Marshall Yard:

I have been thrust into the portal of my cubicle which is now a nice private little suite, thinking and learning different areas of marketing.   In the past few months, I have learned about blogging, social media, digg, bloggingzoom and just recently Blog Engage, this is similar to the other sites, but I for one have found it easy to use, and to understand. 

Within a short time after I engaged, I got comment back on one of my posts from the master engager! Thank you too for that.   I write here about the smart marketing for trade shows and trade show exhibits, trying to give clients that are searching an inside look with a personal touch about the people at Catalyst Exhibits.   Blog Engage has an easy feel to it, I have seen some of the faces and names throughout some of the forums and other sites. 

I look at myself as a novice blogger, learning, and I truly didn’t realize I had the writing skills in me, but it has been a fun process, and thanks to good folks like major engager Brian at Blog Engage, I have another tool that will help me get my name and my blog out there.  The more I read, the more I learn, what a great community out there in the blog world!

Have success at trade shows and beat the challenges. When trade show marketing is approaced early, you develop a formula for success, but the race does not stop there for winning that potential client.  Turning your leads into clients, is one of the largest goals and challenges of trade show marketing. 

Don’t let that lead fall into the post trade show marketing cracks.  Be active, and be smart.  Continuous follow up will put your name and your brand in front of a potential buyer. 

Keep careful notes on the trade show floor, often times, when a conversation ensues on the trade show floor, you can pick up pieces of personal information on your prospects, and that can help lead into a successful conversation post show.  

Trade show attendees will often see hundreds of exhibitors at large trade shows, make sure you give them something to remember you by, whether it is in a post show follow up call or even a short hand written note thanking them for their time.

It doesn’t matter what they are called - promotional items, trade show giveaways, chachka or tchotchkes so, ready, set, eat! We are closing in on the Thanksgiving Holiday, and food will be of abundance.  I just saw a trade show giveaway that I thought was a fantastic idea and one that will not be left behind! Cookies! Who doesn’t love cookies?  We all know when we are walking the trade show floors, we get hungry and tired, and a little boost of sugar may be just the ticket!

Chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookes, peanut butter and oatmeal! Put your company logo on a cookie and take a bite out of your competition.  I can say this honesty, I’d be hunting down the exhibit booth that was giving out cookies, but that’s coming from the mouth of a sweet tooth.  A great little piece on The World Almanac Blog shows how much candy per capita we consume! Oh..my! Pass me the dessert tray!

I read a great article by Adrian Miller at The Blatant Truth! No matter what it is you are purchasing, either a service or a product, the dedication of the sales staff, support staff and anyone involved in your project should exceed expectations.  That is the true meaning of customer service, the story she told about getting her tire changed, shows that there are companies out there that are willing to go above and beyond the scope of what most people think is good customer service.

When it comes to the decision of exhibiting at Trade Shows, it is very helpful to find an exhibit house that is full service and has the capability to assist from the inception of your project to the return of the exhibit properties, along with post trade show follow up assistance.   An exhibit house that can offer you an assortment of exhibiting and trade show display solutions.  With rental exhibits, the option of exhibit customization is much easier and can give you a slightly different look and feel, if you are attending multiple trade shows. 

Finding the correct team that can convey your trade show message should consist of experienced and dedicated, exhibit designers, graphic designers, project and account manager and a team of coordinators to help you every step of the way. 

By choosing an experienced exhibit house team, you will portray your service and/or  product in an astounding 3D exhibit display, with the use of a variety of structural materials and fabric, you will watch as your trade show display booth comes to life. 

Whether you are exhibiting at a trade show in Las Vegas, Chicago or New Orleans an established well versed in the market place exhibit house can deliver no matter the location, and deliver flawless results. 

So, after the K/BIS post, I had to add the following story that actually happened in my kitchen with my son, who was much shorter at the time, topping out now at 6 foot 4 inches and over 250, he doesn’t even fit in my sisters house anymore, knocking into chairs and walls.  Back to the kitchen and the thanksgiving dinner, I had earlier in the day opened the chicken broth for the stuffing and threw it in the trash, not giving it a second thought, which was a mistake, you should always think of those opened can’s in the trash. 

With all the going’s on of the Turkinator filled morning, what was I thinking of having a 30 pound turkey, that I took out of the freezer four days prior, and he never thawed.  Carting the turkinator to my mothers house earlier the evening before, so it could thaw him in her sink with out the help of my cats licking it thaw.  I rushed home with Turkinator and got the stuffing in the bird, who ever thought of.., lets stuff the insides of a bird with bread crumbs and cook it, let alone and eat it, but anywho.. cleaning up the tidal wave of bread crumbs and celery, DON’T forget whats in the TRASH.. never occured to me. 

Yeah, you could say ouch, as I crammed the garbage down with my hand, it was as if a bolt of bread crusted lighting shot through the palm of my hand.  As I jumped, the blood began to flow, blood everywhere, (not on the turkinator though) all over the floor and my hands as I stood for seconds thinking, what a dumb*$$, my sweet little boy walks in the kitchen, to the blood all over, and my pale face from the loss there of, and looks at me, looks at my hand, and I thought, we are going to have a profound moment here, he is going to help me..my little boy is coming to my rescue!

What rolls out of the offsprings lips… “I’m hungry - can I have something to eat?” As they say, out of the mouths of babes.

K/BIS - KBIS - Kitchen & Bath will hit Chicago on April 11th, 2008, have you started the water boiling for your exhibit yet? Preparation is the key and a well thought out recipe for your exhibiting success!  With over 900 exhibitors expected for the 2008 trade show, plan early and plan smart.

With a custom trade show display rentals, you can change the frosting for each trade show event.  Why stick with the plain old vanilla frosting for every trade show, when the trends say go chocolate,   custom rental exhibit displays give you the option to change and create a fresh look.

With three clients at K/BIS 2007 and over 8000 square feet of exhibit space consisting of exhibit booths of 60 x 80, 40 x 50 and 40 x 40, we are prepared to assist with a complete marketing strategy for the upcoming 2008 season.

Found a great little piece that shows the difference visually on marketing and advertising.  Neil Patel at Quick Sprout

By: Susie Kleiner 

I started this blog at the end of June, right out of the womb! In January 2007, I was given the task of learning SEO and learning about internet marketing.  In the 11 months that I have taken over this task, I still feel that I am in my infancy.   I have read several forums, and articles, and enjoy the research.    The questions that arise on forums from newbies in the SEO industry are all questions that have helped me learn.  There are so many great forums out there, Digital Point,  Small Business Forum and High Rankings, just to name a few.  If you are struggling with SEO, Blogging, Marketing over the internet these are awesome places to start.

I attended a few online seminars, and someone gave me some great advice in regards to being approached by SEO firms, which, I have to say, we get about three calls a week on people soliciting their services.  Walk cautiously, and be aware of the red flags.  If a firm “guarantee’s” you top placement in the search engines, take a step back.  There are “no” guarantee’s, IMO (in my opinion) (I had to look that one up) I was also told that if an SEO firms vehemently seeks you out, remember, most firms that are reputable, and good at what they do, do not have the time to make cold calls, and most likely have a full plate.

I am not saying that all firms that make cold calls in SEO services are not on the up and up, I am saying arm yourself with some knowledge, and ask alot of questions.

Now, blogging, is it worth the time? I do believe it is, if your company is not already doing so, it is a great “personal” approach to the market place, offer up insight and educate interested parties.  When you are starting out with anything, it is so overwhelming, I felt like I was on the Titanic and sinking pretty quickly, but it is fascinating to read the comments left by readers, and it is interesting research in regards to finding where people are coming from and the keywords they are using.  That will as well give you an education in new keyword phrases you can use for the development of your website, blog or online advertising. 

I am from the old school, and I do enjoy actually talking to live people, instead of pressing 1, 3, 6 or 9 on your touch tone phone, I usually just hit “0″ so I can get a actual person on the other line.  But, in order to stay on top of the game, blogging is on the fore front, our decision makers of the future are coming out of college and the social networking, and social media that are on college campus are sky-rocketing, and I think it’s “lift off ” time for businesses to take the necessary action.   

News travels at light speed now, within minutes of any event, you can locate information online about it.  Whether it is National News, International Events, the information is out there to find.  It took me a few weeks to convince some of the decision makers here, that blogging can help business.  It is much easier if you are in a niche market, but striving to get your company and your brand awareness out there, should be on the forefront of your marketing strategy.  Part of that plan should include blogging, and social media. 

Face it, it does get to be a project when you are writing about the same thing each and every day, learning to put a personal spin on it, and sharing passions of your own spun in an inventive way can only solidify your brand or product.  Tell a story, remember the Taster’s Choice couple? Okay, I am dating myself, but that is something that sticks in the heads of us over forty, it’s all about the approach.  Be inventive, and be honest, people will continue to read and become loyal followers, and if they happen to come to your blog and continue to stick around, it may come up at a cocktail party, or at a charity event, and someone may be listening and that someone could be a potential “decision maker.” 

That in my opinion is the dynamics behind blogging for business.  And thats all I have to say about that!

Exhibit Displays & Tradeshows!

Why are people doing it? Why should I spend the money?  I have six valid reasons that your appearance at trade shows can benefit and build your global business marketing plan and strategy.

Build Brand Awareness

Increase Leads

High Customer Visibility

Increased Market Competition

Launching a new identity

Launching a new product

No matter what market you are in, medical, automotive, gift market, landscaping,  electronics, multi-media, gaming, photography, there is a trade show out there for you.  There is also a whole bunch of competition.  There are enormous opportunities waiting for those who get it right.  Opportunities not only for your company, but for you within the company.  Opportunities to capture leadership within your business, or business position. 

Ask yourself a few questions?

Why Exhibit?

How do I do it successfully?

When should I exhibit?

Where should I exhibit?

Know your market place and know your competition!  Success in a trade show program is about focus and targeting resources and energy.  If you are unsure of some of the above questions, we can direct you to the best strategy fit for your given situation.

Custom Trade Show Exhibit Rental

Whether it is called an exhibition, fair, expo or just good old fashioned trade show.  These events  can bring you extraordinary results when it comes to forming relationships with prospective clients.  With the never ending coast to coast conference calls, webinars, emails and the growing use of internet based meetings, tradeshows can be a place where you get back in the ring of personal contact and customer service.

The necessity of exhibiting at trade shows and actually reaching out to shake the hand of clients can add high credibility to your companies products and services.  Giving the prospective client a comfort zone of who they will be dealing with on the other end of the phone, will help them form their opinions early and get them one step closer to their decision making process.

If you are launching a new product or service, consider exhibiting at a trade show.  Research and planning will be a key to making the trade show a success.  When decision makers are able to touch and feel your products, they will remember it better than if they saw it online or via a web conference.

I ran across a great article in our local daily herald for anyone that works on the the SEO for your company.  Searching for the best engine.  David Freedman gives a great insight!

NAB 2008 will be taking place on April 14th, 2008, think early, think smart! Trade Show Display Rentals can help you give a voice to your trade show experience.  Innovative Booth Design can draw attention to your service and products, you need your trade show rental exhibit to do its own job, so to speak. 

Catalyst Exhibits, Inc. had three clients that had great success at NAB 2007, this is an audience that spans the globe. The NAB Show focuses on, content, creation, management, commerce, distribution & delivery.  There are 161 days left to get into the game and start planning your trade show rental exhibit.  Having a client at NAB 2007 that was wanting to introduce their product to the US market, the idea was to come up with something memorable.

Working on the lines that this was a European Company, the trade show exhibit display had to have flare, and be very synonymous with high design.  The outcome of intertwining various elements from high design color and precision created an outstanding exhibit rental.

NAB 2008 will be offering over 500 educational events, and super sessions from keynote speakers that are leaders in broadcasting industry offer a phenomal platform for boosting your level of knowledge and will allow you access to a network of leaders.

With over 111,000 attendee’s, 1600 exhibitorsand 1100 members of the press ,now is the time to start planning for an interesting booth design &  exhibit rental planning.  Giving you a six month time-line to get your pre-marketing strategy in place, and being able to follow up with your prospects before the event can ensure true success.