Which of the Five Types of Trade Show Exhibits Is Right for You?

Once you have decided that your company needs a presence in an upcoming show by having a trade show exhibit, it is important to understand the ins and outs of trade show booth selection. In order for the exhibitor to choose the appropriate trade show display, it is necessary to know the distinction among the five basic types of trade show exhibits.

It is makes good sense, then, to do your homework before you select a trade show display. The trade show industry identifies exhibits as either custom, custom modular, pre-owned, portable or rental. Each trade show display type suits a specific need depending on show requirements.

The top option is the custom trade show booth which is built from scratch with exacting booth space specifications in mind such as width, height and depth. With the custom build, you can have a one- of- a kind, eye-catching trade show exhibit that incorporates new design elements, materials and AV components that enhance your company's powerful image. The custom trade show display can be the right choice when announcing a major breakthrough product or when you need to display your company's dominance in its field.

The next trade show display option is the custom modular trade show exhibit which offers the dramatic trade show exhibit imaging without the higher cost of the custom trade show display. Its highly flexible components allow you to reconfigure the design or size of your booth from one trade show to the next. The custom modular trade show booth has interchangeable components such as back walls, counters, display pedestals and exterior panels. It uses lightweight structural materials such as aluminum, Plexiglas and high-grade fabrics. The benefits of the custom modular trade show booth are its simplified assembly, space-saving packing, and lower shipment and handling costs. This type of exhibit is a good solution for the exhibitor who wants a very high quality of design yet requires size flexibility and affordability.

Another option is the pre-owned trade show display that saves your company when you face a time or budget crunch. You can cut your trade show exhibit design time and construction costs by more than half when you select a previously owned trade show booth display. Professional trade show display companies have impressive inventories of top quality pre-owned exhibits for sale or rent. They often own exhibits that their clients have formerly used. You can find numerous options depending on size, design, scope and price similar to trade show display rentals. Be sure to select an exhibit configuration that fits your booth space and then modify the graphics and structural elements to conform to your staffing, image, communications and traffic requirements.

Yet another trade show exhibit option is the portable trade show booth. It is extremely easy to install and dismantle due to its skeletal frame that has attachable laminate panels which clip together offering multiple structural styles. It is lightweight and highly portable and is able to meet a variety of trade show display configurations while offering a distinctive creative image. Accessories such as bridges, counters, alcoves and backlighting can enhance the versatility of the interchangeable portable trade show display systems. The portable trade show display system can convert from tabletop to island trade show exhibits easily. It adapts to a multitude of trade show display situations with minimal effort. The ease of transporting and assembling is the key to the portable trade show exhibit. Cost-saving portable trade show displays are an especially suitable option for the first-time exhibitor and for appearances at smaller, regional shows.

Another way to go is to rent a trade show booth rather than purchasing one. Renting can be the perfect solution for an occasional island trade show exhibit; when you need to supplement your regular trade show exhibit; when you have a trade show booth scheduling conflict; or when a simultaneous trade show appearance requires you to exhibit at more than one location at the same time.

By selecting the appropriate type of trade show booth for your next show, you will be able to establish a trade show exhibit that will convey your company's identity that fits your precise needs for any given trade show appearance. This is true wherever you have your custom trade show exhibit, custom modular exhibit, pre-owned trade show display, portable trade show booth or rental trade show exhibit-- whether at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the Santa Clara Convention Center or the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

What Business Books Do You Read - Which Ones Do You Read Twice?

If you are serious about winning in business, there are things you need to know that you do not have time to learn the hard way. How do I know? Well, lets just say I learned. Now then, the other day I was going through some old business books to donate and I picked up a few and put them back into my re-read pile, not quite ready to dump them quite yet, as they are filled with some pretty common sense information.

Shall we discuss a few of these books to help you succeed in your business career? Below are three books and a quick summary with a few comments:

"Don't Compete - Tilt the Field - 300 Irreverent Lessons for Tomorrow's Business Leaders" by Lois Patler - 1999. This author also wrote the number one best seller; "If it Ain't Broke - Break It!" There were some great stories in this book from Corporate America, companies such as Boeing, Intel, Motorola, Toyota, Xerox, Mercedes, British Airways and more. The book concentrates on stories that are about Attitude, Perspective and Leadership.

Just when you think you know everything or have considered all the strategies, another idea, or tactic shows up. For those who play the game to win, they must constantly stay abreast of such information.

What books do you read, how do you think of business? Maybe you should pour some new information into your head and think some more, the game is much more complex than it appears.

"Win-Win Partnerships - Be on the Leading Edge with Synergistic Coaching" by Steven J. Stowell, PhD. and Matt M. Starcevich, PhD. - 1997. These authors have also written "The Coach - Creating Partnerships for a Competitive Edge" and "Teamwork - We Have Met the Enemy and They are Us" which of the other two, I recommend the latter.

This book; Win-Win Partnerships starts out with a little philosophy, which is needed; Life is about Learning, why partnerships make sense, getting beyond actions, relationships and what is synergy. Then it talks about synergistic partnerships, coaching and an 8-Step Coaching Model (this is a copy of their book; The Coach).

Competing with a team of teams in a net-centric way can help you hyperspace your competition. Synergy is not a buzz-word, well sometimes it is, but it need not be, you can implement a plan and execute it, with a little help from your friends, vendors, customers and even your competition. Think on this.

"The 110% Solution - Using Good Old American Know-How to Manage Your Time, Talent and Ideas" by Mark H. McCormick - 1990. The book starts with your attitude, and basic things you need if you are going to play in the championship, explaining the dedication needed and what it takes - and how to leverage your time, talents, ideas and how to develop the skills to win. Next it discusses getting the most out of the team, deal making and the 111% solution.