Bob
Thomas, CME | Exhibit and Event Management Tradeshow 101
• Ask questions & ask for help - exhibitors love to help an honest beginner • Find a mentor - learn the tricks and shortcuts from a veteran • Use the Trade Show Exhibitors Association - www.tsea.org • Read articles - Trade Show Ideas (TSEA's monthly magazine) • Get smar - via Distance Learning, Audio Conferences, EMI (all TSEA) • Attend TS 2 - a week of education, networking, and trade show learning • Stay in touch on websites like www.tradeshowblues.com • Get to know local and national suppliers and use them as info resources: • Custom Exhibit Builders • Consultants, writers, speakers • Portable Display Showrooms • Transportation Companies (van, air, common, and specialty) • Graphic and Sign Shops • Convention and Visitors Bureaus • Premium Reps (they sell imprinted and promotional items) • Staff and Sales Trainers • Show Decorators (Hargrove, Freeman, GES, Fern, Champion) • Installation and Dismantle Companies • Network with your peers and other exhibit managers • Marketing Managers • Special Event and Destination Management Companies • Meeting Coordinators • Learn Industry Terms - there is a good one at www.eaca.com • Read and understand show rules, standard sightline and setup rules • Know Union rules and respect their territory and your restrictions • Carry the tools of the trade like a Schrade or Leatherman multi-tool • Cellphone with all important phone numbers programmed • Business cards (yours) for networking with peers and suppliers • Keys to your exhibit property (a spare set in your briefcase) • High Tech Survival Kit (qube tap, phone cord, batteries, software and recovery disks, blank floppy disks or jump drive, spare parts, etc) • Company FedEx or UPS account and shipping labels, tape, and markers • Small Alarm Clock, Calculator, stamps, antacid, asprin, bandids, mints • ALWAYS have an alternate return shipping option - not FedEx or UPS! • Bring all your show info in an organized, easy to access 3-ring binder!
Bob Thomas, CME is Founder and President of Exhibit and Event Management - an exhibit management and consulting company based in Columbus Ohio . He is also Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Trade Show Exhibitors Association and has been managing trade show and marketing exhibits for more than 15 years. Bob Thomas, CME Exhibit and Event Management 3227 Mountview Road Columbus OH 43221 614.538.9004 office 877.299.5836 toll free 614.538.9019 fax |
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