

Banner stands make excellent signs because they take up very little room and come in a variety of heights that are sure to get you noticed at the convention. As effective as banner stands can be at getting your trade show displays noticed, there are other things that can be done to catch the attendee’s eyes as they are “driving” past your convention booth.

Pick the Right Location

If your main convention exhibit is hidden in the back of your trade show booth space, it may not be easy to see from the aisles. Place banner stand displays along the aisle to inform attendees of who you are. Some information you can place on these display systems is the name of your company, a few benefits of your products or services, and one or two pictures.

Keep in mind that the banner stands are used to aid your main trade show exhibits, so keep the graphics simple and to-the-point. You can give all interested attendees more company details through your main display booth. If you would like to draw in a crowd from across the event floor, hanging banners are perfect. They range in size from 8 feet to 12 feet and come in several shapes that would get you noticed.

The More Unique the Better

Having a convention booth that is unlike the other hundreds of display booths is very important because it will draw in a crowd and will be remembered long after the event. Unique signage can also accomplish this task. Scrolling banner stands allow you to display a large message with a space-saving banner display, since a rolling mechanism is used to show a big message with a small amount of room.

Backlit headers can also be added to specific trade show displays, which will illuminate the name of your company.

Use Bright Colors

Bold colors such as red, yellow, and orange will definitely get noticed before neutral colors like brown, tan, white, and beige which will end up blending in to the background. Use bright colors that will get noticed as attendees are walking the trade show floor.

The right signage will definitely make your display exhibit more memorable. Signage is very inexpensive, yet can turn your trade show booth from blending with the other convention exhibits to standing out from the crowd.

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Trade shows are an investment that will not only build your client list, but will also increase your networking community. Even after months of preparing for the big show, there are still mistakes that are commonly made by exhibitors that could be hurting your chances of getting the results you are looking for at your trade show displays.

#1 All I have to do is Show up

One CEIR study indicated that 80 percent of attendees know what trade show booths they want to see before they even get to the convention. Pre-show marketing will help build awareness of your display system and hopefully get you on their list of must-see convention booths.

• Use social media – Let your followers and fans know the details of the event and where you can be found.
• Direct Mail – Send out postcards or invitations to your customers inviting them to stop by your booth display.
• Phone Calls – If you have the phone numbers of your clients, feel free to give them a call and let them know about your trade show exhibit.

No matter what method you decide to go with, give your audience at least a 2 week notice so they have enough time to plan on attending.

#2 Expensive Giveaway Items Will Win Over Their Business

Most people like to get free stuff, even if they have no intention of actually doing business with the person they got it from. Giveaway items don’t have to be expensive, just memorable.

• Use items that can be used daily – mugs, pens, magnets.
• Print your logo and company info on them – this way, they will remember talking to you every time they use that product.

To avoid giving out expensive items to everyone who walks by your display system, have 2 trade show giveaway items. One can be an inexpensive one that you hand out to everyone, while the other slightly more expensive option can be handed out to very interested attendees. Just make sure to stash the more expensive products in a secret place so it can’t be easily viewed by everyone walking by, especially the ones who have a hobby of collecting free stuff.

#3 Now That the Show is Over, All I have to do is Wait

At your trade show exhibit, you may have made a great first impression on the attendees you spoke to, but so could your competitors. The one thing that will make you stand out after the event is to follow up. About a week after the convention, give your leads a call or send out thank-you cards to let them know you appreciated getting the chance to talk with them. If you decide to call them, don’t be afraid to ask if you can set up a one-on-one appointment with them to discuss your products/services further and find out which one would work for them. If you opt to use thank-you cards, make sure to include your business card so they are able to contact you directly after the trade show.

These tips should help you make the most of your trade show experience and help you reach the results you are looking for. To sum it up, remember to have a pre-show marketing campaign in place, select the right trade show giveaways, and follow up.

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There will be plenty of trade show displays at the same event that will be competing for the attention of the attendees. Having a convention booth that is unique is a must to make you stand out at the event. Allure Fabric Tension Banner Stands are a twist on the traditional banner stand and are quickly becoming an exhibitor favorite. Here are some of the reasons both new and frequent exhibitors are turning to these banner displays.

Easy Assembly

Just as you would expect from typical banner stands, the Allure Trade Show Displays take a matter of seconds to completely put together. The frame is made out of aluminum tubing, which comes shock-corded together to easily put it together. The graphics are printed using Dye Sublimination for bold, brilliant images that are sure to make you stand out. They are firmly attached to the frame for a flawless, wrinkle-free look.

One-of-a-Kind Design

One thing that sets these trade show banner displays apart is the sleek look. There are several shapes available, but some of the shapes include sloped, fountain and bow. Trade show accessories can also be added, such as lights and shelves.

Can be used Alone or Paired up With Other Trade Show Displays

The dynamic look of these displays is enough to get you noticed, but by combining it with a larger trade show booth, you will definitely draw in a crowd. Allure Trade Show Exhibits will compliment the look of any display system, including Hop up Displays. Place these banner stands next to the larger booth in order to display a photo or information you weren’t able to fit onto your main trade show booth.

You only have a few seconds to get the attendee’s attention before they walk on by, so the look of your trade show booth is the first thing they will notice. The Allure Fabric Tension Displays will definitely accomplish this task!



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Banner stand displays are excellent ways of promoting your business either at trade shows, on sidewalks, or in malls. An eye-catching way of using these affordable trade show displays is by combining them with larger display systems. Here is some convention booths that would look great paired up with banner displays.

Pop up Booths

Being lightweight, durable, and easy to assemble are the top reasons exhibitors love pop up displays for trade shows. The frame simply pops open and locks into place in less than 20 minutes, leaving you with an attractive convention booth without the fuss of putting it together.

Hybrid Displays

These trade show displays are a unique twist on the pop up booths; just as quick to assemble, but also has an innovative look that is unmatched by other trade show exhibits. Headers and wings are included with many of the display packages to add a unique shape, giving the display booth its own personality. There are several configurations and sizes to choose from.

Fabric Tension Display Systems

Wrinkle-resistant fabric is stretched across the durable frame for a flawless display booth. They are also a traveling exhibitor’s dream, since they are extremely compact and up to 10 displays can fit into one shipping case. Fabric Tension Booths can also be used outside of trade shows as in-store promotional tools.

Banner Stand Walls

Combine several retractable banner stands together to create the same look you would find with an 8, 10, or 20 foot trade show booth. They take about 5 minutes to assemble and you have the option of using as many or as few trade show booths as you would like.

These are just a few of the display systems you can use in collaboration with traditional banner stands for an impressive way to promote your business at your next event. There are also a variety of trade show accessories that can be added for a more stunning, one-of-a-kind look.

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Banner stands are one of the most versatile trade show displays on the market. They take up very little space, while still having an eye-catching look. So, what are some of the ways businesses are using these banner displays when they aren’t at the convention? Here are few ways to get the most out of these exhibit booths.

In-store Promotions

They can be used as effective signage in your business to promote certain products or services, or can direct customers to a specific area of your store. Shoppers don’t always know they want a product until they see these signs. The graphics can easily be interchanged to allow you to promote as many products or sales you want to.

Sidewalk Signs

Depending on the location of your business, traffic can be directed to your store or office by strategically placing these banner displays in a mall, lobby or along a street with directions to your place of business. Make sure the font is large and simple enough to read from a distance. If the font is too “fancy” or too small, no one will be able to decipher what you are trying to say and your efforts to bring more customers in will be lost. For more help on designing your trade show graphics, check out our article on effectively designing your graphics.

Advertising Videos

Use your banner stands as a background on your video or commercial to be much more memorable. These videos can be posted on YouTube or a local television channel.

Informative Signage

These attractive trade show exhibits can be placed in a high traffic area of your store or office to inform customers or guests of your business. Some of the things that can be on these banner stands are:

• a list of the benefits of your product or services
• history of your company
• what sets you apart from your competitors

Having this information easily viewable will answer any questions your customers may have.

These trade show banner stands are one of the most affordable display booths on the market, have a beautiful design, and take about 5 minutes to assemble. It is no wonder so many exhibitors are turning to these durable convention booths!

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Although trade shows have proven to be one of the most effective ways to market your business, there are still some people out there who are skeptical. I’m sure most of these individuals are concerned about the cost and time needed to prepare for an event. One trade show display that fits into every budget is the retractable banner stands. There are several benefits to these convention booths, but here are some of the most popular reasons exhibitors are using them.

# 1. While traditional display systems can cost thousands of dollars, these banner displays only cost a couple hundreds of dollars. Although the recession is over, many companies are still looking for ways to save some money. These trade show exhibits allow you to do that, while still having an effective, eye-catching design.

# 2. What makes the retractable banner stands so popular is how effortless they are to assemble. The graphic cartridges are stored directly into the base, so all you have to do is pull it up and attach to a pole. Setting up takes an average of 5 minutes, leaving more time to spend on other aspects of your trade show booth.

# 3. For those of you who have a small booth space, banner stands take up very little room width-wise, yet can be as tall as 10 feet high. With a display booth that tall, there’s no way the attendees will ignore it.

# 4. Retractable banner stand displays are also perfect to use in collaboration with a much larger trade show booth, such as a pop up display. Any text or photos you weren’t able to fit on your main exhibit display will fit nicely onto the banner display. Of course, don’t try to cram too much info into your convention displays because it may cause the attendees to feel overwhelmed. For information on how to design professional graphics, check out our article.

These are just a few reasons to love the retractable banner stands. With hundreds of trade show displays to choose from, these booths continue to be a favorite because of the reasons I listed for you above. If you need more information on finding the right convention exhibit for you, give Smash Hit Displays a call and we’ll steer you in the right direction!

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Trade shows are becoming an important part of all business’s marketing campaigns because they allow you to promote any new products you just released or make the public aware of your company if you are a new business. Especially if you are just starting out, you may not have the budget to spend thousands of dollars on a trade show display. Banner stand walls are becoming increasingly popular because they cost a fraction of what traditional trade show pop up displays cost. These affordable trade show exhibits consist of placing several retractable banner stands side by side to create an 8, 10, or 20 foot display system.

The nice thing about these trade show booths is how versatile they are. You have the option of using as many banner stands as you would like, either on the event floor or in your store/office. The graphic cartridges can easily be interchanged to create a new look from one location to the next. Do you have a certain product you want to advertise in your place of business? Banner stands can be used as promotional tools.

It can be extremely stressful the day of the big event, especially if you have to set aside an entire day to set up your exhibit. Banner stand walls take a mere 5 to 15 minutes to completely put together. The banner is stored in the base and simply needs to be pulled up and hooked to the pole. Not only are these convention booths quick to assemble, but they are also heavy-duty and can be used for years.

For sharp, vibrant trade show graphics, 13 oz vinyl is used, bringing out the brilliance of every color used. This quality fabric prevents the ends from curling up, continuing to look new and fresh. This is just one display option available that won’t cost a fortune, while still having a quality, reliable look. For more budget-friendly trade show displays, check out Smash Hit Displays’ website or give us a call!

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