In the Mood

October 18 The first glance at any exhibit immediately tells the show guest what the company is like.  Not who they...

Get In the Spirit

September 20 Get In the Spirit People attend events because they like what the event is about.  While that's pretty...

Make the Most of What You Have

September 6 This exhibit by Bedrosians got my attention. It's in a 10'x10' space, and manages to use every square inch...

One Piece at a Time

August 23 Here's a neat idea for a backdrop from the recent Dwell on Design show in Los Angeles. It's a interlocking...

Truckin'

August 9 Many companies invest in a display truck or trailer to take to shows and other events.  The theory is that while...

People Buy From People

July 26 Meet Lex.  She makes furniture.  Why should you buy her furniture?  Because, of course, she has a really...

Lessons Learned

April 12 My father Robert Zimmerman, who along with my mother Joan, founded Southern Shows Inc. in 1959, passed away in March at...

Cheap and Effective

March 1 Creating an effective exhibit can be expensive - or not.  Here are two examples of exhibitors who created...

Create Something Beautiful

January 19 I could not help but stop and look at this sign when I visited the DesignBuild Cincy  show recently. ...

The More Things Change . . .

November 10 The More Things Change . . . I'm a bit of a history nerd.  I always smile when I hear economists and...

How Was Your Meal?

October 13 After a recent delightful dining experience, I thought about what made it special.  I soon realized that the...

Play Date

September 29 IMEX is the association for professionals in the meeting and special events business. One of the four key trends they...

Thinking Inside the Box

August 18 The last post described an exhibitor who created a "show within a show," as his attention-grabber. This...

Put On a Show

August 4 The dictionary lists 32 definitions for the word "Show." Today’s definition is "a pompous or...

Theme Paper

July 21 One way to create excitement, and draw show guests in, is to create a theme. Think about how a movie, a...

Table for Two

May 26 I've written, in the past, about providing access to your exhibit by taking away tables blocking the front of your...

Park It

May 12 You see a lot of 'wrapped' vehicles advertising businesses as they drive around town. And, many of those...

Shades of Gray

November 11 In my October 4, 2011 post on floor covering, I suggested avoiding using gray carpet because it looks too much...

Mix It Up

August 19 Many companies have a ready-made pop-up exhibit.  They are easy, provide a nice solid background, and...

Dress for Success

August 5 You probably would not buy from an insurance salesman who shows up in a t-shirt, nor a plumber who arrives in a...

I'll Be-etle Back

April 15 At the recent Southern Spring Home & Garden Show, Bushwackers Landscaping was one of 22 landscaping companies...

Exhibit in a Box

April 1 Most of us have seen exhibits in trailers.  They are typically designed to pull up outside a retail...

Looking From the Outside In

March 4 About halfway through the12-day Southern Christmas Show in November, a memo we handed out to exhibitotors...

What's Your Sign?

January 28 Most show include with your exhibit space a little white sign with your company name in black lettering.  I...

Hit Them Over the Head

January 14 Sometimes you just have to make the obvious more obvious.  Imagine the photograph here without the...

So Happy Together

May 28 If the companies, product, capabilities and personalities are compatible, collaborating with another company to...

Until Tomorrow

May 14

Solid But Soft

April 16

Back It Up

April 2 In my quest to bring you interesting ideas and tips every two weeks, I realize I have overlooked some...

Show Me You Love Me

March 19 Testimonials are effective because they appeal to all the personalities described in my last four posts. They...

Light It Up

December 11 Yes, there will be lights in the exhibit hall.  No, they will not be enough.  The effective use of...

The Seven Ps

November 27 If you want to be a successful exhibitor, forget minding your Ps and Qs. Just stick with the Ps. If you...

Creating Snapshots

November 13 While attending the two-million-square-foot National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, I was reminded how...

Please Touch

October 30 This week’s photograph, which I took at a recent show, reminded me of a major reason shows work. ...

Bring On the Kids

September 18 In my last post, I suggested you bring along some distractions to divert little ones’ attention while you...

Happy Kids

September 4 Kids are always ready to head home from a show long before their parents.  If you have ever tried to sell...

Pick Your Spot

August 7 Like all good show management professionals, I have declared many times with great conviction that there are no bad...

What Do You Sell?

June 26 An effective exhibit will clearly and quickly tell the show guest exactly what you sell.  But to do that,...

Changing Perceptions

June 12 When you think of Mott’s, you think of? Apple juice of course. They’ve been making the stuff since...

Stand Out in the Crowd

April 3 There are situations, like the one our fox friend here is in, where you don’t want to stand out in the...

Who or What?

March 20 As show guests pass your exhibit, what’s more important for them to know – Who You Are, or What You...

Don't Fence Me In

March 6     I’m not sure why I’ve waited so long to write a post about the one thing that has...

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

February 7 I write this blog because I want you to be successful in the shows we produce. I want you to be successful...

Don't Pass Me By

January 24 Last time, I wrote about letting potential customers know you will be at a show, and how that will increase your...

Color Me Fun

December 27 Color is a simple, but normally overlooked, way to stand out at a show. Do not be afraid to lighten up your...

Be Led by Examples

November 1 If you have the type of company that does something different for each client – landscaper, plastic...

Do U QR?

October 18 Most of us have seen, but probably not used, the QR codes that are popping up everywhere. These square barcodes...

Standing On It

October 4 Some type of floor covering is a basic for any professional exhibit. And while most companies opt for...

Spread the Word

September 20 Everyone knows that great word-of-mouth beats great advertising every time.  No business can succeed...

Unforgettable

September 6 Those of you around long enough to remember that Nat King Cole song should already know that being remembered - in a...

Who is Working for What?

August 23 Re-reading the last post, I see that I used a phrase we all use. I implored you to send the right people to...

Merchandise!

July 26 Nothing like some smiling elves to cool down a hot July day. This week’s photo is from an exhibit in our...

Just Do It

July 12 A few weeks ago, I wrote about redefining demonstrations. The message was to not confine your thinking about...

What's the Matter

June 28 Have you ever exhibited in a show where just about everyone did well except for you? It happens, and barring...

Redefining Demonstration

June 14 Everyone knows that a demonstration is one of the best ways to attract show guests to an exhibit. People crowd...