Let’s face it…new technology comes and goes and separating real trends from the latest gizmo can be difficult.  The Rogers Company put together a brief overview of some of the important technological drivers for tradeshows.  Keep in mind, these trends are driven as much by what the industry needs as what it offers.  It’s important for exhibitors to recognize what they can get from technology and not be driven by the ‘latest and greatest’ thing out there.  From the book:

When it comes to technology, yesterday’s new toy is tomorrow’s indispensable business tool.  We’ve seen this happen with everything from desktop computers to cell phones to GPS systems.  Keeping this in mind when approaching technology for tradeshows is a good idea.  A fancy booth toy could just be a waste of money, but the right investment in technology could help attract attention, achieve business goals at a show, or help create an unforgettable branded environment.

Looking at some overall trends in event marketing can reveal where new technologies can be most effective.  We examined some of the prevailing trends in event marketing and compared them to new evolutions in technology to help you choose which might help build business at your company’s next tradeshow or event.

We noticed that a big destination for visitors to the site has been our Design Trends category.  Here are some of our most popular articles in that category for your reading pleasure:

5 Ways to Take Advantage of Tension Fabric
3D Brochure
Rogers Posts Free E-Book on Green Tradeshow Design
Free E-Book on Tradeshow Design from Rogers
Less is More in Norway

Tension fabric systems are great. They’re lightweight, easy to ship and store, and changing logos, images, and colors is a snap. So why do some booths completely miss the point of this fantastic design tool and building material? Companies who use tension fabric systems tend to recreate the square boxes that they’ve always called home at tradeshows. When we’re presented with a versatile technology we tend to see it as a better version of something old but we don’t let our imaginations really sore with it. Here are some ways to go above and beyond with tension fabric:

1.) Don’t be tempted to think only square.
Yes, 90 degree angles are great, and sometimes appropriate, but you don’t need to fill your booth with them. Fabric can easily be rounded to create a vast array of shapes. Transporting show attendees to another world is a great way of getting out of the office environment. You don’t need to recreate the boxes that we work in everyday. Unique shapes and rounded corners opens minds which can be a great way to interact with customers and prospects.

2.) Let It Soar
Tension fabric systems can soar above your booth, attracting attention from far away and creating a cool atmosphere inside. While you may be restricted from hanging signage from the show ceiling, you usually can build fairly high. While double-decker booths used to be the epitome of expense, tension fabric systems can give you the illusion of grandeur without the same expense.

3.) Light It
Lighting is often ignored but can be a dramatic element to add to a booth. Lighting can transform your booth continuously throughout the show. Furthermore, you can change lighting easily for different shows. With tension fabric, back lighting can create dramatic elements like glowing walls, free shapes, columns and cubes. Back projections can animate logos and show product images. Again, these are dramatic elements that are very economic and easy to change.

4.) Totally Rely on It
Many companies use tension fabric for one or two elements of their booth. Don’t’ be afraid to totally rely on it for your entire boot design. Decorative elements along with more structural elements like walls and ceilings can be created from tension fabric. Designing your entire booth from tension fabric opens a world of possibilities to you now and in the future.

5.) Fabric is green!
The very nature of fabric is environmentally friendly. It requires no trees to be harvested. Fabric is light-weight so that means less fuel is required for transport and in many applications recyclable, light-weight aluminum tubing is used for the structural support. Printed fabrics today are also available that contain only solvent free inks and dyes! So fabric is very green!

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