First Year at the Fancy Food Show!

[belovedgoldenmilk]

Hi all!

This will be our first time exhibiting at the Fancy Food Show. We will be in the Startup Pavilion and just wondering if anyone has any advice they are willing to share. Mostly regarding the booth space and what is possible in terms of setting up and designing a booth in that particular area? Any advice or intel would be appreciated!

Thank you!

[Victoria J Ho]

Hello!

Would love to learn more about your brand or product line to share more specific ideas on how to maximize your visual presence; but even without that insight at the moment, there are some effective best practices I've picked up over the past decade that I hope can provide some value.  

Foremost: keep in mind that your booth aesthetic might be what initially draws in a curious guest, but you (and your team) will be what keeps them engaged once they've arrived. Know your numbers backwards and forwards, or keep a cheat sheet handy so that talking logistics doesn't take away from telling your story. Really hone in on how  your product differentiates within the category, and also how it delivers solutions for daily life. This isn't just rattling off a list of product attributes, which are certainly important--but really finding the point of resonance that makes Beloved Cafe worth the shelf space. 

With an authentic an polished pitch ready for action, my advice for booth design is always to keep it simple. Even if your packaging or brand aesthetic utilizes a lot of intricate patterns or detailed illustrations, your booth should be easy to identify from half an aisle away. Some key investments that you'll be able to get use out of for many shows to come:

- A backdrop/banner. Standard tradeshow booths around the world are 10 x 10 feet , with an 8' pipe and drain height. So a quality fabric banner or tension fabric system should be designed at 10' wide by 8' tall. Emphasize your logo, loud and proud. If you have a PMS brand palette, splash it on! If there's a key value proposition or qualified claim that you feel defines your product integrity, like being certified organic, perhaps include that logo prominently. Otherwise, I would keep a backdrop sleek and to-the-point. If you're using any photography, make sure it's exquisitely sharp--blurry, low res images detract from all the effort you've made. In the same vein, too many graphic elements or text can become distracting, and can also be a limiting factor if you decide to change things up later in the year. 

- A table throw or table runner. If you're keeping your standard booth package, which is a cost-effective way to build out structure in your booth, there will be a low table you can place in front of your booth to display your product line, present key collateral or literature, and conduct sampling. Personally, I prefer a more open booth layout that invites people into the space for conversation (on comfy, classy chairs -- not the ubiquitous convention hall chairs), but having a separation between the inside and outside of a booth is still dominant at trade shows. To tie together the branding of your booth, a table throw can complement your backdrop really nicely. Perhaps it's the same color, or perhaps it brings in another core color of your brand palette. I usually recommend that any color you choose be on the darker side, to hide the inevitable spills, pen marks, scuffs and wrinkles of tradeshow life. Since your logo will be shining brightly on the backdrop, your table throw may or may not have printing on it, but it's an opportunity to add more energy and welcoming messaging to your visual footprint without much work or cost.

- Merchandising examples. If your product is currently being sold in any retail outlets, or you have a clear idea of where in a store you see it selling best, SHOW THIS TO BUYERS! Bring shelves (even a nice, classy bookshelf repurposed as a display shelf works great) to show how your product looks as a set. If you're a gifting item, show off the branded packaging you offer, including seasonal exclusives or customization options. If you have single serving products like bagged tea, show how they look in a sectioned tray; or if you have pillow-pack or pouched snacks, put them on a clip strip. Essentially, you want buyers to be able to envision you in their stores, with a presentation that aligns with their own store aesthetic (or boosts it!)

-Sales collateral. A crisp, well designed sell sheet is a must-have at any show. Shows your product and pallet specs, salient purchasing info and product images (everything a buyer needs to know to make a purchase decision, minus the wholesale pricing). Put these, along with any marketing collateral, in a nice, tidy holder. 

- Meeting Space. If you take the time to conduct pre-show outreach to guests, and have an alluring product to share, your booth will always be hopping with interest. To have more meaningful business conversations onsite, set up a small meeting area in your booth so that you can invite people to rest their feet for a while and learn more about why your brand is the next big thing. Bistro height stools and tables work well since people can choose to sit or to stand, and you have a better birdseye view of what is happening in and around your booth at any time. 

- Storage area. We're all human beings. We need jackets, water, snacks, cell phone chargers, etc. But no one else needs to SEE these things. Keep your booth looking sharp, organized and free of clutter. A clean stage really helps your product shine. If you are using a table and table throw, the covered space beneath the table is perfect for hiding samples, creature comforts, and just "stuff"

- The Outfit. You are part of your booth display, and the absolute best ambassador for your brand. So dress the part! It may not mean a branded tee for your particular brand--maybe it's a colorful apron, a three-piece suit, a flannel button down. Whatever it is that you feel represents the spirit of your brand, and that makes you feel confident and happy--wear THAT.

This is hardly comprehensive for a list on booth strategy, but I think it's a solid start for a first time exhibitor looking to maximizes impact at minimal cost. Also attached a little checklist that I share with a lot of my brands who are first-time exhibitors.  

Have fun. Celebrate the milestone. Take good notes. 

Best,

Victoria 

BASICS TM tradeshow CHECKLIST.pdf

[Norm Jelsma]

Greetings, I have done the show for over 30 years with different vendors that I worked for. I would love to share stories with you that worked for us. I looked on the internet to try and find your items and I was unsuccessful. Please leave me your contact at norm@lesleyelizabeth.com and we can make contact. All the best, Norm

[Anna Fong Design]

Hello,

I just want to connect with you to see if you might need graphic or website design service. I have more than 10+ years of experience in web design development, social media marketing, presentation decks, sell sheet design, print, product package design, corporate branding, and e-mail marketing campaigns, and much more. Feel free to check out my web portfolio at: www.annafongdesign.com Please reach out to me if you have any upcoming design projects.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Anna Fong
Senior Graphic & Web Designer
626-628-6175
info@annafongdesign.com

[Amanda DeVries]

On 1/19/2022 at 7:04 PM, Victoria J Ho said:

Hello!

Would love to learn more about your brand or product line to share more specific ideas on how to maximize your visual presence; but even without that insight at the moment, there are some effective best practices I've picked up over the past decade that I hope can provide some value.  

Foremost: keep in mind that your booth aesthetic might be what initially draws in a curious guest, but you (and your team) will be what keeps them engaged once they've arrived. Know your numbers backwards and forwards, or keep a cheat sheet handy so that talking logistics doesn't take away from telling your story. Really hone in on how  your product differentiates within the category, and also how it delivers solutions for daily life. This isn't just rattling off a list of product attributes, which are certainly important--but really finding the point of resonance that makes Beloved Cafe worth the shelf space. 

With an authentic an polished pitch ready for action, my advice for booth design is always to keep it simple. Even if your packaging or brand aesthetic utilizes a lot of intricate patterns or detailed illustrations, your booth should be easy to identify from half an aisle away. Some key investments that you'll be able to get use out of for many shows to come:

- A backdrop/banner. Standard tradeshow booths around the world are 10 x 10 feet , with an 8' pipe and drain height. So a quality fabric banner or tension fabric system should be designed at 10' wide by 8' tall. Emphasize your logo, loud and proud. If you have a PMS brand palette, splash it on! If there's a key value proposition or qualified claim that you feel defines your product integrity, like being certified organic, perhaps include that logo prominently. Otherwise, I would keep a backdrop sleek and to-the-point. If you're using any photography, make sure it's exquisitely sharp--blurry, low res images detract from all the effort you've made. In the same vein, too many graphic elements or text can become distracting, and can also be a limiting factor if you decide to change things up later in the year. 

- A table throw or table runner. If you're keeping your standard booth package, which is a cost-effective way to build out structure in your booth, there will be a low table you can place in front of your booth to display your product line, present key collateral or literature, and conduct sampling. Personally, I prefer a more open booth layout that invites people into the space for conversation (on comfy, classy chairs -- not the ubiquitous convention hall chairs), but having a separation between the inside and outside of a booth is still dominant at trade shows. To tie together the branding of your booth, a table throw can complement your backdrop really nicely. Perhaps it's the same color, or perhaps it brings in another core color of your brand palette. I usually recommend that any color you choose be on the darker side, to hide the inevitable spills, pen marks, scuffs and wrinkles of tradeshow life. Since your logo will be shining brightly on the backdrop, your table throw may or may not have printing on it, but it's an opportunity to add more energy and welcoming messaging to your visual footprint without much work or cost.

- Merchandising examples. If your product is currently being sold in any retail outlets, or you have a clear idea of where in a store you see it selling best, SHOW THIS TO BUYERS! Bring shelves (even a nice, classy bookshelf repurposed as a display shelf works great) to show how your product looks as a set. If you're a gifting item, show off the branded packaging you offer, including seasonal exclusives or customization options. If you have single serving products like bagged tea, show how they look in a sectioned tray; or if you have pillow-pack or pouched snacks, put them on a clip strip. Essentially, you want buyers to be able to envision you in their stores, with a presentation that aligns with their own store aesthetic (or boosts it!)

-Sales collateral. A crisp, well designed sell sheet is a must-have at any show. Shows your product and pallet specs, salient purchasing info and product images (everything a buyer needs to know to make a purchase decision, minus the wholesale pricing). Put these, along with any marketing collateral, in a nice, tidy holder. 

- Meeting Space. If you take the time to conduct pre-show outreach to guests, and have an alluring product to share, your booth will always be hopping with interest. To have more meaningful business conversations onsite, set up a small meeting area in your booth so that you can invite people to rest their feet for a while and learn more about why your brand is the next big thing. Bistro height stools and tables work well since people can choose to sit or to stand, and you have a better birdseye view of what is happening in and around your booth at any time. 

- Storage area. We're all human beings. We need jackets, water, snacks, cell phone chargers, etc. But no one else needs to SEE these things. Keep your booth looking sharp, organized and free of clutter. A clean stage really helps your product shine. If you are using a table and table throw, the covered space beneath the table is perfect for hiding samples, creature comforts, and just "stuff"

- The Outfit. You are part of your booth display, and the absolute best ambassador for your brand. So dress the part! It may not mean a branded tee for your particular brand--maybe it's a colorful apron, a three-piece suit, a flannel button down. Whatever it is that you feel represents the spirit of your brand, and that makes you feel confident and happy--wear THAT.

This is hardly comprehensive for a list on booth strategy, but I think it's a solid start for a first time exhibitor looking to maximizes impact at minimal cost. Also attached a little checklist that I share with a lot of my brands who are first-time exhibitors.  

Have fun. Celebrate the milestone. Take good notes. 

Best,

Victoria 

BASICS TM tradeshow CHECKLIST.pdf 2.64 MB · 4 downloads

Wow, was just looking into this information for a client and came across your post. So in-depth and knowledgeable! Thanks for sharing Victoria! 

[Victoria J Ho]

Thanks @Amanda DeVries So glad this was useful--you pick up a thing or two after learning the hard way what NOT to do haha. If I can help any emerging brand avoid those things and shine brighter from the start, I'm here for it!! Feel free to shoot me an email anytime and we can connect !

Victoria

 

[Amanda DeVries]

Thank you Victoria, I will!

[Sarabjit Sawhney]

On 1/19/2022 at 7:04 PM, Victoria J Ho said:

Hello!

Would love to learn more about your brand or product line to share more specific ideas on how to maximize your visual presence; but even without that insight at the moment, there are some effective best practices I've picked up over the past decade that I hope can provide some value.  

Foremost: keep in mind that your booth aesthetic might be what initially draws in a curious guest, but you (and your team) will be what keeps them engaged once they've arrived. Know your numbers backwards and forwards, or keep a cheat sheet handy so that talking logistics doesn't take away from telling your story. Really hone in on how  your product differentiates within the category, and also how it delivers solutions for daily life. This isn't just rattling off a list of product attributes, which are certainly important--but really finding the point of resonance that makes Beloved Cafe worth the shelf space. 

With an authentic an polished pitch ready for action, my advice for booth design is always to keep it simple. Even if your packaging or brand aesthetic utilizes a lot of intricate patterns or detailed illustrations, your booth should be easy to identify from half an aisle away. Some key investments that you'll be able to get use out of for many shows to come:

- A backdrop/banner. Standard tradeshow booths around the world are 10 x 10 feet , with an 8' pipe and drain height. So a quality fabric banner or tension fabric system should be designed at 10' wide by 8' tall. Emphasize your logo, loud and proud. If you have a PMS brand palette, splash it on! If there's a key value proposition or qualified claim that you feel defines your product integrity, like being certified organic, perhaps include that logo prominently. Otherwise, I would keep a backdrop sleek and to-the-point. If you're using any photography, make sure it's exquisitely sharp--blurry, low res images detract from all the effort you've made. In the same vein, too many graphic elements or text can become distracting, and can also be a limiting factor if you decide to change things up later in the year. 

- A table throw or table runner. If you're keeping your standard booth package, which is a cost-effective way to build out structure in your booth, there will be a low table you can place in front of your booth to display your product line, present key collateral or literature, and conduct sampling. Personally, I prefer a more open booth layout that invites people into the space for conversation (on comfy, classy chairs -- not the ubiquitous convention hall chairs), but having a separation between the inside and outside of a booth is still dominant at trade shows. To tie together the branding of your booth, a table throw can complement your backdrop really nicely. Perhaps it's the same color, or perhaps it brings in another core color of your brand palette. I usually recommend that any color you choose be on the darker side, to hide the inevitable spills, pen marks, scuffs and wrinkles of tradeshow life. Since your logo will be shining brightly on the backdrop, your table throw may or may not have printing on it, but it's an opportunity to add more energy and welcoming messaging to your visual footprint without much work or cost.

- Merchandising examples. If your product is currently being sold in any retail outlets, or you have a clear idea of where in a store you see it selling best, SHOW THIS TO BUYERS! Bring shelves (even a nice, classy bookshelf repurposed as a display shelf works great) to show how your product looks as a set. If you're a gifting item, show off the branded packaging you offer, including seasonal exclusives or customization options. If you have single serving products like bagged tea, show how they look in a sectioned tray; or if you have pillow-pack or pouched snacks, put them on a clip strip. Essentially, you want buyers to be able to envision you in their stores, with a presentation that aligns with their own store aesthetic (or boosts it!)

-Sales collateral. A crisp, well designed sell sheet is a must-have at any show. Shows your product and pallet specs, salient purchasing info and product images (everything a buyer needs to know to make a purchase decision, minus the wholesale pricing). Put these, along with any marketing collateral, in a nice, tidy holder. 

- Meeting Space. If you take the time to conduct pre-show outreach to guests, and have an alluring product to share, your booth will always be hopping with interest. To have more meaningful business conversations onsite, set up a small meeting area in your booth so that you can invite people to rest their feet for a while and learn more about why your brand is the next big thing. Bistro height stools and tables work well since people can choose to sit or to stand, and you have a better birdseye view of what is happening in and around your booth at any time. 

- Storage area. We're all human beings. We need jackets, water, snacks, cell phone chargers, etc. But no one else needs to SEE these things. Keep your booth looking sharp, organized and free of clutter. A clean stage really helps your product shine. If you are using a table and table throw, the covered space beneath the table is perfect for hiding samples, creature comforts, and just "stuff"

- The Outfit. You are part of your booth display, and the absolute best ambassador for your brand. So dress the part! It may not mean a branded tee for your particular brand--maybe it's a colorful apron, a three-piece suit, a flannel button down. Whatever it is that you feel represents the spirit of your brand, and that makes you feel confident and happy--wear THAT.

This is hardly comprehensive for a list on booth strategy, but I think it's a solid start for a first time exhibitor looking to maximizes impact at minimal cost. Also attached a little checklist that I share with a lot of my brands who are first-time exhibitors.  

Have fun. Celebrate the milestone. Take good notes. 

Best,

Victoria 

BASICS TM tradeshow CHECKLIST.pdf 2.64 MB · 6 downloads

Victoria, Thank you for these details, will definitely make it comfortable for first timers.

[taytumemberlynn]

Congratulations on exhibiting at the Fancy Food Show! Here are some tips for setting up and designing your booth in the Startup Pavilion:

1. Keep it simple: Since this is your first time exhibiting, it's important to keep your booth design simple and focused. Choose one or two key elements to highlight your brand and product, such as a prominent logo or a striking product display.

2. Maximize your space: The Startup Pavilion typically offers a smaller booth space, so make sure to make the most of it. Consider using vertical space by hanging signage or shelving on the walls to showcase your product.

3. Make it interactive: Create an engaging experience for visitors by incorporating interactive elements into your booth. For example, you could offer product tastings or demos, or use digital displays to showcase your product or brand story.

4. Be approachable: Make sure your booth is staffed with friendly and knowledgeable representatives who can answer questions and engage with visitors. Consider wearing branded clothing or accessories to help visitors easily identify your team.

5. Plan ahead: Be sure to plan ahead and make a detailed checklist of everything you'll need for your booth, such as marketing materials, samples, and display items. Don't forget to also think about logistics such as shipping and setup, as well as any necessary permits or certifications.

Overall, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the experience of exhibiting at the Fancy Food Show. Good luck!