Rising costs continue to be the No. 1 challenge for brands in the industry as organizations and their partners navigate economic headwinds and disruptive market dynamics. The 2022 Material Handling and Labor Rates Survey by The Exhibitor Advocate association showed a continued rate increase, which for certain services and markets outpaced inflation by double digits. Anecdotal evidence from showfloors this year—and interviews with our peeps on the ground—suggests the upward trend continued through 2023.
For our “Cost Cutter” series, EM caught up with a few exhibit houses to get their take on how they’re helping brands eliminate inefficient spend, invest wisely and make overall better budget decisions for their booths and activations
Skip the Hanging Sign
Hanging signs are great for adding height to peninsular or island exhibits, but they can be unreasonably pricey because of the cost of rigging and advance warehousing, says Marty McGinnis, business development, Trinity Displays. Instead, McGinnis suggests achieving height with free-standing structures, such as leveraging a 16-foot central tower or other attention-grabbing design elements. “You’re paying for labor to set up your exhibit anyway, so why pay for additional show services, rigging, renting the machinery, when you might as well just roll that cost into the labor install,” he says. “Besides, hanging signs only work if attendees already know your brand and are using the hanging sign for wayfinding, not for brand awareness.”
Posted by Anna Huddleston
EventMarketer.com
