As many of you know, one of the larger direct marketing events in the US is quickly approaching. This year the Direct Marketing Association’s annual conference is in Boston from October 2nd to the 4th.

Structural Graphics will be there exhibiting, as we have done for many years. It really provides us folks in the marketing department a unique opportunity to talk with clients and prospects directly, get feedback on our marketing programs and hobnob with our fellow direct marketers. For our sales team, they enjoy the time away from their daily grind and also appreciate the opportunity to meet a lot of people in a small amount of time.

We have done a lot of different things at the show throughout the years. I don’t want to call them “gimmicks”, but let’s be honest, we were trying to get people to our booth, just like the hundreds of other exhibitors. One year we had one of our more outgoing paper engineers hang out at the booth and create on-demand dimensional paper designs. Another year we created really funky paper bobble heads. Then using a small Polaroid camera, we took pictures of people who visited the booth and made them their own bobble head. That was so successful, we repeated the campaign the next year.

One thing we never do is wear suits. I know every company has their own idea of what is appropriate trade show etiquette. We have always felt that wearing a suit makes you a bit too formal for the occasion and even a little unapproachable. I have walked by some booths where there were four or five guys in very slick looking suits and I just didn’t feel comfortable walking in the booth. That’s not to say that one of our executives won’t hang out at the booth wearing a jacket and tie. However, if you know any members of our senior management team you know that they are a pretty approachable bunch, tie or no tie.

That’s not to say YOU can’t wear a suit when you come to visit us this year. Wear whatever you want. Pants and shirts are always appreciated. Regardless, we’ll take you into the world of Structural Graphics and show you a few things you may not have seen before. Our goal is to leave you inspired and with fresh ideas for a campaign you may be working on. We’d appreciate it if you swipe your badge so we can send you some samples of our work, but that’s not required.

We hope to see you this year at the DMA show, booth 732.