How can I save my trade show budget?  As budgets are parsed, there has been a lot of talk about how drayage costs kill trade show budgets.  Maxine Golding sited a specific example in Exhibiting Transparency where 1/3 of a $4 million trade show budget was spent on drayage and installation & dismantle (I&D).  That is over $1.3 million spent on something that does not generate income for your company.  Beg the question.

Are your custom exhibits designed with weight in mind?  Drayage is calculated by hundred weight (CWT).  As part of your trade show strategy, don’t ship smaller boxes because two at 50 lbs will cost double of one at 100 lbs.  Put your trade show exhibit booth on a diet, and you’ll save money on your budget immediately.  That’s pay dirt.

Did you know that you don’t have to use the show management’s I&D service?  (It’s in your show manual.  I know it’s thick, so we will even fill it out for you.)  The Moran Group has a seasoned lead man that manages the I&D of your exhibition displays.  As part of the process, this lead man reports any design improvements that could improve I&D efficiency.  That’s pay dirt.

Here are 10 Tips for Freight & Drayage at Trade Shows.

Share with us the ways you have cut drayage and I&D costs.

Be honest, does your trade show strategy consist of putting up a custom exhibit that looks great, and then your people just stand there all day?  Do your people actually know what to do?  Are you interested in cost conscious trade show training?  The Center for Exhibition Industry Research states that 85% of your trade show success is based on your people.

If you like to educate yourself while driving in the car, ExpoVantage has put out an audio learning program called Stop Burning Trade Show Dollars.  This is designed as a trade show training program that:

…offers a realistic and simple budget conscious approach for maximizing your trade show investment.

In typical fashion there is a cool video on the page that explains the program.

My insider information tells me this is a live recording from a seminar with 50+ attendees.  Is the information helpful as an exhibitor?  The attendees’ average rating was 9.5 out of 10.  Are the presenters organized and knowledgeable?  The attendees’ average rating was 9.7.

Here are some of the testimonials from the people attending:

“The ‘PEST’ and ‘HUG’ strategies provided instant dramatic results at NO COST!” -Darcy Cook, Safety Trainers

“…no nonsense and genuine approach…brief, concise and useful…” – Robin Samora, Partner Promotions

“The lessons from your seminar were critical factors in our trade show success.” – Expert Laser Services

What is the value of you gaining just one more qualified lead?  If you apply what is taught, I expect most will double their qualified leads.  Knowing Jason and the quality of his work, for $45, this is a steal.  Buy one for each of your team members.

Tell him I sent you.  After this big endorsement, he’s going to have to buy me lunch.