The Trade Show infrastructure is complex and can be confusing. Almost none of the pieces of the show infrastructure are integrated. Here’s a long-ish overview of the players, with some excellent, deeper explanations in the links.
Image 4 is expert at this – we’ve been supporting our exhibit clients for nearly 40 years. Count on us to relieve the stress and confusion of managing your exhibit property and show details. We allow you to focus on the important things – getting your people managed and driving sales!
Freight
This is, of course, how you send and receive your exhibit. There are many ways to do this, from FedEx and UPS, to aggregated carriers like Old Dominion or Scheaffer, to dedicated haul trucks that you “own” to move your property. Image 4 can help you decide the most effective way to move your display, on time and safely. Read more here.
Drayage
Oh, drayage. Everyone dislikes this expensive part of the trade show mega-structure. Drayage is the process of moving your crates off the delivery truck into temporary storage, moving those crates to the show floor, retrieving the crates for during-show storage, returning them for packing at the end of the show, and moving them to the freight carrier to return to your warehouse. Drayage is charged by the hundred-weight, which means that for every 100 pounds your crate weighs, you will pay a fee, and we’re seeing fees of $195 – 250 per hundred-weight nowadays. Ouch! For a great explanation, read this article from Exhibitor magazine.
I&D – Setting up your exhibit
Image 4 is what the industry calls an EAC (Exhibitor Appointed Contractor). We are independent of the large show-floor contractor – names you know, like GES, Freeman, Allied, and a few others. There are a number of advantages to using an independent trade show contractor, among which are cost, intimate knowledge of your display and your final set-up details, and a totally custom approach to service.
As an EAC, we are your appointed service team specifically for your exhibit. While we may have other clients on the floor, we manage our staff load to deliver on-time perfection rather than supplying a fixed pool of labor stretched across the show floor as does the Exhibit General Contractor. Here’s a good write-up on how and why Image 4 has been an EAC for nearly 40 years.
Specialty Trades
This group includes electricians, riggers, cleaners, A/V specialists, and a few others. Depending on the trade show floor rules and requirements, you may encounter any or all of these suppliers. On some floors, you may be able to plug in your own lighting and A/V. On other floors, this will be handled by the specialty contractor. All rigging of overhead banners is performed by a specialty contractor that needs to be hired separately from the show floor labor, as does the electrician. Again, an independent trade show contractor like Image 4 can handle all of this for you. Want to know more? Here’s a rundown of who does what at your show.
Confused? Need help? Learn how Image 4 can help simplify your tradeshow presence.
