I had a great weekend at the local tradeshow! The following are some pics of how my booth turned out. I wanted it to be welcoming and inviting, and it was! We were limited to 10'X10', so things were a bit tight, but seemed to work just fine. I built two pegboard displays with some signage on the top. I also had an a-frame sign listing other services I offer, a table with samples, and a small table where people could sit and talk and look through my portfolio.
This is my Vanna pose. (That was right before I went and put my bikini on ) The trade show was a smashing hit (for a town of 1000 people) I sold a farm sign, a set of truck doors, various car decals, a striping package, a sign for a business and a banner. The best part was showing people what I do. I still am home-based, so many had no idea what I could do. Many sat down and looked through books, discussing what great gifts the farm/house signs would be, and I really believe I will get more orders from people I spoke to. The display materials costed a total of $130.00 and it was well worth the work.
Thanks for all the advice. Sorry about the picture quality. Suelynn (One other note, some of you may recognize the panel Mark Fair made for me on my display. I got Mark's permission to display it, and made it clear to everyone that it was a gift, and not my work)
[ May 10, 2003, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Your passion for your work shows clearly through. Glad it worked for you!
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8771 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Congratulations Suelynn, I am glad the show was a success...... Your booth refects the quality of your work.... Shep'
-------------------- Arvil Shep' Shepherd Art by Shep' -------- " Those who dance are thought to be mad by those who cannot hear the music " Posts: 1281 | From: Mt Airy NC | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
Getting immediate orders at a trade show means its a huge success. You'll notice many orders in the coming months and weeks as show-attendees process what they have learned. I still get the odd inquiry from the lone Chamber of Commerce trade show I did 4 years ago.
See you at Pat's in July!
-------------------- Happy Signing...... Marty
M.F. (Marty) Happy Signmaker Since 1974 Happy Ad Sign & Design Regina SK, Canada S4N 5K4 306-789-9567 happyad@sasktel.net www.happyad.ca
Get Happy & Get Noticed! Posts: 773 | From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | Registered: Jan 1999
| IP: Logged |
Randy, those name signs are sandblasted 1"X 12" cedar. The shape is from the Designers Cafe collection. I have a couple of different shapes I use, one has an oval panel in it for house numbers and this one with just the name.
Mike, I'm not sure about Pat's in July (I haven't been invited yet ), but I do still owe him $11.00, so I might have to make the drive! Are you going? What weekend is it?
Sonny, so good to hear from you. I met you in Banff in 1998, and had never seen a "signpainter" before. You were so friendly and made me feel a little less nervous about being there. Hard to believe that was 5 years ago. I came home from that meet and started my business.
Mark, I look at that panel you made me and think about how much more I have to learn!
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Suelynn, Banff was an awesome meet (not bad for scenery, either) I really enjoyed meeting you and all those friendly, Molson-swilling Canadians. From the looks of your work, you've come a long way in just 5 years. Keep it up and I hope to admire your portfolio at an L'head meet soon.
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4117 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Suelynn, I do about 4-6 shows a year and have never thought of doing a table for people to sit at and look at my portfolio. That is a great idea. I will use that idea at my next show. Thanks for the idea. Your display looked awesome. It doesn't look like you had too much, but enough to peak potential customers interest. way to go. Donald
The table served a couple of purposes. I had a free draw set up on the table. This way, when people paused to look as they walked by, I invited them to put their name in the draw. Almost all of them sat down to fill out their name, and it was really easy and relaxing to have a conversation with them. The item I gave away was nice but inexpensive.(a nice candleholder) I contemplated giving away a house sign, but I'm so backed up now with work, I just wanted something I could hand over that day.
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hi Suelynn...Great job, sectacular display of your work...How were your feet???Just checked in after talking to Marty on the phone...Been busy so haven't looked in since you mention you were doing the trade show...And yes you are invited as are all to our Paint the Prairie Meet on July 11-12/03....Barb and Steve have kindly posted some of the details of the meet in the FUTURE LIVE MEET column just to your left here...And Barb has requested a few more details which I will get to her ASAP...Mike Meyer will be doing a brush and hand lettering clinic if all works out good for him...as well as a few other celebrates whom will be confirming with me next week...It gonna be great all held in a tent here in the yard with bonfires in the evening and toped off with a roast of wild boar Sat. evening...Just comfirming registration fees but will be quite reasonable...So hope to see you Lotti and all the great folks from this western hemisphere...It gonna be GRRRRREAT...
-------------------- Pat Welter Masterhand Signs and Designs Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada Posts: 1304 | From: Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada | Registered: May 1999
| IP: Logged |
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic