Imagine a world where every stroke of creativity becomes a catalyst for extraordinary success. A world where our ingenuity in designing and producing stunning exhibition stands for clients is embraced wholeheartedly. In this realm of boundless possibilities, our clients reap the rewards of our budget-conscious solutions, witnessing a surge in sales and experiencing unprecedented company growth. And here's the twist: our compensation isn't tied to material costs or on-site labor and expenses, but rather to the impact we have on our client's business.
You might argue that such a dream is reserved for the advertising agencies, who bask in the glory of high fees justified by their measurable track record. But why should our industry be excluded from operating in a similar fashion? It's time to challenge the status quo and revolutionize the way we perceive and value exhibitions.
Let's start by debunking the misconception that exhibitions are somehow inferior on the advertising scale. In reality, they are the true coal face of sales, facilitating direct face-to-face communication with individuals eager to learn and be enlightened about a company. Unlike invasive advertising methods, exhibition attendees willingly choose to engage, making these interactions even more powerful.
One of the stumbling blocks in our industry is the difficulty in measuring return on investment (ROI) within the exhibition space. While it's true that a brilliant television advertising campaign can directly impact consumer brands and be effortlessly evaluated against financial records, I firmly believe that ROI can be measured in exhibitions too. Perhaps it requires a more comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) system, capable of tracking all communications stemming from exhibitions. By doing so, exhibitors can gain invaluable insights into the benefits derived from participating in these events. Though it may be an oversimplification, it underscores the point that ROI measurement is indeed feasible. At NeosCreative, we acknowledge the significance of measuring exhibition effectiveness, utilizing this knowledge to gauge the impact of our creativity and the efficacy of our staff. However, our ability to measure ROI is hindered by the lack of necessary information at our disposal.
Another pressing issue lies in the disconnect between exhibitors and their motivations for participating in these events. How often have we heard exhibitors or their staff express disinterest or apathy towards being present at a show? Despite investing considerable sums in designing and constructing their stands, they fail to promote them, engage with visitors on-site, or follow up after the event concludes. Consequently, their involvement is deemed an unwarranted drain on their budget. Herein lies the crux of the matter: we must strive to answer one fundamental question - Why are you exhibiting? Surprisingly, the majority of times, we are met with silence.
Returning to the analogy of the advertising world, does an advertising company ever question why a client chooses to advertise? The answer is simple: to boost sales of a specific product. While exhibitions may not always be solely about sales, there is always a goal behind them; otherwise, why bother? If there is a goal, it should be measurable. As a creative agency, our charging structure should reflect our ability to meet and ideally surpass that goal, regardless of the material aspects of the design. Our clients should pay for our imaginative solutions and industry expertise, rather than our proficiency in assembling timber or renting furniture. Bridging this gap requires a paradigm shift, where great design solutions, construction of exhibition stands, and client goal measurement align harmoniously.
It's time to realize our dream, to transform the exhibition industry into a realm of boundless creativity, measurable impact, and unbounded growth. By recalibrating our perceptions, embracing ROI measurement, and ensuring exhibitors have a clear understanding of their motivations, we can reshape the landscape and unlock the true potential of exhibitions.