Getting the exhibit to the show is one of the last links in the chain, but a critical one: the show has to go on and it can’t (effectively) without your goods being at the show.

When arranging a truck or van to pick up and drop off your shipment, remember:

1. What are the size, shape, weight and number of pieces you are transporting?
2. When will the be ready to pick up and returned and who is the contact person?
3. Where are they going and who pays the bill?

Sizes and shapes. A trucker or shipping company/broker needs to know how many pieces and how much each weighs before they can give you a quote or estimate of the cost. You need to differentiate between crates, shrink-wrapped pallets or skids and loose items, like carpet rolls and rolls of pad. Since you have to calculate this anyway for your drayage (material handling) estimate and bill, it’s best to know this (or estimate it) as early as possible. Read More...

They are the third leg of the three-legged stool that supports your show experience. Along with booth structure and booth staff, graphics tell your story for you. While they are standalone elements many times, they are conversation starters and what catches the eye of the show attendee in the 3-second “walk-by” of your booth.

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The real work begins when the show closes. Yes, the exhibit has to be torn down, packed and shipped back to wherever it is stored. But there are a number of things that must be attended to besides the crates and equipment:

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I remember when my kids were little I’d remind them to practice their table manners and good behavior at home so that when we were out in public they’d remember them. Good manners make a good and unforgettable impression on strangers, particularly ones you want to do business with.

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When upgrading from smaller spaces to larger spaces make sure you also grow your budget accordingly.

My example is a show that was on a schedule last year and is still on this year, but a 10×20 space was purchased rather than the 10×10 that was bought last year. The show was a success, so we wanted to expand our presence. This year’s (inherited) budget was based on last year’s plan (not actuals). Last year, the exhibit was a portable in a 10×10 space. This year, a custom exhibit with a larger staff graced the 10×20 space. Not only did the cost for the space itself (the real estate), but the cost of services (cleaning, drayage, freight, electrical, labor) grew along with the complexity of the presentation. Read More...

At some time in our career we all have to deal with the hanging sign. It is what you can see across the hall that draws your prospects and suspects (and maybe clients/customers) to your booth. They can see you “across the crowded room” without having to know or search for your booth number.

Hanging signs can take a number of shapes and sizes, but most are fabric-over-aluminum framed (otherwise known as Moss-type signs–after the most popular manufacturer) units. They can be hanging banners, pinwheel shaped, cylindrical (round) or square. They can be lit, motorized (so they turn); they can be hung from light trusses or straight from the ceiling. Professional riggers (usually a crew of two in most cities) must be hired to assemble and install hanging signs from aircraft cables using a crane (equipped with a basket) and proper tools. Read More...

I was at a conference today where the director of talent development of Southwest Airlines was a speaker. While this seems a bit removed from a trade show blogger’s usual territory, Fiona MacLeod Butts, told the story of the SWA business model and core values and they had some roots in what we usually talk about in this space.

First of all, she got my attention by Thinking in Threes. The culture of SWA is built around these three values: Read More...