Why don't dealers have stands or banners at shows?
Zoins
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It struck me when seeing a recent photo of a coin show, that coin shows look nothing like any other show I attend. All the tables look almost the same from a far. I've been to a lot of non-coin trade shows from small to large and one thing that is common is that companies have booths or stands to help them stand out.
Why is that and would having something help? I was thinking it might help for coin photography, showcasing coin focus (e.g. types, colonial vs. classic vs. modern, US vs world), book signing, etc.
At sci-fi events, authors generally have large posters up with their photo and name. They do things like sell autographed photos and photo/book signings.
At corporate events, companies have everything from small vertical stands to full-on booths. A small banner stand can start with the following:
Comments
I have often thought the same thing.
I attended many million square foot trade shows in Vegas and Chicago. Electronics, house wares and hardware. Places had multi storied displays, celebrities and models. Walked by Brooke Shields one lucky day.
At any rate, most of the merchandise was crap. They needed the smoke and mirrors to grab the attention of attendees. With coins, the merchandise talks. Simple is best.
I’m sure some people have a few go to dealers they seeks out but how do you find new dealers you may want to spend time with in all of that? There are a lot of dealers there!
I can just see it now...dealers start to put overhead banners or behind the table displays up en masse and we start to have threads with folks complaining that they don't need their views obstructed since bourse floors are small enough to navigate with the printed dealer maps that are provided at the door and other threads complaining that they think they might not get quite the discount on coins that they used to and they wonder if its because of the added expense of banner production and replacement.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Collectors are wired into values through auction prices realized and other sources. As a result the market simply doesn't tolerate the overhead to mount fancy displays. If you look at any other trade show, it's unlikely you have an equivalent knowledge of vendors' acquisition costs.
We have mustard-stained Hawaiian shirts. Isn't that enough?!?
What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
I was thinking it would be great, for example to go by and see a banner with great colonial coins for CRO, or gold for DWN, with additional items like coin photography, book signing, etc.
This way just by walking around, you can learn which dealers have things that match your interest without having to have take time out for a discussion or examine a case.
Maybe I'm thinking too high end, but I was thinking of something like a Versace jacket with a photo of the dealer's most famous coin on the back. Of course, it would suck to get mustard on that
Some them have banners that they hang up in back of their booths. For a lot of dealers, it's one more thing to pack, perhaps on a plane flight, and not really worth the bother or expense.
That's certainly a consideration. To be useful, it would have to provide value in generating more sales. The thought is that it could get more relevant people to the booth, whether they already know about the dealer or are new to the dealer. Ideally, it would also drive people to follow the dealer's website or eBay store long after the show.
Because they're cheap.
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I think that is a great thought
I have no answer
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Those custom printed banners aren't cheap. Even vinyl cut-letter banners aren't cheap.
There used to be a Texas coin dealer who had a large yellow vinyl banner which hung behind his booth at coin shows. The banner made his booth very easy to find. The banner touted his willingness to buy - and he did make offers, at about 20% of the prices that every other dealer on the floor was willing to offer. This fellow covered a large territory for many years.
Some shows limit what banners can be used as the block the line of sight view for the security teams.
Yup..blue moon coins
My briefcase was never that loaded!
I'm going to get one of those banners that is like a roll up window shade.
At the top in BIG BRIGHT letters will be L@@K!
I'll figure the rest of the banner out later.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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In not cost it’s that traveling dealers just don’t have the room to make one more item
I noticed the same thing looking at the M.O.O.N. show post.
Nothing like N.W. shows.
Maybe it's the show organizers but most all dealers, in and out of towners, have signage of one type or another.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
It's in the dealer contract that you cannot have banners bigger than xxx behind your booth. So since it's a hassle to have a banner that would "fit" all of the different shows parameters, it's easier to not have one. That's why most dealers that want signs use a table runner instead.
Ya, to me it would block and obstruct your view as well as security cams
Steve
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I start with the dealers that have food...
A coin show is more closely related to a flea market or jumbles than a professional organization trade show. The first focus on selling stuff; the latter on marketing products. I often feel few in the numismatic business understand the difference.
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I look for the candy bowls.
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Well, I did mention sci-fi shows too and those have a focus on selling things as well. From a security perspective, there's no need to see the entire floor because booths have backdrops.
Maybe reference the coin show program?
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I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
More cleavage and I would be like a moth................
I think this might be a natural for some dealers (after adding a zero or three):
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Show security is the principal reason. Lots of dealers ask for a wall so they can have a display.
Banners are size restricted along with large objects for security reasons. Security providers want an unobstructed line of sight for observation.
Buy the coin, not the banner!!
I look down at the coins on the tables in the displays. I would look up if a bird s##t on my head. Peace Roy
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C'mon guys I'm a sign guy and I need to eat too. Buy some signs and banners
Martin
Many dealers do have signs... Charmy, The Penny Lady does, as do others. Coin shows, however, are not trade shows....Companies have a large budget for advertising and show booths... I attended trade shows for years, and my company spent a bundle on booths. Cheers, RickO
forget the banners, bring out the NEON
Banners, neon? Pfft! Pole dancers.
Reeded Edge has a banner that stands out. I always look for it at shows.
The first time I went to a trade show the booth babes and flashy advertising were plenty interesting. After that, it’s just something that’s in the way of actual business. Simple seems to be best. Something along the lines of Charmy’s sign is about right.
Shows have rules against banner / sign size etc.