Busy attendees' mobile devices go dead faster than you can say "Can you hear me now?" So booths with charging stations draw passersby like moths to a flame, though that flame is usually in the form of a tower
or kiosk that attendees must crowd around.
But now, several companies are
upping the ante on rentable
charging stations, creating wired lounge pieces
that mingle
comfort with convenience.
By Cynthya Porter
On the Down Low
Form meets function in Essentials, a modern take on lounge seating from AFR Furniture Rental. The long, low bench offers cushioned comfort for attendees who need to take a load off, and the strip of charging ports down the center will keep them hanging around while you pitch your wares. Benches are 96-by-48-by-34 inches with seating along both sides of the power strip, which features six outlets and 12 USB ports. Essentials benches are available in white vinyl and can be rented from any number of AFR warehouses across the United States.
Contact: AFR Trade Show Furnishings, Pennsauken, NJ, 888-237-7368,
www.afrtradeshow.com
Go For It
Give booth visitors a table on which they can rest their elbows or their drink while they get a little juice, and make sure it shouts your name thanks to goCharge. The goCharge
HiTop is a 42-inch-high table with a 36-inch-round top, while the goCharge Coffee Table is 19 inches high with a 42-inch-round top. Both glass tabletops have a spill-proof edge, making them a perfect fit for in-booth hospitality areas. A circular shelf below the top offers 12 convenient, universal charging cords and four outlets for charging laptops, cameras, and nearly any other electronic device.
Contact: goCharge, New York, 888-600-7494,
www.gochargenow.com
Pedal Pusher
Add a touch of whimsy to your exhibit and put attendees to work charging their own devices with WeBike by Belgium-based WeWatt. Three stationary-bike-style units and a customizable tabletop create chic bistro seating. Guests can plug into a port and pedal to charge their phones or tablets, with each set of pedals capable of generating between 30 and 100 watts of power. Units are crafted almost entirely of recycled materials, including aluminum frames, leather seats, and cedar panels, and trim surfaces come in black or white and can be custom branded.
Contact: WeWatt, Leuven, Belgium, 32-475-721-790,
www.wewatt.be
Power Swingers
For the ultimate in power and versatility, check out the charging swing tables from Totally Mod Events. Swing tables are 14 inches in diameter and sit atop a post that connects to the frame of any Totally Mod furniture piece. The tabletop can swing into or away from seating and holds two AC outlets and two USB ports along with a set of universal adapters that fit virtually any device. Myriad upholstery colors along with customized branding make the pieces a perfect fit for any display. Conversation tables and octagon highboys round out the collection.
Contact: Totally Mod Events, Las Vegas, 702-852-3570,
www.totallymod.com
Roundabout Recharge
Blend trendy with techie and create a posh lounge when you rent round banquettes from Cort Business Services, a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. company, for your exhibit. More than just glamorous, these circular sofas boast comfy seating and a hidden power supply. Banquettes are crafted of white vinyl and feature soft cushioning and a round center backrest for lounging. Inside the top of the center cone, three AC outlets and two USB ports are available to charge up to five devices at once. Each sofa seats up to six people.
Contact: Cort Business Services, a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. company, Las Vegas, 888-267-8937,
www.cortevents.com