Tradetec Skyline

Make Your Show Leads Matter

Here are some tips for managing the leads that you and your staff work so hard to collect. First, we hear from a reader who has a suggestion for capturing more complete information on the visitors to your exhibit.

Have your staff fill out the lead generation card rather than the prospect or customer. This way you are sure to get all of the pertinent information as well as make a personal connection with that lead. It also gives the staff member a better opportunity to find out the exact needs of the prospect.

- Denise Stabler, Future Industries

Another important aspect of managing that lead is making sure that your message survives beyond the run of the show. Here’s what another trade show marketer does to ensure lasting impact. Continue Reading »

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Shipping is one part going to trade shows you probably don’t think much about. But most exhibitors that ship freight make mistakes they’re not even aware of which could cost thousands of profit dollars every year. Are you one of those companies?

You’ve heard the phrase, “Use the right tool for the right job.” You may be able to get the job done, but there are usually ramifications for using the wrong tool. Freight has different characteristics than a letter or something that can fit in a “flat-rate” kind of box, so you have to use the right company to handle freight. The Service Team at Tradetec Skyline not only has access to hundreds of transport companies in their network; they have the know-how to match your freight and service level with the right one.

Not planning ahead with the shipment of your exhibit can cost you. The only way to eliminate mistakes before they happen is to plan ahead. Make sure you have an accurate weight for your item including any packaging material and pallet. If there is a discrepancy between the listed weight and the actual package, the transport company may reweigh your item and charge you the difference. If you have scheduled a pickup, make sure your shipment and its accompanying paperwork is ready to go. Do not overnight something unless it must be somewhere tomorrow; the price to expedite something is exponentially higher than regular rate.

If this is you or someone you know, the good news is that it’s never too late to change! Recognizing the facets of exhibiting that need to managed by you or your staff and rely on the experienced, professional team at Tradetec to manage the shipping and small details of getting your booth to the show and ready for you to exhibit.

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Drayage is probably the most expensive word an exhibitor never heard before getting an unexpected bill from show services. These fees pay only to move your crates and shipping boxes from the loading dock to your booth space at the exhibit hall, remove the empty crates before the show, store them during the show, return them after the show and move your repacked goods back to the loading dock after the show.

Cost for drayage is based on a contract between show management and the drayage company (usually a labor union). The critical components are weight in CWT (hundred pounds) and time. Most commonly, each venue or show hall has a minimum weight, so you will be charged the drayage cost for that weight no matter what. If your shipment arrives late, you will be charged overtime hours by the union workers to move your freight. Be sure to pay attention to shipping dates and addresses in your show book so that you do not run into issues with shipping and with drayage. For more information about managing your next event, visit Tradetec Skyline’s website.

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