In most cases only, trade shows will last a couple of days, but they are among the best ways to help your business move to the next level. There were 252 trade show convention centers all over the U.S. in 2016 alone. Florida and California took the lion's share with 20 locations each, and in second position was Nevada with 19. These figures tell you that you can never go wrong with trade shows when running your business.
With that said, logistics are not only an important factor but also one of the most challenging as far as trade shows are concerned. This is more so for a business that has never taken this journey before. The slightest mistake can be all it takes to ruin what could have been a big, successful trade show event. With the right approach, however, you can be sure that all will flow smoothly.
Here are trade show logistics tips that will help you stay on track:
When it comes to trade show freight shipping success, planning in advance is the best starting point. To get the best trade show shipment results, you need answers to these questions:
Keep in mind that trade show shipments can sometimes require longer timelines when compared to normal freight. You might have to ship booth items and other materials days or weeks in advance. This tells you that drafting a detailed timeline is key as you look forward to the trade show. Planning ahead might open doors to various transportation options and perhaps reduce costs.
As the day of the event nears, most trade show freight carriers might be booked to capacity. Therefore, you might end up stranded should you book in the eleventh hour. Booking early will not only help avoid such inconvenience but also help the trade show freight company optimize the movement of your cargo.
There are many companies offering general freight services in town today. Instead of taking this route, going for a company experienced in trade show logistics is a better idea. Browse the company’s website to ensure that you're dealing with the right people. Don’t forget to go through customer reviews as well in order to have a clear picture of what you're getting yourself into. Independent review platforms can also help you ascertain the quality level of a trade show shipment service provider.
After getting a reliable trade show logistics company, a client representative will most likely be assigned to you. This will be the person managing your trade show shipping needs from the beginning to the end. Proper communication with the representative will make the process stress-free and highly productive. You might even learn about some insider money-saving secrets in the trade show logistics industry.
Insurance is a must-have when dealing with trade show shipments and there are several options to choose from. Some of these are corporate insurance, carrier insurance, and extended liability coverage. There are even trade show logistics companies that have exhibition floater insurance as part of the package. Exhibition floater insurance covers all your assets during the entire trade show.
Never assume that this is the case with a trade show freight company you have in mind. It would be prudent to reach out to the company and confirm.
All paperwork to do with the shipment has to be completed with pinpoint accuracy. Trade show material can fail to reach you just because you did not complete shipment documents properly. Some of the areas that you need to pay close attention to are delivery address, phone number, and company name.
Inclining toward trade shows is a step in the right direction for your business. However, trade show shipment services can make or break your trade show dreams. To avoid getting disappointed, it would be for your own good to think about your trade show shipping needs. This need not be hard as the above tips will help you get started.
Whether you're a company looking to improve one facet of your supply chain, your entire supply chain, or simply looking for a transportation and logistics consultation, we can help.
19829 Hamilton Avenue
Torrance, CA 90502