The Best Managed Trade Show Exhibits Use Online Event Management

Before the displays are set up, before the promotional materials are unpacked, before a single person walks the show floor, the ability to have successful trade show exhibits often comes down to one important factor-good organization. For a professional managing participation in multiple shows a year, there's a lot of juggling that goes into making sure everything gets to the right destination at the right time and that the goals of each show are met.

Fortunately, the world of trade show displays, like any thriving industry, has seen impressive technological improvements in recent years. Chief among these has been the creation of online exhibit and event management applications. Some event management companies now offer online solutions to create a seamless system that helps clients organize their trade show displays and allows the event management companies to better meet client needs.

Inventory Real Time, Anytime

The most basic online event and exhibit management tools allow users to manage their inventory of trade show displays. It's an easy way to see at all times which displays, graphics, literature and promotional materials are available. The schedule of upcoming events can be viewed, which can be helpful when evaluating availability for new shows or other opportunities. Users can track where items are and when they are scheduled to ship.

When there's a new commitment, users can conveniently use an online system to schedule the necessary trade show exhibits and materials to be moved and set up where they are needed. If new graphics or hardware are needed, they can be ordered on the same site. Repairs to trade show displays might also be ordered online.

Improved Team Communication

Some of the more powerful online event and exhibit management systems offer useful applications to improve team communication as well as organization. There are tools to notify sales staff of details about upcoming events, which users can utilize to create and share staffing schedules.

There are also lead management applications that allow users to set up lead banks. The lead bank might be general or it might be specific to a show. Tools to create lead reports and lead surveys can be invaluable for evaluating the success of trade show exhibits or participation in a particular show.

Useful Planning Tools

Other planning and evaluation tools are also available in some event and exhibit management suites. There are budgeting tools that allow users to create budgets for shows and then track expenditures against a spending plan. Some programs provide historical information on events including layout, costs, and show details to easily compare shows. There are even tools to assist with travel planning.

The new online event and exhibit management services give companies the power of inventory management anytime anywhere. Beyond just the obvious organizational benefit of inventory management, these systems can create time and money savings. Everything from better lead management to improved budgeting and evaluation are possible, with the right application. For anyone who must manage multiple trade show exhibits and participation in multiple shows per year, an online event and exhibit management system can be beneficial.