What’s the most important thing in any relationship? Simply stated – TRUST! Whether we’re talking about our husbands or wives, doctors or home builders – In order to have successful relationships we must have mutual trust.
Hiring a trade show exhibit company really isn’t any different. You and your partner have to have respect and trust in one another for the relationship to flourish! After all, your trade show company relationship is one you should plan on building and keeping for years to come.
1. Get to Know Your Trade Show Exhibit Provider From the Start
From the first contact you have with your trade show exhibit partner, you should be exploring not only the capabilities and track record of your provider but the personalities of those you’ll be working with. Like any other relationship, you have to like and be willing to work together with everyone in the organization from the account executives to the designers and administration.
Getting to know each individual who you’ll be working with, on a personal level, helps to strengthen the overall relationship – which enables both sides to be honest and direct. Also, knowing the team you’ll be working with on a personal level just makes doing business together more enjoyable and rewarding.
2. Visit Your Trade Show Partner’s Facility
There’s no better way to get to know the trade show team you’re hiring than through an in-person visit to their facility. You’ll learn a whole lot about how an organization is run by spending a few hours within their walls.
Do the employees interact well with each other? Is there a sense of professionalism, comradery and yes – trust among the employees themselves? And most importantly – do you feel like part of the team while you’re there?
Your gut instinct will tell you a lot about how your relationship will unfold.
3. Ask the Right Questions
During the courtship, be sure to ask your trade show exhibit provider the right questions! The questions you ask and the answers you receive will do a lot to solidify your initial trust in the relationship.
As just a sampling, be sure to ask questions related to the following:
- How does the design/build process work from beginning to end?
- Who will you be working with through the process?
- What types of exhibits has the company worked on within your industry?
- How can your product/brand best be showcased by the design & exhibit?
- How will you be involved in the process and be kept informed of overall progress?
- What are the logistics of storage, shipping, setup/dismantle for your booth and events?
- How are change orders handled, implemented and billed?
These are just a few ideas of information you should get answers to – but they’ll give you a great start to build on.
Remember, when hiring a trade show partner, you’re entering into a relationship where you’re going to be putting a ton of trust in the company you’ve chosen. Do your homework, get to know them personally and above all else – TRUST your gut instinct!
Like to learn more about the team at ColorCraft? Give us a call – we’d love for you to get to know us!
