Part of a series of tips related to shipping trade show freight. Our goal is to help you save on your shipping costs and make your trade show exhibition not only a success, but less stressful as well.
Don’t Skimp on the Packaging
Making sure your booth, display or exhibit gets to the trade show intact is just as important as getting it there on time. Insure that you pack all of your items sufficiently to allow for all of the handling that will occur in the process of moving the freight not only to the venue, but also the drayage operations that will occur at the venue. Keep in mind that this packaging needs to survive not only the trip out, but the trip back or to its next destination.
Custom Packaging
Perhaps the best way to insure that everything stays intact and ready to go to the show is to purchase custom packaging for your booth, exhibit or display. Most display vendors provide custom transport cases as an add-on option with the display and it may be well worth the investment.
Special Consideration: Monitors and Televisions
Shipping flat screen display monitors or televisions to events can be tricky. The typical flat screen monitor contains a number of layers of glass that can be broken easily. Shipping in the original containers is advised at a minimum, when these wear out look to a custom shipping container built for those devices, this will save lots of time and expense at the show.
Make Your Packaging Unique
As an exhibitor, when you walk onto the trade show floor or hall you will find a veritable sea of brown shipping crates, cardboard boxes and containers. Make yours stand out so they are easily identifiable. A quick custom paint job on your shipping containers can make the identification of your space and its contents much easier. Hint: It will also make it much easier for carriers and drayage operators to insure that your freight stays together.
Complex Displays: Take it Another Step
If you have a complex display or exhibit that is made up of a number of boxes, go a step further in your packaging, by labeling or coding your boxes in the order they should be opened and included in the display setup. This helps staff on-site complete setup quickly and turn their attention to their customers, in addition a quick inventory can be taken to insure that all of your items arrived at the venue and made it from the dock to the show floor or exhibit hall.
Provide Your Own Insurance
Be prepared, in the unfortunate event that something does occur have local sources in mind for quick replacements of broken equipment. It is a good idea to have that contact information recorded in your planning documentation and even to call ahead to see if crucial items or comparable products are in stock.
Don’t Forget the Return Trip
Keep in mind that you need to repackage all of that equipment up when your done with the show. Take any additional tools, fasteners and packing materials that might be needed with you to the show.
For the first time exhibitor, trade shows can be a daunting experience. Let the freight experts at Freight Management Logistics help you get through the maze of options, shipping terms and charges that you will encounter and make your exhibition a success. Call, Chat with a Freight Specialist or get a freight quote today!
Freight Management Logistics provides freight brokerage services. Our mission is to leverage our freight and transportation knowledge to get our customers better prices and better service for their freight, cargo and shipping dollar.
