Nowadays, every event manager has to do more with less dollars, thus they are looking for cost considerations everywhere.  Barry Siskind of International Training and Management Company has some ideas for you.  In an article on his site, he shares some tips.

Seven Cost-Saving Tips for Your Next Show

As an exhibit manager, you have a fiscal responsibility to allocate your resources properly and report results accurately to management. Without money nothing will happen. W. Somerset Maugham wrote “Money is like a sixth sense without which you cannot make a complete use of the five.” The bottom line for your entire exhibit program depends on harnessing the right amount of fiscal resources. However, we are in an age when marketers simply do not have unlimited budgets.

Here are seven tips that will help trim a few dollars from your budget.

1. Display

First-time exhibitors may consider renting booth hardware before taking the plunge and committing to one system. Typical rental costs are about 20 percent of the retail value of the hardware, excluding signs and graphics. Another consideration is refurbishing an older booth rather than replacing it. If the structure is in good shape, then re-facing it can be cost effective.

First time exhibitors might also consider purchasing a used booth.

2. Transportation

Generally shows have an official freight forwarder. At first glance, it may seem more expensive, but the official freight forwarder will likely guarantee on-time delivery because it understands the show and often gets priority at the loading docks. Whenever possible, avoid last-minute shipments because charges can be exorbitant. If your event does not have a designated freight forwarder, consider forming a group with other exhibitors from your area to negotiate better rates collectively. The cost of drayage—moving goods from the show’s receiving dock to your show floor space—is a reality in many exhibit facilities. Depending on the location, you may be able to move some things yourself, such as a booth that comes in a case on wheels, but before you move anything, check the local labor rules.

3. Labor

In certain jurisdictions you can provide your own labor, while in others you cannot. Be sure to read the show rules carefully. On-site labor charges can be minimized by ensuring that your display needs as little work as possible on-site. A pre-show checkup will eliminate a lot of last-minute structural problems.

You can read the other four tips on his site by clicking here.

An idea from Joyce

There are several suppliers to our industry which provide an exhibitor the ability to have multiple pieces of literature at your booth electronically rather than printing, shipping and returning the unused collateral.  This green approach not only helps the environment, but it can aid the sales cycle.  Since the material is delivered electronically it can be tracked to assess if it was open and viewed multiple times, passed along to another individual, etc.  Sales people can determine an interest level by viewing what a prospect has done with the electronic piece.

Electronic collateral will continue to grow over the years and the days of hauling box upon box of literature will be so passe.

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