How much space do people need?
Most of us are uncomfortable in narrow aisles - especially when there isn't enough space to pass someone without brushing them. We don't like being squeezed tight when perusing a booth. When designing your booth, leave enough room between display elements so visitors can maneuver in your booth space untouched. And instruct your staff to avoid blocking the narrow spots.
Find more tips at www.espexhibits.com
As an exhibit manager, you are expected to know everything about everything - including graphic production - when it comes to managing your trade show program. Graphics used to be my least favorite topic simply because I didn't know a PMS from a CMYK. While I still defer to experts when it gets too deep, just knowing the basics gives me comfort. Hopefully it will do the same for you.
Know Your Suppliers
Make sure your graphic designers are capable. Review samples of their work from concept to end product. Evaluate quality and compare to your need. Is the work relevant to the scope of your project in terms of graphic size, materials, and level of difficulty?
Working with a first time exhibitor includes a lot of time, allot of hand-holding, and most importantly a lot of patience. What is old hand to the exhibit house is a whole new world to your newbie client. Do you realize just how intimidating it can be to begin to process of booking everything you need to book for a show as well as how much there is to learn? For instance, even though our rental proposal form states clearly that "Installation and Dismantling Services are included", I constantly receive emails asking how much it would be for "set-up and tear down", which is just another way of stating the same thing. We also mention that we do not cover rigging or drayage – and what a mess that can become when no one bothers to read what they are signing.
Do not become panic-stricken. Think about all of our clients that come from other countries, with English as their second or third language, and after the first year they do this! Just plow ahead. There are a lot of details to be worked out, even a table skirt with printed logo involves a lot of choices, but with the help of your chosen exhibit company you'll get through it.
Read your exhibitor manual, highlight it, then sit down with your account executive at your exhibit house and allow he or she to work you through it. There is allot of stuff in there that just doesn’t pertain to you. In our company we actually have a project manager assigned to each client – she will take you through the program and do all of your paperwork. Our clients find this type of help unbelievably beneficial. It is the job of the exhibit house to know the rules and regulations for every show. In many cases today – the trade show manager is also the sales manager, or the marketing manager, or even the owner. Take the time to forge a relationship that is comfortable and that will get your through the trade show process.
See You on the Show Floor -
Jan Koren - jkoren@AbsoluteExhibits.com