MEEC

1
MEEC

• Chapter Nine
• Service Contractors

2
Definition

• Service Contractor
• Anyone who provides a product or service for the
  exhibitors or show management during the actual
  show or conference.
• Historically referred to as decorators
• Involved in every aspect of the sow from move-in
  to running the show, to teardown and move-out.

3
General Service Contractor

• Also called the Official Show Contractor or
  Exposition Services Contractor
• Hired by show management to handle general duties
  for the show
• Graphic treatments of the show and signage
• Pipe and drape / hard wall exhibits
• Aisle carpets
• Create official areas sponsor booth,
  registration, lounges
• Hire and manage labor
• Move freight in and out
• Material handling and drayage

4
General Service Contractor

• Hired by show management to handle services for
  the exhibitors
• Exhibit design and construction
• Booth set-up and dismantle
• Carpet, Furniture and Signage
• Interface with union and labor
• Rigging Material Handling

5
General Service Contractor

• Creates Exhibitor Service Manual (Kit)
• Sent to confirmed and registered Exhibitors
• Order forms for all exhibitor services provided
  by the contractor and specialty contractors
• Show rules and regulations

6
General Service Contractor

• Role is evolving
• Increasing their scope of services
• Some convention center facilities are doing what
  contractors used to do
• Centralized billing
• Event marketing consulting / production
• Corporate event programs Multi-event exhibit
  programs
• Private trade shows New product introductions
• Hospitality events Touring Expositions
• New Technologies
• Floor plans
• Material Handling
• Web Site development

7
Specialty Service Contractor

• Deal with specific area of show production
• Either
• appointed by show management OR
• appointed by exhibitors

8
Specialty Service Contractor
Specialty Services include

• Audio-visual
• Business Services
• Catering
• Cleaning Services
• Communications Computers
• Consulting
• Drayage Freight
• Electrical
• Floral
• Furniture

• Labor Planning Supervision
• Lighting
• Models / Hostesses Spokespersons
• Utilities
• Photography
• Postal /Package Services
• Security
• Translators
• Industry Specific

9
Exhibitor Appointed Contractor

• Work specifically with the exhibiting company
  throughout the year, often on more than one show
• Usually in the areas of
• Installation and dismantle
• Décor
• Exhibit design and storage
• Exclusives services that can only be provided
  by an official service contractor appointed y
  show management

10
Relationships

• Show Organizers hire the General Service
  Contractor
• Request for Proposal (RFP) Process
• Partnership develops as show planning progresses
• General Service Contractor suggests marketing
  themes, design layout, floor plans, color schemes
• General Service Contractor and Show Organizers
  select specialty service contractors
• Maintain history of show development, production
  and exhibitor needs

11
Associations

• Trade Associations abound - something for
  everyone!
• Exhibition Services and Contractors Association
• Exhibit Display Producers Association
• Exhibitor Appointed Contractors Association
• International Association for Exhibition
  Management
• Canadian Association of Exposition Management
• National Association of Consumer Shows
• Trade Show Exhibitors Association
• Center for Exhibition Industry Research

12
How It All Works

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13
Review

• Definitions
• General Service Contractor
• Specialty Service Contractor
• Exhibitor Appointed Service Contractor
• Relationships
• Associations
• How It All Works