The Positives of the Post Pandemic Exhibition Scene

Ready to reconnect? Definitely. 

Obviously there are pockets of uncertainly still following the pandemic, particularly with shows requiring international travel, however the majority of business sectors here in the UK seem to be very keen to get back on track and that includes resuming face-to-face marketing activities.

We are seeing more than just a steady recovery. Early indications are that the exhibition scene in the UK will be much busier and more varied post-Pandemic which we think is a good thing.

If you are interested in a more detailed international perspective the Global Association of Exhibition Industry’s latest report makes for informed reading.

https://www.ufi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/28th_UFI_Global_Barometer_february_2022.pdf

Greater variety

Looking at all the opportunities there are now to meet up again you can’t help but be impressed by the choice. If you didn’t feel there was the right forum for you before, why not take another good look now?

The proliferation of new events suggests the demand for more sector specific opportunities is being heard. If you take a look at what’s been happening at the NEC and you’ll see what we mean. Earlier in the year, the UK’s largest and busiest exhibition centre, announced three new shows just for June 2022

https://www.thenec.co.uk/press-and-news/spotlight-on-new-trade-shows-coming-to-the-nec-in-2022/

• The Manufacturing and Engineering Show
• The Birmingham Black Business Show
• And an expanded Installer Show

And it’s not just the bigger venues that are offering more. A quick scroll through your LinkedIn feed will confirm that there is an array of new networking opportunities, business referral groups, conferences and small niche trade shows.

Company hosted events are popping up daily because some businesses don’t want to wait any longer to show off innovations developed during the pandemic. Rather than attend the next big trade show they are taking exhibiting into their own hands.

We’re also seeing lots of companies now holding internal exhibitions, seminars and networking events so staff who have been working from home over the last two years can meet and learn about each other’s roles.

There are lots and lots of examples of how we’re exhibiting differently now. Something for everyone? It would appear so!

Having decided to get out there again, what will your exhibition stand look like?

What’s in stock?    

To ease the uncertainty, and the cost, of getting back on the exhibition road again CSDPrint strongly recommends having a good look at what you’ve already got first. Not just at exhibition stands you may have used previously but consider all your available display graphics.

Have you got pertinent banner stands in your meeting rooms or training suites, maybe a podium in reception? What about branded product display units in your showroom? Could these be brought together to create an engaging exhibition?

At best you may already have all the promotional collateral you need, at worst you may just need to update one or two graphics to suit their new purpose. Either way, there’ll be a benefit to your budget and of course to the environment too, more on that later.

When only new will do

If you really don’t have an existing stand or displays that you can adapt, then we suggest producing one that is made up of re-useable components. That way you’ll have items that can be put to good use elsewhere in your organisation when you are not exhibiting.

Here’s brief step-by-step guide to configuring your stand:

Step 1

We’d recommend starting with your back drop, the largest of your graphic spaces.

There are some great stand systems, we particularly like these linking systems. They are ingenious because they are made up of sections that are essentially individual banner stands linked together by a magnetic frame.

A really flexible display solution, it comes in lots of sizes, you can have your wall of graphics in a straight line or curved, it’s also light and really simple to put up.

https://www.csdprint.co.uk/exhibitions/flexible-stealth-stands/

Once it’s been used as part of an exhibition you could always pop it up in your reception area or presentation suite until you are ready to exhibit again.

If that looks too big for your needs, we also produce lots of banner stands that can be used individually or in small groupings of one or two. They are low cost and are very transportable – easy to just pop in the back of a car.

Follow these links to our website for details about more banner options:

https://www.csdprint.co.uk/exhibitions/economy-banner-stands/

https://www.csdprint.co.uk/exhibitions/roll-up-banner-stands/

https://www.csdprint.co.uk/exhibitions/luxury-banner-stands/

Step 2

Next you will probably need a podium to use as a reception desk. Something to act as a welcoming point where you can greet visitors. These podiums we produced for Total look great, even if we say so ourselves! They light up and have tablet holders so the company can efficiently capture all the visitor data they needed.

Step 3

Now it might be an idea to think about how you’ll best display your products. Do you need something straightforward like display plinths or cubes? These are heat bent acrylic. We can make these to pretty much any size and shape you can think of!

Or do you want bespoke displays that are branded, with promotional messages and are made specifically to show off your products to their best?

These latest Bosch vacuum innovations where displayed using bespoke metal display units with graphics printed on to magnetic sheets and a spotlight to highlight the whole display.

We love working with clients to design and manufacture just what their products need to look their best.

Step 4

What about the finishing touches? Here are a few suggestions…

• LED lights
• Seating
• Refreshment facilities
• TV screens showing promotional videos
• Tablets or computers for interactive presentations and games
• 3D, free standing cut out graphics that bring logos and brand characters to life
• Branded floor graphics

Greener issues

No blog about preparing for exhibitions would be complete without a look at what the sector is doing to reduce its impact on the environment.

Our sharpened appetite for exhibiting is a really good thing in itself! It means businesses are able to invite visitors to meet up in one place over a couple of condensed days of face-to-face meetings which in turn greatly reduces the need to travel and saves valuable resources.

There are also big leaps being made in producing sustainable materials suitable for stand design and production. The growth in stands being made from recycled materials is really encouraging along with recycling the actual framework.

More and more exhibitors are opting for alterative low-energy lighting options and light-dispersing fabrics. Others are switching from paper-based promotional literature to digital brochures and the majority are cutting back on plastic give-aways.

And as we mentioned earlier, re-use is perhaps the hottest trend. Try wherever you can to pick components that can be used elsewhere when the show is over.

This is one of our favourite stand re-use examples, backdrop banners and a cut out character have been reconfigured to create a set for a motorsport press event!

By working together with your designer and printer you can explore all the options that will make a very real difference to how you exhibit – many of them are not only better for the environment but your budget too!

Of course we’d love it if you chose to speak to us. CSDPrint has over 30 years’ experience of producing all kinds of stands and we can take care of everything for you.