Charity Football Match: MxL Vs KGK

A group of men posing for a picture on a soccer field.
Back in April, we were challenged by KGK Print to a charity football match.  Held at Goffs School, the game started off very competitive, but it soon became clear who was the dominant team with KGK establishing an early 3-0 lead. We kept our heads up high and managed to claw back a goal of our own, thanks to some great work from our left sided partnership of Robbie McCorkell and Richard Moule, making it 3-1. However, disaster soon struck as our goalkeeper uncharacteristically tried to run for a ball.  One sprained leg later, and we had to sacrifice one of our best midfielders to go between the posts for the remainder of the match. KGK took full advantage of this, and quickly piled on the goals, and at half time we saw ourselves down 6-1. The second half we came out fighting, but so did they.  Taking no prisoners, the KGK players run rings round our team.  Aside from a late consolation goal, we were well and truly humbled once the final whistle blew and the scoreline read 14-2. Despite the defeat, it was a fun and friendly game and for a great cause, with all donations going to the Isabel Hospice. With a rematch on the cards soon, we will be putting our players through rigorious training drills to try and get that scoreline down – or better yet, go for the win! Thanks to all players for taking part!  See you on the football pitch again soon.

LATEST VIDEO: MxL Installing EBA Day 2018 Conference

Once again, MxL have installed EBA Day, a succesful banking conference that is located at a different European location each year. For 2018, we found ourselves back in Germany, installing at the ICM Munich. Click on the video below to see our install in action:

Why Bespoke Wins (Almost) Every Time

A green and white booth with a table and chairs.
When you attend an exhibition, there are usually two choices: shell scheme or space-only. Shell scheme means you’re given a structure from which to work; essentially a box that you can fill. It’s likely many others at the exhibition will have that same box…the same height, width and overall look and feel. The shell scheme option could be a cheaper one but you generally get what you pay for. Don’t get me wrong; shell scheme serves a purpose. It can give you a platform at the exhibition you need to be at. That said, it could be limiting in terms of how you present your space and, in hand, your brand. Shell scheme has the potential to look cheap if not dressed properly (this task is usually carried out by the sales team who should be concentrating on the job at hand – selling), it’s much harder to stand out from the crowd and you have far less flexibility in terms of what you can achieve, practically and aesthetically. Some trade shows even have stringent rules on what you can and can’t do with the shell you have paid good money for, taking away your creative control from the get-go. Then you’ve got the bespoke option. With this, you pay for floor space, however much you need/can afford and you have the freedom to do whatever you want (within reason of course) within that space. It goes without saying that this freedom is a major plus point. If you opt for a bespoke exhibition stand, its entire purpose will be to serve you at the show. You can design it in a way that works best for your brand, your product, your service and your potential customers. If you choose to go for a custom exhibition stand, the likelihood is you’ll employ a professional contractor for the design and build. The beauty here is, they are the experts and they can help you achieve a bespoke stand that’s right for your business. You’ll provide a brief, based on what you hope to achieve from attending the show, and they will (hopefully) wow you with a stand that can do just that. The design of an exhibition stand is super important (read our Exhibition Stand Design Trends and Planning Your Next Exhibition Stand articles). It’s what will set you apart from your competitors. Every company is unique and stands should reflect that. With a carefully thought-out design, you can create impact and intrigue. The correct use of colours, graphics, materials and the latest cutting edge trends can help to stop visitors in their tracks and make them pay attention to your stand. Attending an exhibition isn’t about blending in, it’s about making a statement and you can only really do that with a custom build. It’s not just the ‘look’ that you can tailor with a bespoke exhibition stand – it’s the practical elements too. Do you need meeting areas? Do you need comfortable seating? What about lighting? What about storage for your products and promotional giveaways? With a bespoke stand, you can have it exactly how you desire, down to the very last detail. You want an interactive hologram? You got it! I think visitors and exhibitors alike would agree that in most cases bespoke stands look more professional. One look at a custom built stand and you can tell that company means business. And if they’re taking it seriously, there’s more chance potential customers will take them seriously. Perceptions matter. It’s also important that your sales team have a space from which they are proud to sell from. A slightly less glamorous, but oh so significant benefit is that a bespoke exhibition stand can be used again, as opposed to the shell which stays put, ready for the next show. That means, if you’re planning to attend another event, or 10 more, you can put it in storage and wheel it out again. In fact, MxL has been storing and installing the same stand for a company for almost 15 years. Think of the money they have saved! So when you’ve bitten the bullet and decided you’re going to make your mark at an exhibition, make sure you give your product or service the platform it deserves. You’re paying a lot of money to be there, so you may as well make it worth your while.

How Promotional Products Can Improve Your Brand Awareness

A black pen on a white surface.
From small businesses to large corporations, companies are always looking to increase brand awareness. Developing a brand that is well known and has reputable values is imperative, especially if you work in a competitive industry. There are many ways to increase brand awareness, such as god social media presence and smart advertisements. One key marketing tool that proves successful is the use of promotional products. Promotional merchandise has been around for a long time, and with good reason. Promotional products work because they are desirable, fun, attractive, informative and most important of all, useful. Having your brand logo and message linked with a useful item immediately relates your company values to a positive feeling. Your brand will either be sitting proud on somebody’s office desk, or it will travel around wherever they go. Consumers will be able to instantly recognise and recall your company, therefore successfully improving your brand awareness. If you are exhibiting at a trade show, then having corporate gifts to give to visitors will only enhance your exhibition stand. Likewise if your staff members are all wearing the same branded uniform. It reiterates your company as a strong brand and also promotes unity. Other key uses of promotional products can be for sales promotions, direct mail campaigns, seminars and conferences, referral and “thank you” business gifts. What’s good about promotional merchandise is that it can cater to any campaign. For example, if you were sending direct mail to a large list, you would ideally be looking for an item that is inexpensive and not too weighty or bulky. Or if you are giving a business gift to your very special clients, then a more luxury branded item would be best suited to show how much you value your client’s business. There are so many options available these days, with plenty of colour varitaions and branding options, most promotional items can be customised to suit your brand guidelines. This enables you to create a product that is specific to your company. Visit our online catalogue here to view the latest promotional products available, or call us now on 01992 642 642 to discuss your next promotional merchandise requirements.

MxL On Pinterest

A red and white pintrest logo on a white background.
MxL are now on Pinterest! We will be adding plenty of exciting images to do with bespoke exhibition stands, custom event build projects, exhibition stand designs, as well as office and home display ideas. For inspiration on your next custom build display project, make sure to follow us! CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST

The Moule Partnership Exhibiting At The Museums + Heritage Show

A wooden display with pictures on it.
For another consecutive year, we have installed The Moule Partnership’s bespoke exhibition stand at the Museums + Heritage show at Olympia, London. The Show, which took place on the 16th and 17th May, is the ideal place for visitors to discover new ideas and opportunities within the Museum and Heritage sector.  Once again, TMP Ltd were showcasing their most recent projects over the last year. MxL have worked alongside TMP for a number of years, helping to create stunning display projects within museums, galleries and public spaces. For more information on The Moule Partnership and their amazing work, please visit: https://www.tmpltd.com Roll on Museums + Heritage show 2019!

5 Of The Best Exhibitions In The UK This Year

A view of a large convention hall with many booths.
In this latest article, we will be looking at five of the best exhibitions in the events calendar. Now, of course, this is purely subjective, but I think you’ll agree that all of the shows we’ve selected are impressive in some way. Over the years, we’ve worked on hundreds, from London’s Boat Show to the Birmingham Spring Fair. There’s nothing quite like walking the halls of an exhibition on opening morning. There’s always a buzz in the air and you’re almost certain to find inspiration in something; be it a funky exhibition stand, a demo of a groundbreaking new product that’s soon to hit the market or a Q&A with the season’s hottest designer. As experts, it’s our job to know what events are taking place and what those events have to offer. When we’re not working at a show for a client, we try to take the time to explore other exhibitions.  it’s always worthwhile.

Olympia Beauty

Grand Hall, Olympia, London 30 September – 1 October 2018

If you’re not familiar, you won’t be surprised to learn this show is ALL about beauty; it really is the Mecca for the industry. It has been running for an impressive 14 years – a huge testament to its success and popularity. Every autumn, beauty professionals, students and trainees from all over the globe, flock to this coveted destination. Last year, almost 20,000 people attended – now that’s a number not to mess with. The industry’s biggest brands, from NYX Cosmetics and Dermalogica UK to Lash Perfect and 3D Lipo, will be taking centre stage and the latest beauty offerings will be showcased in all their glory. Covering makeup, skin care, hair products, holistic therapies and more, this is the place where new trends are treatments are launched. Think of this exhibition as more of an ‘experience’. Yes, there will be hundreds of stands, but in addition, there will be competitions, seminars, and even boot camps. We’ve worked at this show before (many times) and there’s always a great feeling in the air as you navigate your way around – a sense of being part of something exciting before the masses learn the secret.

Business Travel Show

Olympia, London 20-21 February 2019

The next Business Travel Show isn’t until next year but believe me, it will be worth the wait – it always is. It’s officially Europe’s largest exhibition for travel professionals but that title doesn’t do it justice. See it as an opportunity to glimpse into the future and witness first hand how far the boundaries of luxury travel are being pushed. There, you will find, thousands of corporate travel buyers from across the continent looking to do business with hundreds of the industry’s top suppliers. This year’s show was particularly insightful. The space was buzzing with new innovations and exciting product launches. Robots and virtual reality met with old-fashioned one-on-one conversations to create the perfect event. As always, there was a stellar line of speakers from global brands including American Express Global, ABTA, Bloomberg and Expedia. Visitors gathered eagerly to find out what the world of travel has in store for us and they were not disappointed. The sky is quite literally the limit. A quirky feature of this show and I do hope they will be offering this next year, is the Poken – a virtual business card that allows all visitors to swap information with suppliers, speakers and other buyers. And if that isn’t enough for you, there’s likely to be wine tasting. Say no more.

Facilities Show

ExCel, London, 19-21 June 2018

Professionals from across the globe will be descending in London this summer, looking to identify new suppliers and source the latest innovative solutions for their business. They’ll also have the opportunity to network with like-minded peers as they discuss the industry’s hottest topics. It’s not the most fascinating of subject matters, I’ll give you that, but this show does have a lot to offer and it’s definitely worth a visit. Firstly, it’s the largest facilities management event IN THE WORLD. That’s something to shout about. It also attracts really interesting and inspiring speakers. Last year, Dame Kelly Holmes and Professor, Brian Cox took to the stage. This year, they are welcoming Ruby Wax OBE, who will be discussing the all-important topic of mental health, and English rugby legend, Sir Clive Woodward. The seminars, which are always packed out, will be held in a new theatre space for added viewing pleasure. Add to this a really slick venue, impressive visitor list and sports bar for networking, and you’ve got yourself a really good afternoon out of the office.

Lux Live

ExCel, London, 14-15 November 2018

This is the lighting event. No others compare. The show’s slogan is ‘lighting is changing’ and that’s an understatement. A walk around this exhibition and you will soon realise how fast technologies are advancing and how exciting this is for the planet and everyone on it. Look out for the world’s biggest and most influential lighting brands including Samsung and Philips who will be using the platform to unveil their latest innovations set to rock the world. Be the first to witness new products, new technologies and new ideas. We’re all familiar with Wi-Fi, but did you know about Li-Fi and its ground-breaking capabilities? If you attend his show, don’t leave without visiting the Li-Fi zone. Here you can learn all about how visible light from LED lighting can generate wireless connectivity. It’s creating a lot of excitement in technology circles at the moment and it’s not hard to see why. This breakthrough development could transform lighting into a backbone for information and free up congestion on traditional Wi-Fi networks. It’s a very visual show; a party for the eyes if you will so expect to see lots of cool demos. It’s also known for its impressive list of guest speakers – over 100 experts will be taking to the nine theatre-style stages to impart their wisdom. If you want a good seat, make sure to arrive early because these presentations are very popular.  

The Meetings Show

Olympia, London, 27-28 June 2018

Last but not least, this show really attracts the numbers. It’s the place to be for event, meeting and conference planners. The halls are literally flooded (over 700 suppliers attended last year) with representatives from Europe’s finest hotels, venues and technology providers, all looking to mingle and do business. If you have been tasked with organising an event, from a corporate Christmas party to an overseas seminar, it’s a ‘must’. You won’t ever be able to achieve the same level of research and networking sitting at your desk. This industry is all about face-to-face interaction and that’s exactly what you’ll get. And even if you don’t find a new supplier, you’ll certainly leave with lots of inspiration. This one’s free to attend so you have nothing to lose.

Best Branded Merchandise For Customer Retention

A red and white notebook with the active star logo on it.
Promotional materials can be used for all kinds of marketing activity, such as promotional giveaways at trade shows, branded items as part of a mail-out campaign, or additional branded merchandise at events to help boost brand awareness. Using promotional merchandise to give to your existing customers is a surefire way of building key relationships and keeping your company service constantly in their thoughts, especially if you give them a useful and practical item that they will continuously use. With so many different branded merchandise items available, it can be hard trawling through endless catalogues to find exactly what you are looking for. Fortunately, we are here to help! To get you started, here are our picks for the top branded merchandise items for customer retention at your next exhibition.

BRANDED PENS

Let’s start off with the classic, the branded pen. While it may not seem the most exciting gift to give to your customers, there is a reason why branded pens are so popular. They are always useful to have at hand in the office, at home or in your bag. Due to the huge range of options available, it is easy to find a style of pen to suit your budget and brand. Give someone a decent promotional pen and they will cherish it until all the ink dries up and they ask for another one. To really impress your clients, why not give them a branded Cross pen gift set?

BRANDED NOTEBOOKS AND NOTEPADS

Branded notebooks are the essential handy branded merchandise item to have. Like a good pen, customers truly value a good notebook. They can come in large A4 or pocket sizes and have many different styles and options to choose from. If you’re really looking to impress, then why not give your extra special clients a branded Moleskine notebook? If budget is a restriction, then there’s faux leatherette or soft feel alternatives such as Belluno Notebooks that can have a similar impact. Likewise, promotional notepads will always be kept at home or at the office. Why not try something different, like creating your own branded To Do List pad?

PROMOTIONAL MUGS

You’ll probably notice a pattern here that most of the popular and useful promotional materials you would find in the office. Promotional mugs are no exception. Having your brand affiliated with a comfortable cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate if you’re lucky, only strengthens your brand image. Travel mugs are also a perfect solution for customers who are constantly on the go. Reusable mugs are also great for the environment, eradicating the need for takeaway cups that cannot be recycled.

BRANDED POWER BANKS

Branded merchandise that helps with mobile devices is always a great way of impressing your clients. Branded power banks help keep devices fully charged when they start running out of battery, so will prove an essential item to have for busy customers. If they find themselves in need of an important call while they’re out and have your branded power bank at hand, they will definitely be thanking you later.

PROMOTIONAL BAGS

Promotional bags are on trend at present, given the growing charge for plastic bags at supermarkets and other stores. Not only are they helpful and practical for your clients, they also act as a walking advertisement for your company. With a sizeable print area, your brand will be well on show. Promotional bags need not stop at shopper bags. Delegate conference bags are ideal for trade shows and events, while branded laptop bags, rucksacks and sports bags will all hold value to your clients, depending on your client demographic.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT?  HOW ABOUT BRANDED FLIP FLOPS?

The above products are all very popular branded merchandise items that will work wonderfully for customer retention. However, we get asked a lot by our clients for “something different”. With so many promotional merchandise products available, there are plenty of different items to choose from to suit any marketing campaign. Our advice is to make sure that the “something different” is to make sure that it is relevant to your marketing activity and coincides nicely with the rest of your promotional materials. With that said, a great promotional gift to give out to customers (especially at summer time!) are branded flip flops! They will be used the most when they are happy the most (hopefully) while on holiday. They automatically remind your customers of holiday, so will only be happy to receive these. Worried that your branding may not always be on show? You can print to the strap, or better yet, have your logo debossed to the sole. That way, your brand image will be left in the sand!  

Make sure to check out our online catalogue for more branded merchandise ideas for your next campaign!

Case Study: Happy Client At The Business Travel Show!

A trade show booth with a white table and chairs.

Brief:

The client, a U.S. based company, was looking for a bespoke exhibition stand contractor in the UK to design and build their exhibition stand for the Business Travel Show, stand size of 4.5m x 3m.  They wanted full-colour graphics to the back wall, a drinks counter and demo counter, with plenty of seating options.  MxL were recommended by the show organisers, Centaur Media, as a reliable stand contractor that had worked at the show on previous years.

Solution:

MxL quickly responded with a proposed budget and design that catered to the client’s needs. For the back wall, a printed banner wrap was suggested, which allowed for full-colour artwork and had a seamless finish so you could not see any wall joins. A mixture of seating areas within the allocated space allowed for formal and informal meetings, depending on each visitor’s preference, with the coffee counter nearby for serving beverages.  The demo area and monitor screen were neatly put at the corner of the stand. An additional front counter with two iPad displays was also included to meet and greet visitors, as well as for extra demos and media on the iPads.

Added Extra:

For additional brand awareness, MxL supplied branded bottled water as a promotional giveaway for the client to hand out to the visitors.

Client Feedback:

“Being headquartered in the States, I did not have a resource for an upcoming London, UK tradeshow. MxL Ltd was so great to use. The quickness on responses from Richard gave me full confidence that all of my details would be taken care. MxL will now be my go-to resource when it comes to our international events moving forward”

Exhibition Stand Design Trends For 2018

A display of balloons on a wall.
Although it may not feel like spring has sprung, what with the unexpected visit from the Beast from the East and sinking feeling that sunshine may never grace our skies again, it really is that time of year; the time when Marketing and Event Managers are frantically finalising budgets and deciding what shows their company or clients will attend over the coming year and beyond. Making the decision to showcase your brand at an exhibition is a big deal – it costs money, time and lots of energy. Quite often it’s a chance to wow those that matter and bolster your sales and reputation. Put simply, a successful show can change the course of a company – just ask our clients. But choosing the right exhibition at the right time, whilst paramount, isn’t where it ends. In order to get the most out of a show and really reap the rewards, your exhibition stand must be the perfect platform from which to ‘sell’ your product – be it a ground breaking piece of software or a new line of cosmetics that’s set to shake the industry. Deciding upon an exhibition stand design isn’t quite akin to choosing a new pair of shoes or a designer handbag, but with both choices, you must consider the latest fashions in order to stand out and be recognised. It’s about selecting a design that reflects the ethos of your company and whatever it is your showcasing. MxL has been in the exhibition design game for over 40 years. We’ve seen numerous stand design trends come and go, but here are a few that are making waves at the moment; should you be looking for some inspiration.

Technology – It’s Going Nowhere

It will come as no surprise that incorporating technology into an exhibition stand is a major stand design trend right now, as it has been for a number of years. More and more companies are taking advantage of what modern technology can offer a brand – the opportunities are really quite exciting. Visitors to shows are savvier than ever – they want information to be delivered to them in new and innovative ways. They want to be informed and ‘wowed’ when they step onto a stand and using technology is quite often the answer to making this happen. Most of our clients will request the use of AV equipment. This often allows them to incorporate touch-screen tablets, televisions and computers onto their stands. These details aren’t revolutionary but the impact can be quite dramatic, ensuring the product is brought to life for the visitor. Interactive displays can also help to entice traffic to a stand. If an eye-catching video is playing or there is an opportunity to ‘get involved’ somehow, this could stop visitors in their tracks and make them want to see what all the fuss is about. And who knows what will happen once they’re there. Using technology doesn’t have to be expensive either. We’ve worked with clients on tight budgets that have ended up with show-stopping stands full to the brim with the latest technological offerings. Excitingly, for those with a little more cash to invest, the possibilities are far reaching. From custom made apps and tailor-made games to interactive surfaces that will keep visitors entertained for hours, if you can visualise it, there’s most likely a way we can make it happen. As well as creating magic in-house, we also work closely with our partners in the tech world to turn our clients’ dreams into reality. No idea is too crazy, we enjoy pushing boundaries and being at the forefront of technology. So if you have an outlandish idea you want to see come to fruition, you know where to come.

Keeping It (Kind Of) Private

The aim of attending an exhibition is to attract the masses and bowl them over with whatever it is you’ve got to offer. You want to tell the world about your magical brand and product, and quite rightly so. However, sometimes it’s important to be able to offer an element of privacy. You may want to sit down with special 2visitors or offer a private space for more sensitive discussions. Over the last 12 months we’ve seen a rise in requests for ‘semi-secluded’ areas that offer an open and free feel as well as an element of privacy. Even the most modest of stands that are lacking in floor space can benefit from having a mix of open and intimate areas. Yes, you can opt for frosted plastic or glass screens to create some separation, without closing the area off completely. This is an easy and cost effective way of providing a quiet zone, and with every colour option under the sun available, the screens can tie in seamlessly with the look and feel of your stand proving that style and practicality can go hand in hand. There are, however, some more elaborate (and quite frankly, more interesting) ways of tackling this need for seclusion. Take printed voiles for example. We’ve been using this method a lot lately. It allows you to stretch the fabric around an area of the exhibition stand, a meeting area say, to provide a zone that is more private. With this type of fabric, you can choose to print whatever you desire onto it, be a bold portrait or corporate branding, but you will always be able to see through it. It ensures the stand feels open, whilst giving you the option of inviting guests to a more private area. Little creative touches like this are simple to achieve and won’t break the bank but will make a big difference. Then there’s the clever cut-out option. Take a solid wall and tastefully use logos, slogans or imagery to remove chunks from it. Like most great trends, it’s simple but highly effective. You get creative freedom and defined zones all with a light and airy feel that makes the most of the space you have paid for. One of the most visually inspiring stand design trends at the moment is that of ‘floating’ foam balls. It sounds modest but the effect is anything but. Use a plethora of foam balls and suspend them from the ceiling of the exhibition stand with a clear wire to create a jaw-dropping wow-factor. They can be arranged into logos or fluid shapes to create an area that obscures the view, making it a little more private. Going one step further, if the budget allows, these balls can be attached to a motor that permits them to shift shapes and even change colour. Watch your visitors stare in amazement, as the stand becomes a show in itself.

Lighting The Way

Lighting isn’t just about ensuring your products can be seen; it’s about creating the perfect atmosphere on your stand. They have been around for years, but light boxes remain on the wish list of most clients. They’re popular because they’re relatively cheap, will grab the attention of visitors and can be tailored with your logo, strapline or whatever you want to highlight. While light boxes will stand the test of time, it’s the trend for neon signs that is hot right now. They’re not only making an impact in top London restaurants and bars, they can now be spotted on the trendiest of exhibition stands. Think fuchsia pink, cool blue and electric yellow tubing – glowing text signs are totally en-vogue right now. They’re retro and modern at the same time and with advancements in technology, you no longer have to use neon. Opt for LED illumination for a safer, more cost effective solution that’s better suited to an exhibition environment.

The 3D Effect

Make it ‘pop’ with ‘real’ 3D effect shapes. 3D designs have always been popular but now you don’t have to resort to giving 2D shapes thickness. With 3D printing (a topic that probably deserves its own blog) and clever CNC machines, you can push the boundaries of 3D effects and really bring an exhibition space to life. Think of any shape, any logo, any emblem and you can have it in all its 3D glory. This gives the client creative freedom and it’s much quicker and cheaper to achieve these days, making it a stand design trend that’s here to stay.

Stripping It Back

A very popular trend of late involves a more natural way of thinking where ‘less is more’. By using sheet materials such as ply, sterling board and even MDF and doing very little to them, you can quite easily create a stripped back, industrial feel that wouldn’t look out of place in a Shoreditch hotel. Embrace the trend by incorporating tables, walling and furniture in these materials – the possibilities are almost limitless. You can even print direct onto these materials for an edgier, more bespoke look. Add to this some unfinished steel tubing and you’ve got an uber chic, industrial vibe. MxL recently created a space for the University of Northampton during Graduate Fashion Week that focussed on the use of raw ply. It looked fantastic (if we do say so ourselves) and we’ve got other clients wanting the same effect, proving this trend isn’t going anywhere fast. We make it our business to be ahead of the stand design trends so that our clients can make maximum impact at their shows. Whether it’s a futuristic techy affair or a high-fashion showstopper you’re after, we’ve got the flair, experience and know-how to deliver. Just give one of our knowledgeable and friendly Project Managers a call for an informed chat.