Our booth at the last trade show
October 4th, 2007
Finally! A picture of our booth at the ABC Show. Takes me forever to get pictures off our camera and uploaded and even
this picture cut off the top of the booth. But that was our booth at the show.
I see so many things that I would change already. We’re not at the point of having a hardwall booth yet, which I would love. I don’t know how much of a difference that would make. It is definitely different to do a show that has low (3′) sidewalls, vs. a show that has full 8 ft sidewalls.
Someday I’m going to come up with the perfect way to display our blankets. They need to be spread out so the name is eye-catching, but I also want to show that there is a variety of options.
Like I said in a previous post, all we can do is get better each time. Can you tell that I don’t like this booth anymore? Almost sounds like I’m trying to make excuses, but it is HONESTLY leaps and bounds above our first trade show display booth.
But you know, it’s a reminder that you have to just start somewhere and go for it. No matter what, you’re always going to want to make it better; there is always a part of you that will feel like if you just change this or that, THEN you’ll be ready to launch; THEN you’ll be ready to show off. But really, you have to just leap, you have to give yourself permission to have room for improvement. Make sure you believe in the quality of your products before leaping, of course. Quality matters a lot.
Basically, if we expect it to be perfect before we go for it, we’ll never start, we’ll never meet our own expectations (=misery), and we’ll miss the whole journey. Someday I’ll have a great trade show booth - for now we’re doing the best we can and trying different things each time.
Entry Filed under: The Startup Phase, The Tools You Need, Trade Shows & Market
7 Comments Add your own
1. Alison Rothwell | October 4th, 2007 at 11:51 am
That’s a great looking booth - thanks for sharing. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts about the trade show
2. amber | October 4th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Thanks Alison! I liked the booth when I was there, I think seeing it in pictures gives me a different perspective.
3. Lisa NYC | October 4th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Great to see the actual photo of your display. It’s hard when you start looking around at the price of some of these display walls and stands.
What about slatwall? Or even cheaper, pegboard? You could spray paint them black or pink for that matter. What about several sections of felt board? You could add velcro to the back of the blankets and display them all along the top of the walls.
What about a long folding table covered with a banquet drape…you could attach another 3 or 4 blankets to the front and sides.
One thing you can do is put fabric to work for you (we all have plenty of that…LOL)…cover everything (chairs, tables, walls, etc.). You could do a nice solid brown or black.
Where will you be doing your next show?
4. Fashion Network | October 9th, 2007 at 7:18 am
I think it looks nice Amber, not bad at all. You had to do what you could. I remember some of our old booths that we thought were masterpieces…lol We couldn’t have been more wrong.
Its like you don’t really see it from a buyer or stores eyes until after it is over and you go back then say what were we thinking!
5. Jamie Lentzner | October 10th, 2007 at 8:29 am
The booth looks good - I swear I can not look at any of my past booths. Good luck with holiday sales - I am sure you will be very busy. I am posting today…or tonight about the ‘other’ peoples feedback from abc show. I will link to yours also - I think you give the most honest and show both sides (good and bad) perspective. I am totally on the fence about exhibiting next year….
6. Zara | October 29th, 2007 at 9:11 am
I was wondering how much it costs to do, ABC or MAGIC or KIDS SHOW in Las vegas? I would love to do it on this coming February but I am not to sure if I can do the overhead….I have attended the shows as a buyer and I so wanted to make it for ABC but I was there in August, not to sure why they didn’t schedule them ALL the same week just different times….more people would have shown and they (ABC) could have used the MAGIC convention as a draw to more store buyers….it was costly to geet out there let alone doing it a week or two later for the same thing….
I have my own line and would like to offer it to more than just ebay and my own store. Any ideas how to get it out there at ABC?
7. Olivia | December 28th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Amber,
I have truly enjoyed reading your blog (just came across it tonight). I feel like I am reading my own words…like you are in my head).
I am actually attending my first show (KIDShow) in a couple months and my head is spinning! I would love any words of wisdom.
Thanks, Olivia
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