Trade Show Feed

This is a very unique time lapse video which features from beginning to end, the complete show-floor set-up, the show itself and the dismantle of ABB’s annual private event, Automation & Power World 2011 held in Orlando, Florida. The Rogers Company acted as the General Contractor and produced and managed the entire event in conjunction with ABB.

From the exhibits, graphics, electrical, Audio/Visual, to logistics and more, The Rogers Company helped ABB bring Automation & Power World to life.

The Exhibit Industry Council (EIC) recently released its first  Best Practice:  Full Disclosure and Control of Exhibitor Costs.

From the EIC press release:

The purpose of this Best Practice, as stated in the recommendation, is to increase exhibitor value and improve the effectiveness of event marketing, to advocate for the full disclosure over trade show and event marketing costs, and to guide the industry in making adjustments that will support its financial future and continued presence in the corporate marketing mix.

At TSF, we believe that exhibitors should know more about what they are paying for.  This helps exhibitors determine ROI and the most efficient way to make their trade show experience successful.  In that spirit, we’re hosting a petition supporting the main principals of the EIC Full Disclosure and Control of Exhibitor Costs.

This is an important movement for the entire trade show industry and those that use trade shows to market products and do business.  We won’t publish or sell your name — the purpose of this document is solely to make important changes in the industry

The Petition

The Exhibit Industry Council (EIC), comprised of five major trade show industry associations, was formed to define and advocate for exhibitor-focused Best Practices for trade shows, conventions, congresses, and private events. The goal is to unite all industry stakeholders to support reputable, consistent standards.

Currently, there are conditions in the industry that impede the value exhibitors gain from face-to-face marketing events specifically conventions and trade shows. This Best Practice Guide outlines these conditions and suggests “best practices” to overcome the challenges created in this otherwise productive and effective sales and marketing environment.

Exhibiting companies need to understand the total cost of event participation to make decisions about which events will provide a sufficient ROI to their marketing plan. In order to understand and control costs, exhibitors need full disclosure of pricing by the organizers as well as general service contractors (GSCs) before exhibit space contracts are signed. This helps exhibitors make informed financial decisions before the event and also eliminates surprises down the road.

This petition calls for:

• Greater cost transparency for exhibitors
• An end to practices such as bundling and forced shipments.
• Discounts to be offered to both the exhibitor and the exhibitor’s third party contractor
• The elimination of hidden benefits such as undisclosed discounts between the general service contractor and the trade show, convention, and congress organizers.
• An end to exclusive facility contract, allowing all qualified suppliers who meet the technical requirement to compete for the right to provide goods and services in a given facility.

No wonder exhibitors are upset.

Jay Levine did a segment on (Chicago’s) McCormick Place losing tradeshow business.

Labor is shooting back at the idea that it’s them that’s making all the dough. Their evidence? Drayage bills.

They showed that an exhibitor can send a piece of equipment from China to LA for $4,000. Another $1,800 for truck to McCormick Place from LA. Cost to get it from the dock at McCormick Place to the exhibitor’s booth space? Just $17,000!!!

Then they interviewed the Gen.Mgr at McCormick Place and he said, “No question about it, the contractor for the show is making very big profits.”

Looks like labor and McCormick Place management is so tired of being made the scape goat that they’re both willing to point the finger at the show organizers.

The world seems scratching its head about the iPad.  Is it a giant iPhone with no real application, or is it so incredibly ahead of its time that we just haven’t figured out where it fits into our lives?  We’ve talked quite a bit about touch screen applications at trade shows here on TSF, but they’re very expensive applications.  While the iPad isn’t cheap for consumers, they are relatively cheap for most trade show budgets.  The large screen and intuitive input (you touch stuff) seem natural for  demonstrations, events, meeting, etc.

Interactive Meeting Technology has a terrific post outlining what some of those possibilities are: Read the full story