banners, signs, tradeshow merch..

[Linni]

curious if anyone has bought a banner or sign for a tradeshow, what size you ordered, from where and if you have a pic of how it looks. how do you set it up? retractable or what?

have you ever splurged on give-aways and what/where/etc?

i really want to make a big splash at the expo i do this summer, but i don't want to waste a ton of money. i'm leaning more toward a sign and flyers, but am curious about the others as well.

thanks a million
amanda
ps i'm in denver and GOSH is it beautiful! t041

 

[xjaninee(:]

i'm not real familiar with trade shows but one thing i will tell you is be familiar with the set-up. know that you CAN hang a sign and HOW you have to hang it. find out how much space you have. some trade shows won't let you hang a sign. some will only let you use a certain tape etc.... so just be informed before you spend a bunch of money on a sign. good luck! you may want a stand alone sign with your info. something you could use anywhere multiple times.

 

[Mollie SN]

My Association had a banner sign made that we clamped onto a folding table during the Walk for Hunger benefit. It looked really nice.

For health fairs (more low-key IMO than a tradeshow), I put together an attractive display of a sturdier material than the traditional Science Fair Cardboard. Turned out nicely, I used testimonial quotes, pictures of feet, and short descriptions of Reflexology theory and history.

One booth I saw had magnets shaped like hand prints scattered all over her table. Thought that was a really cute idea. She said she ordered them online, I've not bothered to look for them yet.

 

[Mister Wise Guy]

hey, thanks for the super suggestions.

appreciate it!
amanda

 

[jonasgroupie313]

Great thread.

I have a banner, not entirely happy with it, but it is nice enough. It is 3'x6', just says: Stress Solutions Therapeutic Massage Purple on white. I got it at Sign Here, but I should have been more prepared, had my logo put on it. It is vinyl, so you have to be careful rolling it, as the letters can come off. I put it into a PVC pipe to protect it.

I traded a days worth of CM for a box of Picture frame magnets...personalized. You can break them up to be a picture frame, a biz card and a bunch of "inspirational words". Here's a rough idea http://www.bicgraphic.com/servlet/OnlineShopping?DSP=42&PCR=2:160000:162000

I've thought about other items...polycarb bottles, pens, biz card magnets, squeezey balls, magnetic clips, etc. Then I think about what promo items that I keep and use? What has prompted me to call a company, have I ever called a company from a promo item? Hmmmmmmmmmm.

I keep some pens, most magnets, some pencils, rulers, most clips, screwdrivers, biz cards. I don't use squeezy balls. I do keep some cups, they have to be high quality!

Sooooooooooo what does all this mean? Don't be cheap, possbily be selective who you give your stuff to. Get samples before you commit to having stuff made. (Esp pens and magnets)

I wonder how well a cd would work/go over? Copyright aside?

 

[Jacob T]

I wonder how well a cd would work/go over? Copyright aside?

This reminds me, I recorded a CD titled "An Introduction to Reflexology." In it I explained the history and theory of Reflexology, what a typical session is like, and how to book an appointment. So far the responses have been good, people appreciated the extra info that wouldn't fit on a brochure.

 

[Slapstick]

One booth I saw had magnets shaped like hand prints scattered all over her table. Thought that was a really cute idea. She said she ordered them online, I've not bothered to look for them yet.

Was looking for another thread and ran across this, so I figured, since I have time on my hands today, I might as well do a little search for the hand magnets. FWIW, I found these:

• Handi Magnets - there'a a "not-so-nice-one" in the mix.
• Hand Shape Magnet - Item #: MG9255WE
• Full-Color Shape Magnets - #FCM-3132 20 MIL - GROUP 5 - HAND
• Hand Magnet - 2810-M7
• Hand-Shaped Colored Magnets, Set of 5
• Mini Hand-Shaped Clips With Magnets

BTW, Dragonflies... here's a foot:
Foot Shape Magnet

 

[MadMan]

Great thread.

I have a banner, not entirely happy with it, but it is nice enough. It is 3'x6', just says: Stress Solutions Therapeutic Massage Purple on white. I got it at Sign Here, but I should have been more prepared, had my logo put on it. It is vinyl, so you have to be careful rolling it, as the letters can come off. I put it into a PVC pipe to protect it.

I traded a days worth of CM for a box of Picture frame magnets...personalized. You can break them up to be a picture frame, a biz card and a bunch of "inspirational words". Here's a rough idea http://www.bicgraphic.com/servlet/OnlineShopping?DSP=42&PCR=2:160000:162000

I've thought about other items...polycarb bottles, pens, biz card magnets, squeezey balls, magnetic clips, etc. Then I think about what promo items that I keep and use? What has prompted me to call a company, have I ever called a company from a promo item? Hmmmmmmmmmm.

I keep some pens, most magnets, some pencils, rulers, most clips, screwdrivers, biz cards. I don't use squeezy balls. I do keep some cups, they have to be high quality!

Sooooooooooo what does all this mean? Don't be cheap, possbily be selective who you give your stuff to. Get samples before you commit to having stuff made. (Esp pens and magnets)

I wonder how well a cd would work/go over? Copyright aside?

It was recommended we roll the banner up with the letters to the outside so they wouldn't peel. So far they haven't. We use Halfpricebanners and ours are 3 x 8.

 

[Tragic]

BTW, Dragonflies... here's a foot:
Foot Shape Magnet

More feet (and magnets with feet on them)! Adding these, because the last time I looked around, it was hard to find feet.

Sharper --->
Item M-6012 / M-6512 Personalize with your name, address, phone number, and ink color, and we'll print it on your magnet FREE.

Item M-5911

Item M-5607

Item M-5909

Item M-7472

Item M-477

Item M-7985

Item M-3477

Item M-7471

 

[?Lil.Miss.Odd.Bodd ?]

banners, signs, tradeshow merch..

I have a sign that I bought the frame for on the internet, and then had the sign itself made up locally. I used it at a lot of trade shows and health fairs etc. It had my name, my business name, the modalities I practice and contact information. It was about 6 feet tall.

It looks a bit like this - http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/220199777/L_Banner_Stand_2.html

Next time - I would go retractable for sure. They are a bit more expensive, but so much more convenient. Once my sign was up, it looked pretty good, but it was a real challenge to get it set up sometimes and if there was a fan nearby, or a draft from an open window, it would buckle.

Take care, Marion