Nimlok Tradepoints - Planning

Safety First

As we enter a new year of trade shows, it may be worthwhile to review some safety and travel tips. One thing I love about my job is that I get to travel a lot! While I am a seasoned traveler and am frequently on my own, I don't think twice about using a fitness center, pool or hot tub, things I really appreciate while on the road. However, a recent incident has made me more aware of the need for safety precautions… continue reading

Ten Counter Attack Strategies

Here are ten simple and effective counterintelligence tips to help fortify your exhibit marketing program. You can use these tips to help identify which of your competitors are monitoring your company and allow you to keep an eye on them as they observe your exhibit displays and tactics… continue reading

Be Prepared if the Guard Changes

Communication is key. To make the most of your tradeshow, you need clear and open channels of communication with show management, which is especially important during times of transition… continue reading

Visualization Helps Achieve Show Results

Setting clear goals and objectives is critical to achieving tradeshow success. Having them in place lets your team know what’s expected of them, what benchmarks they should strive for, and what rewards and incentives are in place for their success… continue reading

Which Show is Right for You?

Few marketing forums offer the unique opportunity inherent in every tradeshow — the chance to see what your peers/competitors are bringing to market, the chance to connect with possible vendors, distributors, and other allies, and most important, the chance to engage in direct, face-to-face marketing... continue reading

How to Quit an Old Show

Never be fearful of quitting a show that you've always participated in. If the show doesn't have the impact and the results you need through your exhibit displays and involvement, just quit… continue reading

30-Point Show Services Checklist - Part 2

Order enough carpeting to avoid the bare concrete strip between your booth and the aisle carpeting and other exhibit displays checklist points… continue reading

30-Point Show Services Checklist - Part 1

Know which products you are planning to demonstrate and what utilities are required (and how much)… continue reading

4 Negotiating Tips to Get You What You Want

Negotiating is considered the number one business skill and one we all perform daily. The following four simple tips point you in the right direction... continue reading

Planning a Mini-Seminar

Presenting a mini-seminar takes planning. Most show organizers offer meeting or conference rooms for a price. But before you sign on the dotted line, check for the following... continue reading

Use Color to Excite and Calm

There’s a reason why fast food chains decorate with a lot of orange and red. These two hues are known to stimulate the appetite, and hungry customers are customers who will buy. Use colors to your advantage in your exhibit displays… continue reading

Finding the Right Carrier - 21 Questions to Ask

What is your relationship with show managers, exhibit companies, setup/dismantle and drayage contractors? How do you specifically work with drayage contractors?... continue reading

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere

When selecting show furniture, use just enough to create a homey and welcoming atmosphere for your exhibit displays… continue reading

7 Guidelines for Space Requirements

Determine your space requirements by using the following 7 guidelines... continue reading

10-Point Exhibit Marketing Needs Assessor

What have been your major problem areas? What products/services would be best for you to highlight at this show? Make the most of your exhibit displays and show involvement… continue reading

Introduce New Products to the Market

According to tradeshow research, over 76% of visitors at tradeshows come to see what's "new and different." They're looking to make decisions for future purchases… continue reading

Have Others Assess Your Exhibit

Before you spend big bucks on refurbishing or buying a brand-new booth, have others assess the effectiveness of your present exhibit displays… continue reading

Beware of Budget Busters

However well you prepare your show budget, there always seems to be those budget busters that skew the totals. Following are five areas to be aware of... continue reading

Who is Your Target Market?

A critical element of your tradeshow marketing is to know which of the following groups are most interested in your products or services... continue reading

Guidelines for Space Selection

Familiarize yourself with the floor plan and different space possibilities for placement of your exhibit displays... continue reading

Guidelines for Choosing an Exhibit

Identify your exhibiting goals. These directly impact your exhibit displays and space requirements… continue reading

Plan a Competitive Intelligence Campaign - Part 4

When keeping tabs on your competition, it is critical that you understand their sales and marketing strategy. Here are 12 questions to help… continue reading

Plan a Competitive Intelligence Campaign - Part 3

The goal of asking the following product/service-based questions is to establish how you can differentiate your offerings. The more you know about your competitive products/services, the better off you'll be. The tradeshow floor is an excellent place to gather this type of information… continue reading

Plan a Competitive Intelligence Campaign - Part 2

Over the next few bi-monthly Nimlok Tips, I'll share 38 questions to help you compile a constructive competitive intelligence program... continue reading

Plan a Competitive Intelligence Campaign - Part 1

If you are serious about growth in today's aggressive and fast-changing marketplace, you need to continually identify your competitive advantage to either hold or increase market share. Tradeshows are an excellent forum to research and collect information... continue reading

What is Your Exhibiting Budget?

What would you do without a good, old budget? Establishing a tradeshow budget can be tough, especially if you have no past performance information to reference… continue reading

Considering Your Display Options

With a plethora of display choices on the market today you have plenty of options to consider. Broadly speaking, displays fit into two main categories: portable systems and custom-built exhibit displays… continue reading

Your Image on the Show Floor

On the show floor, your exhibit makes a strong statement about who your company is, what you do, and how you do it. When executed correctly, you may attract visitors and successfully achieve your marketing objectives through your exhibit display… continue reading

Grab Attention With Graphics

Make your graphics interesting, even life-size or larger than life, to really grab attention. Keep copy to an absolute minimum, despite what the boss wants!... continue reading