No matter if you are the first time exhibitor or exhibition veteran, the first thing you need to get after the event registration is the Exhibitor Kit!
The Exhibitor kit is also called the Exhibitor Manual/Guide, the Exhibitor Service kit, the Exhibitor Service Manual…It provides you with important show-related information, deadlines, products, and services…
Normally the event organizer or show manager will send you the Exhibitor Kit by email as an attachment or an online web link. If you haven’t received any guidance regarding the event/show, contact your event organizer or show manager!
The Exhibitor kit is actually generated by the show General Contractor (aka general service contractor) and it gives all the rules and regulations on/around the show floor. The kit definitely includes the details of move in and move out time and methods, material handling services, advanced warehouse, show site marshalling yard, labor information…Everything you need to know and have to know about the show floor.
Since it is generated by the show General Contractor, the Exhibitor Kit is always written by the angle of the show floor services. There are many terms and costs in the Exhibitor Kit that are hard to understand and quite confusing for the exhibitors, especially for the new exhibitors. Please read more of the articles on our website to get clear of the show terms and logistics. In brief, here are two of the most confusing and most important terms in the Exhibitor Kit.
- Freight Service: The ‘Freight Service’ in the Exhibitor Kit does Not mean the ‘Shipping’. As we mentioned earlier, the Exhibitor Kit is written by the show general service contractor on the show floor, all the terms are referring to the actives on/around show floor. The Freight Service, also called freight handling, freight movement, drayage, or Material Handling, is the movement of your freight from the loading dock/carrier or from Advance Warehouse to your booth and back to the loading dock/carrier at the close of the show.
- Contractors: The slew of trade show contractors is downright overwhelming to any exhibitor, new or seasoned! Normally you will see the following terms in your Exhibitor Kit: General Services Contractor(GSC), Exclusive Contractor, Official Contractor, Exhibitor-Appointed Contractors(EAC). Understanding the responsibilities and working relationships among show organizers, show managers, GSCs, exclusive contractors, official contractors, and EACs can not only save you time and frustration, but also increase your options when it comes to hiring the vendors that are the best fit for the job at hand.
For the first time exhibitor, please take this one important tip now: Know your shipping info! Take stock of the booth materials and samples you will need for the show and determine the best and most efficient way to get them into your booth. Make sure to review the Shipping, Drayage, Material Handling, and Storage section of your Exhibitor Kit thoroughly to understand the costs associated with each option.
Better Lounge is committed to sharing our event experience with our clients and helping you navigate through this complex process. First priority at any event is get your Exhibitors Kit after you’ve registered. We will assist you to understand it and have a very successful event.
