Unless you’ve spent the last 25 years trapped under a loading dock pallet, you know that trade shows today are far different than they were in 1988. Remember the printed trade show guide? It was cumbersome and usually outdated before the show opened. What about networking? The best bet for connecting with a prospect was attending a cocktail party. And let’s not forget pre-event planning. We spent a fortune on elaborate invitations, mailing labels and postage to invite clients and prospects to our booth, only to cross our fingers that people would show up. And, ROI? In 1988, it was measured by how many business cards were deposited in the fishbowl.
Now celebrating our 25th anniversary, Apple Rock recognized many years ago that technology would change the trade show industry, and we invested our energy and resources into developing high-tech products that would help our clients leverage their trade show budgets. That kind of innovative thinking has kept us ahead of the curve.
In 2013, trade show communication is delivered electronically and in real time. Mobile apps allow trade show organizers to update attendee lists, booth locations and session information as changes occur. Many apps allow attendees to sort exhibitor listings by product category and locate them on an interactive map.
Networking? It couldn’t get much easier. Trade show apps now allow attendees to connect with each other right in the app. And with social media linked directly into those apps, attendees can share their trade show experience with their entire network in real time.
In 1988, a mouse was something no trade show organizer wanted to see at their booth. Today, they don’t even need a mouse – they can use touch-screen technology to get the word out about their event while it’s happening.
Apple Rock appreciates the progressive thinking and engineering that technology pioneers have brought to the trade show industry. We like to think we’ve been part of that elite group.
Apple Rock offers many technology products that provide clients with solutions. EyeClickTM is an interactive projection technology that uses gesture response to pick up movement in event space or at a trade show exhibit. In addition, our proprietary ADAPT technology is available in interactive touch-screen tables, walls and kiosks, and now in an interactive iPad application. This technology connects a user to a wide range of online capabilities, including direct links to corporate websites and social media. The ADAPT Interactive Touch-Screen Counter debuted at Exhibitor 2012, where it won the Buyer’s Choice Award. Along with an improved version of the ADAPT Interactive Counter, the new ADAPT Interactive iPad App 2.0 will debut at Exhibitor 2013 in Las Vegas.
In addition, Apple Rock is the only provider in the industry to provide the services of a professional, in-house PSAV representative. PSAV is the leader in in-house audio-visual services to the hospitality industry, which offers clients and internal staff access to any audio-visual or lighting resources they need, as well as access to inventory anywhere around the world.
“Few things have impacted the trade show industry as much as technology,” says Apple Rock President and CEO Eric Burg, “so we constantly strive to give our clients the interactive and electronic tools they need to succeed.”
That’s why Apple Rock is celebrating. Not only are we proud to reach 25 years in the trade show and event marketing industry, we’re proud of the solutions we’ve brought to the faithful clients who have been with us through the journey.
Thank you for celebrating this milestone with us. We look forward to bringing you ever bigger and better innovations during our next 25 years.
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