More than 10,000 trade shows are held in the United States each year, and the number is growing. Nearly half of those are large business-to-business shows with 100 or more booths. The smaller exhibitions include both business-to-business and consumer shows. Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando and Washington are host to most of the trade exhibitions held in USA.
Part of what we do entail - Bringing solutions to you, facilitating an ease of Marketing, Advertising and Communications related activities through our Products & Services. For the most part, customers are usually on their own when embarking overseas for an event (unless they engage our services, of course!)
So, we're introducing a new line-up of country- related tips that we hope might provide some information to ease your preparation for an overseas exhibition.
1) Standard booths in USA generally come in cloth partitions with drapes/ curtains (see picture). Hence, it’s impossible for you to paste posters or hang any product samples on. Get ready a Pop-up system or Banner stands if you've booked a standard booth.
2) The trade union in USA is aggressive. DO NOT fix anything by yourself at the booth that require use of powered tools, otherwise your booth may get "black marked" by the union people. If you need to fix anything, hire their services.
3) There is a " drayage fee " for anything that goes into your booth without wheels, and no trolleys are allowed to be dragged around in the halls. (Union laws have clearly specified on this!) So, make sure you have a shipment case with wheels to save cost. (The drayage fee can add up to quite a sum!)
4) USA tops the international charts as the most expensive place to fabricate custom-designed booths. Do cater up 3 - 5 times more $ compared with Singapore or Hong Kong. Generally - the cost of the booth estimates at only 30% of the entire booth amount and the balance 70% goes to service chargeable like labours, drayage etc....
5) Portables are very widely utilized in US trade shows, so get ready a set of Portable displays like Pop-up system, Panel display systems or banner stands. Alternatively, you can hire a stand there. There are many rental exhibition companies in USA and their cost of hire usually includes set up and dismantling.
6) Ship early – It may take 2 weeks by air to freight your stands, due to the tight security measures. When freighting early, make sure there is a proper recipient in the US to receive your goods. Freight companies will not freight your goods to your hotel if you’re not even there yet. You can consign this to your local dealer or your subsidiary office there first, but there must a PHYSICAL person to verify if the US Customs need more specifics.
7) USA uses a 110V light, either you rent a transformer to step up to required voltage or simply change the bulbs of your light fittings to 110V lights.... (this applies to Japan as well). Most of the established portable display companies do sell those bulbs. You can contact us if you need any!
Promode does have a network of associates in various countries to design and build exhibition stands. Some of our portfolios are here: http://www.promodedisplays.com/category/custom-design-booth & http://www.promodedisplays.com/category/bespoke-modular-booth
Please feel free to give us a call or send us an email for a non-obligation proposal. Tel 65-6 355 35 33, Email: sales@promodedisplays.com
Thank you!