Tips of The Trade Show: Best Practices for Event Signs

4/8/2019

Quick Navigation Ask for guidelines Coordinate with vendors Get creative with designs Be careful when promoting special guests or events Always double-check your sign proofs

Exhibiting at trade shows is one of the most hands-on forms of marketing you can engage in. From showcasing your products to educating the general public about your revolutionary spin on an old idea, the possibilities are endless. Even so, in order to realize these benefits, you must first gain attendees’ attention. To do this, you will need trade show signs that attract customers to your business while adhering to the rules of the show.

Here are just a few tips you should keep in mind when it comes to conference signs.

1. Ask for guidelines

Sometimes an organizer may forget to send you the guidelines, so take the time to ask them. They will be happy to provide you with their own set of best practice rules for the event. These may include the following:

• The colors you may or may not use
• The types of graphics you may or may not use
• Whether or not lights and moving visuals are allowed
• The size of signs that are allowed
• The kinds of words or phrasings they may deem appropriate
• Whether or not signage can be mounted on easels or other platforms
• Where the signs can be placed and the materials you may use to fasten them

2. Coordinate with vendors

Some companies go to trade shows on their own, but others may be working together with other vendors or even clients. For instance, a marketing company that works primarily with authors may want to advertise their own services, while bringing their flagship writer along to promote his or her books.

For instances like these, it’s a good idea to coordinate the effort between the separate parties, especially if you will be sharing booths or other spaces. This makes it easier to emphasize the cohesiveness between the brands while also maintaining some kind of separateness for the different services: in this case, creative writing versus book marketing.

3. Get creative with designs

Once you’ve asked for signage guidelines, considered your audience and coordinated with your display partners, you’ve established the signage parameters. Within these limitations, you are now free to get creative! This is important because other brands will also be competing for floor space and attention spans. So, consider the following when designing your sign:

• Cater to shorter attention spans. Don’t create text that takes longer than 5 seconds to read or many people won’t bother to stop and carefully consider your message.
• Color coordinate your signs. Being colorful is great but having a set theme is even better. Start with the official colors of the brand or specific product and build from there.
• Eye-catching type fonts should also be readable. If it’s hard to decipher your message, then you’re missing a prime marketing opportunity. Stick to typefaces that are bold but simple.
• Consider your surroundings when creating signs, especially if you will be displaying outdoors. Working with — instead of against nature or architectural designs — will always work in your favor! Back

4. Be careful when promoting special guests or events

It’s often a good idea not to put the name of a guest speaker or special performance on your sign unless it has a removable slot or it’s added as an attachment you can later take off.

After all, consider what happens if your speaker is unable to make it due to a health complication or travel issue at the last minute? A removable element can also help save money because those same signs can now be re-used at another event with a different guest speaker or special performance!

5. Always double-check your sign proofs

Make sure to check your signage proofs carefully and, if possible, have another person check the final proof after you. Preferably, someone with “fresh eyes” that hasn’t been working long-term on the project. Once you approve the final proof to be printed or otherwise fabricated, you will be stuck with any errors. Even if you have the money to reprint, chances are you may not have the time. Here are a few things you should double-check:

• The text is typo-free without any misspellings
• The colors are accurate
• All elements are positioned correctly

The extra care will help ensure your trade show signage opportunity is successful!

Related Pages:

Infographic: 10 Ways to Brand Your Corporate Event

Need help with trade show signage? Count on the team at Signs Now San Jose!

Your full-service resource for signs and graphics of all types as well as creative design, quality production and expert installation, our team of friendly pros can assist you any time with custom, affordable solutions. Always ready to show you exciting and effective ideas, let us eliminate the hassle that’s sometimes associated with signs and graphics! Check out some of our previous work with trade show booths, trade show kiosks, and modular displays. Contact us or drop in today to discover the many ways we can meet your needs. 

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