Creating an effective trade show display

August 12, 2008 in 1, Graphic Design
Tags: display, Fonts, graphics, images, logos, stock photos, trade show, website

Attending an expo in Atlanta or Orlando? Thousands of visitors will be passing your booth through the 3 day show – you want to reach every one of them. Technology has helped make it easier – from the swipe cards and database capture at registration to text messaging their cell phones as they pass your booth.

All in all your trade show display still will be the first thing they see walking down those aisles. Technology has also made it easier and easier to create your own great graphics. Good doesn’t always mean expensive.

There are five basic elements to every trade show display – for that matter any good advertisement.

Visual
In a sea of people and hundreds of booths nothing works better than a simple, bold and clear image. An image that is striking and vibrant, even unusual, will be one that creates a memorable impression on the minds of those passing your display – and stopping at your booth.  Check out: www.istockphoto.com, www.mediabakery.com, www.stockxpert.com

Headline
Think well here. Choose your words “wisely” as the old saying goes. People used to take 30 seconds to read a poster or billboard, it’s down to 8 seconds, less at a crowded trade show. No more than five words should give a clear, simple message – the fewer words the bigger the headline. Think about it – short, bold messages can be read from several yards away. Too verbose and the message gets lost. Choose a simple easy typeface that can be read.

Description
You may want to write everything you know about the product on that display, but don’t! Attendees may only spend precious minutes at your booth – they shouldn’t be reading literature plenty of time for that later. They should be listening to you or asking questions. So any description you do use should be short and concise. Use bullets and keep the written message brief.

Corporate Logo
Don’t makes it an effort to see your company’s name. You’re at the show to advertise your firm. Put your company name in the header of your poster – most people read top to bottom and left to right. Also place your logo on your materials – everywhere. If you don’t already have one or want to revamp it inexpensively check out these sites: http://www.logoyes.com, http://www.thelogoloft.com, http://thelogocompany.net

Website, website, website
You’ve already spent quite a bit of your budget on your website design. How many people visiting depends on your design, its use and your promoting it. It is the place people will visit after they leave the show – or during it. Show it off.

Following these basic elements will help create a more effective display at your next trade show and help people remember your company when they get back home.