originally published at Trade Show Buzz

PopUp Displays are currently most common form of low priced trade show and event display. A popup normally has only two main components, with two or three other popup display accessories. The most substantial part of a popup display is folding frame which is normally made of either fibreglass or alumnimum tubes. The frame serves as a skeleton that you cover with display panels — either velcro-ready fabric panels, or graphic panels made of a material like Duralex which are lexan panels that have already been printed, normally using an high resolution large format printing process.

Before frame is made to "popup" it comes folded down to a unit approximately 8" square by 30" wide. When it is unfolded, frame "pops up" to a skeleton approximately 8' (or 10') wide by (usually) about 8' high. This frame normally weighs about 15 lbs. and is stable enough to just sit on floor without any anchoring or external support. For exact specifications and measurements, see our popup design specifications pages.

The panels (either fabric panels or graphic panels) are normally about 30" wide by 8' high. There are usually either 4 or 8 panels required to cover frame, with extra "end cap" panels made of same material to wrap around ends of frame. These panels are flexible enough to be rolled up so they fit in lightweight carrying case. They are normally adhered to frame by means of magentic strips applied to their back surface. These are attracted to magnetized bars that are part of skeleton frame. Once panels are applied to frame it gains even greater stability.

This article was originally published at Trade Show Tips.

The most tried and true method of gathering leads at your trade show or special event is business-card-in-the-fish-bowl method. Place a container such as a box or "fish bowl" somewhere near entrance or exit point of your trade show display area. Clearly mark it "Add your Business Card for More Information on our Products", or something like that, and you're in business.

All most commonly used lead generating systems are variations of business-card-in-the-fish-bowl method. Your specific "system of choice" for generating trade show leads will depend on these two factors:

1. How do you filter out "garbage leads"?

2. How do you encourage your "most wanted leads" — people most likely to buy your product — to register?

"Garbage Leads"

So-called "garbage leads" are always a concern in any lead generating effort. You don't want to waste time and money contacting people who have no real interest in your product/service.

The negative value of garbage leads will depend on your follow up strategy. If you plan to enter each contact name in a database and then pursue a systematic follow up strategy that includes telephone, email, and snail mail, then cost of garbage leads gets magnified. On other hand, if your plan doesn't go beyond a one-step follow up (email, snail mail, or phone call), then negative value of garbage leads is not a major concern.

The easiest way to filter garbage leads is to ask people to fill out a simple "Yes I am interested" form. So instead of them throwing a business card in your fish bowl, you're asking them to stop, fill out a form, and place it in a kind of "registration box". You can make your form as brief or as complicated as you like. Obviously briefest form will get highest response.

Just act of having to write something down will be a deterrent to many show surfers. If it seems like it would be too negative (resulting in you filtering out leads you really want), then you could simplify system by attaching a stapler to a chain(!) and asking interested people to just staple a copy of their business card to registration form. This has several important advantages:

1. You get contact information you want. 2. You filter out those with absolutely no interest. 3. You catch maximum number of prospects by reducing hassle of registering. 4. You get people without business cards