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Unlike many other display stand companies out there, all Exantia banner stands, pop up stands and even accessories such as literature racks come with their own padded carry case as standard. This is because we know that although carefully packing your equipment away may not seem like an important priority in the scheme of things, the implications of failing to transport stands safely and securely can be much further-reaching than may be immediately apparent.

Of course, the primary concern with an exposed or improperly packaged stand is that it can get damaged en route. Broken or missing components can mean that it is no longer possible to set up your stand correctly, which will then necessitate the purchase of replacement parts – an added cost which your budget doesn’t need. Graphics and banners that should last years can also get marked or damaged, and will certainly end up looking tired more quickly, again necessitating premature replacement and additional expenditure.

In a wider sense, damaged, incomplete or worn out stands will result in your graphics looking far from their best at your tradeshows and exhibitions – or may mean that you have no graphics at all – which of course can have a hugely detrimental knock-on effect for your brand, image and reputation, both from your customers’ and potential customers’ viewpoints, and from that of your competitors.

As well as padded carry cases, we offer a wheeled flight case option for many of our stands, which give your equipment further protection and can make for easier transportation. For more information on our cases and for tips on keeping your stands looking their best, email one of the Exantia team on info@exantia.co.uk, or call us on 020 8507 1612.

Banner stands are incredibly easy to set up – you can literally get one out of the bag and ready to go in under a minute. So that got us thinking about what else can be done in such a miniscule amount of time.

In actual fact, this blog post began as 10 Things you can do Faster than Build a Banner Stand… but we were struggling to think of all ten without straying into the realms of the absurd!

What we did come up with was:
1. Boil a kettle (though you probably wouldn’t have time to make a round of coffee for your team)
2. Make a paper aeroplane out of a discarded memo
3. Sign a colleague’s leaving card
4. Delete a spam email
5. Get out of the office during a fire drill…

Things like ‘build a Lego house’ and ‘rewind a video’ didn’t seem quite so relevant – but you see our point!
And now, here are five things you can build faster with a banner display on your exhibition stand:

1. Relationships with clients – customers will spot your stand from a distance and know that you are at the show before they’ve even come over to say hello – and when they do, they’ll be all ready to speak to you about your business’s latest developments

2. Brand image – banner stands help to get your logo and brand values out there for all to see

3. Client base – new customers will be attracted to your stand

4. Reputation – banners give your business a professional edge that helps to put you ahead of the competition

5. The value of the exhibition – the four points above mean that the show will have been made more worthwhile, just by having a banner display on your stand!

Banner stands can be branded with your graphics and message, and all of our banner stands are supplied with a padded carrying case to make them as easy to transport as they are to set up!

“A” Boards are a fantastic, cost-effective way to promote your business: they’re high-impact, portable and couldn’t be easier to set up – plus, their contents can be changed as often as required, so they’re ideal for displaying information that needs to be updated on a regular basis.
And if you’re not quite sure where an A Board would fit into your business, here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Gain passing trade: Because A Boards take up relatively little space, and can be moved around easily, placing them on the pavement outside your premises can be a great way to attract passing customers – hence why they are so popular with businesses such as shops and restaurants.

2. Enhance your stand at trade shows: A Boards can complement banner and pop up stands very effectively; for instance, they can help to drive your message or brand home, or can be used to outline the benefits of your business in bite-sized chunks – for example, as an easy-to-read, bulleted list.

3. Advertise special offers: Posters can be loaded or unloaded from A Boards in a matter of seconds, so things like limited promotions or special offers can be advertised with impact, without making it necessary for you to commit to a long-term display.

4. Display messages to customers: In addition to advertising promotions, A Boards are a quick and easy way to communicate with your customers, saving them the hassle of having to search for key information. For instance, you could use an A Board to direct customers to your car park, or to let them know your opening times. You could also use an A Board to display daily schedules, rotas or instructions to your staff.

5. Use your positive press: You want to make sure that you make the most of any kind of positive press coverage about your business, and displaying reviews or news snippets using an A Board makes for a brilliant way to let your customers know just how great you are!

For more information on A Boards, contact a member of the Exantia team on info@exantia.co.uk, or 020 8507 1612.

This week, Exantia is launching a new blog series which will provide hints, tips and advice to help you to ensure that your marketing budget is well spent, and that the conferences and tradeshows that you exhibit at deliver the anticipated results.

Before you confirm your attendance at any event, ensure it supports your marketing objectives. Consider the reasons why your company wants to attend – are they consistent with your overall marketing strategy and objectives, and is the event the most appropriate and cost-effective channel to meet those objectives?

Here are 7 reasons why companies typically attend a conference or exhibition, and ways in which you can ensure these objectives are met. It is of course possible for one event to fulfil all of these objectives:

1. Thought leadership: Can you get one of your management team on the conference programme? Conference organisers are always looking for good speakers. There may also be opportunities to run a workshop the day before or after the event, or even during the event itself.

2. Increase your profile: What are the sponsorship options? There will be a huge number of opportunities to get your brand in front of exhibition visitors – this is only limited by your budget.

3. Attract new customers: What is the exhibition visitor profile in terms of job title, industry, geography and purchasing responsibility? Ensure it matches your target customer.

4. Meet existing customers: Do your existing customers plan to attend, and can you get them complimentary exhibition passes? If you have an international customer base, an event can present the perfect opportunity to organise additional meetings, whilst your team and customers are in the same city.

5. Launch a new product: Will your product launch get the attention it deserves? Remember, the largest players in your industry will almost definitely be launching new products, which may dominate press attention. If you are a launching a niche product, what can you do to stand out from the crowd and get the attention you deserve?

6. Keep up with competitors: Will they be attending this year? Don’t assume that because they were there last year, they will be again. If this is your only reason for attending, you should question your decision.

7. Meet the press: Which journalists are going? Can you get the press list in advance and arrange meetings? It’s the perfect opportunity to build personal relationships with industry journalists and to secure coverage in the months after the event has finished.

Once you have decided that the event is the right one for you, the next step is to book your exhibition space. In next month’s blog, we’ll provide you with a checklist to help you choose the best exhibition space for your company.

The stand or display most suitable for your business will depend on a number of factors: the amount of space available, the nature of the exhibition itself and, of course, your budget. Displays range from banner stands and pop up stands, to heavy-duty boards and displays for outdoor use.

Banner Stands offer a cost-effective way to make your business stand out. You don’t need any additional tools to set them up, and because they take up relatively little floor space, they are suitable for a huge range of exhibitions.

Another low-cost option is PVC banners (also known as roll up banners or vinyl banners), which incorporate eyelets for easy hanging and can be either single- or double-sided. They can be displayed in an aluminium frame, which is lightweight and helps to give the banner maximum impact.

Pop up exhibition stands give your business that extra wow factor, but you will need to ensure that your allocated exhibition area has enough floor space for a stand. Pop up displays are easy to set up, and their frames are made of lightweight aluminium which makes them both easy to transport and hard-wearing, so if you are looking for a durable stand that really makes a statement, these can be a good way to go.

Displays for use at outdoor events include banners or boards specially made for use outside. These are built with strength and stability in mind, making them ideal for exhibitions where you are exposed to the elements. Plus, they can also be used indoors if required, which makes them particularly versatile.

Of course, branding is key, so in each of the display options outlined above, your company logo and graphics are printed onto the displays. Each option is easily portable, and comes with its own case so you can get it from A to B with minimum fuss.

To discuss your exhibition display options further with us, please contact us now on 020 8507 1612, or get in touch through our contact form.