Trade show and last minute changes to stand
Discussion
We recently booked a trade stand at the Advanced Engineering Show at the NEC, we booked in October and the way it works is you pick a location on a plan and that's where you should be located.
For whatever reason the layout of our area was changed and we where swapped to a terrible location, basically at an entrance to a seminar arena with nothing but empty and blank space all around us. No footfall what so ever and the few people that did find us commented on how bad our location was, or the didn't realise there was anything back here. The organiser apologised, said we should have been informed (we weren't) and said that obviously nothing could be done as the show was running, but agreed the layout had not worked and they would try to make good after the event.
Now after the event they are ignoring all contact, we spent quite a bit of money on this show and most of it was wasted, if we had been informed of the changes to the layout we would have changed location or cancelled. I know litigation is expensive and often fruitless but wondered if we might have a case with small claims court, or am I better of just taking it on the chin and not bothering going to the show in future. Thoughts please
Thanks
For whatever reason the layout of our area was changed and we where swapped to a terrible location, basically at an entrance to a seminar arena with nothing but empty and blank space all around us. No footfall what so ever and the few people that did find us commented on how bad our location was, or the didn't realise there was anything back here. The organiser apologised, said we should have been informed (we weren't) and said that obviously nothing could be done as the show was running, but agreed the layout had not worked and they would try to make good after the event.
Now after the event they are ignoring all contact, we spent quite a bit of money on this show and most of it was wasted, if we had been informed of the changes to the layout we would have changed location or cancelled. I know litigation is expensive and often fruitless but wondered if we might have a case with small claims court, or am I better of just taking it on the chin and not bothering going to the show in future. Thoughts please
Thanks
Taking a non-legal view.
Given what you saw at the show, what value would you place on getting a high profile stand space next year?
i.e. would you do well striking a deal to get a very subsidised bigger/better stand than seek costs back for this one?
Just the negotiator instinct - they get an early booking, take a future cost hit and don't need to refund this year.
Given what you saw at the show, what value would you place on getting a high profile stand space next year?
i.e. would you do well striking a deal to get a very subsidised bigger/better stand than seek costs back for this one?
Just the negotiator instinct - they get an early booking, take a future cost hit and don't need to refund this year.
If anything, I'd go again next year and have a better space. Assuming UK Tech Events Ltd havent disappeared by then of course.
Not speaking to you at an account management level just means whoever your contact is, they're not very good at their job. The employees are listed on LinkedIn by the way.
On the whole, I tend to view trade shows and exhibitions as a bit of a waste of time. We never get walkups who can justify the stand costs, and mainly the organisers sell exhibition space to make it free for attendees. We've now started to organise meetings at shows where we know we'll get relevant, good contacts and cut down show space but increased spending in other places, such as sponsoring things, either the merchandise or the bar or something that people will actually see. When there's more than a couple of hundred exhibitors you dont get quality, less than a hundred and you dont get quantity of footfall.
Not speaking to you at an account management level just means whoever your contact is, they're not very good at their job. The employees are listed on LinkedIn by the way.
On the whole, I tend to view trade shows and exhibitions as a bit of a waste of time. We never get walkups who can justify the stand costs, and mainly the organisers sell exhibition space to make it free for attendees. We've now started to organise meetings at shows where we know we'll get relevant, good contacts and cut down show space but increased spending in other places, such as sponsoring things, either the merchandise or the bar or something that people will actually see. When there's more than a couple of hundred exhibitors you dont get quality, less than a hundred and you dont get quantity of footfall.
matjk said:
I know litigation is expensive and often fruitless but wondered if we might have a case with small claims court, or am I better of just taking it on the chin and not bothering going to the show in future. Thoughts please
Thanks
What does the contract say regarding guaranteeing particular places? I'd guess that there is a disclaimer in there. That would likely mean that any claim would fail.Thanks
As has been said, negotiation is your better option, but not if they refuse to speak to you.
andy-xr said:
On the whole, I tend to view trade shows and exhibitions as a bit of a waste of time. We never get walkups who can justify the stand costs, and mainly the organisers sell exhibition space to make it free for attendees. We've now started to organise meetings at shows where we know we'll get relevant, good contacts and cut down show space but increased spending in other places, such as sponsoring things, either the merchandise or the bar or something that people will actually see. When there's more than a couple of hundred exhibitors you dont get quality, less than a hundred and you dont get quantity of footfall.
About half my marketing spend works, I just don't know which half.Bert
Have you asked or paid for the attendee mailing list? They normally charge a fortune for it (with email addresses and tel nos especially)
If not - ask for that, would let you contact the people you didn't see due to crap location.
Ask for free stand next year (if you want to go - will cost you to attend so needs to be worth it)
Were/are there any competition of yours who are big sponsors who may have had words?
If not - ask for that, would let you contact the people you didn't see due to crap location.
Ask for free stand next year (if you want to go - will cost you to attend so needs to be worth it)
Were/are there any competition of yours who are big sponsors who may have had words?
We were exhibiting at the show last week too and didn't have the greatest stand location but then we are a media partner so don't pay for the stand space which doesn't give us a lot of argument. That said, we still had a pretty decent footfall passing the stand. Out of interest, where were you?
I've had a lot of dealings with the team during the run up and if you want me to see if I can put you in contact with one of the better people, drop me a PM and I'll be happy to help out if I can. They were acquired by Easyfairs a few months ago so have a much bigger team of people behind the event this year. From experience, they always want exhibitors to be happy with how the event went for them so I'm sure would be glad to talk to you to come to an arrangement, whether that be for next years booking or something else. Next year they plan to move halls and give the 5 shows more of an individual identity, which I'm not sure is a good thing or not due to the amount of synergy between a lot of companies on display.
With regards to the attendee list, I've been asking for this for the last 3 years but they always refuse due to data protection... Most other events are happy to share, but not this one in my experience for some reason.
I've had a lot of dealings with the team during the run up and if you want me to see if I can put you in contact with one of the better people, drop me a PM and I'll be happy to help out if I can. They were acquired by Easyfairs a few months ago so have a much bigger team of people behind the event this year. From experience, they always want exhibitors to be happy with how the event went for them so I'm sure would be glad to talk to you to come to an arrangement, whether that be for next years booking or something else. Next year they plan to move halls and give the 5 shows more of an individual identity, which I'm not sure is a good thing or not due to the amount of synergy between a lot of companies on display.
With regards to the attendee list, I've been asking for this for the last 3 years but they always refuse due to data protection... Most other events are happy to share, but not this one in my experience for some reason.
Jim Clark said:
With regards to the attendee list, I've been asking for this for the last 3 years but they always refuse due to data protection... Most other events are happy to share, but not this one in my experience for some reason.
A trade show not selling the attendee list when that is a key form of income for events. Gotta ask why. Cynic I me says attendee list won't actually be that great. David A said:
A trade show not selling the attendee list when that is a key form of income for events. Gotta ask why. Cynic I me says attendee list won't actually be that great.
Completely agree. Having exhibited at the show for the last 3 years, I think that is a pretty spot on assumption... The second day especially just seems to be wall to wall students wanting either a work placement or some free pens and baseball caps.Used to work in this industry.
If you think that the spend would have genuinely been worth it had you had the original spot you signed for then the above advice about securing a free spot for next year is exactly how I would play it.
Failing that, a bigger stand in a prime location at a reduced rate (with clauses about that changing this time), free advert in the brochure, ad banner on website, free seminar speaking slot or something along those lines should definitely be doable.
FWIW we used to sell the spots near seminars and catering early as they would generally get good traffic.
Changing the floorplan usually means they've not sold all the allocated spots and a rejig is needed to make it 'look' full, would perhaps explain why they don't want to share the attendee list (although I did it in a region where the DPA isn't in effect so can't comment on that excuse).
If you think that the spend would have genuinely been worth it had you had the original spot you signed for then the above advice about securing a free spot for next year is exactly how I would play it.
Failing that, a bigger stand in a prime location at a reduced rate (with clauses about that changing this time), free advert in the brochure, ad banner on website, free seminar speaking slot or something along those lines should definitely be doable.
FWIW we used to sell the spots near seminars and catering early as they would generally get good traffic.
Changing the floorplan usually means they've not sold all the allocated spots and a rejig is needed to make it 'look' full, would perhaps explain why they don't want to share the attendee list (although I did it in a region where the DPA isn't in effect so can't comment on that excuse).
Jim Clark said:
David A said:
A trade show not selling the attendee list when that is a key form of income for events. Gotta ask why. Cynic I me says attendee list won't actually be that great.
Completely agree. Having exhibited at the show for the last 3 years, I think that is a pretty spot on assumption... The second day especially just seems to be wall to wall students wanting either a work placement or some free pens and baseball caps.Regarding list of attendees..why would grey give you this when it's One of gheir most valuable assets. Normally they will send mails to the List on your behalf (at a cost) and forward any replies to you
the best you can do would be to use your dissatisfaction as a lever to negotiate a big discount next year
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