Ensuring that every piece of your trade show exhibit makes it to the show, is assembled correctly, and makes it back into storage without damage can be a stressful undertaking. Fortunately, there are steps you can take that can make all the difference when it comes to pulling off a successful trade show appearance.
Top Ten Tips for a Stress-Free Trade Show
The experts at OnePoint have put together their top ten tips for ensuring your trade show experience goes off without a hitch so you and your sales team can concentrate on connecting with customers, impressing new prospects, and gathering leads.
- Stage your exhibit before shipping. If you plan to build it yourself, practice ahead of time to be sure you have all the parts and tools you will need to set up the exhibit on-site.
- Consolidate your shipments to save money on shipping and material handling—and to lower the risk of things getting lost.
- Make sure your carrier knows it is shipping to and from a trade show. Trade shows have specific rules, regulations, and deadlines, and some freight companies won’t deliver to shows. Be sure to confirm in advance that your carrier is familiar with the requirements of your show.
- Track your shipments using the tracking codes provided. Carriers rarely contact the shipper if freight is delayed or missing. By tracking your shipment, you’ll know immediately if it’s been delayed or misrouted and can execute a contingency plan.
- Ship to the trade show’s advance warehouse when possible. This way, you’ll know your exhibit will be delivered with plenty of time to spare, and in your booth waiting for you on the first install day.
- Confirm who will be on your installation and dismantling (I&D) team. Are you hiring local labor provided by the show organizers? Are in-house employees managing the work? Are you working with an exhibit company? Be sure everyone is on the same page and has the information they need ahead of time.
- Be aware of the show’s move-in and move-out schedule. Plan with your shipper and whomever is handling your exhibit installation and dismantling (I&D) to coordinate plans.
- Pay attention to various ‘discount deadlines’ and be sure to place orders for various services early enough to take advantage of them. Send your staff and/or your I&D team copies of your order confirmations.
- Keep an eye on all credit card charges and other invoices, and be ready to question or dispute any charges that look suspicious.
- After the show, check your exhibit for damage, missing parts, dirty graphics, etc. Repair, clean, and file any necessary claims as soon as possible.
Bonus tip #11 may be the best tip of all: consider partnering with OnePoint to manage all these tasks—and so many more—for you. You’ll be able to rest assured that all details will be expertly managed and your exhibit will show up where it’s needed, when it’s needed, ready to work for you.
OnePoint Makes it Easy
OnePoint Integrated Exhibits has decades of experience designing, constructing, installing, and managing trade show exhibits for clients in a wide variety of industries throughout West Michigan. From the early stages of designing your banners, exhibit, or point-of-purchase display through turnkey show services, OnePoint’s integrated approach ensures you receive expert, personalized service that lets you concentrate on building your business while leaving all the trade show details to us. Contact us to learn more.
