Our CES Takeaways

We sent our team to CES – the Consumer Electronics Show – and we want to share with you what we believe are the top trends that trade show leaders need to keep in mind for 2018.

Draw a Crowd & Close a Deal

No longer can companies ignore innovation and technology customer engagement as a component of their trade show program – it is now vital to success. Companies are doubling down on this element of the exhibit and it’s becoming the number one way to draw a crowd and close a deal.

TVs are Still In

No one would have guessed that TVs would still be a hot item. At CES, TVs were everywhere and huge brands like LG and Sony made them center stage. Different types of TV displays were found throughout the show floor and brands were using them to communicate a message with high impact right on the show floor. TVs are ever-versatile and can be extremely useful within exhibits whether they are the walls, ceilings, tables, etc. there are endless ways to use TVs.

VR & AR at the Top

Both are growing at a rapid rate and companies are finding new ways to utilize this technology to be specific to their brand. No matter the industry, there’s a way to implement this experience into any exhibit. To have flawless execution, it’s imperative to have a partner who can help implement the technology with experience.

Sustainable Growth

Millennials have demanded more sustainability as consumers and this demand is becoming increasingly popular amongst other generations. Sustainability is increasing, and the trade show industry is learning that it needs to catch onto the wave to connect with its consumers. Now, more than ever, companies need to begin to transform their trade show exhibits to ones that are earth-friendly. Simple ways to start this evolution might include custom rental exhibits, resourcefully made exhibit architecture and more.

Education & Knowledge

It’s important to be educated within the realm of innovation. We see countless people swamped with huge workloads in their work life and little time to read up on trends. So, if this is you, we recommend having quarterly innovation conversations with your trade show partner to inquire and learn what’s new in the industry so that you can always stay ahead of the curve.

We love having these conversations with our clients – schedule time with us. We’d love to chat and tell you how we can help you to become more innovative and close more deals.

Trending: Modernization

Trends are always changing, and one that we’re seeing become more prevalent is modernization and a refreshment on the show floor.

As we gauge the industry through the thousands of trade shows we attend each year, we see an uptick in interest to lean on the modern, European design and esthetic while at the same time changing the way brands engage on the show floor.

Here are a few elements we see across the industry.

Fabrics for architecture

The tension that fabrics allow when used for walls and ceilings produces a lightweight look, yet offers a great way to create unique shapes and dimensions for an exhibit. Fabrics offer the clean lines and simplicity that many exhibitors are looking to portray through their on-site execution. This clean approach isn’t just for the trade show industry, but home designs, clothing, architecture, and more. It’s a trend that goes across industries.

LEDs for architecture

Speaking of architecture, another way that exhibits are transforming their space to be more modern is through large, high-resolution format LED screens. These digital constructs are being used as walls and dividers to allow for endless multimedia solutions on the show floor while still adhering to the modern approach of clean lines. LEDs have become a staple for most exhibits because of the endless customizations available.

Simple messaging

Trade show attendees are bombarded with content, content and more content. Exhibitors are standing out by providing a refreshing experience with a visibly singular message. Brands are driving home fewer messages, less content and less stuff. This allows for their focused message to be dominating and memorable so that their potential customers remember the exhibitor’s focused delivery and their unique selling proposition.

Mandatory technology

As we progress in society, we progress with technology. Technology on the trade show floor is no longer an option – it’s a requirement. Brands are finding more modern uses for exhibit guests to engage with technology in a futuristic way. We have an entirely separate blog post that talks about gesture technology, projection mapping and other ways that technology is part of the modernization of the trade show exhibit.

In 2017, we had countless clients revamp their trade show presence to reveal a new, commanding presence on the show floor. If 2018 is your company’s year to modernize, we’d love to help! Send Don on our team an email at dgonse@nparallel.com to see how we can support.