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D.D. Williamson introduces expanded product line
Expand trade show presence using an existing pop-up exhibit
Employee Spotlight: Tom Peterson
Increase Internet security
Trade Show Coach: Making Your Show Leads Pay Off
Graphics lingo decoded
D&M Spotlight: Jim Pendleton
Eating Well on the Road
Decoded: Flat vs. Layered Files
Making Your Show Leads Pay Off Show leads have a reputation for being low quality and having insufficient information to encourage follow-up. Most companies feel the need to collect a high number of leads for a show to be successful. The problem is often that these leads have no substance - they are either just a cold business card, or similar basic information imprinted on a company lead card. For salespeople to view leads as being worthwhile for follow-up, they need quality information. To turn your leads into sales, you have to start with the end in mind. Begin the process by knowing exactly what results you want too achieve at the various trade shows you attend.
A self-proclaimed TV and movie junkie, 12-year veteran Account Executive Tom Peterson (shown above with wife Kimberly and daughter Zoë) is the D&M office expert on all things Entertainment.He can always be counted on to know the latest review on a new film, or spoilers for your favorite show.
Tom used to run two VCRs simultaneously, and keep track of dozens of tapes to stay current on all of his shows, but recently acquired a digital video recorder (DVR) which he regards as "The best thing EVER!" He also checks several entertainment websites daily including AintItCoolNews and ComingSoon for industry news.
Tom even made his own movies in college with a group of friends chronicling the story of a bunch of guys on their own for the first time. Filmed on a camcorder and edited on two VCRs and a portable stereo, the films were set in places like the grocery and laundromat. The series even included a horror film titled "Silent Laughter;" Tom claims to be both "proud and ashamed" of the films.
D.D. Williamson has long been regarded as the world's preeminent manufacturer of caramel food color, but recently they expanded their product line, through several acquisitions, to include the full spectrum of colorings. To raise awareness in the industry of this change, D.D. Williamson's 10' x 40' inline booth for the 2006 International Food Technologies Show (IFT) featured light, vibrant color and motion to capture attendees attention.
The central focus is a large tension fabric backdrop with bold lettering featuring D. D. Williamson's new tag-line "Color With Confidence" lit by color washing LEDs rotating through shades of red, blue, green, yellow and multitudes of shades in-between. In front of the banner is a shelf supporting small bottles filled with a rainbow of colorings offered by D. D. Williamson. Behind each bottle is an opaque white panel so each color can be seen in its pure state without being tinted by the lighting behind it. The inline exhibit also features several backlit graphics, a private conference area, two reception counters, literature display and additional seating.
Flexibility was an essential component of the design, utilizing an aluminum framework with in-fill panels for maximum modularity. This allows D.D. Williamson to reconfigure the same exhibit components for upcoming shows in a 20' x 20' island booth. Overall, the 2006 show was a resounding success in raising awareness of D.D. Williamson's expanded product line, and even greater returns are expected in their new island space.
AI is the native file format for Illustrator and will be vector art, but they can also 
contain imbedded raster images as well. EPS files are typically vector art, but Photoshop files can also be saved as EPS (note this does not turn them into vector art), and can be opened in multiple applications. TIF files are uncompressed raster images, and are ideal for high resolution graphics. JPG files are compressed raster images useful for viewing on screen or small prints. In order to make the files smaller, JPG format deletes some digital information and quality is lost. PDF files can be created and opened by many applications; it is most useful for maintaining a consistent look when sharing files.
D&M's new custom modular showroom exhibit is an excellent example of how your trade show presence can grow alongside your company. By utilizing an existing 10' pop-up exhibit and various modular exhibit components including tension fabric graphics, lightweight panels and integrated lighting the 20' inline is lightweight, easy to setup and economical.
The exhibit features American Beverage Marketers, a fast-growing company with a busy show schedule that includes various booth sizes and multiple product lines. The center section of the exhibit is a concave pop-up unit with a bar scene on photomural panels and a rigid header with tag-line. The curved counter features a custom countertop with LED puck up-lights for the bottle displays. The curve of this counter, and the perforated metal panels are repeated in the custom reception counter.
Each end of the exhibit features an ABM brand: Finest Call and Master of Mixes. Rigid headers feature each brands' logo, and satin fabric panels play up the rich colors of the the cocktail graphics. Custom product displays are created from sheets of perforated metal and clear acrylic shelves that are dramatically lit. Side counters provide locking storage and additional work space.
Modular exhibit systems offer numerous ways to integrate a pop-up into a larger inline, island or peninsula exhibit and also provide support for monitor-based presentations, interactive demos, work stations and storage. With careful design, modular exhibits can be broken into smaller exhibits for use independently to accommodate busy show schedules. To schedule a visit to our showroom to see the American Beverage Marketers' exhibit, and to learn more about growing your company's trade show exhibit, call us at 888.501.7469 or send us an email.
- Kurt Vonnegut US Novelist (1922-2007)