Archive of E-Zine Articles
We are using the tips and techniques discussed here to save our clientele 30% or more at each and every show that they attend. It is my hope that you will be able to put the information in these e-zine articles to immediate and effective use. If at any time the content of an article is unclear please let me know, or if you are having a specific problem please post it to our Trade Show Questions Forum.
10 Top ways to Reduce your Trade Show Costs in 2010
Volume 5, Article I, January 15, 2010
Anticipate these corporate events issues and solve trade show problems at no cost
Volume 4, Article IX, December 15, 2009
Trade Show International Shipping - When shipping internationally think "10 + 2 rule"
Volume 4, Article VIII, November 15, 2009
Exhibit Profile - How does your trade show exhibit design impact your company image?
Volume 4, Article VII, October 15, 2009
Exhibit Profile - What trade show exhibit design is best for your company?
Volume 4, Article VI, August 15, 2009
Trade Show Hanging Sign Tips and Tricks, Part 2
Volume 4, Article IV, June 15, 2009
Trade Show Hanging Sign Tips and Tricks, Part 1
Volume 4, Article IV, May 15, 2009
Fire Marshals, Convention Centers and Tradeshow Flame Proofing
Volume 4, Article III April 6, 2009
Significantly reducing Freight Handling and Small Package Expenses
Volume 4, Article II March 6, 2009
Consider Trade Show Exhibit shipping by Railroad!
Volume 4, Article 1, February 27, 2009
Just say "No" to a request for signature
Volume 3, Article 1, January 5, 2007
Freight Emergencies: What to do when things go wrong at show site
Volume 2, Article 6, March 29, 2006
Straight time vs Overtime Costs: Planning to Avoid Overtime
Volume 2, Article 5, March 15, 2006
General Contractor - Checking your bill and getting it corrected
Volume 2, Article 4, March 1, 2006
Exhibit Storage Containers: How they affect exhibitor costs - Real Life Examples - Part 2
Volume 2, Article 3, February 15, 2006
Exhibit Storage Containers: How they affect exhibitor costs - Part 1
Volume 2, Article 2, February 1, 2006
Exhibit Design and Costs: Variable - Exhibit Weight
Volume 2, Article 1, January 18, 2006
Understanding the RFP Process, Part III
Volume 1, Article V, December 19, 2005
Understanding the RFP Process, Part II
Volume 1, Article IV, December 5, 2005
Understanding the Trade Show Exhibit RFP Process
Volume 1, Article III, November 21, 2005
Trade Show Exhibit Booth and Display Freight Handling Order Form--Part 2
Volume 1, Article II, November 7, 2005
Trade Show Exhibit Booth and Display Freight Handling Order Form--Part 1
Volume 1, Article I, October 24, 2005
Anticipate these corporate events issues and solve trade show problems at no cost
Volume 4, Article IX, December 15, 2009
Emergency Electrical Work
Recently I was at the NFDA Show and an exhibitor requested of me, how to get the lights working in the main truss of his display. The lights were working the night before when the marketing team left the show. All of the lights were installed within the guidelines of the show rules and regulations by electricians supplied by the electrical arm of the general contractor.
Provided that you have paid for electricians to do your electrical work during the trade show installation, in general, any of this debugging once the trade show is up and running is free. However, there are a few things that you should know before arranging for this help:
1) This work is done either at the end of the day, or first thing the next day, beginning about 2 hours before the show. You may be able to get help during the day, but only if the work can be done in a way that is safe for show attendees. No ladders in the booth. No obstructing traffic flow.
2) Electricians to help can be found at one of two places: a) the general contractor’s service desk. (Same place where you go to discuss your order or hand in the bill of lading.) b) Electricians supervisor desk – usually hidden behind curtains somewhere in the hall. This desk is exposed during installation and dismantle, but covered up during the show. Electricians are usually managed from this desk first thing in the morning and before the close.
3) Let the electricians know of your problem as soon as you do. You want to be first on the list for repair either at the end of the day or first thing before the show opens. There are a limited number of debugging staff, and you need the repair made.
4) Follow-up with whatever desk you placed the service order for debugging. If it is an hour before the show, and you still haven’t seen an electrician, go back to the desk. The desk can radio the electrical supervisor or electrician to tell you why you haven’t seen them. Follow-up is key with all service providers at the show. Everything is happening in real-time and all tasks are emergencies for the staff involved.
5) If you are asked to sign something by an electrician, supervisor or the service desk, know what you are signing. If it is a sheet documenting the electricians hours, also referred to as a hard card, write a small ending time and your initials. This way if you are billed, and the times seem too long, you can refer back to the original documentation. A copy of the hard card will reside in your booths folder. You are billed from these copies and the data on these copies.
Key Information not spelled out by the floor plan
When you are reviewing the floor plan for the corporate event or trade show you are attending, keep in mind hall height and structural members. Structural members can limit height in key locations. I.E. eliminate the use of your hanging sign, or obscure views of your exhibit. Ceiling height is usually stated in general, but often it is not specified that in your area the ceiling is lower due to air conditioning ductwork or unique configurations of supporting beams. Areas where one hall transitions into another are also often height limited with no mention on the floorplan. When reviewing the layout there are often unspecified marks. If you see one of these in your area, call the show management operations manager. They will either know what that unspecified "dot" or "dashed" line means, or who to call to find out.
Questions about this article?
TradeShowExhibitGuy.com e-zine is written
by Brett Lipeles, CEO of Exhibit & Display Consultants as a response
to challenges encountered by exhibitors that are interviewed at recent
shows. We now offer a “Pay only for Performance” plan
where you pay only a percentage of the savings that our services provide.
We save our customers an average of 30% at every show! Contact us today
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