Yes, you can put up your own exhibit. Some shows regardless the city and union laws allow exhibitors to put up their own exhibits, especially if it is a small show with little setup. Always check your showbook provided to you for confirmation as well as ask the tradeshow exhibit and design company you are working with.
Depending on the show and size of your display, I would say 3-6 months. It is certainly possible in under 3 months, but tradeshows require a lot of planning, and often production, if you are renting or buying an exhibit for that show.
Badge scanners are easy and convenient, but you often spend a lot of time after the show vetting through every person who walked into your booth and got scanned, which can be a complete waste of time. I believe in vetting through people at the show and collecting leads the old fashioned way. You can, of course, catalog them via scanner, iPad, phone, or an app on your phone/iPad, but ultimately it’s about conveniently documenting qualified people.
Material handling refers to the movement of your exhibit components between your carrier’s vehicle and your designated space at the trade show. The show contractor is handling your materials and charging for that. The cost is based on weight and often has a set price that gets charged for every 100lbs shipped in.
This is a tricky question because every city has different costs as well as every customer has different needs. The average 20×20 purchase exhibit probably ranges around 50k. The average 20×20 full turn key rental exhibit averages around 30k.
As mentioned above, every city has different costs as well as every customer has different needs. The average 10×20 purchase exhibit probably ranges around 25k. The average 10×20 rental exhibit in Orlando averages around 15k.
Every show is different, BUT general rules are… no higher than 8’ on your backwall, which is backed up to someone behind you. The “returns,” which are the sides of your space returning towards the aisle, normally allow for 8’ in height for the first 5’ closest to the backwall, and then the last 5’ closest to the aisle allows for 4’ of height. ALWAYS check the show guidelines for confirmation.
Peninsula exhibits are simple: one of your 4 sides will have someone backing up to you. On that side, where someone is behind you, you are often limited to 12’ of height for the middle 10’ of width and then the 2 sides of 5’ left you are allowed 4’ of height. This is not always the case but pretty general.
Island exhibits are exposed to aisles on all four sides and are at least 20×20 in size.
Renting is a great option if you are just starting out and want to test a particular design before committing to it for multiple shows. Renting also provides flexibility to customize your exhibit, and can be adapted to any budget and schedule. Buying makes sense if your business is planning to use the same exhibit for 3 or more shows per year. Purchasing an exhibit is ideal for businesses that know exactly what they want and desire a consistent appearance between shows.
People often spend far less on their booth than they do on their exhibit space — this is truly baffling! If you are going to exhibit at a trade show, do it right… otherwise you are sort of just there to be there, and it can end up being a complete waste of time, energy, and resources. Always have a strong presence, be calculated by having a plan and goals for the show, and create separate tasks to ensure you achieve these goals. Budget starts with buying the space: don’t “overbuy” on your space then not have enough money to fill it properly and take care of your staff. Buy the appropriate space; having a well put together professionally built 10×20 is far better than having a “pieced together,” homemade 20×20 booth.
Attendees want to be able to interact with the products and services on display at trade show. Companies are utilizing social media tools, like Facebook 360 and Snapchat, for added engagement. Virtual reality goggles are also trending because they allow attendees to experience your offerings in a way that is engaging and memorable.
This is something to be concerned about, and the only way to check this is to occasionally shop your business. We say this with a firm belief that shopping your business every year is a disastrous idea. When you have a trade show, are leaning in a new direction, or are taking over for someone handling trade shows, our best advice is to do your research. Find 2 really qualified companies who have references, recent projects to show you, and have time for phone calls, so you can get to know them throughout the selection process. Once you have selected a partner, stick with them until things are going wrong, and going wrong often, or you feel you are being mistreated. Relationships are everything and always produce the best work.
General contractors are hired by the show’s management team and provide exhibitors services including drayage, furnishings, signage, carpet cleaning, electrical service, and in some cases labor for a specific event. Trade show exhibit and design companies work with businesses to design and physically produce the trade show exhibit. Many trade show exhibit and design companies also offer services including shipping, storage, install and dismantle of the exhibit at the event, A/V rentals, furniture rentals, and more.
First and foremost, have a plan and make sure your exhibit exemplifies that plan. Clutter is a huge deterrent, so are cheesy games and bad hosts on a microphone. If you look like you know what you are doing, have set up meetings prior the show and your exhibit space is well designed, people will come in. you don’t see great restaurants hiring people to stand out in the street with costumes on do you?
Costs vary depending on cities and venue. Always check your showbook.
An EAC is an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor. Typically, EACs are hired by the company attending an event to assist with trade show services that are not handled by the contractors of the trade show.
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