It’s that time of the year again – trade show season! There are many things to keep in mind when shipping to and from your upcoming trade show.
YRC Freight has a dedicated Exhibit/Trade Show shipping team, and Jeff England, business development manager, is one of the most knowledgeable people in the entire space. He took time out of his busy schedule to share some useful information for new trade show shippers and veterans alike.
What are the most common mistakes people make in the trade show shipping process?
They believe the recommended carrier listed in the exhibitor kit is a requirement. No matter how small or large their booth, every exhibitor always maintains the right to choose which carrier takes their product in to a show and out from a show.
Another mistake is presuming the shipping service date is the same as the date they can expect their shipment to be in their booth at show site. Depending on the show size, there are other factors being considered as to when it will actually be in the booth.
Also, many think leaving their outbound paperwork – the Bill of Lading for example – on their freight will ensure it gets moved per their instructions. There is so much activity at move-out that items get moved, jostled, etc. and a lot of paperwork gets lost. It should ALWAYS be turned in to the customer service desk.
What are the biggest challenges for new shippers?
Understanding the entire move-in process – who handles what and when. There are many elements and responsibilities and it’s important to know how the process works from beginning to end so there are no unrealistic expectations.
How about challenges for experienced shippers?
Things change. Experienced shippers often think the way it always was done is the way it always will be done. There are always new processes coming into play to make things better. Reading the exhibitor kit gives a clear understanding of all that is happening, including any changes.
What does YRC Freight do to give their customers an advantage?
It starts with people. We have a dedicated team of trained and experienced Exhibit Managers whose role is to monitor shipments going to a show, assist the terminals with delivery information and their direct relationships with the general service contractors who do the shows.
We’re big on convenience and peace of mind. That’s why we offer 30-days free storage prior to a show. For many customers, this allows them to ship to back-to-back shows without having to add the extra cost of returning the booth home in between. In addition, we guarantee all shipments inbound to a show at no extra cost.
Call 1-800-531-EXPO or schedule a pickup online.