| When you work with an Install and Dismantle (I | | | | cords out on the floor and cover them with carpet. |
| & D) company at your next trade show-- and | | | | Knowing wiring requirements in advance will simplify |
| every exhibitor must hire an install and dismantle | | | | the lighting and power process for the installer. This |
| company-- it is important to have full communications | | | | goes for all conventions sites whether they be the |
| with them so that your trade show exhibit will remain | | | | McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, the Kaiser |
| intact. It is essential for the trade show exhibitor, | | | | Convention Center in Oakland, the Moscone Center in |
| therefore, to provide the installer with a written, | | | | San Francisco, the Santa Clara Convention Center or |
| descriptive, detailed breakdown of all the trade show | | | | the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. |
| booth items and components. | | | | Coordinate the time schedules of all of your vendors. |
| This inventory list should not only include the number, | | | | It is important to know how to properly pace the |
| size and dimensions of the trade show exhibit items, | | | | timing of your freight carrier, drayage and installer |
| but also a description of what these pieces are. In | | | | suppliers. For example, if you are exhibiting in the |
| fact, it would be helpful to have a photo of the inside | | | | Hilton Hotel in downtown Manhattan, you will need to |
| of each crate. Providing specific and detailed | | | | allow extra time for freight to be delivered. This is |
| information on your trade show display can make a | | | | due to limited access to hotel freight elevators and |
| huge difference in your trade show booth installation | | | | the fact that the hotel has only two dock spaces. |
| and dismantling efficiency and cost. | | | | There is also heavy downtown traffic that can cause |
| A detailed inventory list provided by the trade show | | | | delays. Advise your freight carrier to check in to |
| exhibitor that includes not only the number of crates | | | | unload at the earliest possible time. They can avoid |
| and skids, but also a detailed description of what is in | | | | long lines by getting to the exhibit dock well in |
| each skid of the trade show exhibit helps guard | | | | advance of the stated move-in time. |
| against losing pieces that may get detached. | | | | Provide a full scale layout of the specific exhibit |
| Everything should be itemized including literature, | | | | display including a description where each panel goes. |
| giveaways, monitors, hanging signs, etc. If these | | | | It is best to provide this layout 5 to 7 business days |
| trade show exhibit items are included in detail, there | | | | before the show. Why? Exhibitors may be traveling |
| is less chance for error. By giving this information to | | | | on airplanes and your I & D handlers would be |
| your trade show exhibit installer, they will be able to | | | | unable to reach the exhibitor rep via cell phone. If |
| do their job more efficiently, saving you time and | | | | your installer has to make a judgment call, and it's a |
| money. Since everyone is in a hurry as the trade | | | | wrong one, you would need to pull electrical, carpet |
| show move-in date gets closer, having a list on hand | | | | and other pieces and start all over. By knowing |
| in advance will help ensure a worry-free trade show | | | | where each exhibit component is positioned, they will |
| booth installation on the trade show floor. | | | | be able to accurately assemble the trade show booth |
| According to John Taggart of Coastal International, a | | | | without guesswork and thus avoid costly re-dos and |
| Sausalito, California based company that specializes in | | | | down time. |
| installing and dismantling trade show exhibits, the | | | | Provide specifics on outbound shipping of your trade |
| work his employees do relies heavily on the | | | | show exhibit. When it is time to break down the |
| information he gets from the trade show exhibitor. | | | | exhibit,be sure your I & D company has |
| Here are some of the installation guidelines that | | | | information on the correct outbound shipping address, |
| Taggart identifies as essentials for a worry-free | | | | repacking instructionsand proper bills of lading. |
| exhibit: | | | | Remember that a descriptive and detailed inventory |
| Understand the trade show floor facility. Determine in | | | | list can save you time and money and ensure that |
| advance where the electrical is positioned in that | | | | your trade show booth remains intact. The more |
| facility. Does the electrical distribution come from the | | | | information your I & D handler has, the faster |
| floor or from the ceiling? If the electrical comes from | | | | they will be able to do their job. If you take the |
| the ceiling, you will need to hide the electrical hanging | | | | mystery out of your trade show exhibit assembly, |
| cords, perhaps inside a tower, and then spider the | | | | you will win the day. |