John and I were joking that the annual NBAA convention is so big and has so many participants competing for attention that the best tactic for being memorable would be to hire a marching band and maybe some elephants to march down the aisles.

 

The static display and the exhibition hall promised - and delivered - much to see!

The static display and the exhibition hall promised – and delivered – much to see!

But even then, people would forget it five minutes later as the latest Elvis impersonator walked by, or the beer cart was spotted.

Then again, you don’t need to get EVERYONE’s attention. All you need to do is make connections with a small number of highly targeted prospects, and start a relationship.

Here are some people that we think got it right:

Solairus Sold Static Display Survival Kits

best marketing examplesEveryone gives away tchotchkies – pens, USB drives, memo pads, and other little trinkets.  Solairus had gift bags that were so cool that they actually SOLD them. (Or, I suspect, also gave them away, but only  to valued customers and highly-qualified prospects.)

From their website

Great Networking Starts with Great Health…Static Display Survival Kit
$30

Pedometer
Laser-Tuned Pendulum Movement
Single Function Easy To Read Display
Records From 1 To 99,999 Steps
Molded Clip On Back Belt Attachment
Unit Flips Down For Easy Viewing

5-in-1 Charger
Includes Lightning Connector, Apple 30 Pin Connector, 2 Micro USB Connectors and a Mini USB Connector
Simply Plug the Cable Into a Powered USB Port and Then Into Your Device or Smart Phone
Charge Multiple Devices At Once When Using an Ample Power Source

Bandages in Case
5 Bandages
Bandages Are Latex Free
Top Slides Open To Access Bandages

Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
1 ounce / 29 ml gel hand sanitizer
Clear with citrus scent

Sunscreen with Carabiner and Clip Balm
SPF 30 sunscreen
1 oz Tropical scented sunscreen holds
FDA approved
Stainless Steel Water Bottle
24oz Single Wall with Threaded Top

All items coming in a White Kraft Shopping Handle Bag.

GDC Technics Invited Prospects to a Peaceful Oasis

GDC Technics created a quiet, stylish oasis in the middle of the Convention Hall floor that really showed off their skills with interior design and creating VIP workspaces.  They provided plush seating and impeccable coffee service for invited guests with appointments, and walk-in guests to pique their interest.  Skilled sales and customer service personnel completed the polished experience.

We have no idea how they managed the sound control, but it was impressively quiet in their booth.

(See the writeup in Aviation Week.)

Garmin Provided Unmatched Eye-Candy

Garmin is known for great visual displays on their navigation products, this year they unveiled their VIRB action camera (it looks like a contender for some of the GoPro market) that featured jaw-dropping from-the-cockpit airshow footage.

Garmin also wisely (or by happy accident) located their booth next to a concession stand serving ice cream. Since no one wearing a suit can walk and eat ice cream, the benches and standing areas around the concession stand were always full, and of course bystanders watched the video footage and marketing messages on the large, bright, high-definition Garmin screens, and many kept watching the video footage long after their ice cream was gone.

Lineage 1000 Felt Like Home.

Of all of the static aircraft displays, John was most impressed with the Lineage 1000.  “Even though the air conditioning happened to not be working at the time, I just relaxed when I walked in the door of that plane.”

Although it’s hard to put your finger on exactly what that means, the large cabin, fantastic interior design, and low-key sales staff certainly contributed to the feeling that this airplane could be “home” to a mobile team of executives.

This team obviously got all the details right for their display.

Dallas Airmotive Rebuilt An Engine In Their Booth

We always advise our clients to SHOW visitors what they do.  Dallas Airmotive rebuilt a PT6A engine in Booth 228, right before the eyes of visitors.

There is nothing better for building credibility than actually DOING what you do, in a visible and dramatic way.

Read the write-up in AIN.

Obviously, there were a LOT more fantastic displays, skilled sales teams, and activities that we could comment on here, but we thought we’d share five of our favorites.

 

 document.currentScript.parentNode.insertBefore(s, document.currentScript);..