It’s time to grab a pencil (or pen if you’re feeling really brave) and have some fun. You deserve some fun, right? Below is a Classic Exhibits Crossword Puzzle with many common trade show terms, including a few new ones. There are several tricky questions, but don’t panic if you get stuck. Send an email to mel@classicexhibits.com and I’ll provide you with a clue or clues.
Win a Starbucks Gift Card
When you complete the crossword puzzle, email it to me and you’ll be entered into a drawing for one of (3) $15 Starbucks Gift Cards. Entries must be received by Friday, December 4. To download a PDF version of the crossword, CLICK HERE.
Tim Patterson, aka Tradeshow Guy, takes us on an informative tour of the newest galleries in Exhibit Design Search. In this video, Tim navigates through TradeshowBuy.com, his branded version of EDS.
Let’s not sugarcoat it. Exhibitors HATE material handling charges. Mostly because drayage seems arbitrary, excessive, and unpredictable. Over the years, GSC’s have occasionally tried to justify it. Last year, CEIR released “Unraveling the Myths about Material Handling.” The report explained what’s included (which was helpful), but let’s be honest, it still felt like cheap primer painted over a dark wall.
Recent Material Handling Policies
Recently, Fern and Freeman announced new material handling policies which eliminate most special handling fees and offer simplified per-pound charges. In addition to more flexible cancellation policies. Click on the link for a more detailed article in ECN about Fern’s new polities.
At first glance, these seem positive… but let’s examine them in greater detail.
Here are two Freeman examples (PDFs). Admittedly a simple analysis. In both cases, only crated shipments are accepted at the warehouse. Uncrated and pad wrapped ships are accepted at the show site:
EXHIBITORLIVE 2020 (Las Vegas)
VMX 2021 (Orlando)
Let’s Assume a 2000 lb. crate.
EXHIBITORLIVE = $2145
VMX 2021 = $2000
After Deadline:
EXHIBITORLIVE = $2685
VMX 2021 = $2500
Small Packages (with conditions):
EXHIBITORLIVE = $45 (min. 30 lbs)
VMX 2021 = $0 (under $10 lbs)
Surcharges:
EXHIBITORLIVE = Overtime, special handling, uncrated or pad wrapped fees
VMX 2021 = No special handling fees or overtime.
At first glance, most exhibitors won’t save much, assuming their freight arrives on time and in crates. The real savings are the surprise “special handling fees” and CWT rounding charges. This means greater predictability for the exhibitor since material handling is based exclusively on actually weight.
It’s a start, but the NAB Show Cares Program offers a much better model for exhibitors and the long-term health of the trade show industry. Now, here’s an even better question… Why isn’t EXHIBITORLIVE adopting the NAB Cares model?
Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, hybrid, custom, rental exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.
Our HUGE thanks to Marlys Arnold from the Exhibit Marketers Cafe for the discussion with Mel White on Post-COVID exhibit design. The conversation didn’t stop there. They discussed new technologies, the blending of real and virtual tradeshows, and rental exhibits as options. In addition, Marlys and Mel talked about how COVID represents an opportunity to reset the North American trade show experience for everyone. Enjoy!
Search for PPE Safety Solutions from Classic Exhibits. Complete the word search and send your answer to mel@classicexhibits.com by November 7 for a chance to win a $15 Starbucks Gift Card. For a full range of Safety Divider Solutions, CLICK HERE.
