tradeshow design tips

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Graphics are the first impression by visitors. You've got 3-5 seconds to snag their attention in a typical 10 foot booth space.

What will you do with your 3-5 seconds?

DESIGN TIPS:
- No more than 7 words and 3 images should be the focal point to stop them in their tracks. After you have their attention, you can provide more information.
- Critical graphics should be at the 6-8 foot level, the mostly likely place someone will look (eye level from a distance).
- Review the production file specs before you start the creative process.
- Use font sizes that are visible from 10 ft away- please no 8 pt fonts!
This also leads into the idea of ---the right booth. If you switch from 10 ft to 20 ft booths, then get a modular system such as offered by Expand. You can change the configuration from straight line to L and even add shelving. A curved 10' booth really never belongs in anything but a 10 ft booth. But with the right system, you can create a wave and extend your 10ft pop-up booth into a 20 foot booth.

3. Do It Yourself � or Find a Way to Do It Cheaper
Plants ($75), chairs ($150) & carpet ($150+) are the 3 items that to bring in when on a really scrimpy budget for a local trade show.

4. Traffic stoppers
What are you going to do to bring the people in a) that matter and b) get them to stick around long enough to talk to them? Part of this is answered in the above. Take a look at the duo display. Did you know we can print and mount any design to a hard backer, custom cut out a form and then hang it on the duo?

It's a great way to show off a new product that might be really small, and blow it up giant size to attract attention.

Halogen lamps are limited to 75 watts and must be of the sealed variety, which prevents direct handling of the bulb. Other conventions centers may follow this same policy, but we do not track any policies.

REMINDER: Las Vegas Halogen Light Ban

In January 2003, The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced a restriction on the use of halogen stem lights in the Las Vegas Convention Center. The LVCVA made the decision after a study concluded that the misuse or poor maintenance of Halogen light fixtures have been the cause of several fires in the convention center.

The halogen light restriction is on any Stem Mounted Halogen Light or other fixtures with a linear quartz bulb or a non-shielded halogen bulb. These types of fixtures are no longer allowed in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Stem lighting is defined as a light fixture with an arm that extends outward from the mounting mechanism, and is typically terminated in a light head that pivots, swivels or is otherwise moveable.

The LVCVA is taking the ban seriously. The LVCVA officials are forcing exhibitors to remove lights that are not in compliance with the new ruling. This new reaction is having the biggest impact on exhibitors with portable and pop up display systems that rely on Halogen stem lights. In the near future the city of Las Vegas may apply the LVCVA lighting restriction for all Las Vegas convention facilities.

LVCVA has experienced several fire safety incidents arising from the use of stem and track mounted halogen light fixtures attached to exhibit booths and where the fixtures utilize linear halogen bulbs. Typically these hazards arise from misuse and poor maintenance practices, rather than from any deficiency in the design of the fixture or the halogen bulb it contains. Misuse encountered by the LVCVA has included failure to correctly install the fixtures in a secure fashion and failure to ensure that fixtures are not in close proximity to drapes, displayed items, or similar flammable material. Poor maintenance includes replacing bulbs with higher wattages than the permitted maximum marked on the fixture, failure to replace lenses or shields after re-lamping, failure to follow lamp manufacturer’s instructions concerning direct contact with the bulb, and replacement of broken lenses and other components with sub-standard, non-
approved parts.

Unless otherwise stated in the LVCVA policy, stem or track mounted halogen light fixtures
installed in LVCVA facilities must:
1. Utilize one of the halogen bulb styles that have an additional glass shield that is integral with the bulb design, and require no other shield as part of the light fixture.
2. Utilize a bulb not exceeding the listed wattage permitted for use by the fixture
manufacturer, but in no case exceeding 75 watt