The advantages of advanced warehouse shipping for trade shows provide exhibitors with improved time management and less stress. Your booth materials wait for you nearby, right on schedule. It lets you focus on what you do best: connecting with customers, selling goods and services, and growing your business.
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) states that advanced warehouse shipping offers cost efficiency, time savings, and stress reduction for trade show participants. It simplifies logistics, allowing exhibitors to focus on their trade show success.
Join us as we review the advantages and benefits of advanced warehouse shipping. Find out how you can reap these benefits and elevate your trade show shipping experience.
The advantages offered by using advanced warehouse shipping can be grouped into five basic categories:
Each of these advantages offers a unique benefit that can vastly improve your trade show preparation and execution. Before we break them down, let’s look at what makes a warehouse advanced in the first place.
Advanced warehouses combine technology, logistics, and customer service to simplify shipping and handling. Though not every advanced warehouse is the same, they do share certain characteristics.
Managing trade show shipping costs without compromising service quality is a challenge many exhibitors face. Advanced warehouse shipping addresses this by optimizing the entire shipping process, using proven practices such as:
By partnering with freight carriers and using efficient warehousing practices, shippers can enjoy reduced wait times and better control over their shipping budgets.
Scenario
Imagine you’re planning to exhibit at a major trade show. The cost of shipping your booth and materials using traditional methods is quoted at a financially crippling dollar amount due to the narrow delivery window set by the organizers and the need for expedited freight services that result.
By shipping to the advance warehouse, you’re able to merge your shipment with others headed to the same show, taking advantage of cost-effective freight rates. This results in significant cost savings, which you can invest in marketing efforts to bring more visitors to your trade show booths.
If you’re a trade show exhibitor, you know how important time management is. Time spent addressing logistics issues is time you should be spending on your responsibilities on the expo floor.
Wouldn’t it be convenient to have your trade show materials staged and ready at the venue before you get there? That’s the reality with advanced warehouse shipping.
Scenario
You’re a small business owner going to your first trade show. The thought of coordinating logistics while preparing your sales team and finalizing booth design is overwhelming.
You decide to use advanced warehouse shipping. Your materials are picked up and stored at a warehouse near the trade show venue weeks in advance. This lets you concentrate on preparing your team and your sales pitch without the stress of tracking shipments.
Upon arrival at the venue, you find everything ready for setup and get to spend extra time prepping for a polished presentation on the show floor.
No two trade shows are the same, so shipping needs will always vary based on factors including:
A trade show advance warehouse strategy lets you adapt to a variety of demands. Whether it’s scaling up services for a major event or scaling down for a niche expo, these shipping solutions meet your needs with efficiency. This flexibility means your logistics strategy can be easily adjusted to meet the needs of every trade show you attend.
Scenario
Your company attends various trade shows throughout the year, from large-scale industry conventions to small events. With advanced warehouse shipping, you can easily adjust your shipping and logistics needs based on the size and scope of each event.
For a major convention, you scale up services to handle a larger exhibit and more promotional materials. For a smaller event, services are scaled down, saving you money. This adaptability means you’re always prepared, no matter the event size or requirements.
Sustainability in all sectors of logistics becomes more important to customers and professionals alike with each passing year. A study conducted by Statista in 2023 asked several shippers which sustainability practices they prioritized, the results of which can be seen below.
| Reducing Waste | 46% |
| Sustainable Sourcing | 23% |
| Eco-Friendly Packaging | 19% |
| Carbon Emission Reduction | 13% |
Source: Statista.com
Practices that reduce your carbon footprint are shown to resonate with eco-conscious consumers and businesses.
Scenario
You’re tasked with finding ways to reduce the environmental impact of your business’s participation in trade shows. You decide to partner with a logistics provider that offers advanced warehouse shipping.
As a result, you enjoy the following benefits.
This aligns with your company’s green initiatives and boosts your brand’s image with eco-conscious consumers attending the show.
One of the most important elements of advanced warehouse shipping is a commitment to customer service. This means having access to a dedicated team of logistics experts ready to help on a moment’s notice.
Coupled with ultra-modern tracking technology, shippers can track their freight at all times. This level of communication and support is what sets advanced warehouse shipping apart from traditional methods.
Scenario
During the planning stages of a potentially lucrative trade show, you realize a key component of your booth is missing from the inventory list. Thanks to the advanced warehouse’s superior customer support, you can quickly get in touch with a dedicated account manager.
Using real-time tracking, they locate the missing item and expedite its delivery. They keep you appraised throughout the process. This high level of communication saves you from a potential exhibit disaster, highlighting the unparalleled support advanced shipping provides.
The peace of mind offered by advanced warehouse shipping is invaluable for trade show exhibitors. If you’d like to enjoy the benefits of this practice, we’re here to help you do just that.
At USA Trade Show Shipping, our team of logistics professionals can provide assistance with all aspects of shipping to trade shows, including:
Contact our expert team at (866) 415-8986 or reach out to us online. We’re standing by to help you advance your trade show shipping strategy.
Trade show decorators are responsible for crafting engaging displays and environments at exhibitions. Their creative touch transforms ordinary spaces into experiences that deliver the essence and intent of each brand. However, exhibitors often face challenges when coordinating with decorators, from aligning creative visions to managing tight schedules. These decorators also work with logistics providers, ensuring every detail meets the exhibitor’s needs.
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) asserts that trade show decorators are key to crafting engaging exhibitions. They change spaces into captivating, brand-aligned experiences. Their knowledge of visual storytelling and process management is needed to create memorable trade show presentations.
Find out more about how decorators contribute to trade shows, and how they work alongside other roles, as we continue.
A trade show decorator is the creative force that transforms a simple space into a brand’s storytelling platform. When a business decides to become an exhibitor at trade shows, usually a decorator is their first call.
The role of trade show decorator includes the following:
Decorators are instrumental to a successful trade show, and success can be a huge boon to exhibitors, as the following statistics show.
| 15.6 billion dollars | Revenue generated by trade shows. |
| 51 percent | Attendees who request a meeting after the show. |
| 46 percent | Attendees who are nearing their final buying decision. |
Source: tradeshowlabs.com
Trade show exhibitors need to establish relationships with experienced decorators to make their mark at conventions. As such, it’s important that the two parties stay in touch throughout the trade show process.
The collaboration between trade show decorators and exhibitors can be broken down into three stages: before, during, and after the show.
Prior to the show, the following topics must be addressed.
With these plans in place, exhibitor and decorator alike will be ready for the day of the show.
While the trade show is going on, the parties will deal with:
After a successful show, the decorator and exhibitor still have work to do.
Some post-show tasks these two roles must take on include:
These interactions ensure that the booth looks great and communicates the exhibitor’s vision. It also allows decorators and exhibitors to adapt to challenges that may arise.
A trade show manager blends strategic planning, team coordination, and problem-solving abilities to ensure every aspect of the trade show aligns seamlessly.
Key duties of a trade show manager include:
Trade show managers need to possess a balance of creative vision and practical execution. Their ability to manage multiple aspects of the show all at once is crucial for its overall success.
In the evolving landscape of trade shows, technology plays a vital role in enhancing both management and execution. It streamlines processes, enhances communication, and brings a new level of innovation to trade show designs.
The following technological advancements have greatly contributed to the improvement of trade show management.
These advancements not only make the jobs of trade show managers and decorators easier, they open up new possibilities for making more engaging and successful shows.
Another role in trade shows that often works in tandem with decorators and managers is that of the logistics provider. Their main responsibility to ship cargo in and out of the trade show location, but there’s a little more to it than that.
Trade show logistics are somewhat specialized, requiring drivers to do more than simply show up, drop off their cargo, and leave. Due to the size and scale of these events, shippers are often required to stage cargo at a warehouse near the event weeks in advance. This way, freight can be delivered to the event during the setup phase in brief, scheduled windows of time.
In the following scenario, you can get an idea of what a typical trade show logistics process looks like.
For the purposes of this scenario, we’ll deal with two fictional companies: Roberts Trade Show Shipping and the exhibitor, AAA Electronics.
Staging
Delivery
Trade Show Exhibit Setup
Breakdown and Removal
Return Shipping
From start to finish, trade show decorators may need to work together with managers and logistics providers to address the exhibitor’s needs. This is especially true when it comes to trade show display booths, which all participants need to show off their goods and services for potential buyers.
Trade show decorators create visual flair that encourages attendees to engage with exhibitors and create new business relationships. Of course, without booths and materials to decorate, their job would become rather difficult. That’s where logistics providers, such as ourselves, come in.
USA Trade Show Shipping has a vast network of delivery vehicles and warehouses located strategically throughout the United States. From storage and staging to delivery and returns, we’re equipped to get your goods to the trade show floor on time and in perfect condition.
Our trade show services include:
If you’re an exhibitor in need of skilled logistics assistance at your next trade show, reach out to us online or give our team of trade show shipping experts a call at (866) 415-8986. We’re ready to help you WOW attendees at your next trade show.
Considering the popularity of the fast-growing city as a trade show destination, knowing how to ship to a trade show in Orlando is important for vendors. One of the biggest challenges? Finding the right shipping partner who can handle the nuances of trade show logistics, ensuring your trade show supplies arrive in pristine condition.
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) indicates that shipping to trade shows in Orlando, Florida requires the following:
Always have a backup plan in case of delays, given the Sunshine State’s tendency toward powerful storms.
There are many reasons to attend a trade show in The City Beautiful. These include:
Shipping to any trade show isn’t as simple as boxing up some goods and dropping them in the mail. As an exhibitor at a trade show, your shipping needs can include large displays and cumbersome booths. This means you’ll almost certainly need to work with a freight shipping company that can handle large payloads.
Preparing for a trade show means having a few of your ducks in a row prior to shipping. You’ll need to purchase booth space at the show in question (assuming you have a display), and have products and/or services to exhibit.
For our purposes, we’ll assume you’ve met these goals, so we can narrow our focus to trade show delivery and other logistical concerns.
For all the enticing reasons to hold a trade show in Orlando, shipping freight to Orlando does carry a handful of challenges. Some are common to any large city, while others have more to do with Florida’s volatile climate.
These challenges are:
Given these potential issues, the best trade show shipping partners in and near Orlando have access to multiple warehouses, transloading facilities, and different types of delivery vehicles. This allows for contingency plans when storms and flash floods close roads or damage infrastructure.
When searching for quotes to ship your trade show materials, make sure you ask questions about how well-established the service is in the Sunshine State.
No matter what business or field of interest you’re in, you’re likely to find a relevant Orlando trade show in 2024. At the Orange County Convention Center alone, some upcoming shows include:
| Show Name | Date of Show |
| The ASI Show | January 3-5 |
| PGA Merchandise Show | January 23-26 |
| Global Pet Expo | March 20-22 |
Source: asishow.com, pgashow.com, globalpetexpo.com
The type and amount of items you’ll be shipping will be affected by the type of trade show you’re attending. Heading to a culinary trade show? You may need temperature-controlled reefer trucks to transport your goods. Shipping out a large display? The right logistics company can not only ship your display, but set it up on arrival, saving you time and effort.
Florida’s weather is notorious for being unpredictable and extreme, often affecting the logistics of trade show freight with unexpected delays and operational challenges.
Here’s a short list of common natural disasters in Florida that cause shipping disruptions:
Each of these weather events can close ports, cancel flights, and obstruct roadways, causing uncertainty and delays in the precise timing required for trade show shipping. When planning for trade shows in Florida, it’s crucial for exhibitors to work with freight forwarders who have contingency plans to reduce these weather-related risks.
When deciding how to ship items to a trade show in Orlando, your first concern should be the size of your shipment. If you’re a vendor on your way to a trade show, it’s likely you have a large display or booth. This will probably need to be shipped via truck and trailer.
Booths and displays are usually made of a variety of materials, such as
When shipping to a trade show, ensure that different materials are insulated from one another or packaged separately, if possible. This will cut down on potential damage in transit.
Since Florida experiences high, sustained heat throughout the year, you may find it wise to use refrigerated shipping where it wouldn’t always be necessary. For instance, if you’re shipping delicate electronics, using a climate-controlled trailer can stave off heat damage.
Depending on other factors, you may also need resources and services such as white glove delivery. Let’s take a closer look at how different goods have different shipping and packing requirements.
Trade show displays, exhibits, and booths usually start at about 10’ x 10’ in size, going up to 20’ x 20’ and larger. Many have a modular or collapsible design, but to ship them to a trade show, you’ll probably need to work with a freight shipper.
If you’re looking for more about trade show booth and exhibit shipping, check out our exhaustive guide to trade show display shipping here.
Bringing products for sale, swag giveaways, and free samples are essential for showcasing your offerings and engaging potential customers. These samples can range from branded apparel to high-tech gadgets, each with its own set of shipping challenges.
Some commodities that are often shipped to trade shows include:
No matter what products or commodities you plan on shipping, choosing the right shipper for your goods is crucial to ensure your trade show experience is successful.
Selecting the right shipping partner is pivotal to the success of your trade show participation. When shipping to Orlando, you need a company that is adept at navigating the logistics process of this bustling event hub.
Here are some key skills and resources to look for:
When you’re shipping a variety of goods to a trade show in Orlando, partnering with a shipping company that boasts these skills and resources is critical. It ensures not just the safe and timely arrival of your materials, but also that you have a stress-free experience in the process.
The desire to cut shipping costs is understandable, and most businesses pay close attention to these costs. In practice, legally and responsibly keeping your shipping costs low is a matter of preparation. There are two sides to this preparation: planning out your shipping needs as far ahead of time as possible, and having a backup plan in place should things go awry.
Keep these steps in mind when you need to minimize shipping costs.
When it comes to minimizing trade show shipping costs, long-term preparation and a dependable logistics partner are your best friends. The consequences of waiting too long or shipping with an unknown, unproven provider can be costly.
In the world of trade shows, things don’t always go according to plan. Whether it’s an oversight, a sudden change in requirements, or unforeseen circumstances, there might be times when you find yourself needing to ship materials at the eleventh hour.
While expedited shipping can come to the rescue in these scenarios, it’s important to understand the costs associated with last-minute freight arrangements.
Charges associated with last minute and emergency shipments include:
In addition to the financial cost of expedited shipping, consider these points as well.
While last-minute and expedited shipping can be lifesavers in pinch situations, they come at a considerable cost. If you find yourself in a bind, partnering with a reputable trade show logistics company makes all the difference in ensuring your trade show materials arrive safely and on time.
There will be plenty of opportunities for individuals and businesses to make a mark at one or more Orlando trade shows in the coming year. If you plan on shipping to an Orlando trade show, we can handle your logistics needs from arrival and set up to break down and beyond.
Trust USA Trade Show Shipping for expert assistance with:
Contact us online or call our expert shipping team at (866) 415-8986. With an extensive presence in central Florida, we’re well-suited to partnering with trade-show vendors and attendees in Orlando.
For trade show sales tips to work, a group effort is needed. It’s not just a person or booth, or even some really sweet giveaway that will clinch the deal – it’s all of those things working together in a purposeful and driven manner.
Improved sales and marketing at a trade show are possible through the use of five functional habits at events.
Putting these tips into practice can help your sales representatives make the most of every trade show event.
See how you can turn potential customers into real ones at your next business event through solid calls to action that make people want to buy your product.
The biggest trade shows in the world can have thousands of attendees and hundreds of vendors. Making the decision to showcase products and sell at a trade show is daunting. There, more so than any other venue, has competitors going head to head in real-time.
To run a successful trade show booth, multiple factors need careful attention.
Every booth at an event is going to go through similar challenges. Closing more deals than the competition require further development of useful habits.
We’re going to review five unique tips and habits to make your next trade show event worthwhile.
Regardless of what your product is or where an event is taking place, implementing these tips regularly can help you engage with trade show attendees on a meaningful and profitable level.
Any good sales pitch begins with engaging conversation. A great sales pitch starts with a compelling story and allows people to make a contribution to the outcome.
There are a number of ways to introduce a product while getting people talking at the same time.
If people are coming up to a booth only to be ignored, sales will remain stagnant. A simple greeting like ‘hello, how are you’ isn’t going to cut it when everyone around you says the same thing; it will be an excuse for someone to say ‘fine’ and keep right on walking.
After over two years of remote meetings and virtual tours, people are eager to get back to trade shows. They crave meaningful and face-to-face interactions. With the right attitude and approach, a sales team can provide that and get the sale.
For more in-depth information, check out our article on trade show lead generation.
Once people are listening and engaged, it’s time to actually start the sales part of the conversation. It can be hard to get into fine details out in the open, however; there are constant distractions from people walking by and conversation at nearby booths.
Designing a private space within your booth where you can guide interested attendees for further conversation can minimize distractions. How private a space you can design depends on how much floor space you have to work with.
Based on your circumstances, consider some of the following options:
If you really don’t have the space for such a setup, consider arranging for a meeting room at the convention center. To encourage people to set aside time, you can set up QR codes they can scan for reminder texts that let them know when such meetings are taking place.
Many trade shows are open to the general public. This can sometimes make it difficult for sales teams to determine if the people approaching their booth are serious customers. Depending on the products or services offered, building an ideal customer profile before an event is helpful.
Taking the time to look at recent statistics will reveal how important it is to create these profiles.
| Attendee Details | Audience Percentage |
| Interested in finding new brands | 92% |
| Planning on making one or more purchases | 49% |
| Have buying power/represent executive and upper management | 82% |
| Aren’t current customers of companies displayed | 64% |
A sales team looking at these statistics needs to come up with a plan for weeding through interested individuals. Don’t be rude or ignore those that don’t match up, but carefully manage the time and attention given to them.
If the goal is to secure sales at the event itself, long conversations should only happen with qualified prospects. A few specific questions during the initial engagement can reveal whether an individual is an actual decision maker or not.
Someone who isn’t prepared to buy at the moment may still be persuaded to buy after a trade show has finished. After the trade show floor closes, the next phase of the sales plan kicks in. Anyone who approached your booth and provided contact information should be followed up with.
Depending on what kind of contact information was collected, follow-up communication can consist of:
Trade show marketing is something that takes place before, during, and after an event. Keep track of how you’re reaching out to people and how people react to your display after a show.
Track information such as social media joins and signups that occur right after an event. It provides yet another metric for how impactful a presentation or sales pitch was for attendees.
Even if you have the most engaging and attentive sales team on the floor, they still need people to come up to them. The street vendor approach is effective but exhausting. You can make it a little easier on the team by providing the kind of incentives that make attendees take the first step instead.
Common booth attractions include:
Make product incentives clear and simple. Keep offers within set parameters to avoid confusion and anger over small print details. Offers and incentives should align with your brand values.
For example, if the company is touting itself as eco-friendly but is handing out folders with various sheets of printed information, the wrong message might come across. It may be preferable to display a QR code that links to the information or even provide a thumb drive with digital files pre-loaded.
The same goes for selling prices. A competitor may be priced lower, but may not be able to offer the same kinds of support services or individualized deals. Incentivize the things about your product and company that make it stand out from the competition.
Despite the wide popularity of trade shows, many companies still doubt how effective they are. In tough economic times, strong return on investments are needed.
On top of promoting good practices, it’s important to avoid bad ones. Bad habits and poorly thought-out displays do considerable harm to a company’s long-term image and budget.
Common mistakes to be avoided include:
Following the five trade show sales tips we already reviewed goes a long way in avoiding bad habits. If you’re new to trade shows or have a new team you aren’t familiar with, it doesn’t hurt to review a list of dos and don’ts.
Finding a winning rhythm for shows takes time. If you feel that your booth is lacking in something, outsourcing could be the right solution.
Don’t have a graphics designer on staff that can do the job? There are entire businesses dedicated to it. Struggling with how you’re going to ship and care for everything from show to show? Hire a logistics company with experience in trade show shipping services.
You can have a successful trade show experience with the right attitude and the right partners by your side.
Big and small events are the first step of a longer sales cycle. Let USA Trade Show Shipping help you take that first step.
We’ve shipped displays and equipment for major distributors to trade shows all across the country. Our experienced crews can load up and set up displays to showcase your products in their best light.
Ask how we can help with:
Call us today at (866) 415-8986 to speak with our expert staff. Shopping around for prices and services? Get a quote for your needs online today.
USA Trade Show Shipping is ready to help you spread product awareness far and wide. Contact us today.
Trade show messaging is most effective when it’s planned with a specific goal in mind. Messaging from a new company that’s just trying to get noticed is different from an established business looking for long-term customers. Having a clear target audience in mind is one way to start.
Trade show messaging is a form of marketing that uses written, spoken, and visual communication to attract clients. Messaging begins before the trade show starts through press releases and other social announcements. Communication continues through the length of the show and even beyond with the use of post-show follow-ups.
Find your target audience and see what trade show messaging practices best suit your business goals.
As a marketing tool, informative messaging is needed if you want to attract the right kind of people to your trade show booth. Your message is a reflection of your brand, products, and services so you want to make sure it’s on point.
Clear messaging begins with clear goals. Before any kind of trade show exhibit design is put together or an email template is drafted, you need to research your target audience.
Trade shows can be fun events for both marketers and attendees, but the bottom line is that your company is there to generate leads for revenue. It pays to be selective when attracting trade show attendees to your booth.
Ask your marketing team to consider the following questions during the planning phase.
The answers you come up with should directly impact not just your messaging choices, but your entire trade show booth design. Having the right look is just as important as having the right words.
You’ve likely heard the phrase – timing is everything, and as cliché as it is, it’s also very true. Send messages out too soon and the hype dies down before the show even begins. If you wait too long, you might not be noticed in time or lose out to a company that was more aggressive in its promoting strategies.
Frequency also matters, so make sure messages for customers don’t get overwhelming or tedious. It’s a good idea to plan ahead of time how you plan on using messaging before, during, and after a trade show.
Failing to announce your presence at special events like trade shows means you’re missing out on the opportunity to attract attendees to your trade show display before they even see it.
Simply announcing your presence, however, also isn’t enough to make you stand out. If you’re a start-up seeking angel investors, your brand means nothing without some information behind it. A cool logo will only attract so much attention.
Information you put out before a trade show should include:
Large companies can also fall into the trap. Relying on past success is a great way for your hungrier competitors to swoop in with something new. Going into every trade show with something new – or at least newly marketed, will keep current clients interested and attract new potential leads.
Established companies can still generate hype through the following practices:
If you build up an email list, you can continue to send out information specific to your company and its presence at upcoming events. Something similar is possible through social media when you get people to follow or join your company’s social page.
Once the trade show is underway, messaging efforts should ramp up. In many ways, everything you or your sales representatives do at a show should in some way relate to messaging. Effective trade show marketing is all about getting messaging right.
Drafting a welcome message for a trade show combines all of your pre-show promotions with the events that will actually be taking place. Your message can be a banner displayed at your booth or something that goes out through SMS and email for attendees that might be participating virtually.
Messaging should be purposeful in all aspects of your setup, including:
Your marketing team should have established a clear call to action before the event began. With it, it’s possible to design messaging custom to the trade show goals already established. Whether you’re heavily promoting a new product or looking to establish a new business with a strong brand message, trade show messaging matters.
Your follow-up communication after a trade show event just might be the most important part of messaging. The entire purpose of participating in a trade show is to generate new business in some way. However, most trade show attendees don’t make deals or purchases at the event itself.
In fact, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), it takes about three and a half meetings to officially close a sale that started with a lead at a trade show. If you generate enough leads during an event, that means your sales personnel should be very busy in the weeks following an event.
Some of your messaging will depend on how you plan to follow up. While email is the most common, there are benefits to approaching leads from multiple angles.
| 81% | |
| Direct Calling | 68% |
| Face-to-Face Meeting | 42% |
| Social Media | 27% |
| Direct Mail | 25% |
In the same survey, only 1% of exhibitors claimed they never followed up with leads after a trade show. If nothing else, that should convince you of how important messaging is after a show is over.
How quickly you get in touch with the people you connected with during a trade show indicates your company also takes customer service seriously. Any information you gathered from the lead should be used when contact is made again.
Even if you collected hundreds of emails, just taking the time to use the contact person’s name provides a personal touch. Even if you don’t think a lead has serious potential, something as simple as a thank you letter can make a surprising amount of difference.
The rising popularity of face-to-face meetings also highlights that people are eager for interaction after being limited to virtual interactions for the better part of two years during the height of Covid-19.
Deciding what platform to use when designing your messaging can be overwhelming because there are so many to choose from. The truth is that effective messaging uses multiple platforms. Trade shows actually highlight the importance of messaging variety.
A quick look at almost any trade show reveals a wide variety of messaging methods being used at the same time. From video presentations to QR code displays, you’ll see it all being used in a variety of ways.
Some of the most frequently employed messaging services include:
Most likely, your company is going to use a combination of these messaging services. In any case, no platform should be used without proper development of the message itself. A showy display that provides no meaningful information isn’t worth the investment.
However you chose to display your company’s message, USA Trade Show Shipping is here to help. We have shipped displays of all shapes and sizes to conventions all across the United States.
Looking for help with setup and breakdown services too? USA Trade Show Shipping offers customizable service packages to meet your needs. You can have peace of mind knowing that your investment is being taken care of.
Call us today at (866) 415-8986 to speak directly with a representative who can recommend services based on your needs.
Already know where you’re heading? Request an online quote and get your show on the road. Trust USA Trade Show Shipping to help you get your message to the world.
Looking at trade show giveaways under $1 doesn’t make you cheap – it makes you thrifty and market conscious. Like many businesses dealing with the rapid rise in inflation, your marketing budget has probably been cut down. That means the money you do have for events like trade shows needs to stretch further than ever while remaining effective.
The U.S. Department of Labor released the latest Consumer Price Index in July of 2022 which revealed the majority of items had increased 8.5% in price in the last year. With trade shows finally resuming, companies can stretch their marketing budget by focusing on choosing affordable promo items meant to suit the audience.
Find ways to stretch your spending budget for trade show needs and check out great giveaways for under $1 that can still get your brand noticed.
There was a time you might have been able to roll out the red carpet of swag for trade show attendees. From mini desk vacuums to bamboo cheeseboards – your table had the best of the best. Well, times have changed and the fancy cheeseboard budget was slashed by rising inflation.
Uncertain economic times call for ways to save money, but you still have an obligation to generate leads and bring in new business. Trade shows remain a great option for new and longstanding businesses to promote their brand and services.
Whether by choice or need, refocusing your attention on inexpensive promotional items allows both money and focus to stay on developing your business services. When people do give you a call because they found that cheap bottle opener you handed out last show, you can have a quality product and service to show for it.
How a company spends its budget is going to have a greater impact long term. Marketing is a must, but consider other important things your business needs to develop.
| Average percentage of revenue companies spend on marketing | 9.5% |
| Percentage of Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) who believe their teams lack sales closing skills | 58% |
| Average percentage of business revenue funneled back into employee wages and salaries | 40 – 80% |
| Estimated change in shipping costs since the beginning of the pandemic. | 300% |
| Expected increase in IT spending for business costs, such as supporting remote workers | 8.6% |
No matter how you look at business expenses, costs are on the rise for everything from benefits to keeping the lights on. Marketing is necessary, but with most company marketing budgets still at pre-pandemic levels, it’s important to put funds where they will do their best.
Trade shows, while proven to be a good source for sales leads, can quickly become a money pit. With so many CMOs worried about the lack of closing skills within their marketing teams, the money from fancy swag might be better put to use in developing and training your sales and marketing force.
No amount of fancy swag ever sold company product – your people need to be at their best to showcase the best to every customer that comes by.
If money is so tight, why not skip the cheap promotional items altogether and use the funds and production time for other things? You don’t skip the trade show because you don’t want to lose out on developing brand awareness and the potential profit that results.
Used effectively, a promotional giveaway has the ability to generate leads both during and after a trade show. The trick is to know your audience and choose products accordingly.
The goals associated with promotional products are the same regardless of how much it costs:
Accomplishing these goals with items that cost less than a dollar is marketing at its finest.
Before you begin the order process for your budget-friendly customs print items, take a moment to consider the kind of trade show your company attends. Raising brand awareness with cheap promos is all about using the right promos with the right audience.
Choosing well means knowing your location and your audience well. Details that you should examine more closely include:
A nail file and a mini tape measure can each be ordered in bulk for less than a dollar. However, you may not want to use them for the same industries. An expo of fashion and make-up might be a better place for the nail file versus some sort of construction or hardware industry show.
The top list of trade shows by industry can be found here in our comprehensive guide.
If you don’t want to focus on the industry so much, consider small items that meet attendee needs right there at the show. Attendees will have slightly different needs between summer and winter expos, even in the most temperate parts of the country.
Likewise, shows that take place outdoors can put attendees at greater risk of weather changes. Something as simple as a hand fan can keep attendees comfortable enough to stay talking with engaging representatives.
These may include items such as:
Some of these items may not last too far beyond the show itself, but if they are inexpensive and useful enough, you can easily flood the trade show floor with them and get more traffic directed your way. Traffic to your booth means your sales reps are kept busy talking with participants and generating leads.
Check out our article on how to generate and manage leads to really get your investment back.
Either way, always keep your Return on Investment (ROI) in mind. Whatever money you put in, you want to generate a realistic potential of earning it back. When everything costs more than it did a year ago, as revealed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, getting people to spend money on your company comes down to your people.
Another common reason that attendees like swag at trade shows are for the overall usefulness of an item. Any item that survives the event itself and makes it into homes, cars, and offices has the potential to generate a lead even months or years after an event has taken place.
While you may assume that a long-lasting item needs to be something more costly, like a ceramic mug or t-shirts, but that just isn’t the case.
Simple but useful items that make their way home include:
While some of these items, like calendars and sticky note pads, do eventually outlive their usefulness, they tend to be in open places where they can be easily seen and accessed.
Items like letter openers or webcam covers might stay in use for years so long as they continue to perform their basic functions. As long as the item is out there – so is your brand and with it, the potential to generate leads leading to income.
Whatever your budget for the next trade show may be, you can choose to stretch it a little further with smart spending. Trade show giveaways under $1 can make just as big of an impact when it comes to getting your brand noticed.
Of course, you still need to get there on time and with your merchandise intact – which is where USA Trade Show Shipping can help. No matter where your venue is taking place, from Vegas to Miami and beyond, we have the means and the expertise to get you and your items in place.
Among our value added services we offer:
Get ready to showcase the best of your business and trust USA Truckload Shipping to get you there on time with everything you need.
Just give us a call at (866) 415-8986 to speak with a representative directly or request an online quote today.
Planning eco friendly trade show giveaways is easier than ever before. You don’t need a special promotion or even a company-wide green initiative measure. Just give trade show attendees what they want – quality products – and watch your brand name dominate at events.
The goal of promotional giveaways at trade show events is to attract potential leads. The more people notice your booth, the more lead-generating power you are going to gain. Eco friendly trade show giveaways have become more popular as individuals and companies place more importance on sustainable products and lifestyles.
Your company name and logo can be a part of green initiatives and earn you new clients. We discuss why offering an eco friendly item is important and offer a list of popular products.
Giveaways and trade shows have always gone hand in hand. There are whole companies dedicated to producing high-quality swag that businesses can use to promote their brand and attract new customers.
Does it really matter whether that product is eco friendly or not? It matters if you want to keep attracting consumers.
A recent study from the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) focused on the impact eco friendly promotional products had on consumers. They found that on average, 46% of people thought better of a company that provided environmentally friendly gear.
For companies that try to reach specific audiences at trade shows, they also released which age groups were most influenced by eco friendly giveaways.
| 18 – 35 | 45% |
| 35 – 54 | 40% |
| 55+ | 53% |
Gaining favor as a company is an important part of marketing. The results also reveal that the 55 and up age group is the one most impacted by eco friendly products. Why is this significant?
According to the U.S. Federal Reserve, that generation currently holds 51% of the nation’s wealth – which means they have the majority of the nation’s buying power. Even more important for companies still on the fence about eco friendly items, is how much that translates into actual purchases.
A separate study found that 59% of that age group is willing to pay extra for sustainable products. It stands to reason that if they are willing to pay for it – they are going to be really happy to get it for free too.
Once you make the decision to invest in some eco friendly options for trade shows, you might be wondering what actually qualifies. Is it a plantable business card? A biodegradable stress ball?
Yes, these things qualify, but the better news is that you don’t have to go to extremes to offer eco friendly options. Let’s consider a few different ways your swag can go green.
Providing an item that can be used more than once automatically makes it eco friendly. This can mean everything from tote bags to refillable water bottles. Not only are these items less likely to end up in the trash, but they also have the ability to provide promotional benefits long after a trade show is over.
In fact, 57% of people asked said that they had held on to good promo products for more than five years.
Top reusable promo products include:
If increased visibility is one of your trade show goals, reusable products are a great way to achieve them.
This category of eco friendly products tends to fit more traditional green thinking. The environmental factor here is simply what it’s made out of. Within this category, there are both reusable and disposable items.
Common materials for these products include:
These materials and others like them are now widely available and priced much like any other item. Aside from being sustainable, many are also biodegradable so when they do eventually get thrown out, they don’t negatively impact the environment.
Thanks to advances in technology, the list of quality products made from sustainable and recycled materials continues to grow. There also isn’t a need to sacrifice bright colors for earth tones.
Full-color processes can be used to make recycled and wood-based products just as colorful as anything that came before.
Even as events like trade shows and sports events become normal again, many lifestyles changed forever because of the widespread lockdowns resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the millions eager to mingle with fellow attendees at trade shows, there remain a number of individuals who still prefer to avoid larger crowds and attend events virtually.
These attendees are no less important than those physically present. Digitally based or virtual giveaways benefit those remaining at home. Information based along via QR codes or downloadable PDFs is a good option.
For those that are physically in attendance, there are digitally geared gifts that help reduce waste.
At the end of the day, if it brings people to your booth and provides leads for future sales, it’s a good promo product.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a short list of 10 popular eco friendly trade show giveaway ideas that are both green and under $10.
No matter what you’re promoting, or what your budget is, you can find eco friendly products that trade show attendees will love. Maximize your return on investment and give back to the environment.
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We’ve assisted businesses participating in all the biggest trade shows, from the National Association of Builders (NAB) to SEMA. Our services beat the other guys every time.
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Before you can learn how to make a trade show booth stand out, you need to grasp just who that booth is for. Trade show attendees can be a tough crowd. They’re surrounded by booths big and small, each one there to get their attention. Attendees know they are the ones with purchasing power, the ones the exhibitors are trying to woo and amaze. How could you hope to stand out in such a crowd?
For a trade show booth to stand out, you need to mix things up a bit. These 7 epic tactics can bring attendees to you and away from the competition.
Bring the fun and see the magic happen.
Get the best exposure for your business by learning how to put these trade show tips into use for your exhibit.
Trade shows are well known for showcasing the latest and most innovative ideas within their respective fields. Whether it’s the latest model electric vehicle or the latest ice cream flavor, trade shows can present it.
According to the Display Wizard Trade Show Report of 2022, the lack of trade shows during the height of the pandemic caused companies to lose out on 55% of their standard new business sales.
To make up for those losses, exhibitors need to attract the attention of attendees with buying power and take advantage of face-to-face networking.
How much can an attractive booth really help with this compared to other trade show tools? Consider what attendees themselves had to say about what attracts them to a booth.
| Method | Percentage of Respondents |
| Competitions | 23% |
| Games | 11% |
| Stand-Out Booth | 48% |
| Giveaways | 34% |
| Social Media Campaign | 31% |
| Exclusive Offers | 19% |
| Other | 12% |
Among various types of trade show attractions, an eye-catching booth was the number one thing that brought in initial foot traffic.
Of course, once you get people you need to work on converting those conversations into leads and sales. A great booth is going to bring potential customers in and get them to stay long enough for you to make the best impression possible.
Making a booth stand out is about more than simply adding flashy lights or bright colors. You want to be inviting, not an eyesore that people in attendance would vote ‘Most Tacky’. While some argue there is no such thing as bad publicity – you are there to do business and generate leads, not win visual awards.
We’ve got seven great tactics for your trade show exhibit that will help you reach your target audiences and get them interested in your products and services.
Getting people interested in your booth starts before anyone even steps foot on the trade show floor. You want people looking for you when they walk in because they’re already excited about what’s offered.
This is where you can leverage your current network connections through
Generally speaking, the more interactive your hype methods, the more vested attendees will become in your trade show display. If you are on social media, consider running a poll where future attendees can vote on what swag you should bring. You may also look into the possibility of allowing registered attendees to book appointment windows with your sales representatives.
The good news here is that even if that person misses their appointment window, you still have contact information that you can follow up on.
In your efforts to bring attention to your booth, good design matters. Certain patterns and colors may draw the eyes’ attention, but be overwhelming enough to discourage someone from actually staying and chatting.
The same goes for lighting and your use of space. Even if you only have a small spot available, you want to make it as inviting as possible. This may require you to go a bit beyond the standard brand tablecloth and office rack pamphlet display.
Are such things useful? Of course, you need to get your brand name out there. The problem lies in that the majority of your competition may be doing the exact same thing. How do you stand out in that case?
Allocate some of your trade show budget into ramping up booth design. On the higher end are professionally made set-ups that can be installed for you and made unique for your specific needs. Even if you can’t go that far, consulting with a professional designer can get you on the right track.
Smart booth designs have a few things in common.
Other aspects of booth design, such as color schemes or the use of LED lighting, should all be carefully considered. Smart booth design has a purpose, and you want to make sure that it aligns with your trade show goals.
The typical swag found at a trade show will include branded pens, maybe some coffee mugs, or the ever-favorite button pin. Now, consider what happens to these items.
Everyone offers pens. These go home and end up in people’s junk drawers and then get lost at grocery stores – there is no lead-generating power here.
In choosing what swag to use as giveaways, quality over quantity is the better way to go. Make your swag unique and useful. The goal is to get people to see it and come to recognize your brand during and after a trade show.
To choose the right things, you can take into consideration the time of year or geographic location. Consider some of these examples.
Make sure you get everything branded. If it’s a slightly unusual item, like the mini-kits, consider stickers or stamps of your brand that can be added on without professional assistance.
Also, be sure to hold back a few choice items for special visitors like long-standing clients that you want to keep happy. It could be for people who purchase or sign up for your service right away.
Creating an experience for people that visit your booth is going to help them remember your brand more easily.
This can be done through interactive games such as live raffles or scavenger hunts. It can also be done via product demonstrations. If attendees are able to interact with the products during such demonstrations, even better.
Immersive experiences can also be incorporated into trade show booth design. Is there a seating area where someone can speak directly with a sales rep? Is there space to walk around and perhaps see visuals of your product or service?
Take advantage of face-to-face interactions and makes sure people’s first impressions are good ones.
Like smart booth design, the use of video or other multimedia tools taps into using visual appeal. Now that live events are back, it’s become one of the big draws of trade show events. People can see for themselves how something works.
However, the case may be that you have a product or service that can’t be easily demonstrated live. A video would then be the only way to bring that experience to potential clients. The other fun option could be a VR test run.
Let’s say you’re at a trade show for building and construction. Your company is set to reveal its latest high-rise crane. You could provide a VR experience for clients who want to know what it’s like to sit in the operating chair of such a vehicle.
This option can get costly, but it’s important to choose video and multimedia options of high-quality images and sound. A well-produced video can also have a life beyond a trade show, so it’s a worthwhile investment.
Roll your eyes if you will, but gimmicks come into play for a reason – they work. The trick is to not overuse it or make it something overly serious.
Presenting at a fashion and beauty show? Check into the local animal shelters to ‘borrow’ well-behaved pets available for adoption and kit them out with a company bandana for a photo booth. You’ll get people flocking to pet puppies and might even help someone find a new best friend while snagging yourself some new clients.
Have a big booth at the Sweets & Snacks Expo? Have a blind taste test contest and get attendees to compete against each other.
Medical Expo? Bust out the classic game of ‘Operation’ and let people play while telling them about the top-notch surgical tools provided by your company.
The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
As fun and informative as trade shows can be, they can also be exhausting. Your sales reps might not have a choice but to grin and bear it, but tired attendees tend to disappear after a time.
Having a space where an attendee can get their second wind provides an opening for sales reps to have meaningful conversations.
Depending on how much booth space you have, there are a few options.
Meeting needs in practical and considerate ways can help people associate your company and brand with good emotions. Getting potential clients to feel good about your company is half the battle, especially if competition is fierce.
Now you’ve got all these great ideas for your next trade show booth, but you still need to get there. Trade Show Shipping can get your whole booth and your swag to any show in the United States.
We’ve helped freight ship and set up trade show booths in every industry, from bridal shows to heavy equipment and machinery.
Our experienced consultants can provide you with advice on carriers, shipping methods, and more. As part of our value-added services, we also provide:
Call us today at (866) 415-8986 to speak with someone directly or get an online quote now. Make your next trade show a memorable one with Trade Show Shipping, powered by R+L Global Logistics.
Trade show scavenger hunts can spice up your next business event and provide a little fun for everyone involved. Far from being just for kids, scavenger hunts can be used as booth promotional material, employee team-building activities, and more.
A scavenger hunt suitable for a trade show environment should be flexible and provide a few different ways for people to participate. Rules that are too strict will discourage participants, and so will overly complex clues. Exclusive prizes are a must, so don’t award something people could get by going up to a random booth.
Buckle up and get some great ideas you can incorporate from your booth location at the next trade show.
Having fun activities at trade shows helps create a laid-back atmosphere and encourages active participation. Nothing brings out people’s competitive sides quite like it. In today’s contact-conscious world, it’s necessary to find new and inclusive ways to incorporate the same amount of fun across live and virtual channels.
As more places lift restrictions on gatherings, trade shows are once again being organized. As a business, you should be excited to get your brand out there. Activities such as scavenger hunts can get participants excited about your products just through the emotional connection.
Why should attendee perception matter? Let’s check out some data about the average attendee and why you would want them at your booth.
| Qualities | Percentage of Attendees |
| Executive and Management Employees | 46% |
| Have Buying Authority | 82% |
| Buy at least one product or service | 49% |
| Visit a company’s website after a show | 38% |
| Executive attendees who find suppliers | 77% |
*based on multiple research companies.
Attracting the right people to your display or booth can have a major impact on your business long term. Even if they purchase nothing at that moment – getting them to revisit your business by web provides you with an additional opportunity.
Be sure to have your team members on board as you plan out activities. Even if representatives on the show floor aren’t active participants, the act of organizing the scavenger hunt can be a team-building event in and of itself.
There are many ways to put together a scavenger hunt to make it both fun and safe for all involved. Just remember, the point of a trade show is to expand brand awareness. Don’t get so caught up in the fun that you forget why you attended in the first place.
Choosing a theme provides you with a chance to set a company vibe. It may also make it a little easier to plan out clues and challenges. Providing a creative and memorable theme makes it more likely that booth visitors will remember your product at the end of the show.
As an added benefit, you can begin drawing people’s attention before the show even begins. Social media postings may promote your brand and remind viewers of upcoming events.
When selecting a theme for your trade show scavenger hunt, be sure to keep it related to either the show itself or the product/service you are there to promote. If you are a jewelry sales representative attending JCK Las Vegas, you may have a theme focused on Weddings and Engagements.
The point of most games is to have some kind of winner. Be sure to have simple but clear rules on how to win. Depending on the show, there are several possibilities.
However you choose to run your scavenger hunt, keep it as accessible as possible. Challenges are fun, but being constantly confused isn’t.
Be aware that even as social restrictions in general for large gatherings and mask requirements are lessening, it remains a personal choice. There are individuals who still don’t feel comfortable with close personal contact or who may not want to pick up random items coming into contact with multiple people.
With a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach, you can have people safely participate through native phone features or accessible mobile apps.
Challenges and clues could include things like:
Keyword challenges are also a great way to involve participants who may be attending virtually if such an option is available.
For instance, an organic dairy farm with an exhibit at the World Dairy Expo could have a challenge where participants search google images for ‘dairy cow besties’ and post a screenshot of their favorite result. (Spoiler: there are some adorable cow pictures out there).
While there may be people who participate in interactive games like scavenger hunts for just the thrill of it – don’t rely on it. Remember, this is something you are doing to bring people’s attention to your product and brand. The more participants you attract, the better.
From an attendee’s perspective, high-quality swag and engaging exhibitors draw attention. Consider these statistics:
How you give out prizes will depend on the structure of your scavenger hunt. The key is to make it something they wouldn’t otherwise get by just walking up to the table. If you’re already handing out sunglasses or pens – don’t make that the prize.
Digital prizes are a good option, especially so that it’s easy to reward both in-person and virtual attendees. It might be a special coupon, digital gift cards to specific stores, or cash value gift cards that can be used anywhere.
Start enjoying trade shows again and get your brand out there for the world to see how great it is. Don’t stress about how to get everything there and choose the right shipping partner instead.
Partner with R+L Global Logistics here at USA Trade Show Shipping to get everything you need delivered securely and on time so you can focus on what you do best.
In addition to the shipping services we can assist with:
Give us a call today at (866) 415-8986 to speak with one of our knowledgeable transportation service experts or fill out an informational form online. Start planning for your next trade show and be ready to bring the fun.
Start your engines: It’s time for SEMA Show exhibitors to begin preparation for the top trade show for auto equipment in the United States. Every year, SEMA brings the latest in automotive specialty products and technology to a massive gathering of industry leaders in Las Vegas. Because of the staggering foot traffic, it is crucial for exhibitors to know the ins and outs before hitting the trade show floor.
SEMA Show exhibitors have the opportunity to present cutting-edge auto products to interested auto show buyers. For first-time SEMA show exhibitors, it’s important to plan for your appearance at a trade show. Put the pedal to the metal and start brushing up on useful tips for SEMA vendors. You will want to take note on how to attend, who will be there, what you will see, and why you should partake in this hectic event.
The name is short for Specialty Equipment Market Association. The trade show is the country’s leading showcase for auto equipment manufacturers to exhibit their newest offerings.
SEMA Show was first held in 1963 and gradually established a reputation as the biggest destination for leading automotive brands to debut hot products and new models. Companies such as Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, and Dodge all take advantage of SEMA’s high-spending audience.
Products on display at SEMA are divided into 12 categories
The SEMA Show takes place every fall, usually beginning in early November or late October. The event lasts from Tuesday through Friday. The SEMA Show usually takes place in November.
The SEMA Show takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the biggest expo venue in Nevada and one of the biggest in the country. The convention center is nearly 3.2 million square feet, though SEMA uses just about 1.2 million square feet for its exhibits.
The Las Vegas Convention Center first opened in 1959, and today hosts 50 conventions per year, including nine of the top 20 trade shows in the country. It’s only getting bigger, with a major renovation and expansions underway that will add 600,000 square feet of space. The $860 million project is slated to complete in 2020.
Over 2,400 exhibitors attend SEMA in Las Vegas and that number is expected to grow with about 400 additional booths added to the SEMA Show exhibitor list each year. A few of the most anticipated SEMA exhibitors are:
The SEMA exhibitor list constantly changes due to last-minute changes or companies opting-out the following year. Stay up to date on the floor plan changes, this will give you visual access to each booth.
SEMA’s impact is not just about the number of attendees, exhibitors and visitors – it’s about their influence and buying power. Take a look at the numbers for SEMA’s attendees. Manufacturers flock to SEMA because of the assurance that the audience at the show will include people in positions of authority for leading brands
For a first-time SEMA Show vendor, it’s useful to learn why buyers attend the trade show. This allows you to cater to their priorities in your booth, offerings, and pitch. SEMA surveyed attendees directly to ask what they hope to get out of the event.
The response:
SEMA does not permit access to the general public, another reason being a part of this trade show is monumental for companies. The SEMA conference is a trade-only event, meaning attendance is limited to industry professionals. Only qualified and approved individuals who work in the automotive aftermarket industry can enter the convention center.
To be approved, prospective attendees must fill out a SEMA application and prove their current employment in the specialty-equipment aftermarket industry with the following documents:
While the main SEMA show is not open to the public, interested hobbyists and consumers aren’t totally out of luck. Those who are not employed in the automotive industry are allowed to attend SEMA Ignited, an afterparty where select SEMA Show vehicles and products will be on display.
Along with customized vehicles, SEMA Ignited will feature food, music, and drift demonstrations. The event takes place on the Friday of SEMA in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s platinum lot. General admission tickets for SEMA Ignited cost $20.
The final SEMA booth costs will depend on a wide variety of factors, including costs for staffing, shipping your materials, travel, and lodging, designing your display and branded giveaway items. It’s important to evaluate all of these factors and prepare a budget before committing to exhibiting at SEMA.
While many of the costs will vary, the cost of exhibit space is something any vendor will have to calculate. At SEMA, a basic exhibit space costs $36.95 per square or $21.95 per square foot for members of SEMA or TIA (Tire Industry Association).
Booth vendors must also pay for electrical service, material handling, furniture rental, and carpeting. At the SEMA show, Freeman Services is the official general contractor and provides these services and more for a fee.
Extra Booth Costs
Marketing strategies come with a cost — an island exhibit booth, one with aisles and access on all four sides, costs an additional $3,990. A peninsula exhibit booth, one with aisles and access no three sides, cost $1,000 extra. To set up your exhibit, you must be fully paid on all money owed to the event and its partners.
If you end up not being able to attend SEMA after reserving an exhibit space, depending on when you make the decision, you may be reimbursed a portion of your costs. The earlier you cancel your booking, the likelier it is that you can recoup some of your investment.
How do you select the perfect booth, especially if you have never been to this trade show before? When it comes to booth space selection, newcomers typically have to go to the back of the line, because this event is so massive.
Members of the Specialty Equipment Market Association or the Tire Industry of America go first, in order of seniority. All members of these organizations select before the rest of the exhibitors, no matter how long the non-members have been showing at SEMA. Non-members then select in order of seniority. A business usually gets a seniority point for every year it has exhibited at SEMA in the past.
Reserving a space at SEMA gets you more than just square footage. SEMA provides some basic services and items to help exhibitors have a successful experience. Here’s what came with a booth rental at the most recent SEMA Show:
The trade show also offers a SEMA checklist to help vendors confirm they have indeed taken all of the necessary steps prior to showtime. Included in the list is the time frame all of the above materials should be ordered by.
SEMA has no shortage of rules limiting your exhibit on the trade show floor. With such a massive, bustling event, organizers hope to keep things as orderly and appropriate as possible.
If you’re exhibiting at SEMA, be sure to read the show rules and display regulations to make sure your booth meets all of the standards.
Here are a few of the most important rules to follow when exhibiting at the SEMA show:
If you’re exhibiting at SEMA for the first time, you probably shouldn’t purchase everything you need for your booth. Renting booth materials allow you to stock up your booth for less. After all, you want to see what works best before you commit to spending the big bucks.
You can rent items from plenty of websites and Freeman Furnishing. These are a few of the most-requested rental items, according to the SEMA show exhibitor manual:
At the most recent SEMA Show, a basic booth rental package for a 10×10 foot space from Freeman Furnishing ran $397.30. However, stocking your exhibit with higher-end furnishings can run much more. Be sure to account for these costs in your budget.
SEMA exhibitors need to balance competing goals when it comes to attire. You want to look professional, but also stay comfortable. SEMA recommends business or business casual attire.
Generally, it’s a good idea to have those working your booth to wear a coordinating color that represents your company’s branding. Comfortable shoes are a must for all exhibitors – between standing for hours at a booth, roaming the trade show floor and meeting with clients, you don’t want to be distracted by aching feet.
The show has limits on attire that seemed aimed at curbing the use of “booth babes” – i.e., attractive models meant to draw leering men to an exhibit. This once common practice has fallen out of favor and tends to attract negative press. SEMA does not permit exhibitors to wear bathing suits, thongs, lingerie, excessively short skirts, painted bodies or transparent apparel.
Don’t take that list as gospel, though.
SEMA’s management has final say on whether an outfit is acceptable. If you’re wondering if a particular outfit breaks the rules, ask the show’s management before the event begins.
One of the most tasking parts of exhibiting at SEMA is making sure your materials arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center safely and on time. It’s essential for SEMA vendors to know when to load their materials into the venue.
Move-in at SEMA takes place over the course of the five days leading up to the start of the trade show. Exhibitors are assigned freight arrival times to begin moving in booth materials and setting up. Move-in times start at 7 a.m. each day and go into the evening. If you miss your assigned time, you may be issued a late fee.
Don’t count on waltzing over to the Las Vegas Convention Center right before showtime and expecting to find a parking space. In fact, you shouldn’t expect to park at the venue at all. With more than 100,000 people descending upon the event, spaces will most assuredly be scarce. Whenever possible, seek out alternative methods such as shuttles, taxi cabs, Uber and Lyft, or the Las Vegas Monorail.
For those who do decide to brave the parking lot, parking at the most recent SEMA cost $10 per day for regular vehicles. Vehicles that require more than one parking space will cost more. Re-entry is allowed – as long as space allows. Overnight parking is forbidden and SEMA will have any vehicles left on the premises towed.
The SEMA Show is really many events under one name, between the educational sessions, networking opportunities, keynote addresses and thousands of exhibitors, keeping track of everything you want to see and do at SEMA can be a challenge. Thankfully, the trade show has introduced a handy smartphone app that makes the process easier.
Take a look at the features the SEMA application offers to attendees and exhibitors at the expo, including:
Social media is not just a great way to stay up to date on the latest SEMA news. It’s also an effective marketing strategy, allowing you to build awareness of your SEMA appearance and engage with other companies and prospective clients.
Before the show, social media can be a great way to see if potential customers are gearing up for SEMA. Search #SEMA, and check the comments on posts from the official SEMA social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find interested companies and buyers. Don’t be afraid to use your company’s accounts to chime in, share posts, and interact to establish your presence — people respond to companies who use voice and personality on social media.
During the show, share photos of your exhibit, team, and products on social media, making sure to use the appropriate hashtags. It doesn’t hurt to tag companies who you hope to engage with. Showing off an eye-catching booth with a spirited team can draw new visitors to your exhibit.
Showing off your SEMA presence can be a strategy for even after the event has concluded, bringing potential clients to your website. Especially since it’s a closed trade show, potential consumers know exhibiting at SEMA Shows means you’re a serious player in the automotive industry.
At 1.2 million square feet, the sprawling SEMA show floor plan is enough to make anyone’s head spin. Make sure you take a look at a map of the SEMA floor plan to familiarize yourself with the layout before the expo. This will allow you to plan how to make the most efficient use of your time when putting together a schedule for your SEMA experience.
Generally, the show floor is arranged by product category, plus special showcases for featured and first-time exhibitors.
At the most recent show, this was the floor plan at the SEMA Show:
SEMA’s online floor plan lets you explore the venue down to each individual exhibitor. Search by exhibitor or product category to find the type of vendors you’re looking for. With SEMA’s planner service, you can mark down and save vendors. The online floorplan will let you plan ahead, while the SEMA mobile app, the pocket guide, show directory, and printed map will help you successfully get around as the event is going on.
Preparing for this event far in advance is key to having a successful booth, creating a schedule will help guide your experience making the most of the varied lineup of events, speakers, demonstrations, and exhibits. Months prior to the show, sign up for SEMA Show exhibitor summits to get even more tips on navigating this process.
In advance of the show, identify the events, educational sessions, and keynotes that are relevant to your business goals and priorities. Set aside specific times to visit different parts of the show floor, if you don’t lay this out, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Every morning of the expo, event organizers will also post on the show’s website, recapping the previous day’s events and outlining highlights for the current day. You can use these to get a sense of the most prominent features each day.
Allocate specific periods for meeting with prospective clients, and don’t forget to allow time for lunch, coffee, hydration, and other breaks. It’s important to pace yourself after investing so much time and money in attending the show, you don’t want to be worn out on the first day.
The schedule doesn’t have to be set in stone. It’s fine to diverge from the itinerary when other opportunities arise or different parts of the show catch your eye. Rather, treat the schedule as an outline that will keep you focused on what you hope to get out of the show.
At an event packed with industry leaders from top brands, it’s important to be proactive about getting your name out there. You’ll rarely have a better opportunity to meet so many professionals in your field, so make the most of the opportunity. It’s tough to go far in business without making connections.
Make sure you’re stocked up on business cards, you don’t want to be empty-handed when you encounter the perfect potential business partner. If your booth does better than expected, there’s a business center near the Grand Lobby with printers available for use.
Don’t stop networking once the event ends – be sure to follow up with any connections with whom you hope to partner. Send your follow up message within a few days of SEMA’s close so that you’re still fresh in their mind.
Don’t underestimate the value of the educational sessions at SEMA. It’s easy to get swept up in pitching to prospective clients, exploring the trade show floor, seeing new products, at networking with other industry professionals. Remember, the collective industry knowledge gathered at this major event can be a huge resource for your company’s long-term goals. It’s important to keep up with innovative new trends and strategies that can help your business grow.
With more than 70 educational seminars and speakers on the schedule, SEMA has a session for all sectors within the automotive products industry. Here are just a few of the subjects you can learn about at SEMA:
Every year, exhibitors request celebrity guests with ties to the automotive industry to lend their names and faces, including car racers, TV personalities, athletes, musicians, artists and more. Past VIP’s:
This part of the trade show allows vendors to relax from the high-intensity stress levels and enjoy themselves. While these speakers can be a calming break, they can still be an informative asset for business techniques. If your business has the clout and budget to host a star at your exhibit, it could be a worthwhile addition to the booth.
For first-time shipping to SEMA exhibitors, the last thing you want to worry about is your booth materials arriving at the trade show securely and at the right time. You have enough on your plate already. It’s best to leave it to the pros to take care of shipping your materials.
While the official show contractor, Freeman, takes care of receiving your shipment and setting up your booth at the site, a logistics company can take care of the process leading up to that point. R+L Global Logistics’ trade show shipping team has the experience and expertise necessary to get your shipment to SEMA without a hitch.
You can go about shipping your materials in one of two ways. In direct to site trade show booth shipping, your materials are sent straight to the SEMA site at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the designated move-in window in the days leading up to show. Or, you can go with advance warehouse shipping, where the materials are sent well ahead of time to a warehouse run by Freeman, who will then deliver your materials to the site.
SEMA Show exhibitors induce painstaking stress during the weeks leading up to this event. The last thing on your mind should be worrying over whether your materials made it on time and in good shape. Get the peace of mind of a professional shipping and logistics company by contacting an R+L Global representative today. We also offer shipping to IAAPA trade show needs and provide services for many other trade shows nationwide. Use the chat or call (866) 415-8986 to get in touch with us today!
