Autumn’s trade show season is just around the corner! Prepare yourself for a streamlined, successful season with our easy checklist.
By Daniel Chaddock, President of E&E Exhibit Solutions
Every day brings us a step closer to the hectic fall trade show season. With just a few weeks left before the hustle and bustle of shows begins, now’s the time to ask whether your company’s trade show exhibits are up to date and ready for action.
Now is the perfect opportunity to take a proactive approach to your trade show displays – and ensure you’ll be a step ahead when the fall season heats up! To make sure your events run smoothly, follow this easy checklist:
- Check your booth’s condition. The first thing potential clients will see this fall is your trade show booth. Make sure it’s in top shape by making any necessary repairs, replacing any missing pieces and reviewing your trade show graphics to ensure they are in good shape and relevant to your marketing message and brand.
- Stock up on literature and giveaways. Check the stock levels of your trade show exhibit’s brochures, fliers and giveaways to make sure you have plenty for the whole season. You’ll also want to review all materials to ensure information and messages are up to date. Order any refills or replacements, and give all items to your exhibit house to pack with your trade show booth.
- Check your AV equipment. Take a moment to switch on all your audio and visual equipment, including laptops, monitors, projectors and kiosks, to ensure they’re in working order and ready for use.
- Research show services and deadlines. Register for on-site services early, when rates are lower, and you can save a significant amount on your show expenses. Now’s the ideal time to check deadlines for ordering services, such as material handling, EAC forms, electrical and Internet, booth cleaning and carpet rental. You should also review your exhibitor manual to see all services available at your show and determine whether you need to find outside services as well.
- Coordinate your shipping schedule. Before the season starts, determine your trade show display’s shipping schedule, keeping in mind warehouse deadlines. By planning ahead, you’ll also have time for ground shipping – an economical, money-saving option. To avoid missing important deadlines, communicate your schedule to your exhibit house.
- Organize your labor schedule. Once your shipping schedule is determined, get quotes from your exhibit house for installation and dismantle labor and schedule them according to move-in and move-out dates.
- Develop your marketing strategy. Finally, review your trade show marketing objectives and corresponding strategy, including things like media outreach, sales and lead goals, pre-show promotions and post-show follow-up. Having a marketing plan in place before the season starts can help you better identify your objectives – and measure success.
The fall show season offers plenty of opportunities to market your company’s products or services – and by planning ahead, you can ensure you make the biggest bang at your event, without exceeding your budget. To make sure you’re prepared for the fall and beyond, get the help of a full-service trade show exhibit company like E&E Exhibit Solutions. Contact us today to learn more.
Since 1994, Daniel Chaddock has consulted on effective trade show exhibit designs and use of trade show displays for trade show marketing. He is currently president of E&E Exhibit Solutions, a trade show display company with expertise in custom portable exhibits and custom modular displays. You can reach Daniel via email to Daniel@exhibitsusa.com or contact us at 800.709.6935.
