In this solo episode of Before the Doors Open, I get into the thing most exhibitors never think about: where people's eyes actually go when they walk past your stand, and how to design for the glance, not the study.

I talk through how people scan a space rather than read it, why your hero element matters more than anything else on the table, the eye-level rule most stands get wrong, and a quick five-word test you can do on your own stand before your next event.

If you've ever stood behind a stand wondering why people kept walking past, this one will change how you set up next time.

Ready to sort yours out?

Grab my free Exhibitor Checklist to make sure your stand is walk-up ready before your next event: https://adriananicolle.com/exhibitchecklist

And if you'd like a fresh pair of eyes on yours, my Event-Ready Power Hour is one focused session to get you there.

Email me at contact@adriananicolle.com, or find everything at adriananicolle.com. I'd love to help.

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In this episode of Before the Doors Open, I'm joined by the wonderful Jessica Wesson, founder of Showtime Circus, whose exhibiting is exactly that: not a stand in the corner, but a full, joyful demonstration space that stops people in their tracks.

Jessica has grown Showtime Circus from its very first setup into an award-winning, fully inclusive circus school for babies, children and adults, with the loveliest motto: life is better upside down. She now helps other business owners open their own circus schools through franchising, spreading the joy right across the UK.

We talk about how her setup has evolved over the years, what makes an event space something people want to step into rather than glance past, the lessons that shifted things for her, and the one thing she'd tell anyone preparing for their first big event presence.

Whether you exhibit at events or simply want to show up so people walk up, not walk past, this one is full of warmth, honesty, and ideas you can actually use.

🏆 Showtime Circus is a WINNER of Pioneering Franchise of the Year 2024, and a FINALIST for Disruptive Franchise of the Year 2024, at the Disruptive Franchise Awards.

Find Jessica Wesson:
Website: https://www.showtimecircus.co.uk

Find me, Adriana Nicolle:
Website: https://www.adriananicolle.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriananicolle.branding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianaNicolleBranding
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriananicolle/

If you enjoyed this, follow the show so the next episode finds you automatically. The doors are about to open.

In my first solo episode of Before the Doors Open, I break down what's actually happening in those three seconds, and why it's so rarely about your prices, your products, or how good your offer is.

I talk through the three decisions every person makes as they scan your stand, a free thirty second test you can do this week to spot your own three second problem, and the single most common mistake I see exhibitors make, without ever realising they're making it.

There's one small piece of homework at the end, and if you do nothing else, do that one.

If you're exhibiting soon, or you've ever stood behind a stand wondering why people kept walking, this one's for you.

Ready to sort yours out?

If you'd like a fresh pair of eyes on your stand before your next event, my Event-Ready Power Hour is exactly that, one focused session to get you walk-up ready. Or start with my free Brand Readiness Quiz to see where you're at.

Email me at contact@adriananicolle.com, or find everything at adriananicolle.com. I'd love to help.

Follow the show so the next episode finds you automatically.

That flutter just before you walk into a room, set up your stand, or step onto a stage. That's where this show lives.

Before the Doors Open is a podcast about everything that happens before the doors open. The prep, the nerves, the decisions, and the things nobody talks about honestly. Hosted by brand identity designer and business strategist Adriana Nicolle, it's the show for speakers, exhibitors and event organisers who want to show up so people walk up, not walk past.

In this short trailer, I share what the show is all about, who it's for, and what's coming. Real, practical, warm, and with a bit of fun along the way.

New episodes are landing very soon. Follow now so you don't miss the first one.

Find me, Adriana Nicolle:
Website: https://www.adriananicolle.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriananicolle.branding
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriananicolle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adriana.okpalaugo

The doors are about to open.

Within three seconds of walking into a room, we've already decided.

Who to walk towards, and who to quietly walk past. So what actually makes someone one of the ones we walk towards?

In the very first episode of Before the Doors Open, I'm joined by the brilliant Emma Hine to talk about first impressions, from every side of the room.

Emma has seen events from every angle there is: organiser, retreat host, speaker, and mentor. She's the founder of The Growth Event, and she has a rare gift for spotting what makes someone stand out for the right reasons, and what quietly holds them back.

We talk about what really makes people stop at your stand, the mistakes exhibitors make without realising, and the one bit of advice Emma would give anyone showing up at an event for the first time. There's honesty, warmth, and a good dose of fun along the way.

Whether you're exhibiting, speaking, or simply want to show up so people walk up, not walk past, this one's for you.

Find Emma Hine:
Website: https://emmahine.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine
The Growth Event: https://emmahine.co.uk/the-growth-event

Find me, Adriana Nicolle:
Website: https://adriananicolle.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriananicolle.branding/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adriana.okpalaugo

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