Trade Booth Design Trade Booth Design Budgeting & Project Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'show manual' in the context of trade show project management?
- A packet from show management with ordering deadlines and contractor information (Correct answer)
- The exhibitor's internal training guide for booth staff
- The installation instructions provided by the exhibit house
- The safety manual required by the convention center
Correct answer: A packet from show management with ordering deadlines and contractor information
The show manual is issued by show management and contains all ordering deadlines, official contractor contacts, rules, and regulations for the event.
Question 2: What is the most common reason exhibiting companies go over budget at trade shows?
- Underestimating on-site show service costs (Correct answer)
- Paying too much for graphic design
- Overstaffing the booth with too many salespeople
- Shipping the booth too early
Correct answer: Underestimating on-site show service costs
On-site show service fees such as drayage, electrical, rigging, and overtime labor charges are the most commonly underestimated budget items for exhibitors.
Question 3: What is 'overtime labor' in the trade show industry?
- Premium-rate I&D labor billed when work occurs outside standard move-in hours (Correct answer)
- Any work performed by exhibit house staff
- The extra cost for rush graphic printing
- Fees for booth storage between shows
Correct answer: Premium-rate I&D labor billed when work occurs outside standard move-in hours
Overtime labor is charged at premium rates (often 1.5×–2× standard) when union or show-contractor labor works evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays.
Question 4: Which document formally defines the scope, timeline, and deliverables agreed upon between an exhibitor and their exhibit house?
- Statement of Work (SOW) (Correct answer)
- Purchase order only
- Verbal agreement confirmed by email
- Show manual from organizer
Correct answer: Statement of Work (SOW)
A Statement of Work (SOW) formally documents all agreed deliverables, timelines, responsibilities, and costs between an exhibitor and their exhibit design partner.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'post-show report' in trade show project management?
- To evaluate ROI, leads generated, and lessons learned for future shows (Correct answer)
- To file insurance claims for damaged booth materials
- To document union labor hours for payment processing
- To submit graphic files to the exhibit house after the show
Correct answer: To evaluate ROI, leads generated, and lessons learned for future shows
A post-show report analyzes leads, cost per contact, ROI, attendee feedback, and operational successes or failures to improve future exhibit performance.
Question 6: What is 'exhibit storage' and why is it a significant budget consideration?
- Warehousing booth assets between shows, adding ongoing cost to the program (Correct answer)
- On-site storage of excess literature during the show
- Storing booth designs in a cloud-based design archive
- Keeping booth materials in the exhibitor's office
Correct answer: Warehousing booth assets between shows, adding ongoing cost to the program
Exhibit storage is the ongoing warehousing of booth structures, graphics, and furnishings between shows, which can cost thousands of dollars per month.
Trade Booth Design Trade Booth Design Budgeting & Project Management 2
What is a 'show manual' in the context of trade show project management?