BETT 2017 @ Excel London

Just back from BETT 2017 the UK's leading education show. BETT believe in creating a better future by transforming education. Their mission is to bring together people, ideas, practices and technologies so that educators and learners can fulfil their potential.

Being involved in Visual Communication with particular interest in Exhibition Stands and Signage I was interested to see what companies were doing at the show.

The weather wasn't great with lots of freezing fog and the bright entrance signage for the show really stood out. It looks really impressive.

This was the Exhibition Stand my company Redblu Graphics and Displays designed and built for Mobile Guardian. Build went smoothly and the clean styling of their brand was reflected in this 8m x 5m space only stand.

I love backlit graphics as they can build a great impact. Github is not a company that I had heard of but with their strapline, How People Build Software if I was a developer I would stop and ask more.

The right panel does look really dark in comparison.

When walking down this aisle I was a little worried about the backwall on this stand. As a stand builder our first thought is making sure the structure is safe and fit for purpose. There would be nothing worse than a wall falling down!

This was an interesting use of branding using a post and putting a cube on top close to the front of the stand.

It is cheaper to build up than hang down so worth considering when budgets are tight but you still want to get some higher level branding.

When you see the larger open and custom stands the shell scheme stands always look like the poor relations. That said not everyone can afford the larger spaces and portable displays are used extensively for the self build exhibitor.

Who knows this company may be at the start of a wonderful journey to make them the next big thing. All small businesses have to start somewhere and live events and exhibitions allow great face to face conversations with prospects and customers. It's important to gauge the success of your exhibiting and work out your ROI.

These seamless exhibition graphics on this shell scheme stand looked great. Easy to understand messaging for a trade in offer for upgrading hardware.

The graphics ran into the printed flooring which is unusual and eye catching.

Firefly had a large custom stand which did look great but they also supplemented their branding with a mascot who walked around the hall giving out leaflets.

The show lanyards were also branded with Firefly so everyone knew who they were!

In space only stands it is always wise to build to 4m as if you don't you may be overlooked if your neighbour decides to. You've paid for the floor space so you may as well make use of that space.

I think this makes you look smaller and less significant, what do you think?

These archways look great on this custom stand for ParentPay. Lovely use of branded colours and cutouts in the carpets.

The strapline of trusted cashless payments says everything. Unfortunate that a letter has fallen off on the high level strapline though.

Google just needs their logo and they have made sure it is very high so they can be seen from across the hall.

Intel is another brand behemoth and they don't really need to say anything else. Granted I was slightly confused why a chip company would be exhibiting but there must be a pretty good reason. Loved the circular hanging structure and lighting under the plinths.

This halo lit logo hanging signs, really stood out. This stand for Stone was also themed with the tagline Because every classroom needs a hero. Every time I passed by the stand was very busy so it definitely grabbed the attention of visitors.

Another great example of high level branding. When you have a brand known to everyone like Microsoft these do make such a difference to finding them at the large shows with hundreds of exhibitors.

Epson doing the same thing with an internally lit branded balloon.

It does make me laugh to think about the costs of some of these custom stands. Some can cost more than a house and they are just up for a few days and then in many cases demolished.

I like to use modular exhibition systems as these are more environmentally friendly and more cost effective for exhibitors!

This screen took my breath away, it must have been about 10m wide and the quality was tremendous. The great thing about having a wall as a screen is that you can change the message quickly to grab the attention of passers by.

My trip to London was great, flying into London City and then being able to walk to Excel is brilliant. The venue is so good to get access for building stands and their is a good selection of food outlets and coffee shops on site. Lots of accommodation available close by. The worst thing was the cancellation of flights going back home with the freezing fog but with a quick run to the DLR and up the Northern line to Kings Cross managed to make it to Newcastle and then up to Edinburgh the following morning.