Tips for Shipping Corporate Event Materials

How to Ship Trade Show Materials

Trade show season kicks off in January, which means it’s right around the corner, especially with how quickly the holidays always fly by. Start preparing now so that you can make a great impression at trade shows, which will have a huge impact on your business!

Giving out or raffling off custom gifts is an excellent way to stick in the minds of the people you meet. But with trade shows taking place all over the country and even internationally, it’s important to know how to ship tradeshow materials, how to set up a booth at a convention, and other tips to make it worth your while.

You’re in good hands. At Merchology, we’re trade show experts, and we have plenty of advice for making your appearance at an industry gathering and gifting in a way that’s simple yet highly effective.

Tips for Shipping Your Trade Show Exhibit

Unless you’re able to fit all of your trade show materials in your vehicle and drive it to the event, you’ll want to have it all shipped. When you’re setting up tradeshow displays out of town, this may be the only option — or at least the only convenient option.

Verify Event Information

Double- and triple-check that you’re having your trade show display materials shipped to the right location. Also, find out ahead of time where they can be stored, as well as what exactly you can use for your booth. You don’t want to ship the wrong items and then be unsure of what to do with them once they’re delivered. And it goes without saying, but verify that you have the right days and times written down!

Choose the Right Carrier

Don’t forget to add shipping to your budget. This isn’t a place to cut corners, either. Your trade show display accessories and materials are incredibly important (and expensive), and the last thing you want is for them to get lost along the way, arrive late, or be damaged when they arrive. Save yourself the headache and go with a reliable carrier from the start.

Label Your Boxes

You’ll thank yourself later if you label your boxes as you pack them up instead of trying to figure out what you have and where it is as you set up your booth. This will make setting up your trade show display materials go smoothly and quickly, and you’ll also be able to keep your items separate from other exhibits. Plus, getting set up fast means you can start greeting attendees the minute they walk in, and you’ll also be free before opening to chat with other companies presenting at the trade show.

Use a Logistics Broker for International Events

No matter how many times you’ve set up tradeshow displays out of town, it’s particularly hard to prep for an international event. It’s a smart idea to hire a logistics broker who has experience with setting up trade shows at the destination. They’ll help you with details like shipping items across the border, getting insurance for your items, making sure you have the necessary documents, and whatever else you need.

Why Give Gifts at Trade Shows

Wondering what the benefits are of giving visitors gifts at trade shows? There are so many! 

Handing out high-quality branded swag is great for both brand awareness and your brand reputation. It can help you compete with the other companies at the trade show and keep you in the minds of attendees long after they’ve left. 

When you give out branded, useful, quality gifts that people will take with them as they go out and about — like tote bags, insulated travel cups, headphones, etc. — they become walking billboards for your company. Plus, they’ll associate your brand with value because you’re not doling out cheap items that everyone else gives away for free.

Contact Us Today!

Need more trade show gift ideas to give out to attendees or raffle off as a grand prize? Get in touch with a Merchologist today. We have lots of experience with trade shows and can show you the perfect gifts that visitors to your booth will love. Also, you can find out which items have prominent locations for adding your logo and getting the most visibility.