Several days ago I went to my son’s Famous Texans Living Museum. Each of the fourth graders in his school selected a famous Texan, researched biographical information on him or her, and prepared an exhibit on a cardboard tri-fold background. Then, they dressed up like their Famous Texans and stood perfectly still in front of their exhibit while those attending walked through “the museum” and admired their work. It was pretty impressive.

In fact, it was impressive enough that it made me wonder about a trade show I had been to a few weeks earlier. At the trade show probably twenty-five percent of the exhibits were nothing more than a 8′ X 4′ table that was draped with a table cloth and skirted. On this the exhibitionists then placed a miscellaneous collage of literature or samples. The fourth graders had put a lot more time and effort into creating a stimulating environment than had the so-called “professionals.”

Personally, my creative skills are pretty inadequate for most such tasks. But there are tools out there for people and businesses who make their living from such endeavors. Those looking for ideas or supplies can check out the Godfrey Group who specialize in trade show displays. There are plenty of ideas at their website to help those of us who are creatively challenged, whatever the need; creative support services and products, showrooms, corporate information centers, retail environments and promotional events. With a little help we might just be able to do as good a job as those fourth graders — dare to dream!