Dave Coladonato
Give us the quick version: How do you describe your company?
I like to describe Visual Communications as your 3-dimensional marketing partner. Any time you have a group of people, an interaction, and a message, we can step in and help bring that to life.
What types of things do your clients say about you?
At the end of an event, when a customer is beaming with pride, and they say it couldn’t have happened without our team’s help…that’s as good as it gets. Another big compliment is when a customer moves to a new company and brings us with them. Our biggest ‘brag’ is that we do very little advertising and the vast majority of our sales opportunities are garnered via word of mouth.
How are you helping clients save money and/or time?
First, we educate ourselves on their team, products, services, and expectations, thereby becoming an extension of their marketing team. Then, we look at their overall program and consider ways to re-use, reduce, and prorate expenses, materials, supervisors, and graphics whenever possible.
What program from the last 12 months are you especially proud of and why?
We designed and fabricated a 20 X 60 exhibit for PharmaEssentia at the ASH show in December. It incorporated a journey that included interactive stations, a nitrogen ice cream bar, but most notably was an LED ‘marrowverse’ tunnel. This tunnel helped communicate the client’s product messaging while immersing them in a custom medical animation. We were proud of the creativity, dedication and collaboration that went into making this dynamic exhibit a reality.
How would you describe the culture at your company?
Visual is a family-owned company with a hardworking team. We do whatever it takes to ensure our client’s success, but we like to have fun as well. For instance, our office is located near the Philadelphia Union field. A large group of us recently attended a game…the one where a raccoon took over the field for 6 minutes!
What are some of the benefits of working with a family-owned company?
We foster a ‘family’ atmosphere, where we all care about each other and root for each other’s success. We’re also able to circumvent the red tape that exists in other companies, in order to get the client a solution ASAP.
How would you describe the creative process at your company?
Our creative process is based on storytelling and bringing our clients stories to life. We would get bored just building exhibits, so we like to know why your company stands out, what makes your product different, and how can we create a memorable experience for every attendee that visits.
What are the biggest mistakes clients make with their exhibit programs?
The biggest mistake usually comes when we are trying to build a comprehensive experience, but we do not have clear/unified direction on the goals. Before attending an event, it is critical to know why you are attending, what are your goals or metrics, and what are the key takeaways?
Describe some new or exciting design or fabrication techniques, technologies or materials that you’re exploring in your work?
There is a lot of fun technology happening right now, from new marine grade LEDs, to transparent screens, holograms, moving graphic panels, and more….
How are you helping clients win-big in trade shows?
By creating an inviting and dynamic atmosphere, that not only draws the attendees in, but enables the staff to easily engage with them, and provide a clear message to each visitor.
What are some of the ways your company is positioned, short-term and long-term, for growth? Strategies you’re exploring? New out-of-the box ideas?
We are very fortunate to be exploding in growth ever since COVID fizzled. Customers have relocated to new companies and are reaching out to us to bring us in to help support them. We are hiring in every department at the moment and continue to press the envelope with design and fabrication practices.
