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Exhibition Displays - March 2010
But with the widespread use of the internet and other ways of communicating with customers, many companies have opted out of large trade shows in favour of a higher number of smaller promotional events.
Because the type of events has changed, the rapid advances in large format printing along with media and inks, so customer demands and styling have changed too. These days, customers want more versatile displays that can be used on multiple occasions at different events and locations and still have a real impact.
Mary Griffiths, UK Operations Manager, at Mark Bric Display, says: "We're finding traditional shell scheme and square straight lines are not so popular now. People are choosing more attractive shapes, curves and waves that entice passers by, with large seamless graphics and clever illumination making full use of the available height.
"Our customers want stands they can re-use on different occasions. For example, after an exhibition they'll use part of it for a reception display or for demonstrations, so systems have to be flexible and versatile."
Chris Newton, Creative Director at Enhanced Images, agrees, saying "Companies will often hire part of hotel or conference facility rather than go to a big exhibition, and their display requirements have changed accordingly. Costs such as being charged for each electrical socket on your stand is also part of the reason why people going down the portable route."
"Display solutions that they can transport themselves, in the back of a car, and which won't cost a fortune to store, are what people want now," says Stewart Wilkins, Managing Director of Splash Display. "Overall spend is reducing and customers are more likely to use something year on year where they can just update the graphics. One irony is that some exhibition companies have been re-using bits for years, but charging clients for totally new systems."
Gordon Neile, Business Development Director at Eurostand Display, has been involved in the exhibition trade for 20 years and thinks the drastic reduction in lead times is one of the most notable trends within the UK marketplace today.
He says: "It used to be the case that prospective end-user clients would make initial approaches to our dealers for their display or stand requirements up to four or maybe five months in advance of an event. They'd even take time out to travel to our dealers' premises or showrooms to view and physically assess display products being on offered. Nowadays, however, the contact is made much closer to an event - sometimes with less than a week to go."
Quality is also a big issue in today's market, because shorter lead times and the perfectly-reasonable desire to reduce costs can lead to mistakes. Now many more customers source their suppliers via the web, but this may not necessarily be a good thing. An impressive-looking website is no more than that; it's not a guarantee of quality products. And it's important to remember that direct comparison of goods viewed over the internet can be extremely difficult, if not impossible.
"It used to be the norm for our dealers to travel in order to demonstrate a product, or arrange a showroom visit. When you're in front of a customer they can see and feel the true quality of graphics and the different display mechanisms that work with them. Even Eurostand Display's lower-priced product ranges are guaranteed for a minimum of five years. This dramatically reinforces our core message to our trade-only customers that we offer only quality products," says Gordon from Eurostand Display.
Chris from Enhanced Images echoes this sentiment, saying: "Some suppliers are just printers who knock out a roll press and don't fully understand environment the products are used in. We offer a complete service including design concept, in house printing, finishing, and installation. It's important to choose a professional company that understands the potential pitfalls and can recommend the correct solution, not just the cheapest."
However, the cost savings that can be made from choosing the correct display system can be significant.
Leigh Godby, Studio Manager Maxe Display, explains: "We had one customer who was spending about £4,000 each exhibition printing paper mounted on MDF and wood, which all went into the skip afterwards. We looked at what he needed and suggested a Plex aluminium display system. He's thrilled with system, and he saved £12,000 in a single year."
According to those that Sign Update spoke with, the recession isn't all bad news and good companies will come through it.
Leigh of Maxe Display says that at the start of the downturn there was a bit of a dip but now people are finally realising that marketing will keep them out of trouble.
"All of a sudden people want more marketing materials, and with some suppliers folding there are some new customers that can be won," says Leigh.
Stewart from Splash Display adds: "From what I hear some companies in the exhibition trade are struggling, but business with us is as buoyant as ever, so we're optimistic."
What's more, says Mary from Mark Bric Displays, although some customers are being economical, December 2009 was the busiest December in the USA and Sweden for years with the UK now picking up also and people are feeling quite positive at the moment.
Chris Bradley from William Smith says: "Exhibition graphics will be influenced to an increasing extent by the availability of, in particular, non-PVC films and new Latex inks and complementary printing solutions that create a much reduced environmental impact as well as more advanced graphics pre-printing and finishing solutions.
"New non-PVC films are degradable by comparison with traditional solvent-based alternatives but with no compromise on the quality of the finished graphics. The new Latex inks, unlike traditional solvent-based inks, do not give off dangerous levels of harmful VOC emissions which are now either greatly reduced or eliminated. This benefit is further enhanced by the availability of specially configured printers which use these inks and require little or no out-gassing, leading to higher print speeds and final graphics output."
Chris also believes that other special-purpose materials such as those with enhanced flammability rating now used widely for rear-projection applications and for creating special effects and surface finishes will be major driving factors in the future of exhibition displays.
UK POS elects Ballot Boxes a must have for exhibition feedback
Monday, 01 March 2010 00:00
UK Point Of Sale Group Limited (UK POS) is highlighting its range of suggestion and ballot boxes as a vital element to the exhibition stand. With companies investing money and time into these events, it is necessary to get enough feedback to ensure a good return on investment.
Debra Jamieson, Marketing and Sales Director for UK POS explained: "Exhibitions are the perfect time to give away products, merchandise and marketing materials and run competitions, so it is important to suggest that they get visitors to complete a form with relevant details which can then be stored in a branded ballot box. The information gained improves their databases, as well as giving an indication of the booth's footfall."
UK POS offers a variety of suggestion and ballot boxes such as the newest product to its range, the Suggestion Box with Header. Manufactured in white acrylic, it can be used on the counter or wall mounted and includes a header poster holder available in A4 portrait or A5 landscape and a side pocket for A6 or one-third size A4 leaflets.
Other products in the range include suggestion boxes with locks and floor standing boxes for larger promotions. For customers requiring an easy to transport version ideal for exhibitions UK POS can also supply the flat pack Cardboard Ballot Box.
This range is featured in UK POS' Display Buyers Guide, which also includes a variety of other products suitable for exhibition use, such as its range of free standing poster kits and leaflet dispensers, especially the Collapsible Leaflet Holder, display supports, sign holders and banner stands.
UK POS' Display Buyers Guide can be requested at www.ukpos.com or by telephoning 08454 503848.
Bamboo range gives more green choices
Monday, 01 March 2010 00:00
Answering its customers' clear calls for more environmentally friendly display systems, Eurostand Display has wasted no time in expanding its already wide product range to satisfy this demand.
The Essex-based trade-only display specialist has launched its Planet range to provide what the company says is a greener alternative to conventional display systems. The range is a high-quality portfolio of roll-ups, tension banner and literature display stands built to exacting standards using only renewable, high quality bamboo.
With the great majority of display products manufactured from materials such as aluminium, systems crafted from natural, renewable and recyclable materials are increasingly desirable as alternatives. Having long been recognised as an excellent manufacturing material in Asia, the enormous benefits of bamboo are now being realised globally.
The entire lifecycle of products in the Planet range is positive, explains Eurostand Display's National Account Manager Sam Mooney: "Sure, it is about producing products made from materials that come from sustainable sources. But it is also important that when the products reach the end of their useful life, they are recyclable and, ultimately, biodegradable."
Bamboo crops are entirely sustainable and, unlike traditional hardwood, can be harvested every year without destroying forestry. The plant's shoots grow to maturity in only four to six years and so, as a crop, it is endlessly renewable.
Products within the Planet range are also protected with an eco-friendly lacquer coating to further enhance their natural look and feel. This coating has passed rigorous testing under the REACh (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) regulations, the latest European Community regulation on chemicals and their safe use.
"Properly-treated bamboo is ideal for display products as it doesn't swell, shrink or mark in the manner of hardwood," says Sam. "It is also lightweight, durable and elegant. Plus, like all Eurostand Display's products, our Planet range comes with a five-year guarantee."
Further information available at www.eurostanddisplay.com or telephone 01277 350925.
What is Mark Bric Ego?
Monday, 01 March 2010 00:00
EGO is Mark Bric Display's large-scale exhibition display system. Using just three highly engineered components Ego enables an amazing array of displays to be built that will fill exhibition spaces with seamless graphics. Assembly is tool-free and the EGO framework is entirely hidden, making the graphics the full focus of attention.
Ego comprises gently curving surfaces that form walls and towers of all shapes and sizes up to 5.6m tall, to fill exhibition spaces with eye-catching graphics. The three basic components, the Junction, Rod and Wing, enable great flexibility and give substantial structural integrity. This strength means that weight-bearing stages can be constructed and accessories such as exterior shelving, LCD mounts and product showcases can be added, bringing enormous extra value to the display.
The graphic panels form a complete shell which hides the Ego framework. These uninterrupted graphics give a huge display area which is visually impressive and a dream for an exhibition designer.
Ego is surprisingly portable, packing down into wheeled cases for ease of transport. It is also easily reused and reconfigured. Components for a particular design or structure can be used again and again for displays of different shapes and sizes. All components are the top quality that you would expect from Mark Bric Display and Ego comes with a 10-year warranty.
With Ego's ever-growing popularity Mark Bric Display has produced new brochures with many examples of Ego projects which can be veiwed at www.markbric.co.uk.
Telephone 01477 537788 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to find out more.
Xpressions Display System - Make an instant impression.
Monday, 01 March 2010 00:00
Xpressions is a totally new and revolutionary display system. It creates the dramatic visual impact vital in busy trade shows, clearly communicating your company's message even from a distance.
Using vibrant printed fabric, the system is light in weight and takes just seconds to assemble or dismantle. With graphics already in place, you can be the first to make your mark at the show or conference - ready to get straight down to business. (Leave the graphics attached, and also be the first home from the show).
Strong magnets work in conjunction with lightweight aluminium frames to create a sturdy frame structure. This, together with the three dimensionality and stretchiness of the fabric graphics, provides limitless options for creating a dynamic look. Graphics can be highlighted with halogen spot lamps, clipped on to the frame without the need for special tools.
Xpressions Displays is a division of Splash Display Ltd, one of the UK's leading display solution providers. Stewart Wilkins, Managing Director of Splash, says: Clients' comments say it all; typical are: 'Such a range of choices, I don't know where to start..!', 'The fabric panels just hook on. Simple!'"
"Clients are amazed by the range of choices and the bold colours. The fabrics give a vibrancy that you just don't get with a conventional pop up display. They can't believe you can put the graphics into a washing machine: they come up as good as new, with any creases hanging out in no time."
For a free demonstration, or to find out more about the range, visit the website www.xpressions-displays.co.uk or telephone 08452 261936.
3D-Standards - Design your own exhibition stand in minutes
Monday, 01 March 2010 00:00
3D-Standards is a new award winning web application designed specially for event and exhibition professionals who plan or design exhibition stands or trade show booths.
Creating an entire layout and jaw dropping 3D visuals in a matter of minutes is made easy with 3D-Standards. Floor space is selected, the products to be included are clicked on and jpegs can be uploaded to apply graphics to 3D banners and pop-ups.
Because of its astounding ease of use, anyone can pickup and use this professional design software; no training required and the whole thing just runs in a browser. The developers at Aarkid Ltd believe its set to disrupt the established methods of pre-visualising exhibition stands and event spaces.
3D-Standards has appeared on several important exhibition industry websites over the last few months. The most recent portal for 3D-Standards is www.babycad.com, which is entirely devoted to this 3D exhibition design software.
What makes the version on Babycad unique is its set of modular 3D products to play with, which 'click' together like Lego bricks. Exhibition design ideas can be sketched out exhibition effortlessly and posted online in one click.
3D-Standards is intuitive and clearly has potential to be a potent tool for exhibition designers. The development team at Aarkid Ltd says designers already using it are able to give prospective clients 3D visuals in record time, putting them ahead of the competition and are calling 3D-Standards the 'deal clincher'.
"It's a potent sales tool and certainly going to upset a few people in the industry," says Mark Shurey, Chief Executive Officer, who uses the design tool to win new business for Creative Solutions, a leading supplier of exhibition equipment.
Test the free demo now at www.babycad.com or contact Aaarkid Ltd on 0141 416 0102.
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