Here's the backstory: We decided on a whim just over a month ago to see if we could scoop up a booth last-minute, and were lucky enough to get one of the last openings (due to cancellation) at the show. With our space secured, and this being our first foray into trade show exhibition, we started planning right away and tried our best to think outside of our 10x10 box. 

Slowly but surely, everything fell into place; our special business cards arrived in the knick of time, our cheeky "Does Your Website Suck?" banner turned out great, and we went all-out on electronic displays, pushing just under 6 million pixels to three separate displays totaling 146 diagonal inches. We like our screens large. We also wanted our space to feel open and welcoming to invite visitors in, rather than fencing them off, so we laid down laminate flooring (we're pros at snapping it together now!) and arranged some comfy chairs and stools around the booth. 

With minutes to spare on the last day of setup, we finished creating a booth we were really proud of and couldn't wait to share it with everyone. Little did we know we would see formal recognition for our efforts! On the second day of the show, we were awarded one of just 20 BMO Bank of Montreal 5 Star Booth Awards - meaning our booth was in the top few percent of all the exhibitors at the show! The award was very unexpected and we were extremely humbled to have received it.

As the days went on, and the crowds got bigger and bigger, our time was spent giving consults, chatting about websites and online marketing, as well as hanging out with fellow vendors and show-goers alike. Thankfully, the Lethbridge Web Design Team members and friends were able to run us food and drink (mini-donuts on occasion!) so we could keep our heads in the game and our bodies in the booth. 

We met so many amazing people and business owners throughout the four days of the show and it turned out to be a wonderful experience full of new ideas, new leads and new clients. We can't wait to sign up for next year and we've already started planning out our booth (think foosball and couches!). 

See you at the 2013 Show!

- The Lethbridge Web Design Team

We were so excited to try out Moo Print's newest product, Luxe Business Cards, that we ordered a batch with a fun new Lethbridge Web Design-themed design to try them out. Our review?

WOW. 

These cards are one high-end product. The thickness of the stock (600 gsm mohawk superfine) in combination with the optional color seam (we opted for blue, of course) makes for a business card with wow factor. They ooz class and the texture is remarkable.

We just came back from a fantastic work event in San Diego and ran out of our mini moo cards while we were there (they went like hotcakes -- our entire box of 100) so these new beauties arrived just in time. Phew! 

These cards would also make fantastic designer labels or place cards for any special event. Even the adorable box they arrive in is awesome AND reusable. 

After sifting through the sample pack that was sent to us by Juke Box Print (based in Gastown - Vanocuver, BC) we couldn't help but get overly excited and make an impulse print purchase. They have so many fantastic business cards and glamorous techniques including spot UV, emboss, die cutting (any shape) and metallic and satin finishes. We just wanted to share our excitement for said beautiful stock. Fellow stationary & graphic design junkies can appreciate our happiness :)

Talk about dedication. It's too cold for me to even walk to my car (yes, I'm a pansy) - and this girl is outside with a squigee cleaning the doors and windows of the LWD Studio. We appreciate you!!!

While a family member was back east in Ontario, they picked up this fantastic book 'A Homage to Typography' by Pedro Guitton for the Lethbridge Web Design library. Not only does it showcase and demonstrate real-life applications for hundreds of fonts, but it includes 63 absolutely fun and stellar typefaces on disc.

Not only do we love the cover design, but it's a great tribute to some fantastic fonts and the perfect addition to our collection of design and typography reads. 

..well, technically they're silicon coasters BUT they're adorable and we wanted to share these new additions to the studio decor. We've got a few brown bears and some white (polar) ones too! Picked 'em up today while visiting the @GaltMuseum

Lethbridge Web Design is proud to be a member of Kiva, an organization that facilitates micro-lending to entrepreneurs in poor countries. Our primary goal as a company is to help people grow their own businesses by assisting with raising both online and offline awareness and empowering them to think big and be resourceful. This philosophy works internally as well as externally - we empower the people who work with us to challenge themselves and give back in any way that they can. This Kiva gift certificate is our way of sharing our love for the fantastic micro-lending system and encouraging those who can make a difference in someone else's life to do so.

Since extreme, life-saving techniques are all the rage within our office, we brought in some relevant, light-reading. Our personal favorite? How to perform the Vulcan Nerve Pinch as seen in The Action Hero's Handbook.