Trade Show Industry News

Updated Covid-19 Statement

From: David Mihalik

ELITeXPO President, CEO

ELITeXPO is currently available and operating to serve all of our customers and future customers who are interested in preparing for the eventual re-opening of more trade shows in the near future. While we all are praying that the current vaccine in Phase 3 Human Trials proves to be successful, our trade show industry is moving ahead to show that trade shows can be produced safely. This has been evidenced by the recent Together Again Expo which ran at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on July 24th. Over 4600 guests were registered and more attended for the one-day event which was represented by over 3600 organizations. It proved to be a great success and attendees stated that they felt safer on the show floor than they did walking through a retail store in Florida, at the time. That’s great news for our industry, as we can prove that we can safely get back to work and contribute to getting our economy rolling again. ELITeXPO was present at that event and can share with you our experience.

As we head through our 6th month of altered normalcy and anticipation that things will continue to be reduced into the 4th quarter of 2020, ELITeXPO has pivoted its product and service offerings to continue to be of value to our current and new customers who are also navigating this new normal until we all get a better understanding of when we will be getting back to face-to-face meetings. Our industry suppliers and manufacturers have quickly changed their manufacturing capabilities to provide safety products that are in much demand today. Also, as the shutdown of events lingers, more and more companies are evaluating a virtual exhibit space. ELITeXPO is here to help. We are currently producing 3D virtual exhibit spaces for our customers that we believe, will also be a part of their trade show pre and post show promotions long after physical exhibits return. Some of the current new product and service offerings that ELITeXPO is now offering include;

  • 3D Virtual Exhibit Programming – You NEED to evaluate this option!
  • Hand Sanitizer Stations – (Floor and Wall mounts) Sturdy & Made in the USA!
  • Sneeze Guards, Safety Barriers, Partition Dividers & Shields – Custom Fitted
  • Exterior Signage – Custom branded signage
  • Infrared Thermal Temperature Scanners (High Quality and No Touch)
  • Back Lit LED Large Formal Wall Mount Graphics (For office, residential and retail)

AND, we’re still working at what we have done for the past 33 years and will continue to do moving forward.

  • NON – Trade show Shipping Services – ELITeXPO moves freight of ALL kinds, PPE equipment, product freight, medical equipment and devices, materials for company events, Truck Loads, Less than truck loads, ground and air, domestic and international.
  • Complete Asset Management for any kind of inventory, long or short term

We’d like to thank all of our customers and friends who have supported us through this difficult time. Together we will make it through!

Recap of the Together Again Expo

From: Rich Ryczek

ELITeXPO Account Executive

So…I attended the Together Again Expo in Orlando, FL on Fri 7/24 at the Orange County Convention Center.

What a RUSH !!!  Felt So good being back on Show Floor even if not doing what I usually do.  I was there as an Attendee.

4700 guests were registered with 3600 organizations represented.  Show floor was buzzing.

Event was a vision by Mark Yuska from Alliance Nationwide Expo with the help of many partners.  Spoke to him on show floor, said there will be more events like this very soon. Discussing one at the end of Summer and another early Fall in different Cities but most likely at smaller venues, i.e. hotel ballrooms.

Hope the Associations and Event Managers out there took note of this event to see that an event CAN run safely and successfully !!!

Event was well thought out and very organized. Had my temperature taken before I entered OCCC by a Florida Medic.  Temperature spot checks were done on show floor. Registration was fast and seamless. Floor aisles were a bit wider than usually.  Exhibitor booth spaces were the same 10×10 right next to each other with quite a few larger spaces occupied. Aisles were labeled “one way”.  They had separate Entry and Exit points from show floor.  Seating for Speakers on Show Floor were spaced 6’ apart.  Depth of seating was increased.  Had several large screens around seating area.  Hand sanitizers were everywhere.  Cleaning Service personal were staged on show floor wiping down regularly touched areas.  Even had a bathroom attendant in each to wipe down.  Everyone had masks on and was very conscious for each other’s safety.  A lot of elbow bumping.  Some hugs visible but most hello’s were non-contact.

Various Food Vendors were set up along the back wall of the OCCC with a couple Bar stations placed on show floor.

(I certainly missed paying $12 for 4 small pieces of chicken, 2 broccoli pieces, and 3 spoons of rice and $8 for a beer..…LOL).

A LOT of information was provided at this event.  The Panel discussions were quite interesting.  After all, it does take quite a bit of effort for all involved to put on an event.  Main thing being a venue must be accredited to allow a show to run.  Currently, only 5 venues at the moment have that ability (Orange County Convention Center,  Jacob Javits, San Diego CC are 3).

Walked the floor and did find a couple of interesting products being developed due the COVID19.   The Innovation of our Industry is amazing !!!

Mark at Alliance noted that future 10×10 spaces again will most likely be complimentary.  I’d be happy to man our booth at the next show.

Again, it was information overload.  If you have any questions/concerns, please ask.

Best part of this event based on my experience and opinion…

*** Honestly, I felt more SAFE on this show floor than going to a local Store, Restaurant, Bank, Gas Station, Bar, etc etc….. in my area !!!

I have the feeling it’s because our Industry is very professional, and we look out for each other.  The Tradeshow Industry is a large Family…and Family usually takes care of one another. This is certainly what I experienced from ALL involved in this show.   (The Association, General Contractor, Crews, Partners, Exhibitors, Attendees, Cleaning Crew, Security, Food Vendors, etc etc).

Take care and stay safe…

#tradeshowstrong

The New Landscape Where Scalability = Flexibility

A few weeks ago I jotted down some thoughts on COVID-19, it’s potential impact on the tradeshow floor and how we might coexist – see https://www.elitexpo.com/ts/home/blog/.

Since I shared that blog there have been other thoughts/ideas shared from my peers within the industry. For example, wider aisles on the show floor, signage directing traffic flow and/or the addition of buffer zones between exhibits to name a few.

Today, I thought I would take a moment to address the reality that as we plan for shows going forward, we will probably need to reconsider the size of the exhibit we will be taking to the event. I say this because recently there has been talk that in an effort to address social distancing requirements, we might very well see a reduction in the size of the individual booth space permitted on the show floor.

For some, this might be perceived as a problematic situation where your investment in a smaller booth has limited use with no future applications for growth. Well I am here to tell you that this is not the case. Yes, you can start small and still have the flexibility to expand to a larger footprint when restrictions are relaxed and the opportunity for large exhibits one again presents itself. Today’s modular exhibits afford you scalability and flexibility. And with trade shows facing a variety of restrictions, now more than ever, exhibitors are going to need to be flexible in order to adapt.

They say a picture is worth 1000 words, so I thought I would share two examples of how a modular system can be very versatile when size options are a priority.

Flexibility from the ExpoDisplays MultiQuad System
ExpoDisplays MultiQuad System
Scalability from the Classic Exhibits MODUL System
Classic Exhibits MODUL System

As you can see in the above examples, when changing booth size, you can still have a consistent look and feel to your exhibit(s) and your overall brand presence on the show floor. In addition, in most situations you are able to re-purpose the same graphics for the different configurations. Also, it is important to note that this strategy applies to both purchase and/or rental properties.

So, as we all continue to navigate through these uncharted COVID-19 waters, keep this strategy in mind. As show organizers explore implementing a variety of social distancing practices and depending on the venue, you might find yourself having to rethink the size of your exhibit. Know that you have scalable options that will afford you the ability to adapt to different footprints and get more out of your exhibit.

Stay safe!

Chuck Michel

VP Trade Show Services
ELITeXPO
D: 847-324-3840
C: 314-667-3225
E: chuckm@elitexpo.com