It’s the beginning of a brand new year, so now is the perfect time to think of new ways to grow your business! Exhibiting is a unique way to position your company with your customers and market your business with a new audience.
With everything involved in preparing for your first (or even fortieth) exhibiting experience, it is important to understand the roles of everyone involved throughout the process.
General Contractor
The General Contractor is typically a local professional charged with the overall logistics of the show. There is much that the General Contractor is responsible for, and it varies from show to show. However, some core services they are typically in charge of are drayage, carpeting, overhead and aisle signs, rentals, and floor plans and layout.
Cost Saving Tip: To help save money, try pricing out rentals needed for your booth space on your own. Consider shipping items yourself or hand carrying them to the show. You may be able to save a little money by doing things without the overhead of the General Contractor fees.
Convention or Trade Show Facility
The actual venue for the event is usually responsible for electrical, phone, plumbing, Internet, and catering services. They may choose to subcontract these out, but typically they will be covered by the facility itself or by the facility via the General Contractor.
Cost Saving Tip: If you can use an Internet “hotspot” through your phone, you should be able to save quite a bit of money on Internet fees. You should also look at creative ways to limit your expenses such as using one electrical outlet with two extension cords, rather than paying for 3 outlets.
Association
The Association mostly takes care of the overall selling of booth space, promoting the event, and providing attendees. They are the bigger picture, but also have their hands in many of the details of the show.
Cost Saving Tip: If you are looking to cut costs, then the key with the Association is to think creatively and to speak up! You may be able to save by offering giveaways to include in the registration bags or by providing functional items such as cups for the refreshment stands. If you are vocal and express that the Association fees are too high, you may find they have some suggestions for bundling costs while gaining exposure at the same time.
As you are back at work and thinking through everything you’d like to see your business accomplish this year, consider exhibiting as a smart choice to deepen your client relationships and promote your business. If you’d like more information on the different roles throughout the exhibiting process and how you can save money creatively, contact Exhibit Edge today!