subject: Ordering A Trade Show Display Remotely: Is It Right For You? [print this page] Ordering A Trade Show Display Remotely: Is It Right For You?
An increasing number of employees are telecommuting, but can telecommuting extend to displays for a trade show? For many companies, the answer is yes. To determine whether this solution is right for you, you'll need to understand what it means and what's involved.
Portable Displays Made To Order
Companies have long worked with local suppliers to make custom displays for trade shows. Any company that has a presence at events does require some kind of assistance structuring a display, even if they've completed the design themselves. Ordering a trade show display remotely takes the process to another layer of abstraction.
Ordering remotely is most common when the buyer expects to take delivery of the structure at a location substantially far from where that buyer is based. For instance, a firm launching a new product in Chicago might choose to work with a Chicago-based designer to create their new setup rather than a local firm. They would save on shipping costs in the process, but would be taking on a substantial risk: they would have limited ability to supervise the design process.
Coordinating The Trade Show Display
The solution many companies find is to combine scheduled business trips to the location with planning meetings. If the firm knows its travel schedule far enough in advance, it is often quite possible to arrange a meeting time to discuss the exhibit and view it. Progress can be managed almost as efficiently as if the project were undertaken in the company's home base.
However, companies which do not travel frequently may find it more difficult to monitor their displays for a trade show. If your employees must fly out to monitor in person and have no other business, the cost of plane fare may quickly outstrip any savings you would receive on the actual portable displays.
Local Service Helps Set Up Displays At A Trade Show
By having a local company manufacture your displays for a trade show, you will save on shipping. You also have the benefit of a full support staff located on site at your actual venue. This can be key if the structure you're working with is particularly difficult to assemble. Many structures are custom designed, intended to provide intense impact rather than easy setup. It may be vital to have the team that designed the trade show display inform the people who actually assemble it. If nothing else, it is comforting to have the reassurance that the team who built the display is on hand if something goes wrong.
Working With A National Company May Offer The Best Of Both Worlds
One technique which some companies find successful is to work with a company that has offices nationwide. A national corporation can provide an interface in your home city, while actually constructing displays for a trade show in the destination city. You can receive the support you want from the company throughout the process without feeling like you are pressed to visit the site yourself.
If you do choose remote ordering, be certain that you are clear about your requests and have regular conversations with the company on the other end. In some cases, it can be a risk, but many companies find that the reward is worth it.
