A+ Tips for Effective Trade Show Exhibits

We love getting great report cards as much as anyone this time of year. And we believe in celebrating success, which is why we’re trumpeting our latest A+ scores like a proud mom on Facebook.

But we also believe in sharing our secrets. Because the effective trade show strategies that earned our client, Crest + Oral-B, such great results at the Chicago Dental Society’s Midwinter Meeting are tactics all exhibitors can learn from.

Here’s what the Exhibiting Effectiveness Evaluation, conducted by Competitive Edge and Trade Shows Plus, had to say about the Crest + Oral-B  experience in Chicago, PLUS tips on how you can get similarly great results.

Our booth for Crest + Oral-B included a hands-on science demo area, brushing stations for sampling, and a live presentation theater, where two professional presenters delivered a news-themed message about Crest and Oral-B's latest innovations.

Our booth included a hands-on science demo area, brushing stations for sampling, and a live presentation theater, where two professional presenters delivered a news-themed deep dive into Crest and Oral-B’s latest innovations.

The overall experience scored 100% compared to all other exhibitors at the show.

OverallUseThisExhibit Presentation

This category evaluated the general impression the exhibit made on the show floor, and our scores were nearly perfect. Here’s a sampling of comments: “Theme was effective/creative. Good overall exhibit design. Good graphics. Good lighting. Good use of A/V. Creative/Imaginative approach to exhibit/messaging. Wow. Amazing.”

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How can you get similar results?

Invest in good booth design. Create something inviting that brings your brand to life with smart use of equity colors and graphics. But keep it versatile. The goal is to get multiple years of use out of your booth with the ability to switch out themes and change up the experience each year.

Be bold, and be seen. We can’t stress enough the importance of a big, eye-catching overhead banner, along with  branded signage high enough to be seen over other exhibits.

Don’t skimp on lighting. Even the best-lit convention hall won’t make your exhibit look its best. Good lighting not only helps your investment shine, it actually enhances the experience for your guests.

Layer in a theme. Since Crest + Oral-B had so many new innovations last season, we carried a news theme throughout the booth. Theming is an extra step that can help you avoid dry, boring presentations and demos.

 

Product Presentation

Here, our scores were 5s across the board. Comments included: “Theater is Disney-off-the-chart. Product innovation demos are excellent. Staging is incredible.”

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How can you get similar results?

Do a presentation or demo – or both! Of course we love live presentations — they work! And for many products, a demo should be a no-brainer. Here are some ideas for doing them right.

– Be entertaining. But don’t feel pressured to do Disney. Our audiences have come to expect nothing but the best from Crest + Oral-B, so we’re constantly raising the bar on our theater experiences. The real lesson is to incorporate some element of entertainment, whether it simply be multiple monitors, a storytelling approach, or that fun theme we mentioned above.

Use professional presenters. Giving a great presentation at a corporate meeting is different from engaging and entertaining crowds four times an hour for three days straight. Professional presenters will deliver your message with flair every single time.

 

Exhibit Staff

Our scores were A+ here, too. Just look at those comments!

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How can you get similar results?

Go pro. Hire seasoned hosts with the energy and know-how to represent your company with class. Or at least provide your internal team with training on how to be as engaging and helpful as possible on the trade show floor.

Create a uniform look. Matching shirts, ties, and other clothing items not only make your team look good, they make it easy for guests to figure out whom to approach when they’re ready for a conversation.

The final lesson? With good planning, great staffing, and a touch of entertainment, you can create a more effective trade show exhibit that earns top grades from your target audience. Interested in seeing how MPG can help? Check out our Work and our Services.

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Spring Cleaning Tips for Great Tradeshow Exhibits

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Photo courtesy of Chiot’s Run, via Flickr

Winter is over, and many of us are wrapping up a successful trade show season. Now is the perfect time to review your exhibits and related events. Could they be fresher, more efficient, and more relevant to your audience?

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean an overhaul. Just make sure you’re getting the most out of every piece in your program, starting with clearing out clutter. Keep an eye out for:

Meaningless Jargon – Everyone offers an innovative, cutting-edge solution. And these overused terms are classic examples of “telling” rather than “showing.” We might not be able to trim all of these filler words out of presentations, graphics and related materials, but we can be mindful of falling back on them when a richer, more precise story could be told.

Cluttered Messaging – Are your presentations too long? Graphics laden with copy? Can a visitor look at your booth and immediately tell what you do or sell? Streamlining, shortening and creating areas of clear focus will create a more enjoyable experience for your guests, not to mention a more successful showing for your company.

Pieces that Aren’t Pulling their Weight – Do you have monitors that have gone ignored? Are there touchscreens no one touches? Consider working neglected technology into a demo. Or, transform dead spaces into a presentation area.

Shows that Aren’t Showing a Return – Most of us have at least one convention or trade show that seems to require more energy than it’s worth. If you trimmed it from your schedule, would it free up time and budget that could go toward shows that really improve your bottom line?

Now that you’ve cleared out some dead weight, it’s time for the next step: sprucing up. How can you give your program a fresh face without re-doing everything?

Fix wear and tear. If your exhibit house hasn’t done this already, have them repair scratched paneling, scuffed corners, dingy carpeting and other damage caused by months on the road.

Update graphics. Strategic re-skinning can give your booth a whole new look. Or focus on a few of your most impactful graphics to make branding more cohesive, freshen your messaging, and better showcase featured products.

Add interactivity. Bring your story to life with a live presentation. Let visitors experience your product with a hands-on demo. Find ways to work human interactions into your booth, vs. passive videos and displays. Even the small step of hiring professional hosts to welcome visitors to your booth will set you apart and set the stage for a better, fresher experience.

For more ideas on updating your booth without breaking the bank, contact us. A live presentation may be the key to breathing new life into an existing exhibit.

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8 Tradeshow Tips to Win Over Anyone

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With Valentine’s Day coming, we’ve been thinking about how live events—especially trade shows—are a lot like speed dating.

Surrounded by primped and primed competition, you have just moments to stand out. You must intrigue your audience, build trust, and make them want to take the relationship to the next level. You’re creating connections with the potential to turn into much more.

Whether your field is serious, technical or more conducive to fun, we’ve got a formula—a love potion, if you will—that can give you an edge over the others:

#1. Be attractive. Great booth design is important. You don’t have to be the biggest on the floor, but do invest in looking your best. That includes staffing. In addition to your most personable team members, consider hiring professional hosts to welcome visitors into your space. From the minute they step onto your footprint, your visitors should feel taken care of and valued.

#2. Offer an experience. Don’t just tell why your solution is best. Let your audience try it for themselves through guided sampling and hands-on demos. If visitors can’t experience your product live, create an activity that demonstrates the benefits in a unique way.

#3. Be emotional. Create a journey connecting your product or solution to your visitors’ everyday needs and desires. Demonstrate how your brand improves lives. Tell a story that tugs at the heartstrings, and help your audience envision a bigger picture.

#4. Make it fun. Or, if you’re striking a more serious tone, be powerful. Impactful. Interactive. All of this adds up to enjoyable, which will make your audience glad they decided to spend time with you.

#5. Be real. Amazing technological advances aside, it’s still hard to fall in love with a touchscreen. So make sure your experience has a healthy amount of human interaction. One-on-one encounters are one of the best reasons to exhibit at tradeshows, so don’t leave your visitors in front of machines. Engage them the old-fashioned way – with a handshake and an offer to share more.

#6. Create an easy traffic flow. Good storytelling has a sequence, and a great experience includes not having to jostle through crowds or guess what to do next. Combine booth design with signage and professional hosts to help visitors make their way smoothly through your space while getting the most from your message.

#7. Be memorable. If you’ve done all of the above, visitors should walk away remembering you. But don’t leave it to chance. A unique, high-quality parting gift can be the spark that reminds someone to seek you out for more in-depth talks.

#8. Make it a snap to follow up. Now that you’ve captivated your prospects, don’t let them leave without a clear invitation and a way to contact you. Nurture the relationship by following up and staying in touch.

For more on the benefits of face-to-face marketing, check out our post on the power of a great live presentation.

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We Don’t Want A Lot for Christmas…

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Another year ending—already? We were just catching our breath from the whirlwind of 2014! In the unique business of live marketing, we consider ourselves blessed. With our amazing team and clients, plus exciting projects on the horizon, we have all we need.

But if Santa still wants to send us a little something extra, we don’t mind making a list.

All we want for Christmas is…

Comfy Shoes – Can the elves make heels that feel like walking on cotton balls, even after 8 hours on a trade show floor? We’ll take 100 pairs.

Friendly Skies – Please gift the airline industry with zero flight delays, minimal turbulence, and the will to bring down ridiculous fares. Our frequently traveling team members will be grateful.

Great Stories – More fun, inspiring and innovative messages mean more memorable experiences for us to create. We love that!

Kindred Spirits ­ Our clients, partners and team members just “click.” So it feels like an embarrassment of riches to ask for more. But who doesn’t love connecting with awesome people?

New Challenges Give us that that tough assignment, that impenetrable brief, the idea no one’s sure what to do with—and watch us make it great.

Health and Happiness for All We hope our friends, family, co-workers and clients have a wonderful holiday. And best wishes for a successful, joy-filled 2015!

Content Marketing at Conventions: Why You Should Consider a Camera Crew

Camera Crew at ConventionsWith today’s focus on visuals, documenting your company’s convention and trade show presence should be part of your marketing budget. Yet we often are surprised when clients don’t have a plan for showing higher-ups and other stakeholders just how successful their booths, demos and other activities were.

Sure, photos and video can be captured for free with phones and personal cameras. Professionally shot video, on the other hand, communicates the quality of the experience, allowing you to craft a recap that shows off why your company should continue to invest in trade shows and other live events.

But don’t stop there. Quality content can be repurposed to help you market externally as well.  Consider:

  • Filming your featured presentation, then breaking the footage into segments for an online series.
  • Filming demos as stand alones that can be used on your website or by sales reps in the field.
  • Interviewing your experts live for segments that can be included in blog posts or shared via social media.

To get the most out of your investment in a professional camera crew, follow these tips.

  • Create a content plan. Map out what you want to capture and where it will be showcased. This helps ensure you don’t return from an event missing the one piece of content your managers and marketing team want to see.
  • Compare crews and costs. It may seem like a money saver to hire in the convention city, but money is wasted if the crew doesn’t deliver what you need. Our clients often use our video directors, who understand their needs and equity — and who we trust to do quality work — then allow them to vet and hire other crew members on the ground.
  • Clear it with the venue. Make sure you understand and follow any restrictions on filming at the event.
  • Get releases. If you’re planning to use footage of attendees publicly, you’ll want signed permission forms. We use a boilerplate release and work with our clients’ legal teams, if necessary, to make sure everyone is covered.
  • Be efficient on-site. Time is money, so designate a point person to help the crew get what they need as quickly as possible.

For more information on our video services and capabilities, check out MPG’s video production page.

Your Convention Season Survival Guide

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Image courtesy of iosphere/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you have kids, you’re probably getting ready for back-to-school. And if your exhibiting season kicks into high gear in the fall, like ours does, then you also are preparing to get back on the road.

Here’s our back-to-show supply list: a compilation of must-haves for professionals who travel to conventions. The more you attend, the more you need these items, so be sure to stock up on…

checkmarkBright Smiles. You’ll need plenty of positivity to survive long hours working with the public, vendors, thought leaders and colleagues.

checkmarkVitamin C. Air travel, time zone differences, sketchy on-the-road nutrition and those aforementioned long hours can bring your body down. Pack the immunity boosters that work best for you.

checkmarkProblem Solving Skills. Seasoned exhibitors know not to be surprised when something goes wrong. Don your Thinking-On-Your-Feet Cap, and you can creatively handle any challenge.

checkmarkSleep Aids. Hotels offer varying degrees of comfort, but you can’t let it keep you from getting your zzzzzzz’s. Pack a white noise machine, sleep mask, herbal tea… whatever helps send you to dream land.

checkmarkCameras. You’ll want to show your bosses back home how well your booth is doing, and what better way than with photos and video? Don’t just rely on your smartphone, pack a good lightweight camera with video capabilities, too.

checkmark Batteries and Chargers. Enough said.

 

checkmarkChargers for Your Own Batteries. Take a break from people pleasing and problem solving with a good book. Or pack your running shoes for a jog after the show floor closes. Can’t take a week off to visit the beach? Schedule a spa weekend between conventions.

Now it’s your turn. What items are on your personal convention survival guide list? Let us know, and we’ll update with any we might have missed.

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Quiet on the Set! Tips for a Great Corporate Video Shoot

Don Directing

MPG Senior Video Producer Don Regensburger directs talent during a shoot for a leading beauty brand.

Our team is in high gear planning a video shoot at a client’s headquarters. It’s part of a new trade show experience we’re creating for a leading health care brand, and a big part of the job is making sure the shoot goes as smoothly as possible for everyone involved.

Video shoots require a smart use of resources. If you’re considering one for an upcoming marketing project, here are some tips for making it cost-effective while making the most of everyone’s time.

 

Before the Shoot

Schedule talent early. If the video will feature corporate leadership, researchers or thought leaders, build the shoot schedule around their availability. Getting on their calendar should be first on your to-do list.

Location, Location, Location! Your next priority should be nailing down where to shoot. Remember, the more locations, the more time for set-up and tear-down (and increased costs for your crew). Make sure to reserve extra space for crew breaks/lunch, hair and makeup, etc. Your agency will help you determine exactly what is needed.

Research and secure all necessary permits. If you’ll need special permission to use certain locations, make sure you’ve got that buttoned up. Get a crew list and make sure each person has the proper badges or credentials to be on the property.

Prepare your talent. Share scripts and storyboards well in advance to avoid on-set surprises. Be clear about wardrobe and ask them to bring several options, avoiding busy patterns. Consider a quick rehearsal before the shoot to increase comfort levels. Having a teleprompter at the shoot can help minimize takes.

Get it in writing. Ask your agency for a comprehensive shoot schedule that includes all relevant information in one place. Share this with any internal stakeholders so they’ll know what to expect the day of the shoot.

CameraNoDateAt the Shoot

Be available. Someone should always be nearby with the authority to approve shots, script changes and other essential content. This person should also be a liaison to smooth the way if internal issues arise due to the shoot.

Be in control. Have a plan for keeping the shoot area quiet and free of random traffic.

Stay on schedule. Do your best to minimize delays and distractions. Remember, time is money!

Don’t bug the crew. Direct all questions and suggestions to the producer.

After the Shoot

Provide support materials pronto! High-res logos, animations and other artwork to be incorporated should be provided well in advance of the video edit.

Give feedback and approvals ASAP. When you receive edits to review, send back comments and/or approvals as quickly as possible to help keep the production on-schedule and on-budget.

Be comprehensive and clear. To save time and avoid confusion, make sure that feedback reflects all internal stakeholders. Send it in one comprehensive communication, if possible.

Whether you’re creating a sizzle reel or need video support for a major event, MPG offers full-scale video production services. Check out our capabilities and give us a call to chat about how we can help put your message in the spotlight.

Discover the Power of a Great Trade Show Presentation

An interactive trade show presentation created by MPG for P&G skin care brands reached thousands of dermatologists at AAD.

Last month, our team went to the Exhibitor Show in Las Vegas to explore some of the latest trade show and event marketing trends and technologies. We always enjoy walking the show floor at Exhibitor, because it’s a sampler of what various vendors can do for their clients.

But this year, we felt like something was missing. During the times we visited the trade show, few booths appeared to have big numbers of highly engaged visitors. The ones that did have crowds weren’t a surprise to us at all. The vendors that had the most engagement were magicians and those that put on some sort of show.

In other words, those that had some sort of live presentation.

Over cocktails later, an attendee told us she was surprised to find the magicians her favorite experience at the trade show. “They kept my attention, and I remembered their message because they delivered it in a way that made me laugh. They were the only ones that had people really gathered around and getting involved.”

MPG brings a full arsenal of options to the table as we craft experiences that help our clients meet their unique objectives. But it’s no secret we believe in the power of great trade show presentations. It’s in our company name.

A great trade show presentation builds a crowd because it creates an event in your booth. Crowds draw more crowds. And because we run presentations back to back, expertly maneuvering traffic in and out of our presentation space, we’re able to help ensure that your booth operates as much to capacity as possible. Your space becomes the place to be.

Trade show presentations allow you to communicate your key messages to large groups of people before they filter out for more intimate encounters with your sales staff. And with the right creative approach (Magicians not your thing? Don’t worry, we’ll come up with an angle that fits you perfectly), you can help guarantee that people walk away remembering what you had to say.

Want to know more about how a trade show presentation can help you build booth traffic, increase engagement and maximize message retention? Check out these recent posts for tips and ideas.

6 Presentation Ideas for Your Next Trade Show

Must Haves for Successful Trade Show Presentations 

Finding Top Talent for Your Trade Show Presentations and Corporate Events 

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Try These Tips for Powerful Product Demos at Live Events

Product Demonstration for P&G fabric and skin care at AAD - By Moening Presentation Group

Product demonstrations are classic experiential marketing and a sure-fire way to make an impression on audiences at trade shows and other live events.

Demos can simplify complicated concepts. They can spark an “a ha!” by showcasing your brand in a new light. They enhance memorability by engaging all of the senses. And they provide a “reason to believe” by allowing target audiences to try the product and interact with the science behind it.

Are you considering a live demo? Here are some key questions to ask.

Is it simple? Live events—trade shows, especially—are unique settings. Space is limited, and so is the amount of time people are willing to spend. Look for activities that…

  1. Can be done within a couple of minutes. If that isn’t possible, consider creating a time-lapse video.
  2. Require a minimum of materials. You should be able to set up on a table-top, then re-set quickly, so demos can be run back-to-back.
  3. Are safe for the general public. If the demo requires safety goggles or poses any sort of physical risk, it’s probably not right for something like a trade show.

 

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Will it play to the crowd? While “kitchen science” is a great approach, and simple is always best, make sure your demo delivers a message that matches your audience in sophistication. Demos should also…

  1. Have an easy-to-notice result. You’re going for a “Wow!” so make sure the outcome is obvious and impressive.
  2. Be big enough to be seen by a semi-large group of people. We often place a small camera on the table so the demo can be broadcast on our video monitor for folks in the back.

 

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Will it work every time? This is the biggest and most important question. Most of our demos run 3 to 4 times an hour over several trade show days, and nothing hurts credibility more than a demonstration that doesn’t deliver the results it’s promised. To ensure that your demo works every single time, you will want to…

  1. Test, test, test. It’s not enough for a demo to work a couple of times in your lab. Run it at least 10 times in succession in a conference room.
  2. Consider a video. If you can’t replicate the same impressive results every time, videotape a successful demo and show that instead.

 

To see more of MPG’s demo work, check out the new experience we created for P&G skin care brands. Our case study will be up soon!

 

Making the Most of Experts at Events

Make the Most of Experts at EventsOne big benefit of face-to-face events is the opportunity to have experts and scientists interact with industry thought leaders. Not only does this bring credibility to your message, it makes guests feel like VIPS with exclusive access to your company’s best and brightest.

In a recent post, we discussed how you can leverage experts on video if they aren’t able to appear at your event in person. If budgets and schedules do allow you to feature a live expert, then follow these tips to make the most of the experience.

Choose someone who enjoys the spotlight. Brilliant in the lab doesn’t always translate to brilliance in front of an audience. If possible, select someone who speaks well, succinctly, and with confidence. (In our earlier post, we suggested keeping a working list of professionals within your company who are good public speakers.) If your star scientist isn’t a people person and doesn’t mind handing off the microphone, consider sending his or her second-in-command.

Make the most of their time. When travel budgets are tight, you can make a better case for an on-site expert by having them appear at various venues and in a variety of capacities. Schedule them for seminars, evening meet-and-greets, and Q&A’s at the booth if you’re attending a trade show. Are they social media savvy? Have them Tweet, Facebook and Instagram from and about the event.

But don’t overwhelm them. Event professionals like trade show presenters and hosts are used to interacting with the public for hours on end with few breaks. Your experts probably will not be able or willing to do this, nor will it make a great impression if your spokesperson is exhausted. Trade show activities should not be built around live experts. Rather, they should have areas and times when experts can slip into the experience and enhance it. For example, schedule 3 to 4 appearances throughout the day, then advertise them and feature a few complimentary activities to make those times extra-special.

Prepare your experts well. Of course your expert knows his or her material, but try to review it before the event to make sure the content is presented in a way that’s engaging. Help your expert create visuals that really sing and, if possible, have him or her practice with you. If you’re expecting media coverage, brief your expert on questions that are likely to be asked, as well as how to handle any sensitive subjects that might come up. You want the expert’s contribution to be part of one cohesive message, so make sure he or she understands the overall goals of your event.

Let them know they’re not alone. Treat your experts like VIPs by assigning a point person to help manage their schedules and make sure they’re taken care of. You want the experience to be positive, not just so that your experts can put their best foot forward, but so that they’ll want to help out the next time an event calls for the kind of content and credibility that only a true company insider can provide.