Posted by Jessica Davis on Mon, Aug 09, 2010
These days everyone is looking for ways to get more from their trade show budget. 
Since your competitors are probably tightening their budget too, it's the perfect time to take advantage of the situation with some creative thinking.
There are lots of ways to save money on your trade show budget – from managing travel and entertainment expenses to strategies for consolidating shipments to the show – but I’ll leave all of that to you. My focus is on ways to save money on your trade show booth without giving up any marketing impact. Here are a few tips on how your trade show booth can be high-impact for less money.
- Reduce transportation costs with a new lower-weight booth
Trade show design has really changed in the past few years. High energy and transportation costs have pushed design houses to rethink their approaches. New booths are constructed from light-weight, high strength materials, They are less expensive to ship and also have a sleeker, more contemporary look.
- Design for easy assembly
As designers have started to work with new materials and modular components, hard-to-assemble booths built with rigid infill panels and wooden construction are vanishing. Find a design firm with a proven track record of creating booths that have big graphic impact but do not require a cast of thousands to set up.
- Rent - don’t buy
Many large trade show design firms rent trade show components and booths. If your company only has one or two trade show events each year, or you need to get a larger booth just for one annual trade show, renting can be a great option.
- Buy a Used Trade Show Booth and Accessories
Some companies trade in or sell off trade show displays frequently in order to update their display to match their latest ad campaign. A smart buyer can pick up a like-new display for a fraction of the original price. If you take this route, be sure to buy from a provider who refurbishes and customizes displays.
- Update your current Trade Show Display
If your company already has trade show booths, take an objective look to see if they can be updated to fit your current needs for an affordable price. Also be careful about investing in an outdated booth that is very costly to transport, assemble and operate because it can be a false savings. But sometimes the most cost-effective path is to update graphics, fabric and add new components to an existing booth.
If you're ready to save money on your trade show budget, we can help you get started!
Posted by Alexis Exhibits on Tue, Jun 15, 2010
In difficult economic times, many companies are looking closely at every expense.
When money is tight, they must decide whether it is still wise to allocate resources to areas that may have been a "no-brainer" in stronger markets. Naturally, marketing expenses are no exception, and trade show exhibiting can be a large portion of many companies' marketing budgets. The cost of logistics for tradeshow exhibiting (freight, drayage, setup, electrical, etc.) can be substantial. As a result, it will almost certainly be a candidate for the chopping block when executives start cutting back.
However, the decision to exhibit in a show is seldom based entirely on logistical costs. As long as advertised attendance figures are favorable, and the following items are true of a show, a company will find the funds to exhibit.
- The company has something to show it's customers, both current and potential.
- Their competitors will be attending.
- Their biggest customers will be attending.
They may scale back their exhibit space, look at alternative ways to make a presence, or just complain about having to spend the money, but one way or another, they'll be there. It's a difficult reality, but in business, perception is important. When a company doesn't attend a major show, the first thing attendees think is that they must be either in dire straits financially, or that they had nothing to show, and therefore is not worth considering as a vendor. Companies must carefully consider all the potential areas of impact before deciding not to attend a show.
Looking for areas to trim your tradeshow exhibiting budget? Give us the opportunity to provide an apples-to-apples comparison of our cost to provide the same services as your current provider. Alexis provides exhibit products and services at costs that are 30-40% lower than industry averages.
Posted by Alexis Exhibits on Thu, Apr 15, 2010
Make sure your Trade Show Costs fit into your Budget
One of the biggest challenges that exhibit marketers face is that their bosses give them a solid budget to do a show, but the vendors that they need to make it all happen refuse to lock into a quotation. This problem exists in just about every area of tradeshow expense.
Most display companies will provide quotes for design and construction but do only “budgetary estimates” for field services. This leaves the door wide open to budget-blowing additional charges after the show. When clients ask for firm quotes for drayage, I&D, or electrical, their Account Executives deliver a well-rehearsed speech that they "cannot quote services that they can’t control," or some other excuse their bosses have taught them.
Also, General Services Contractors provide forms and other tools to allow trade show exhibitors to estimate their own field services costs but then insist on a credit card on file so that actual charges can be tacked on after the show. How in the heck do you budget for this?
There are exhibit companies that provide “turn key quotations” - if you absolutely cannot exceed a certain budget for a show, I would recommend that you find one. You will always have problems budgeting for hotel accommodations, travel expenses and other show related costs, but you'll at least be able to get the cost of your display, shipping, setup and dismantle, and utilities locked in.
We are ready to earn your business! Get a no cost, no obligation quote.
Posted by Alexis Exhibits on Wed, Mar 03, 2010
Most exhibitors are being forced to find ways to reduce the cost of participation in tradeshows. The most common way this task is approached is to look at each cost line item and see what can be done to save money.
The common first step is to contract for a smaller booth space. This not only saves on the cost of the space rental, but also provides an across-the-board cost reduction. The downside of such a reduction? You may have to settle for a less than desirable booth location and you'll also need to make sure your display properties will fit in the smaller format.
After booth space, the likely second step is to look at each cost category for the show and try to determine which costs can be reduced. This is a very time-consuming process and usually entails trying to find out how much your exhibit weighs and how long it should take to set up. This information is not always easy to get your hands on, and when you do, there are always a slew of variables that can affect the final cost of the show.
In my opinion, however, the best first step to take is to contact your exhibit supplier (assuming they store and manage your display) and lay your cards on the table. Explain to them that you have been asked to cut 25% off the cost of last year's show. Ask them to provide recommendations. Remember, they do this for a living! They are not likely to be overly excited about this mission, but they should support you through good times and bad.
If they can't or won't provide you with some good ideas, you should probably consider finding another supplier.
Thinking about changing exhibit companies? Click here for an apples to apples cost comparison.