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Many exhibit houses offer additional turnkey services to support their customer's trade show program. These value-added services focus on assisting the customer in the management of transportation and storage of properties, ordering of show services to support show site activities, and the regular maintenance of exhibit properties. To facilitate this process for the customer, the exhibit house forms strategic partnerships with a network of national and international vendors who specialize in exhibit support services. Since the exhibit house produces a large volume of business for these suppliers, the customer benefits by receiving the best service and preferred pricing. With unsurpassed industry experience and knowledge, the exhibit house is prepared and responsible for being the point of contact for multiple vendors and reacting and solving problems as they occur. It is this attention to detail that insures the best long term care of the customer's exhibit properties and trade show program.
The Shipping department is responsible for the logistical management of the customer's properties through alliances arranged with select freight carriers that specialize in tradeshow logistics. The Shipping Manager's primary role is to manage the low cost, timely transportation of the customer's properties in accordance with their tradeshow schedule, including show-to-show shipments or split shipments due to overlapping shows. Other tasks included preparing return shipping labels, the bill of lading, and supplying inventory and exhibit set-up drawings with each outbound shipment.
The Show Services department manages and supports the customer's exhibit property at show site through arranging the services necessary to run the exhibit live. The department takes care of orders for drayage, carpet rental, rigging equipment, lighting, electrical, furniture rental, floral, photography, lead management, temporary staffing, etc. Show Services can also arrange for the labor required to install and dismantle the exhibit properties and other unique needs that require specialized services not offered through show management. The department leverages the experience and expertise of other exhibit house departments to collect the information necessary to facilitate the accurate ordering of these services.
The Open and Inspection (O&I) department's primary role is to open and inspect exhibit components upon receipt of properties into the facility or prior to shipping to show site. The O&I personnel inspect crate/case contents against inventory packing lists and not missing components. In turn, each piece is pulled out and inspected for damage. A report is generated of missing components and damage and sent to Estimating for itemized problems and any necessary costs prior to sending the property to the next show. This pro-active approach helps the customer budget realistically, insures the ease of exhibit installation at show site, and extends the life of exhibit.
These services follow procedures and systems that address exhibit transportation, show service and maintenance needs, including:
• Supporting the customer by providing value added services that address the needs of logistical management of the customer's properties and use of the exhibit at show site.
• Developing and maintaining a network of strategic partnerships with national and international vendors that specialize in particular services unique to the tradeshow industry. This helps expedite freight and installation and dismantle, saving the customer time and money.
• Negotiating volume discounts with quality vendors to secure low cost options for customers.
In order to ensure the success of services, your company needs to provide:
• A complete tradeshow schedule, booth size and exhibit property required for each show to facilitate the efficient and economical logistical management of the exhibit program.
• Detailed descriptions and requirements of services needed at show site to successfully support exhibit and product application.
• Identification of any customer properties, such as product, literature and equipment, that needs to be transported to show site to facilitate the efficient packing of shipment in order to lower transportation costs.
• Alerts to the exhibit house regarding any damage or missing components that were identified at show site so these can be repaired and replaced between shows.
By capitalizing on the services available through the exhibit supplier, the customer can benefit in several ways, including:
• Saving you valuable time by offering a turnkey outsourcing option for your tradeshow exhibit transportation, show services, and maintenance needs. Using this option will allow you to address other important job responsibilities that require your dedicated attention.
• Saving you money through volume discounts and the efficient and economical management of tradeshow resources. This enables you to focus your budgets in other areas, such as strategic planning, which will provide improved ROI.
• Having the full support of all the other exhibit house departments that are intimately familiar with your program. This will allow for the efficient transfer of critical information necessary in ordering show services, such as the electrical layout drawings, cubic weight and crate sizing for drayage, and set-up drawings for the installation and dismantle labor. This approach has fewer margins for error ensuring your success on the show floor.
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