Planning your 1st trade show? Then download this presentation and avoid the mistakes often made by novice trade show managers.

2. Congratulations!
You are now in charge of your company’s trade shows.

3. But there is a problem, you’re new at this.

4. Remain calm, do not panic.

5. Use this presentation to help guide yourself through
the trade show process and
be happy.

6. Trade Show Must Knows
Before you get started, make sure you have the following information.
1. the name & dates of your show
2. booth number, size and type of space (inline-island -peninsula)
3. show move in – move out dates
4. booth space payment dates
5. show’s rules & regulations –located in the exhibitor manual
6. due dates for ordering services
7. trade show budget
8. will you rent or build or use an existing exhibit
9. who will work the exhibit
10. who’s responsible for the sales leads collection & distribution

7. • also known as portable displays
What type of exhibit will you need? • come in 10’x10’ and 10’x20’
Pop Up Displays • affordable & easy to set up and transport
• graphics can be easily changed out

8. •come in 10’x10’ and 10’x20’ & larger
•allows for more customization
What type of exhibit will you need?
• can include pop up displays, furniture,
Inline exhibit custom graphics & plasma screens
• available in rental and custom options

9. •come in wide variety of sizes
What type of exhibit will you need? •aisles on all sides
Island Exhibits •available in rental and custom

10. •aisles on 3 sides
•come in a wide variety of sizes
What type of exhibit will you need? •allows for more customization
•can include pop up displays, furniture, custom graphics & plasma screens
Peninsula Exhibits •available in rental and custom

11. Trade Show Terms
Convention Center is where the trade show
takes place. The larger and most popular
convention centers include Chicago’s
McCormick Place, Los Angelas Convention
Center, Las Vegas Convention Center &
Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center.

12. Trade Show Terms
Trade Show Association
promotes the trade show, rents
out the convention centers,
hires the show contractors, and
decides on the cost of the
exhibit space and hotel rates.
General Show Contractor is
the company who manages
trade show, including leasing
the exposition facility, hiring
official contractors, and
promoting the show. GES and
Freeman are two of the more
well know show contractors.

13. Trade Show Terms
Exhibitor Appointed
Contractor is hired by an
exhibitor to perform
trade show services
independently of show
management appointed
contractors. Dimension
Craft is an exhibitor
appointed contractor
who builds, ships installs
& dismantles exhibits.

14. Shipping Terms the cost to bring your exhibit and
Trade Show
is
exhibited material to the convention center’s loading
docs.

15. Trade Show Terms
Drayage (material handling) is the cost to
bring your exhibit from the convention
center’s loading docs to your booth
space. The charge is normally based the
weight cartons skids, and crates.

16. Trade Show Terms
Bill of Lading is an official document between the
shipper and the carrier listing the items being
shipped. Most shows contractors will only issue your
bill of lading once all your show expenses have been
paid.

17. Understanding the trade show lingo
Trade Show Services
Electricians will install and dismantle anything electrical. Be sure to provide an electrical layout plan
when submitting your electrical request. This will speed up the electrical set up process and save you
money. If exhibiting machinery for shows like IMTS or FABTECH, it's a good idea to leave the machine
locks in your booth (oppose to storage) so you can lock up your equipment immediately after the show
ends. Pre-wiring your equipment and providing quick disconnects can also save on your electrical cost.
Plumbers will provide the installation and dismantling of water, air, gas lines to your equipment and
exhibit. If your exhibit requires plumbing, be sure to provide a location layout, and valve fitting sizes
when submitting your plan.
Riggers will uncrate/unskid, crate/skid and position your machinery and exhibit. You can save on
rigging cost by uncrating your equipment before the show. If exhibiting machinery, it's a good idea to
mark the location of your equipment on the visqueen carpet covering before the move in. This will
help the riggers spot your equipment.
Carpenters will install and dismantle your trade show exhibit.
Decorators will assemble (non-electrical, non-structural) overhead signs, and draping. Exhibitors can
now mount their own signs to their exhibit walls. Be sure to bring in some Velcro when packing for a
show if you plan on doing it yourself.

18. Common Trade Show
1. not understanding drayage
2. not confirming ordered services ahead of time
3. showing bad body language
4. loosing your cool at a fellow employee or show official
5. waiting until the last second to make move out arrangements
6. not ordering carpet padding
7. wearing new shoes
8. poor exhibit lighting
9. cluttered or low quality graphics
10. handing out mindless give-aways

19. Don’t Forget to Pack These Items
1. Velcro
2. first aid kit
3. electrical extension cords and power strips
4. cleaning supplies: Windex, paper towel
5. phone charger
6. business cards
7. tool kit
8. breathe mints
9. bottled water
10. promotional hand outs

20. Blah Blah Blah
Try to avoid these overused slogans in your trade show exhibit design.
Think of a trade show slogan that will set you apart from the competition.
1. Global – World or Recognized Leader
2. Cutting Edge Technology
3. We are Committed or Dedicated
4. Award Winning Services
5. Over (fill in the number) Years of Experience Working for You

21. Dimension Craft Inc.
Dimension Craft is a nationwide, family owned and operated tradeshow
exhibit and display manufacturer. Our team of professionals work towards
your company’s success and to making you a great exhibit that will set you
apart from the competition while keeping within your budget.
Our Chicago based headquarters is located only 7 miles (15 minute drive)
from McCormick Place. Exhibits are built and stored in our 130,000
square foot warehouse.
Dimension Craft has earned the reputation as the premier exhibit solution
partner for small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations. Let us create for
you the exhibit experience of your future.
Design Construction Installation & Dismantling Storage Graphics
2600 W. 50th Street Chicago IL, 60632 ph: 773.925.6500 www.dimensioncraftinc.com info@dimensioncraftinc.com