How to Successfully Install and Dismantle Your Exhibit
You’ve spent hours dreaming up and designing your exhibit. You’ve spent hard-earned and strictly allocated funds to make your ambitions come to life. You’ve also worked hard to collaborate with and choose your manufacturer and shipping partner.
Only to have it damaged, missing pieces, not properly packaged, or otherwise ruined in installation or dismantling. Whether you chose to put it together and take it apart yourself or hired subcontractors, it can be costly and frustrating to experience these avoidable setbacks.
The answer lies in planning ahead. Thinking and acting in advance will save your company valuable time and money that could otherwise be wasted on poor exhibit management or rushed DIY jobs, Mishaps like these could make or break your next show’s profitability.
If the issues stack up in the front half of your event, you could delay your exhibit and miss valuable opportunities. Or on the back end, you could incur added fees if you’re stuck on site trying to resolve dismantling issues.
Here is how to avoid as many issues related to installation and dismantling as possible before your next show.
#1 The Early Bird Catches the Snafu
The showroom floor is chaotic enough without adding minute installation and assembly requirements before you can even get started. Start planning for proper and easy installation and dismantling when you begin the design phase of your exhibit.
Create each element with labor hours and final packaging in mind. Stick to standard sizes and ensure that intricate assembly requirements come from the manufacturer already completed, rather than relying on your teams or subcontractors.
Local subcontractors are often more expensive than the manufacturer’s house crew and they will catch any potential problems before it ever leaves the shop.
Source: Pixabay
#2 Test-Run Your Installation and Dismantle Process
If possible, this is an extremely valuable way to protect your exhibit, your event, and your investment. Pre-build your trade show booth in advance. You will hit any potential issues and have time to fix them before it’s packed up and shipped out. You can also take photos and label every item to prepare your itemized list.
#3 Arrive Early and Check Everything
It’s always a good rule of thumb to arrive at exhibit events a day early. However, the benefits of doing so are never more obvious than when putting your booth together.
Give yourself the time to ensure the electrical outlets and wiring are all aligned and working properly. Verify that your internet connection is stable and strong enough.
Check that the carpet and any other equipment have a place and that they fit the space. Arriving early ensures you have the opportunity to check and fix any potential exhibit snafus.
#4 Come Prepared
Don’t assume that you or your team will have everything they need on-site. Be sure to pack small tools, touch-up paint, tape, and Command hooks. You may also be able to arrange for them to be available to you with on-site management and subcontractors.
Also bring along any staging photos, drawings, or 3D renderings of your booth for you or your contacts to reference. This should also have an itemized list of every piece and screw that goes into your exhibit. All items that you send to your event should be labeled and numbered to match your list.
#5 Since You’re Early, Meet the Team
No matter who is installing your exhibit, meet with them before work begins to go over everything from start to finish. Review the itemized list and renderings to help them visualize the finished product and understand expectations.
Check outlet alignment and all pieces of your exhibit with the team and ensure that everything is ready, and everyone is on the same page.
#6 Switch Out Labor Teams as Needed
Sometimes, it’s just not a good match. Other times, they’re not as skilled in the areas you need. On-site labor is costly. Make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, and that the laborer is competent enough to get the job done properly.
#7 Finish Strong
Just because the show is over, doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods. There’s still plenty of time for disaster to strike. Streamline this process as much as possible to bypass any potential dismantling disasters.
Have your laborer’s contact information available and your itemized list at the ready. Prepare shipping manifests and double-check that everything is ready to be packaged.
#8 Start Strong to Finish Strong
The success of installation and dismantling starts with design. Thoughtful and strategic plans that set you up for long-term success aren’t industry standard, far from it! At Exhib-It, we’re dedicated to creating practical designs without sacrificing beauty and quality.
Let’s mitigate the risks of your next exhibit set up and taken down together. Reach out to our team for a quote!
