As a first-time exhibitor to our event, we would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some helpful tips and suggestions. Below you will find information that will assist you as you plan for your booth and to prepare your booth staff.
Exhibitor Move-In
Monday, October 23 | 8am-5pm (Targeted)
Tuesday, October 24 | 8am-9pm
Wednesday, October 25 | 7-9:30am
Expo Hours
Wednesday, October 25 | 10am-5:30pm
Thursday, October 26 | 10am-5pm
Exhibitor Move-Out
Thursday, October 26 | 5-11pm
Friday, October 27 | 7-10am
Dates and hours are subject to change.
Housing is not yet open for our 2023 Event.
Please note: onPeak is the only official housing provider associated with SupplySide West & Food ingredients North America 2023. While other hotel resellers may contact you offering housing for your trip, they are not endorsed by or affiliated with the show. Entering into financial agreements with such companies may have costly consequences.
To contact onPeak:
The Exhibitor Console is a one stop console includes: account information, booth listing, badges, housing and the Exhibitor Service Kit (ESK). For login details contact [email protected].
The Exhibitor Service Kit, also known as the ESK is your one stop guide to Show and Booth Rules and Regulations, shipping and move-in information, ordering carpet, furniture, booth services, etc. for your booth. The Exhibitor Service Kit is available at least 5 months prior to the show.
Success: Tips for Pre-show Preparation and Onsite Action Items
Pre-Show
- Have you decided your goal for the show? Is it to write orders, get brand awareness, make connections? It sounds simple but having this answer can make your show even more successful.
- Contact your customer base telling them you will be at the show and what your booth number is.
- Participate in the customer referral program.
- Know your Important Dates and Deadlines by setting calendar appointments for order discount deadline, mandatory booth approval form deadline and registration deadline to ensure you are saving money and have a smooth move-in. All dates can be found in the Critical Dates Checklist in your ESK and on the homepage of your ESK under the Important Dates and Deadlines section.
- Marketing and Sponsorships can add that little something extra to help you stand out from the crowd. If you are interested in these opportunities, please contact your Account Manager.
- Review the Show Policies regarding Literature, Product Distribution, Rolling Carts/Bags, and Identification Policy.
Onsite
- Onsite deals - offering a deal or Show Special for any order placed onsite is a great way to have more orders placed onsite in your booth.
- Lead Retrieval - Investing in a badge scanner will help to keep track of sales leads and their contact info which will also save time and effort in the long run.
- Government issued photo identification is be required while attending the Show. It will always be required for entry to the Show. Show Management reserves the right to verify the identity of any persons accepting and/or using a Show badge. Any person found using another person's badge will have the badge confiscated and will be asked to leave the premises or correctly register.
- Meals - Make sure you have water and snacks.
- Need help onsite? - Know your Floor Manager and GES Service Executive. Business cards will be placed within your booth.
- Take advantage of educational seminars as well as events that offer onsite networking opportunities. Exhibitor Staff Badges will need to be upgraded to include the educational sessions.
What is Boothmanship?
Simply put, Boothmanship is the way you conduct yourself when you are in your booth during show floor hours. It can go a long way in determining whether you have a successful show. Here are a few tips and ideas on how to make good Boothmanship work to your advantage:
- It takes only 4 seconds to make a first impression on an attendee - good or bad - and you only have 1 chance to make a first impression!
- An average salesperson in an exhibit will make 6 contacts an hour.
- 55% of communication at a trade show is non-verbal.
- 86% of what an attendee will remember about your exhibit is related to the booth staff's performance, actions and comments.
- 6 weeks after the show, attendees won't remember your booth, but they WILL remember you!
Tips for a Top-Notch Booth Staff
Attendees have expectations when they come to your booth. To be memorable, be:
- Enthusiastic
- Professional
- Knowledgeable
- Friendly
- Courteous to your "guests"
Tips for Booth Etiquette
- SMILE! Have a positive attitude. How often do potential customers make a special trip to see you?
- Carry and use breath freshener spray or small mints (Tic Tacs vs. large, bulky mints). Shy away from spicy or garlicky food and alcoholic beverages..
- Avoid chewing gum, eating, and drinking while in your exhibit.
- Keep your booth neat & tidy!
- While working the exhibit, don't sit in your booth or lean on the exhibit counters.
- Don't spend time talking on your cell phone, with booth neighbors, or to your other booth staff.
- Make eye contact; never ignore a prospect, even if you're with another prospect. (Give them a nod and "just a minute" sign). Include them into your conversation.
- Greet attendees by name. If you can't pronounce it, ask!
- Place your watch face on the inside of your wrist to "sneak peeks" of the time.
Make sure that you follow up with your booth leads within a week of the show. This will help keep your product fresh in their mind, show that you want to do business, and get your leads into the next step of the sales process.
Evaluate the event based on your goals. What worked; what didn't?
Move-out is often one of the most confusing and overlooked parts of trade show management. Each facility, contractor, and show come with their own unique move-out challenges. Read the Move-Out Instructions included in the Exhibitor Service Kit for detailed information.
Here are a few notes to get you started:
- Pre-arrange your outbound shipping with a carrier who is familiar with tradeshows.
- Plan Ahead! Contact your Client Services Specialist 6-8 weeks PRIOR to the event to discuss the move-out process if you have any questions.
- After emptying crates, place empty labels on all sides of your crates and cases. Remember to remove old empty labels. Additionally, the empty labels are sometimes color coded, so make sure you get the correct color and be sure your booth number is on each label. This will ensure no crates are lost or separated and will speed up move-out. Don’t forget to label your pallets if you need them back for return shipping. If they are not labeled, they will not be returned to your booth.
- Large shows take time for the crates, pallets and empty boxes to be returned to the booths for load-out packing. It can take 4 hours or more for empty crates to be returned to the booth, please plan your departing flights appropriately. Loose cartons and fiber cases will be returned first so you can start packing. Wooden crates and skids will be next. Material return is random and holding your empty crates during set-up will not get your crates back to you any earlier. If you hold your empties, the Floor Manager will warn you at first and then have your empties removed.
Additional Tips
- Keep the total square footage of your booth space in mind when you order decorating items. Do not order more than will comfortably fit in your booth and allow you to do business.
- If you have multiple locations, please complete a new and separate order for each location (booth, meeting room, etc.).
- Take a company credit card to pay all balances due on show site and for deposits on rental equipment.
- Work Zone - You should know that the show site and surrounding areas are active work zones. You need to be careful, and agents and representatives are present at their own risk.
Your Client Services Specialist is available to assist you with any logistical questions you may have about the show - including questions about the Exhibitor Service Kit, Booth Rules and Regulations, Badge Registration, etc.