Show Table Displays

D

Drop point

Joined
Jan 11, 1999
Messages
73
Let's hear some opinions on how to set up a table for a show. Do you think that the display should draw attention, or should you just let your knives do the drawing?
I have been at shows that gave awards for best display, and have even won this category once, but couldn't say that is has or hasn't helped my sales. But as a relatively new maker you gotta get people to your table before you can sell them a knife.
What's your views on this?
Mike C



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mconner@luminatorusa.com
Killing the dog wont cure the bite.

 
What I don't like is people who have great artistic abilities in making knives yet their displays look like they just throw the knives on the table. Some thought should always go into your display and when you get it right the reponses can be overwhelming. Just make sure you stick to the same theme for each show you do. This way people will remember what to look for to find you quickly.

I saw a table at a show which used some really intesting peices of drift wood. He carved out shome slots and put the knives in them.

Camillus used some deer racks and did the same idea.

Things that move draw attention to. A simple battery operated turntable can get some good attention.

Also a HUGE wooden knife gets attention too.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com




 
I agree with Mike. A display should be distinctive yet not distract from your knives. Also I would recommend against placing your knives in a stand that makes it difficult for the customer to return the knife to it's original position. Also place your business cards forward.

I think a good rule of thumb is to always have your blades away or horizontal to the viewers.

Larry

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KnifeArt.com
BladeForums.com Sponsor

[This message has been edited by KnifeArt (edited 03 May 1999).]
 
I tend, myself, to be drawn to tables where the knives are up, off the table, not just laying there flat. This way, you can see them from at least a few paces away, and if there's someone standing in front of you, you can still see. I also think it makes the knives look more three-dimensional, more real, more substantial, more interresting.

You can make simple wooden stands that'll hold them very nicely.

Keep in mind also that how you treat your knives says a lot about what you think about them and their worth. If you just toss them on the table like common junk, then I'm going to think of them as common junk too. But, if you put down a padded table cloth and carefully arrange the knives, maybe have nice type-written cards that tell the basics about each one, etc., if you take an interrest and a pride in your knives and if you treat them carefully like valuables, then I'm going to be more likely to think of them as valuable and interresting too.

Any good chief will tell you that difference between a burger and fries and a pan-seared medalion of ground round steak on a french-style roll with hand-torn lettuce and a slice of fresh tomatto serviced with julian-cut russet potatos is the sprig of parsley on the plate.

I don't think most astute knife buyers will be swayed by frilly window dressing. I certainly wouldn't go overboard. Ultimately, it does come down to me and the knife in my hand. Ultimately, the knife has to sell itself, but a classy presentation is always a good start.

Chuck
 
Some comments from someone who has displayed, viewed, and judged at knife shows . . .

TABLE COVERINGS
- Avoid colourful, or patterned table coverings, they distract the eye from your knives.
- Darker, even, colours work well (i.e. navy blue, deep green, even black). Red can be harsh. Browns can be boring. White & cream are difficult to keep clean.
- Use a heavy, good quality covering such as matt velvet. It will be easier to keep clean, will last longer, and provides a classy look.
- Make sure it is big enough! (normally 10ft x 8ft minimum) Nothing worse than a weeny cloth!

ELEVATION
- Always worth trying to raise some of your knives above table height.
- Try to create multiple levels (tiers, or steps).
- Elevation can be created using boxes (refer below), wooden/metal frames, cushions.
- Don't ever peg your knives into a wooden log or block. Sure as nuts the points will get snapped off in no time!

HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
- Some shows have height restrictions on table displays (I think the Guild is one) to prevent folks from going "over the top" and setting up a bazaar!
- Check on this before the show.
- One must be respectful of your table neighbour's displays.

PORTABILITY
- Having sets of moose antlers, billboards, etc is one thing . . getting them to the show is another . . particularly if you're flying in.
- Try getting your elevation using folding cardboard boxes (they can be carried flat), or polystyrene boxes. Set them out on the table and then place your table covering over the top.
- Metal or wood frameworks can work well as they are firm and solid, and can be dismantled and packed away easily.

NEATNESS
- Always keep the table neat and tidy. Show visitors do horrible things to tables and often leave knives lying all over the place (bad manners in my opinion). Straighten them out immediately.
- Take along a small handbrush to keep the table surface clean.

GROUPING KNIVES
- Try and group "like" knives together (depending on what you make), i.e. folders on one side, hunters on the other, or tacticals and pocket, etc.
- It's easier for the buyer to locate what they are interested in.

BROCHURE of previous work
- It's a good idea to have photo's of previous work (which may not be on view in knife form).
- Build up a durable laminated "portfolio" which clients can browse through.

On a specialised point . . . some of you folks might exhibit overseas. Consider taking a couple of table display items which are distinctive of your country. Here in South Africa we often take over things such as small African game sculptures (rhino, hippo, buffalo, etc). One couple even took a protea flower (our national flower, approx. 18" across) over to NYC. There items never usually make it back home as there is always someone wanting to buy them. In the USA you could consider small totem poles, dream catchers, or ethnic masks. Australians those wide brimmed hats with the hanging corks! French some good bottles of wine and a sommeliers knife. They all serve to attract attention, and can cover some of the bills as well.

Promotional material is yet another topic worthy of greater discussion on its own thread, but a couple of ideas anyway . . .
- Business cards are essential,
- Leaflets can often be even better,
- Calenders are really good (with your name, address and some knife pics),
- T-shirts & peak caps are great for the buyers.

Enough from me . . .
Regards, HILTON

 
Oh, one more suggestion. Again, it ultimately comes down to me and the knife. The knife has to sell itself. But, if you're trying to sell me something that costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars, you might shave, put on a clean shirt, and loose the seed cap. There's no need to go overboard here. Over dressed would look very pretentious at most knife shows. But, if you look a little professional, I'm more likely to think of you that way.

Chuck
 
I think it's important to avoid clutter. Personally, I rather like the stark simplicity of a clean, dark cloth table cover and a simple, neat row of carefully placed knives. The knives reflect the overhead lights and seem to glow. Brings to mind the Japanese ascetic style wherein a room is starkly finished in white rice paper and bare wood, the only color or decorative offering being a single sprig of cherry blossom which lights up the whole room. Less is more.
 
Chuck has a point about personal appearance.

There is no sense in setting up a knockout display and not dressing the part. I have recently taken to wearing a full suit to shows after noticing that name makers usually wear suits or sport jackets and seem to get a good response from the public.

One word of warning, if you are not accustomed to wearing dress shoes all day invest in a pair of black running shoes, they can be lifesavers.

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george
 
As long as we're on the subject, how about just one more little suggestion: Stand up.
I know that it's a bear to stand at a trade show all day. I've done it myself. Good shoes help some, but you're feet are still gonna be sore by the end of the day. That's just an occupational hazard.

You see, it's socially ackward for me to talk to you when I'm standing up and you're sitting down. I like to look a man straight in the eye and I certainly don't like to talk down to him. If you're older or have some other disability, I understand that and will probably kneel down a bit so we can talk. But if you're able bodied, then it's polite of you to stand up.

Chuck
 
Thanks for all of the input, I have a show next month and I will apply some of these ideas and see what happens.
As for standing at my table, I have bad knees and I use one of the tall Directors chairs with my logo on the back cloth panel to sit on so that I am still at eye level with anyone that I talk to. But I immediately stand anyway when anyone starts to approach my table. I usually spend about 90% of the show day standing.
The three year theory seems to be in effect also. My first year at the shows, people just glanced when strolling by, which is a very big emotional let down after you have poured your heart and soul into your knives and nobody even takes the time to look at them.
So far this year, people are stopping to look, asking questions to check my knowledge of knife making and buying a few knives.
When I first started considering attending the shows, someone told me that "it might take several years to become an overnight success" and I believe they were right.
Thanks for all the input. I'll keep trying.
Mike C.

[This message has been edited by Drop point (edited 07 May 1999).]
 
A friend & I were talking to Al Polkowski at the ECCKS recently when we heard that a knife had been stolen from another table. With all of the hustle & bustle, I imagine it can sometimes be hard for exhibitors to keep track of everything. Al's tip was to place small colorful stickers on the cloth under each knife. In this way, if you see a sticker, you know a piece is being handled.

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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

 
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