The mark of a good business expo might be hard for some people to find. While many people might think it is all about the glitz of the show floor, others believe the proof is in the heavy swag back they tote home with them. Here are some trade and true ways to evaluate the next trade show you attend.
#1 Did they exhibit booths have personality?
If you walk away from a trade show thinking, "wow, that looked good" then you were just at a great show. When a convention exhibitor invests the time to design an interesting and captivating display, it shows you that this is an important show. The best way to tell if you are going to be impressed with an expo is if the vendors take the time to present themselves in a unique and memorable way.
#2 Were the exhibitors excited?
The people behind the booth are the barometer for how well a convention is doing. A hall filled with smiling faces and the buzz of commerce means an A+ convention. Keep in mind that this event is an expense for the businesses exhibiting and they want a successful show to ensure a good return on their investment. Happy vendors means the show is going well. If you can hear a pin drop or the people working at the exhibit booths appear bored, the prognosis of the show is poor.
#3 Did the show have amenities?
There are a few markers of a first class show, and having "extras" is at the top of the list. Trade shows with quality convention services will likely offer additional features that a lower budget show may not be able to afford. If you can spot a guest lounge, refreshment kiosk, guest services counter or upgraded theme decor in the convention space it is likely that you are at a high end show. Many lower budget shows don't attract high big spenders and probably have a more simple display. The shows that have their pick of exhibitors and expect a large crowd will often invest in more colorful drapery, upgraded guest conveniences and eye catching designs.
If you are looking to set your next convention or business trade show apart, call Convention Expo Services, a division of Total Events. We offer a variety of services to accommodate the needs of show organizers and exhibitors alike. We’ll be with you every step of the way, ensuring that every detail is taken care of efficiently. With our selection of services, you can rest assured that your event will run smoothly. A single source for all your event needs makes for a far less stressful planning and execution process. Convention Expo Services would be proud to become your partner in creating an outstanding event. www.conventionexposervices.com
If you have never heard of Clark + Walker, I suggest you check them out. Their photography and videography are outstanding, and here is a little taste. This trailer is from Meenakashi+Rohit wedding at The Sagamore is amazing. What a great team we had to work with!
The return of warm weather means the beginning of another great outdoor party season. Here are some reasons to host your next Event inside a Total Events tent.
#1 Convenience
When you have a tent event, the party goes wherever you want. It is certainly convenient to host a large gathering in the comfort of your own backyard, especially when the bulk of your guests are bound to be friends, family and neighbors. Total Events makes backyard gatherings like a Graduation party easy by providing you with all the options to show your school spirit like specialty table linens in a variety of colors, balloon decor and colorful lighting.
#2 Budget
Hosting a backyard event can be an economical solution to a tight budget gathering. Controlling your food costs by preparing the spread yourself will make the burden of hosting 100 people a bit less expensive.
#3 Options
Designing your own event from the ground up (literally!) give you the flexibility to create the day however you want! Weather you want a casual brunch, an easy lunch, a late night crowd or an all day open house a Total Events tent event accommodates it all. There are never any reasons to worry about what window of time your guests will arrive, because you have the opportunity to set your own rules! A Total Events tent is usually set up at least 24 hours in advance to ensure that you have the time you need for your special day.
#4 Design
The first rule of tent events is there are no rules for tent events. No matter what the size or theme, a tent can transform into the venue of your dreams. From a petite 20x20 tent all the way up to a 60 X 140, tents come in all sizes and shapes. If an all white canvas isn't your scene we have a multitude fabric available to drape the interior of your canopy. From the ceiling to the floor, Total Events offers custom options for any need or want.
#5 Flexibility
It doesn't matter if you want to BBQ yourself or have a talented catering company take care of the food; the choice is up to you! Our area is lucky to have some of the very best off premise catering companies available for all types of events. Having a tent event gives you the flexibility to select from dozens of talented vendors to create the perfect combination of Event professionals.
Total Events offers a wide range of products for a variety of different events, from the largest wedding to small festivities. Total Events provides specialty items, décor linens, china and glassware, catering equipment, furniture, tables, chairs, lighting accessories and more. For more information, visit www.totaleventsny.com
Navigating your way through the beginning of planning
Recently, one of my best friends became engaged. She's a successful TV personality who has also managed to be in at least a dozen bridal parties. K does her duties well. She purchases the questionable dress, throws the pre-wedding functions and smiles at the camera through hours of grueling group shots. Now it is her turn to cash in. Being as I owe her one (she was decked out in an Eggplant, Melissa Sweet bridesmaid dress for my big day) she called me to get the ball rolling on her planning.
Being a part of the Event industry for several years, the basics all seemed elementary to me and I forgot how overwhelming this process can be to a novice, such as K. Her first question was "What the heck is a wedding theme?" It occurred to me at that moment what a broad expression that is, and how it may be confusing to some people. It seems that K took this idea of theme very literally, and was left wondering if she had to select from a Wild West or Mardi Gras themed reception (I kid, I kid). For most brides, the theme is more of less the color scheme. If they are basing their design elements around a particular era (Victorian or retro) or feeling (glamorous or country), some people consider this the theme of the event. I advised K to start with the colors she liked for the Event, and we would move forward from there. If we picked up an element that we wanted to repeat during the process (monogram or insignia of some style) that we would incorporate that into the design from start to finish.
Her next question was a very valid one, where do I start? The truth is, there are a million different components to a successful event and looking at the to-do list can be daunting. My first order of business is always to select the venue. The location of the event (and subsequently also the date) will dictate every other decision that you make from the dress to the availability of the other wedding vendors. The location of your reception is the beginning of your design inspiration, and it is important to carefully select a location that lends to your personal style and reception expectations. I always guide people to select a venue that works with their taste, rather than against it. It is far easier to enhance a space that is half way there, then to re-decorate a room that clashes with your colors.
The finale of my advice is more a general motto for all events... go with your gut. This is your wedding; hopefully it will be an Event that is put together in a way that you will remember it always as one of the best days of your life. Take this opportunity to select the things that make you feel special, happy and that represent who you are as a couple. If you have always loved the woods and they are a big part of your life, plan your day at a beautiful location inside the Adirondack Park. If you are a member of the military and want your service uniform to be represented, then have an elegant White glove evening inside a picturesque ballroom. No matter what, take some time to evaluate what is really important to you and make sure it is represented well.
Good luck to K and all of the upcoming Total Events brides on planning the day that describes YOU!
Total Events has all of the specialty décor, custom Event rental options and wedding accents you design the day of your dreams. Visit our website at www.totaleventsny.com for photos and ideas!
Finding the correct service provider for your vendor of choice
After you find the right space to hold your event, the next step is finding the right people to help you design your vision. By reading this article, you have done just that. Total Events has worked in just about every venue in the Capital Region and its surrounding areas. Because of our knowledge of these spaces, our knowledgeable staff can be even more helpful to you!
There are many options available to you in terms of dressing up a space. The top 5 problems and solutions are as follows:
1. I’m having my ceremony in the same space as the reception, how can I make it look different?
A: Drapery! We have a large selection of drapery for you to choose from that will properly punctuate your ceremony space without breaking the bank. Some venues, such as the Hall of Springs in Saratoga require some extra tall drapery to accent the dramatic columns inside the ballroom. We have custom cut drapery to accommodate specific rooms. We also create custom fabric arches, chuppahs and mandup's that are sure to please.
2. My reception is inside a tent and I need to dress it up.
A: Easy! Total Events specializes in both tent swags (fabric drapery panels hung through the inside of a tent) and tent liners (complete tent ceiling coverage option). For venues such as The Sagamore’s Shelving Rock Terrace, we have perfected the art of ceiling swags. We have a variety of options available so that each bride can have a custom look for an incredibly reasonable cost. The best value is that we have done this type of décor for so long that the process has become faster, easier and more affordable then ever before!
3. The chairs at my venue don’t go with my wedding décor, what are my options?
A: The first option is to use a chair cover. Total Events has a variety of chair cover options to suite a variety of reception styles and colors. Our chair covers can be easily installed and removed by our staff or yours and will transform the look of almost any banquet chair. The next option would be to rent another chair that better accents your décor choices. We offer Chiavari chairs in 5 of the most popular finishes along as well as a large variety of folding chairs.
4. How can I make my wedding look different from the others that have been hosted at the same venue?
A: Linens and Lighting make a huge impact inside a room. Changing your linens from a blank White or Ivory to specialty linen will immediately change the look of the room. Adding some texture, color or sheen to a table top works magic. Lighting is the other big impact item. This feature will enhance the architecture in the space, set the mood and create ambiance. For instance, deep red lighting portrays a romantic and dramatic effect while an amber glow conveys subtle warmth and softness. We can create a lighting package for any room!
5. How far do you travel for events?
A: The majority of our weddings are in Saratoga Springs, Lake George and the Albany area. However, we routinely travel to the Hudson Valley, the Cooperstown area and all the way up to Lake Placid for events. We don’t have a predetermined service area, and would be happy to provide a quote for any bride in need of services.
Total Events has all of the specialty décor, custom event rental options and wedding accents you design the day of your dreams. Visit our website at www.totaleventsny.com for photos and ideas!
The economy has been difficult to navigate for all business in the last few years. More than anything, a tough economy has bonded professionals together and encouraged a return to more personal relationships, better customer service and some much needed innovation in products. The trade show circuit combines networking with the introduction of new product innovations, making these events more important than ever.
Some businesses have had to cut their marketing budget and being an exhibitor at trade shows can be an expensive venture. If you find that you are unable to exhibit at a show you have always displayed at, make sure you still attend as a guest. It is still important to be in front of the rest of the industry, even if it is simply from a show goer’s perspective. Use the time to focus on what other business are producing, how they display their services and in what ways you can improve upon your own exhibit. Keep in mind that a lot of new products developed have been developed in 2011 as the economy began its rise back up, and they’ll need to be rolled out at 2012 shows.
No one wants to take time out of an already packed schedule to attend anything optional, but go anyway. The opportunity to speak with colleagues is important and can only help you in the long run. Become acquainted with the ways your competitors are marketing themselves from a different perspective. Having your biggest competition pitch their product to you will give you incredible insight and allow you to understand how to more effectively align yourself in the market.
The biggest draw to go is to take advantage of specials that may be available at a trade show. Many businesses offer promotional rates and convention deals to entice their audience to purchase. Know what products and services you need to acquire before heading to the show and you will certainly walk away with some bargains.
If you have questions about an upcoming trade show or convention, contact the experts at Total Events, the leader is Upstate Expo services! Visit our website at www.conventionexposervices.com.
Total Events receives dozens of inquiries every week for all different types of events. Weddings top the list, with the highest volume of interest. About 50% of brides search out their rentals 6-9 months in advance of their wedding date. 25% book a year or more ahead and 25% wait until just 6 months before their big day to make the call. Here are a few tips and tricks of the trade to assist you with your tent and wedding rentals.
Each year we see stiff competition for certain dates, which increases the need to be aggressive in securing your vendors. Memorial Day weekend, the entire month of June, the 4th of July, all of September and New Year’s Eve are the biggest “sell out” dates we see at Total Events. Events during these times should be booked as far in advance as possible. While we do tend to sell out most weekends in April, May, July, August and October as well, there is more flexibility in ordering. The key is to call early to ensure that you get exactly what you want.
Many clients want to “sleep on it”, which is understandable and in most cases harmless. Indecision about linens, décor items and other particulars should not stop you from booking your event rentals. If you find that you can’t decide on which linens to select or if you want to add ceiling swags or paper lanterns, go ahead and book your event without them and add them back in when you make your decision. Confirming your tent, tables, chairs, dance floor and restroom trailer should take precedence over décor items which can be included upon later. Don’t risk loosing out on the major items because of the smaller details.
Bigger is better when it comes to a tent. If you are between two tent sizes, select the next size up to ensure that you have ample space for your guests in case of inclement weather. A larger tent will ensure that you tables aren’t place directly up against the tent sides, where wind or rain could bother your guests. Some brides envision the tent to be completely open and guests milling around outside the tent, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas. Always plan for the worst, which will make the best case scenario even better should it happen. Ideally, everyone will have a sunny and comfortable wedding day but unfortunately that isn’t always the case.
Other Tips!
-A photo is worth a thousand words. If you have images of décor or layouts that you like, please let us see them!
-Have a budget in mind when booking your rentals. We can guide you into options that best fit your budget and décor expectation if we know what parameters to work within.
-If you are looking to decorate inside of a venue, photos and dimensions of the space are very important.
-Putting a tent up on private property is far easier than on public property such as a local park or venue property. Keep in mind that most public property requires you to set-up and breakdown all rental items on the same day as your event which can be costly.
Total Events has all of the specialty décor, custom event rental options and wedding accents you design the day of your dreams.
Skeptics would say that a convention is about business and not style. These skeptics are wrong. From the moment we step out of bed, the decisions we make are based on what looks good. Clothes, food, cars, houses… we live in a world of coveting what looks desirable. A trade show is no different. Let Total Events style your next convention so that attendees will want to be there.
The main element of a trade show is the exhibitor booths and if they look boring, so does your show. Total Events has the solution for these boring booths. Our extensive collection of fabrics and drapery colors and styles combined with unique linens to replace that dull table skirting will flip the generic trade show floor on its head. Now that we have the bones of your event amped up, we can focus on the details.
Signage is important when promoting a business or product; take the opportunity to make it great. Custom balloons are also a great way to grab attention and spread the word about your business or product. Total Events can create custom signage and promotional balloons for your vendors, adding to the distinctive design of their space.
Making the space inviting for attendees is a major component to keep them on the show floor as long as possible. Create an attendee lounge for guests to rest their weary bones in. Given a few minutes to relax and enjoy a refreshment will rejuvenate your crowd and persuade them to take another lap through the show space to check back in on any exhibits they may have missed the first time around.
Give guests a break from business and let me relax. Total Events can accommodate Casino tables, Carnival games and other entertainment requests for your upcoming event. Adding some amusement will lighten the mood and enhance the friendly vibe of the tradition. Encouraging guests to let their hair down and network more socially takes the pressure off of what can be a dry, tense environment.
If you have questions about an upcoming trade show or convention, contact the experts at Total Events, the leader is Upstate Expo services! Visit our Convention & Expo Services page!
1. Video
A well executed video about your company and services is an excellent way to convey who you are. Vendors often struggle with explaining their services to every attendee walking by, making a video loop is extremely helpful. Clearly directed towards your company’s message, a video will cut staffing needs, provide an impressive visual display and target your key market. You will never miss the opportunity to reach out to a potential client again!
2. Color
There is no reason to blend into the background of a boring convention. Total Events services extend far beyond the standard booth set-up. Our extensive collection of fabrics, draperies and linens are sure to set your space apart. Creating the proper backdrop for your booth will increase traffic, attention and interest to your space. Display your company colors, a fresh new sign and you are miles ahead of the game.
3. QR Codes
Want to bring people directly to your website? Display a custom QR code in your booth! These custom generated matrix barcodes when scanned by a smart phone will instantly bring the user to the programmed website. You can even set-up a website specifically for attendees of the trade show with information on how to contact you, where to obtain additional information and any show promotions you are running. Never before has information been so literally at our fingertips, take advantage!
If you have questions about an upcoming trade show or convention, contact the experts at Total Events, the leader is Upstate Expo services! Visit our website at www.conventionexposervices.com.
2012 Trend Report The elements that will make your event #amazing!
1. Color
Neutral palettes are out and rich, deep tones are what’s happening in the event world! Dark red and berry tones are all over the forecast for 2012. Romantic and elegant these colors can turn edgy and modern with a few twists. We can’t wait to see our wedding tents lit up with these colors bursting with our LED lighting!
2. Accents
More than ever we are seeing brides dazzle us with their knack for accessorizing their space. Charger plates, personalized table linens, custom monogram lighting projected on the walls, ceiling and dance floor. We just love the steps people are taking to bring their wedding up to the next level.
3. Metallic's
There will be a shine on all of our events this year, because our clients love metallic! Gold and Silver are popping up everywhere. Finishing an event design with a touch of shimmer helps to reflect candle light and provide a dimensional glow that is especially romantic. Total Events has all new centerpiece options to help you achieve this look!
4. Family Style Seating
Long, family style seating seems to be the wave of the future. Our Emperor tables have helped our brides achieve this feeling, with the extra width to create space for a stunning centerpieces as well as family style dining options. This type of table also helps with conversation, making guests feel closer to each other without sacrificing a gorgeous tablescape.
5. Ceremony Décor
Never before have we set so many custom Chuppah’s, mandap’s and wedding arches! Brides are really taking their ceremony to the next level, with seating in the round, opulent arches and beautiful drapery.
Total Events has all of the specialty décor, custom event rental options and wedding accents you design the day of your dreams. Visit our website at www.totaleventsny.com for photos and ideas!
