There are a few simple rules I have learned over the years to help you and your designer create eye-catching graphics. And that it only takes one bad experience to reinforce why you should follow these guidelines.

Timing. We live in a world of instant communication and instant gratification but large format graphic production still requires time. You should try to plan for a minimum of ten business days for production. I know that many graphic providers have geared their production cycles to time lines faster than this, but you as the buyer should not be caught up in “I can produce it in a day” mentality – because inevitably something will go wrong and you have run out of time to fix it.

Tradeshow graphics as a medium. Make sure that your chosen designer understands what they are producing graphics for. If unsure about a tradeshow display, have them think of an outdoor billboard and not the company brochure. Easy on the text and heavy on the hook.

File guidelines. Make sure you get proper file instructions before the design is started. Layered files versus flattened files – who cares, right? You will care once you learn that your beloved design cannot be manipulated and printed the way you want.

Special instructions. As we all know color is the most subjective part of design and unless you provide the vendor with color expectations or guidance, don’t be surprised if your orange is a little red. Give a PMS number or provide a printed sample as a guide – life will be easier for everyone involved.

Proofing. It is very important that you allow time to receive proofs before the print button is hit. Proofs will help ensure quality and accuracy for all.

Timing. Oh yeah, already mentioned that. But it’s worth going over again. Plan ahead and have your exhibit graphics in hand before you preview your exhibit – everyone will be happier.

Good Luck and see you on the tradeshow floor!

Kat Shea
Marketing Production Manager

The Health Care Exhibitor Association (HCEA) held its annual conference in Philadelphia this year, so I drove up from Washington to check it out. Among the headlines from this year's event was the announcement of the first ever healthcare-specific accreditation. Exhibit managers in the healthcare industry can pursue their "Certified Manager of Exhibits - Healthcare" professional designation which is being co-sponsored with TSEA (Trade Show Exhibitors Association).

I visited the trade show on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. At the base of escalator outside the trade show entrance I was greeted by a new Nomadic display recently purchased by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. HCEA's trade show floor is different than many shows. First, its limited to just 115 exhibiting companies. In addition, the Exhibit Advisory Committee for HCEA wants to ensure a level field among a wide variety of exhibitors so the show limits the scale of presentations to 10' and 20' exhibit spaces only. I met up with industry friends like John Pavek, Vice President, for Exhibitor Magazine.

Our Philadelphia distributor, BSI Exhibits, had a 20' exhibit. They promoted Nomadic Traveler table tops in groups of 5 or more and received a request to quote on 800 units!

We used this event to preview a new portable kiosk in their exhibit booth as well. The cool wave design should draw attention at meetings, conferences, hospitality functions, seminars/training programs, sponsorships, etc. It ships complete one FlatPack case with double sided graphics, a halogen spotlight for $2,300. Click here to tell us what you think.

And I found a number of Nomadic owners on the show floor so I brought back a few photos:

For more information on HCEA, visit their web site here.
Gwen ParsonsSenior Vice President

I walk a lot. I walk for health and I walk for pleasure. But I’ve never walked for a charitable cause. So when the chance to participate in a charity walk came along two months ago, I missed it.

Not only that. I also missed the chance to be part of Nomadic’s corporate social responsibility program. Yes, Nomadic takes this type of responsibility so seriously that they “walk” extra miles (not just a mile) to prove it.

But those extra miles paid off. Nomadic has raised over $3,500 for March of Dimes, the organization who advocates for the fight against birth defects.

Statistics show that every year, more than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability.

So if you missed the walk or simply didn’t now anything about it, you can still do your part in saving babies from birth defects. You can make a donation by visiting the Nomadic Walkers page at http://www.walkamerica.org/382014. Donations will be accepted until June 30.

And remember these words from Winston Churchill, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”

Mabel Kenyon
Marketing Communications Coordinator