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Exhibiting 101


2025 in Ten Lessons


This year didn't pull any punches, but every year hands out some wisdom. Here are the lessons I'm taking into 2026, with a few insights worth stealing. >> full story

Network Smarter, Not Harder


Whether you love networking or dread it, these strategic tips will help you meet the right people at the right time for the right reasons. >> full story

Fold the Folding Chair


Furniture and decor won't close a deal, but they do influence attendee perception. Here's how to use placement, form, and color to elevate your brand while avoiding budget creep. >> full story

X Marks the Start


Navigating your first show kit can feel like decoding pirate scrolls with a broken compass. But with sharp instincts and a solid checklist, even landlubbers can chart a clear course to the show floor. >> full story

Let the Bodies Hit the Floor


Flooring is the drum beat beneath the orchestra of your trade show environment. It's vitally important, and it's time we stop walking all over it. >> full story

Final Destination: Success


(If You Meet the Deadline) >> full story

Talking the Talk


Inherent in face-to-face marketing is an alphabet soup of acronyms. This guide will teach you what you need to know so that you can effectively communicate with the labor crews you'll encounter. >> full story

A Guide to Graphics


Baffled by the best way to use images to make a grand impression on the trade show floor? This handy guide to designing graphics will clear up the details so you can focus on the creativity. >> full story

Rule-Breaking Breakdown


At an event, breaking rules can go against the spirit of fairness. But in this guide, we tell you which rules are made to be broken, when to break them, and how to do it with grace (and permission!) >> full story

Cover Your Assets


Exhibit components travel regularly and spend a good amount of time in storage. Here a few tips to keep them safe while they're in transit or sitting in a warehouse waiting for their time in the spotlight. >> full story

Questions to Ask a Venue Before Planning an Event


On those rare occasions when event managers get to select a venue for an event, there are important things to discuss before signing on the dotted line. >> full story

A Little TLC: How to Refresh a Tired Booth


Here are some budget-friendly fixes to give your exhibit a new outlook on life. >> full story

Audi-do and Audi-don't


Are you considering integrating audiovisual in your exhibit? Here are some pitfalls to avoid and best practices. >> full story

Auditing Invoices


How do you make sense of those pages of black ink in your inbox? A few tips will help you understand invoices and use them to make your job easier. >> full story

The ABCs of EACs


Hiring an EAC can make setting up a booth on the show floor a lot easier, but there's some red tape to navigate before reaping the rewards. >> full story

Nine Costly Blunders


Undoubtedly you'll make your fair share of trade show errors. However, here are a few all-too-common blunders you'll want to avoid. >> full story

Common Labor Violations


Avoid these seemingly minor labor missteps that can lead to massive show-floor snafus. >> full story

Staff Training Primer


Ensure your booth staffers know their "A" leads from their elbows by giving them the exhibit-marketing knowledge they need. >> full story

Portable/Modular Purchasing Guide


Consider these factors when comparing options for your next portable/modular exhibit. >> full story

Graphic Gaffes


Make sure your exhibit's graphics send the right message by avoiding these common mistakes. >> full story

Trade Show Shipping Best Practices


Get your freight from Point A to Point B on time and on budget by following this helpful primer. >> full story

Getting on the Same Page


Hearing conflicting messages from your exhibit program's stakeholders? Here are my tips for getting everyone aligned on show objectives. >> full story

Crisis Control


Hold your own against Murphy's Law by following this primer on handling common show-floor scrapes. >> full story

How to Manage a Trade Show From Afar


Unable to supervise your exhibit program in person? Here's a primer on exercising some remote control. >> full story

Best Practices for Exhibit Furnishings


Furniture and decor can turn a good exhibit into a great one - if you give these often-overlooked elements the attention they deserve. >> full story

Service, Please


Keep your budget safely in the black by following these cost-saving tips when placing orders for common trade show services. >> full story

Seven Ways to Waste Money on Freight


Keep an eye on your bottom line by avoiding these costly shipping-related errors. >> full story

Measuring Up


When it comes to proving the value of your exhibiting program, there's more to measure than simple lead counts. Here are five metrics worth tracking. >> full story

COVID-Conscious Lead Management


Make the most of each potential prospect by following these simple tips. >> full story

Show Selection


Picking the right events to exhibit at has never been more of a gamble. Here are some tips to make sure your face-to-face marketing dollars are well spent. >> full story

Keep it Clean


When trade shows resume, health and safety will be at the forefront of everyone's minds. Follow this primer to ensure your exhibit exemplifies COVID-era cleanliness. >> full story

Do Your Homework


With countless exhibit managers working from home, here are four ways to stay productive, plan for the future, and keep your face-to-face program on track. >> full story

Ahead of the Pack


Avoid setup snafus, sidestep costly last-minute purchases, and set yourself up for on-site success by following the tips in this trade show packing primer. >> full story

Trade Show Lighting Dos and Don'ts


A calculated lighting plan can make your exhibit shine like a diamond without breaking your budget - if you follow these simple rules. >> full story

When the Show Can't Go On


Keep calm, soldier on, and cover your bases by following this primer for dealing with trade show cancellations and postponements. >> full story

Ship Shape


Unsure of what distinguishes a van line from a common carrier? Use this primer to learn the nuances of various shipping methods and how to vet potential providers. >> full story

Planning Your Electrical Needs


Ensure your exhibit has the power it needs - and that it's accessible in the right places - by following this step-by-step guide. >> full story

Five Tips for New Builds


Here are important - but often overlooked - items to consider when planning a new exhibit. >> full story

To Rent or Not to Rent


Unsure of whether to rent an exhibit or invest in a custom stand? Then use the takeaways found in the following scenarios to guide your decision making. >> full story

Tips for Smooth Setups


Ensure an on-time, on-budget, and hassle-free install by following these pieces of been-there, built-that advice. >> full story

Lead Time


Optimize your exhibit program's lead-gathering process by answering these four fundamental questions prior to each and every show. >> full story

Exhibit Flooring Dos and Don'ts


Whether your footprint is a pint-size stand or an enormous exhibit, use these flooring-related tips to maximize the impact of your underfoot inches. >> full story

To the Last Detail


These easy-to-overlook points about shipping and logistics are essential for ensuring the safe, on-budget, and timely arrival of your freight. >> full story

Crisis Management


Be prepared for common show-floor snafus by having the necessary supplies on hand. >> full story

This Old Exhibit: How to Refresh a Tired Booth


Follow these budget-friendly fixes when your exhibit needs a little TLC. >> full story

Promo Primer


Get the most out of your promotional giveaways by heeding these five tips. >> full story

Material Handling FAQs


Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding material handling. >> full story

The Post-Show Push


Ensure your exhibiting program's success by keeping these easy-to-forget post-show tasks top of mind. >> full story

Rent Right


Allocate your exhibit-marketing budget wisely by knowing when to rent and when to buy. >> full story

In-Booth Internet


Before you place your next internet-service order, make sure you have a thorough understanding of your wired and wireless options. >> full story

Top Mistakes My Clients Make


Avoid these common exhibit-marketing gaffes that can impact your program's effectiveness and your bottom line. >> full story

Post-Show Paperwork


Ensure that your outbound freight arrives at its next destination on time - and without any last-minute snafus - by heeding these tips and reminders about end-of-show forms and paperwork. >> full story

Sealing the Deal


Before you take your seat at the bargaining table, it's important to know what is and is not negotiable when it comes to planning a corporate event. >> full story

Forcing the Issue


Forced freight is one of the biggest frustrations one can face on the show floor. Learn why it occurs and how to prevent it from happening to you. >> full story

The Finer Things


Avoid costly missed deadlines and last-minute budget busters by paying attention to the lesser-known rules and provisions found in the fine print of most exhibitor services manuals. >> full story

Accessible by Design


Ensuring that your booth is accommodating to attendees with disabilities often starts at the drawing board. >> full story

Got it Covered?


Having the proper insurance for your exhibit is the best way to cover your assets when faced with a trade show snafu. Here's what you need to know about your exhibit-insurance options. >> full story

Balance of Power: Part Two


Amp up your pre-show planning with these answers to commonly asked questions about in-booth electricity. >> full story

Balance of Power: Part One


This first installment of our two-part guide to in-booth electrical answers exhibitors' most frequently asked questions regarding electricity on the trade show floor. >> full story

Freight Expectations


Answer these 12 questions to ensure your exhibit shipment arrives on time and on budget. >> full story

Always be Prepared


Planning for a trade show calamity needn't be a fiasco unto itself - if you follow a few basic steps. >> full story

Trade Show Trickery


Protect yourself from the hustlers, swindlers, and dirty cheats hoping to take your exhibit-marketing program for a ride. >> full story

Rent Check


Renting an exhibit property can be a smart move, but only if you take the following pros and cons into consideration. >> full story

Material World


Keep drayage fees from draining your budget by following these cost-cutting tips. >> full story

Where There's Smoke...


"Fire!" is the last thing an exhibitor wants to hear on the trade show floor. A thorough understanding of common industry rules and regulations can keep your exhibit from feeding the flames. >> full story

Trade Show Tune-Ups


A new build is an expense many exhibitors cannot afford. When your exhibit is looking a little worse for wear, try these budget-friendly stopgaps. >> full story

The Sky's the Limit


Rigging raises the stakes of your exhibiting program. Keep your overhead elements from crashing down with these expert insights. >> full story

Trade Show Show Biz


Follow these tips to turn your in-booth presentations into attention-grabbing productions that awe attendees and boost the bottom line. >> full story

The Ins and Outs of I&D


Ensure your exhibit goes up and comes down without a cringe-worthy catastrophe by following these installation-and-dismantle tips. >> full story

Event-Planning Primer


Planning an event entails much more than finding a venue and picking pretty details. Use these formulas and rules of thumb to ensure your next event goes off without a hitch. >> full story

Buyer Beware


A thorough audit of your trade show invoices may reveal errors that would otherwise wreak havoc on your budget. >> full story

Ship Shape


Ensure your exhibit arrives intact and on time by heeding these seven shipping-related lessons. >> full story

The Full Report


Share your trade show program's value-proving metrics with management by crafting a post-show report that includes these 10 elements. >> full story

Worst-Case Scenarios


There are greater misfortunes facing your exhibit than errant shipping crates. Here are tips to help you handle widescale trade show disasters. >> full story

Taking the Lead


Follow these 10 tips to turn your list of leads into revenue-boosting sales. >> full story

Sign Language


In-booth graphics can be a powerful component of your exhibit-marketing program -- when they're used effectively. >> full story

Checking the Right Boxes


Avoid shipping snafus by making sure your freight carrier has all the information it needs. >> full story

The 10 Keys to RFPs


Building a new exhibit is a monumental challenge, but completing a request for proposal is perhaps the most daunting step. Make the process as efficient as possible with these 10 tips. >> full story

How to Spend Strategically


Get the most out of your company's exhibit-marketing budget by following these 10 tips for trimming expenses and investing efficiently. >> full story

Do Good Fences Make Good Neighbors?


Open the doors of communication to transform neighboring exhibitors from adversaries into allies. >> full story

How to Save on Swag


Don't cut your company's giveaways; cut their costs. Here are eight tips to help you trim expenses without eliminating incentives. >> full story

Get Your Act Together


All the world's a stage, but not all exhibitors should seek the spotlight. So before you plan an in-booth presentation, heed the following advice. >> full story

Candy's Commandments


Twenty-five years into my career, I've learned that some rules are not meant to be broken. Here are 10 of them. >> full story

Ten-Step Site Inspection


How do you cut through the marketing hype and choose the right venue for your next corporate event? Here are 10 steps, along with insider tips, to help you conduct a successful site inspection. >> full story

Eight Tips for Exhibit Rental


Are you planning to rent your next exhibit? Before signing on the dotted line, check out these eight tips to help you avoid common exhibit-rental pitfalls. >> full story

Filling the Booth-Staffing Gap


If staffing needs exceed your employee head count or skill set, it's time to consider temporary personnel. Here's the least you need to know before hiring professional staffers for your next show. >> full story

Demystifying Drayage


Read this primer for a better understanding of drayage, as well as six ways to mitigate the wild-card nature of its impact on your program's expenses. >> full story

Get the Show on the Road


Avoid transportation-related snafus before and after your next show by following these shipping tips. >> full story

Damage Control


Here are some tips and tricks to help you avoid exhibit damage before, during, and after the show. >> full story

Floors Galore


Carpet isn't the only choice when it comes to covering your share of convention center concrete. Here's a collection of options to elevate your exhibit flooring to new heights. >> full story

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The Buyer's Guide to Trade Show Exhibiting