By Olivia Cahoon
Part 1 of 2
Print service providers (PSPs) offer trade show graphics to provide high-quality branded environments that attract attention. Displays include backlit walls, banner stands, point of purchase displays, private meeting rooms, and tabletops.
In addition to attractiveness, ease of use and portability are important qualities that clients consider in trade show signage. High-end brands often travel to multiple shows within a year—requiring displays built with convenience and quality.
Decades of Trade Experience
Nimlok Kentucky started in 1986 as Concept Displays—a local trade show display provider in Louisville, KY. Brothers Don and Joe purchased the company in 1993. It later became a Nimlok distributor in 2001 to take advantage of Nimlok’s national brand recognition.
Nimlok is a premier trade show exhibit solutions company that offers creative displays tailored to exhibitors’ specific needs. Its distributor network has over four decades of experience and spans over 56 countries with end-to-end capabilities in both exhibit design and fabrication as well as shipping, logistics, and storage.
In 2006, Nimlok Kentucky acquired Sign Crafters to broaden its services into signs and vehicle graphics. Over the years it doubled in size by growing relationships with large companies, such as Brown Forman. “Those relationships have allowed us to grow our team to nearly 30 employees and do business nationwide,” says Christy Seely, director of sales and marketing, Nimlok Kentucky.
With 30 employees, the PSP operates in an 11,000 square foot facility and rents an 18,000 square foot warehouse for client properties. It provides trade show products and services as well rental and setup services to Metro Louisville, Lexington, KY, and Evansville, IN. Nimlok Kentucky is also in the top five of 120 nationwide Nimlok distributors.
On Display
In 1998, Nimlok Kentucky entered the digital printing space to gain more control in the production process and to meet quicker turnarounds and quality needs. The PSP continues to use digital printing technology and serves industries from adult beverage and banking to healthcare, manufacturing, financial institutions, and farming.
According to Seely, Nimlok Corporate originally provided booth structures—requiring distributors to create their own graphics. Its trade show displays were traditionally simple, portable, and modular, created with photographic film prints. The corporation grew, allowing distributors to offer expansive, custom projects. This includes the availability of digitally printed fabric graphics. “Clients love these because they are lightweight, don’t get damaged as easily, and look really sharp.”
Today, the PSP offers a variety of trade show products that are versatile and effective in building awareness and driving leads. Its solutions include accessories, custom exhibits, outdoor displays, portable displays, rentals, and roll-up vertical banner stands—in a variety of sizes like 10×10 or 10×20 feet.
40 percent of the PSP’s output is digitally printed trade show signage with the remaining including environmental graphics and signage. Nimlok Kentucky prints with an EFI VUTEk GS3250LX Pro with a 120-inch maximum print width. Acquired two years ago, Seely says the company chose the model for increased speed, larger media capability, and greater print quality.
Nimlok Kentucky also uses an HP Inc. latex printer for the durability the inks provide in applications placed outdoors and without a laminate.
Evan Williams Whiskey Barrels
Evan Williams—a KY straight bourbon whiskey brand—located in Bardstown, KY, recently approached Nimlok Kentucky to design an exhibit sales environment that showcased its product and brand at trade shows. Because the exhibit would travel to multiple events, it needed to be relatively portable.
For this project, Nimlok Kentucky created a 10×20-foot round tension fabric display using a lightweight aluminum frame for easy assembly, storage, and shipping. The fabric was digitally printed by Nimlok Corporate, which provided the barrel with a realistic wooden appearance.
Nimlok Kentucky created display shelving, counters, and lighting inside the barrel—offering a novel and exciting sales space. An extra locking graphic paneled room outside the barrel provided additional product storage while fitting into the design. Hanging fabric structure and additional tension fabric walls also complemented the space.
The client was pleased with its new traveling showroom, which captured the brand and product messaging while remaining functional and portable. “Evan Williams wanted to create a retail store at a show so we created something unique to grab attention—a barrel,” offers Seely.
“Nimlok Kentucky helped us create a great environment for all of our activities,” says Chris Ratterman, associate brand manager, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. “The booth was well received and created an impactful and memorable experience for our visitors.”
End-to-End Display Solution
Nimlok Kentucky provides customers with a range of trade show graphics by partnering with Nimlok Corporate and selecting digital printing. From adult beverage to healthcare companies, the PSP is dedicated to helping exhibits stand out from the competition with unique displays.
Part two of this series takes a look at a PSP with over 40 years of experience in trade show signage.
Click here to read part two of this exclusive online series, Command Attention.
Click on the link above to get more information on the vendors mentioned in this article.
Jan2019, Digital Output
