Living in the Perfect Trade Show World
Meeting client expectations in a perfect world your exhibit company would be able to do everything for you at a trade show. However, if your show is in the USA it is not in a perfect world! The list of do’s and do not’s may seem endless. USA shows are governed by contracts with unions and the simple act of plugging in a light, hanging a video screen, or vacuuming a carpet is just not simple. Dependent upon the city and venue a show is set will depend on what a particular union contract allows or disallows. After two plus decades in this business, we have learned as have our clients that you just must follow the rules.
Not Following the Rules Can be Costly
If you do not follow the rules upfront and you do “get caught,” and most people do, the additional bills from the show contractors can be overwhelming. Simple items like electricity, electrical labor, rigging, and vacuuming must be contracted through the show. We know how it works all around the world however it does not work that way in the USA. Of the list the only item an exhibitor can do is vacuum your own exhibit with your own vacuum cleaner. It is still illegal for your EAC to perform this function. The top of the list request we receive is for catering, including food, coffee service, and alcohol. If the show contractor sees that you are serving any of the above from your exhibit, they make note and quite probably someone will be by to see you and explain the bill you will be receiving. This is not to say we cannot provide coffee service or a water cooler in your storage room for a charge and for your employees or you cannot bring in a box of donuts. However, once you cross the big divide of serving clients lunch on china service or pouring alcoholic beverages or pulling a beer tap – it is all about the show contractor.
Liability Leads to Lawsuits
Do you really want to take on the liability of offering food items that are inedible because of food temperatures or the legal responsibility of serving alcohol to underage or inebriated show attendees? Unless you are at a food or restaurant show the food service is provided by the show contractor. At Absolute Exhibits you are given a Project Coordinator who will be happy to answer your questions on how and what to do to work amenably with the food service company or make the phone call with you. We can help you to attain receptionists and with other staffing needs for your exhibit space. We have many contacts throughout the different venue cities and many people who speak multiple languages that can be hired. Additionally, we have provided multicultural dance troupes, magicians, mariachi bands, and people who facilitate with experiential and interactive displays within your exhibit. Remember this is the USA – what you do in Vegas, stays in Vegas, or New York, Chicago, Orlando, even Anaheim. However, you still must play by the rules.
