Tradeshowdirect Blog

Tradeshowdirect does more than just print graphics and build large displays. In some capacity, Tradeshowdirect has always been involved in amateur cycling, whether it’s working with race promotors or donating materials to local grassroots level racing. Ken Bell, Tradeshowdirect’s owner, has been an avid cyclist since he was 16 years old. Two of Tradeshowdirect’s employees are elite level cyclists who travel the nation when they are not working. Employees were also given bikes and are encouraged to ride to work for both the “green” and health benefits associated.

With a strong emotional satisfaction from involvement in cycling, Tradeshowdirect has been helping a brand new grass roots cycling project get off the ground: The High School Bicycle League. All over the country, cycling popularity is growing and the school systems are taking note of the sport’s unique qualities, health benefits, and alternative activities for children. Tradeshowdirect has been supporting local racing by providing uniforms to the children, donating banners, graphics, number plates, course markers, time, and creating venues.

Though in its infancy, interest in the sport at the high school level is growing and the response has been more than positive. Tradeshowdirect will continue to support grassroots racing and hopes to encourage everyone to partake in healthy living through cycling.

As 2010 winds to a close and the holidays keep us all from working too hard, we thought we would take a moment to say “thank you” to our business partners. After the economic whirlwind of 2009, it appears we have all indeed pressed on and made it through the worst. Thank you for doing your part to help. Whether it be turning up the heat on your marketing projects, cutting costs where you could afford to, or just turning your computer monitor off at the end of the day – thank you. You’ve proven that together, we can make a difference.

Let’s not forget we all have more to do. There is still a climb ahead of us. At Tradeshowdirect, we are doing what we can to help. In the shipping department, we’ve switched to a third party freight service that finds the quickest and cheapest routes, and forward the savings directly to you with no markup. In the printing department, we’ve switched to a latex-ink printer that is safer for the environment than using oil-based inks. We’ve also made efforts to eliminate waste by queuing our printing by size whenever possible. In the warehouse, we’ve purchased more pallet racks to create more room for storing your booths, and better organized our inventory for faster and easier processing. In the sales department, we’ve lowered our prices dramatically, offered deep discounts and numerous specials. We’ve increased our inventory to include nearly 80% eco-friendly trade show products. On the web, we’ve added articles, blogs, and more specific product information to help you find exactly what you need at a price you are comfortable with.

We cannot thank you enough for your continued business and support, and wish you all the best for a warm holiday season, and a very happy and successful new year!

A recent photograph of Tradeshowdirect Headquarters

Nothing beats summer here in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. As the warmer months have finally arrived and the hustle and bustle of the spring trade show season is winding down, Tradeshowdirect reminds you to take the time to enjoy the outside world this summer. Outdoor trade shows are always a hit, especially when the weather is just right.

Unless you’re bent on getting a tan, you’ll want to set up your booth under one of our Event Tents, featuring a custom printed canopy. Setup couldn’t get easier, you won’t even break a sweat in the summer heat. Extend the legs, pop open the tent, shove a few stakes in the ground, and relax.

Event tents are perfect for all kinds of outdoor events: parties, festivals, carnivals, old-town markets, farmer’s markets, and outdoor trade shows of course!

Speak with a representative today to find out how an Event Tent from Tradeshowdirect can work for your next outdoor event.

The ultimate trade show for trade shows, Exhibitor welcomes all kinds of trade show display and exhibit companies. We rarely exhibit at the show, but attend nearly every year. It’s important for companies like us to stay on top of the newest and most innovative display products available, and there’s no better place to see them all in one place.

This year, Tradeshowdirect’s owner (Ken Bell) will visit Exhibitor for two days, looking for products that offer a lot of features with fair price tags. The market is becoming more and more competitive, especially with companies shipping direct from China. Our long term goal is to continue to remain competitive with our US made products, even in a market that’s moving toward a trend of Chinese manufacturing. Hopefully Exhibitor 2010 can give us insight into better ways to do just that, and pass the savings on to you.

Exhibitor 2010 takes place in the Mandalay Bay exhibit hall in Las Vegas, from March 15-17.

For years Tradeshowdirect has referred to its graphic production as “Colorwave Prints.” In an effort to make our sign shop capabilities to the local market more available, we’ve rolled out Colorwave Signs & Graphics at www.colorwave.com.

We welcome local businesses in Harrisonburg, VA and nearby areas.