Do it myself vs turn-key service?
What’s the major difference between managing your exhibit services vs. outsourcing it? The answer is simple, What’s your time worth? Do you have 2-3 days to dedicate to show preparations?
The major advantage of a turn-key solution is that the exhibit house will handle all the service orders, logistics and coordination for you for a fee. If you are not familiar with show services and have not reviewed an exhibitor manual – gathering information and evaluating options could take between 3-4 hours. Then you have to check all the deadlines and build a timeline. Then there is the task of placing the show service orders like electrical, cleaning and labor. Last is coordinating shipping and logistics before and after the show. This can all become overwhelming and it’s a process that can take, like we mentioned, 2-3 solid days.
Here are a few considerations:
- Account managers typically have years of trade show experience and know the do’s and don’t’s. They understand trade show deadlines and are proactive with regard to approaching show services and client needs.
- Install & dismantle labor partners are trained and familiar with your exhibits so the labor takes less time and ensures that the exhibitors’ expectations are met.
- Logistics partners have extensive trade show experience and an established relationship with exhibit houses. They don’t experience “force outs” or “lost freight”.
- Emergency availability and resources to resolve problems are part of the exhibit house’s service guarantee.
What’s A Modular Exhibit?
Modular exhibits are usually designed from from “off the shelf” structural components. The unique designs typically can consist of panels, extrusions, fabric, framing and often some custom-fabricated items. While a wide range of designs can be created, you are working with a set number of parts to choose from. Often a modular display is the “next step up” from a pop-up or panel portable display, and will pack into molded shipping containers. Depending on your needs, a modular exhibit may give you the flexibility to accommodate your specific trade show needs. With the wide range of flexibility in modular components, creating a custom modular solution will often yield a unique design at a fraction of the cost of a custom-built display.