Source for large display monitor, stand and shipping case

February 2, 2006 7:38 AM

I need to price and source a large display, plasma or LCD, for use at a trade show. I need to also source a stand and a shipping case for same. I'd like to source all from the same vendor, if possible. This may sound mundane, but the trade show paraphernalia is not something I've messed in before. Does anyone have a vendor they can recomment? (Also open to hearing other suggestions, but mostly I need vendors.)

I've been asked to target, first, 42-50 inch displays, but also include pricing and sourcing for 21 inch dislays, if that info is of any use. (E.g., maybe somebody knows a vendor who's good for the smaller stuff.) As noted, also very open to input on specific models or tecnologies. (Re. latter, monitor will be used for first outing just to display Flash movies, though presumably could be used for other purposes in future. So, needs to be able to take output from a Windows laptop -- VGA or something readily convertible therefrom.)

posted by lodurr to Media & Arts (14 answers total)

I'm assuming you are looking to purchase rather than rent. I purchased 4 of this Panasonic (or equivalent model at the time) with these cases and these stands for a show two years ago from DTVCity.com. I gave them pretty short notice, on the order of 10 days or less. I needed them shipped to two different locations (two to each location) on opposite sides of the country. All equipment arrived in good condition and on time, though the cases showed up a day or two later than the screens and stands. I highly recommend both the panasonics and stands. We were running 1024x768 to them from a presentation switcher (Folsom Presentation Pro, also highly recommended, if you are interested, purchased direct from Folsom for best price) You can add an extension to the cobra stands if you need more height. Shelves are optional. They look pretty good in a booth type display. I decided to go with this company, because I could get everything I needed directly from them including cases, and they cut me some discount for purchasing a number of them. Overall, it was a good experience. They also have good information on the website if you just want to use them as a research tool.
posted by Roger Dodger at 8:01 AM on February 2, 2006

By the way, I did NOT order them direct online. I ordered them by calling the order in, talking to a salesperson, and he was my contact throughout the process.
posted by Roger Dodger at 8:04 AM on February 2, 2006

I second DTV. I have purchased cases from them and would recommend them. Also, StarCase is a possibility. But just for cases.

You might want to have a backup solution handy too. In case something does happen to your big plasma display. Maybe one of Dell's 24" inch LCD monitors? It's still big enough to be seen from a distance, and only around ~$800 on sale now.

Rodger Dodger is right, call and talk to a sales person (both for the monitor and for the case). You can't haggle with a web page, and you'll want some personal service.
posted by voidcontext at 8:10 AM on February 2, 2006

Response by poster: Great start! Thanks, guys, keep 'em comin'....
posted by lodurr at 8:14 AM on February 2, 2006

Visual Apex is my online vendor of choice for large displays. They often run specials that include the stand.
posted by mike9322 at 8:20 AM on February 2, 2006

Best answer: Couple of thoughts:

1) If your trade show is being held in one of the major exhibit centers, the hall lighting can be high efficiency mercury or sodium vapor fixtures, that can badly "wash" panel displays. You need to look for units with the highest possible absolute brightness features, and the maxim contrast ratios to overcome these lighting situations. Generally, plasma is the only realistic choice for these venues. Displays that can handle these situations may be overkill for hotel situations, where the lighting is less harsh.

2) A recent C|Net interview with Yoshi Yamada, North America CEO of Panasonic covered some of the technical areas Panasonic is pushing in the plasma displays. Some things he has to say may inform your buying decision.

3) For moving images, and in the larger sizes, plasma will generally have superior display quality. With current display technologies, that generally comes with the additional weight and power consumption of plasma screens, which may affect your stand choices. An interesting, effective case for plasma screens up to 42 inches, that are constantly traveling, is here.
posted by paulsc at 8:20 AM on February 2, 2006

The stand-included specials I mentioned at Visual Apex can be found here.
posted by mike9322 at 8:24 AM on February 2, 2006

I'd recommend against purchasing cases from BHPhoto. Go direct to a case manufacturer if you choose a different vendor for cases, such as Calzone. You'll get a much better deal and can customize the case. Call for a quote, as they don't show price on the web. I've dealt with some other case companies as well if you need some more info.
posted by Roger Dodger at 8:37 AM on February 2, 2006

Response by poster: This is going so much better than I feared. All great info.

FWIW, this information goes into a bid, which will be approved or amended very quickly and the materials ordered next week, for delivery by mid-February.
posted by lodurr at 8:46 AM on February 2, 2006

Sounds like you might be pushing the time limits based on the turn around time of the bid. You might want to budget for some expedited shipping fees as well.
posted by Roger Dodger at 9:37 AM on February 2, 2006

I work for tradeshow displays manufacturer ExpoDisplays, and we handle everything tradeshow related from start to finish, so I'm sure someone could assist. 1-800-FOR-EXPO is our toll-free number.
posted by hominid211 at 9:54 AM on February 2, 2006

Response by poster: Can I pre-emptively state for the record that I don't mind at all that hominid211 works for ExpoDisplays? He's clear about the affiliation, and the link provides value.
posted by lodurr at 9:58 AM on February 2, 2006

I do hope that my answer was within the guidelines of ask mefi! Best of luck with whatever solution you find. I don't have much to do with the tradeshow part (I'm the Sys Admin), but I know it's a hectic industry with strict deadlines.
posted by hominid211 at 10:54 AM on February 2, 2006

Response by poster: People get bothered about funny things sometimes. I can only speak for myself, but it helped me, and you didn't try to hide anything.
posted by lodurr at 1:14 PM on February 2, 2006