Vendor Partner Guidance

We’re adding new stuff to your exhibitor experience!

As a part of signing up as an exhibitor at Campus Stores Conference 26 you are gaining a whole new suite of experiences, support from Campus Stores Canada, and adoration from our members.

As a part of that we wanted to provide some guidance, perspective and the understanding of how we can work together to make great things.

👈 You’ll notice things like our Conference profiles

We’re putting more resources into the hands of our members sooner into the process. Providing them with ample reason to work with you through the conference. But let’s talk about some of the do’s and don’ts and how to present your organization well!

Company Description

We get it you have 4 seconds to present your company and you want to cram it all in there. I can tell you, from great experience of writing things on the internet, no one has ever written anything online ever. You might get headlines, you may get someone being really keen, but after about the third sentence everyone has dropped off entirely. Is that three sentences? Great, so now that everyone else has dropped off let’s get into actionable advice:

DON’TS

Do’s

  • Write like everyone is a fifth grader

    • Avoid unfamiliar words

    • Spell out acronyms

  • Write the most important information in the first sentence

    • In the case of this conference, that’s “what do you do.”

    • In your opening sentence try to cover:

      • What you do

      • Where you’re located

      • Why you are different

  • Don't explain how your product works

    • They don't care about your 47-step process

    • They care about the result

  • Don't make promises you can't keep

    • Everyone can smell overselling from here

  • Don’t mistake your mission and vision for a description

    • What drives you may not drive a buyer.

Example: Campus Stores Canada connects staff in institutionally owned, independent campus store because our community shares and learns from each other.

 

Your Highlight Image

This isn't product photography - it's your brand's vibe check. Think of it as the background that sets the mood for your conference highlight, not a catalog shot.

DON’TS

Don't use obvious AI-generated images

  • We used AI for our examples because they're not real companies

  • Campus store professionals can spot AI hands and weird lighting

  • The uncanny valley is real and distracting

  1. Don't make it a product catalog shot

    • Save "here's our hoodie on a white background" for your actual catalog

    • This is about brand mood, not product specs

  2. Don't forget it's a background

    • Your highlight text goes on top of this

    • Test readability before you submit

DO’S

  • Establish your brand's atmosphere

    • Graduation ceremony feels for regalia companies

    • Bustling campus life for food vendors

    • Students actually studying for academic tools

  • Think emotional context, not product details

    • Show the moment your product creates

    • Capture the feeling your brand represents

  • Make sure it works as a background

    • Your text will overlay on top of this

    • Avoid busy areas where text would get lost

  • Use real photography when possible

    • Authentic campus moments beat everything else

    • Even phone photos of real scenes work better than fake ones

Think of it this way: If your highlight image was a movie poster, what genre would your brand be? Corporate thriller? Feel-good campus comedy? Academic drama? Your image should make that clear in 0.5 seconds.

 

Your Conference Special