In any crowded area....a big meeting, a football game, a speech, a rock concert or a trade show, there are so many people that sometimes everything looks the same wherever you turn. You look behind you...people...in front? People. To the side....OK, you get the idea. It's crowded and you can't see anything at eye level. It's not always like this, but sometimes it is so crowded, you wish the people around you had skipped the cologne that day.

So now you look up and you see signs telling you where the exit is or other important information like where the food is.

Those of us who attend trade shows always see the exhibit booths with overhead hanging circular signs or banners that ride up into the air. You can see them from a distance and they are very effective in letting trade show attendees know where your booth is at the show. They are also very expensive.

The idea I want to bring to your attention today is something that not only gets up high in the air, but almost points to your trade show booth like an exclamation point. Flying banners gets this very important job done.

Flying banners traditionally are very tall banners, ranging from 8ft to 19ft high that stake into the ground outside in front of a business, at events, grand openings or festivals. The wind causes the banners to rotate or wiggle and passers by (usually in cars) notice them and hopefully stop to buy whatever is being sold. They are visible from quite a distance (up to a mile away on a straight road) and are therefore very effective in being spotted early.

This is exactly the effect you want at your next trade show! For indoor purposes, flying banners use a "cross" base instead of a stake and exhibitors can place them anywhere on the floor. Top that off with a small directional fan to make the banner move a little and you have your attention-getting-high-in-the-sky-attendee-grabber!

Of course, placement, height depends on the rules the show may have for your booth size and location. It's always important to check with show services to make sure of just what you are allowed to do.

Flying banners come in several different shapes and sizes. The most popular are teardrop banners, wing banners, feather banners, sail banners and kite banners. They tear down and set up quickly. No hired labor is required and you can easily carry in your banner and have it placed in a few minutes. The banner itself is usually made of fabric, printed in full color (dye sublimation process) and the hardware tension straightens out any wrinkles by pulling it taut. When it's time to pack up, everything fits in a small carry bag for easy transport.