By Dana Wuesthoff, CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director —
It’s been almost three years since anyone has put together a trade show booth in preparation for CONEXPO-CON/AGG or IFPE, and a lot has changed since we were all last together in Las Vegas. We now have the brand-new West Hall and Diamond Lots, which were under construction in 2020, as well as the Tesla-powered LVCC Loop, an underground tunnel hosting Tesla cars running in a loop from the Diamond Lot to Central Hall to South Hall, home of IFPE.
While a lot is different in Vegas, here at AEM, ensuring our exhibitors secure the greatest possible return on their investment in our shows never changes.
We know a lot goes into facilitating customer connections and maximizing attendee engagement at CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE. Whether it’s booth set-up, staffing, or shipping equipment and supplies to Las Vegas, a huge portion of your marketing budget goes toward guaranteeing a successful show experience.
That’s why AEM has spent the last several years – dating back to before CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2020 – looking closely at our vendors across the board and taking a measured approach toward providing the best value and service for those who invest in our shows and industry. Because, more than anything else, we want to eliminate unwanted surprises and unnecessary headaches, as well as provide you with the highest level of customer service when you arrive in Las Vegas next March.
For example, Freeman has been selected as the official show service contractor for material handling, decorating and rigging. Show Management’s goal in selecting Freeman is to lower exhibitor costs, address exhibitor pain-points and provide enhanced service. The multi-contractor model with Freeman improves services, drives innovation and creates competition, leading to lower costs.
Our partnership with Freeman for freight and decoration services provides:
- Estimated reduction in overall exhibitor costs by 8.4% or approximately $2.1 million and prevented an anticipated 9% increase over 2020 costs.
- Estimated savings in material handling fees by creating a new package plan that includes advanced warehouse storage and overtime, saving exhibitors an estimated $1.4 million in fees.
- Improved move-in process. Freeman will implement a 24-hour target move in schedule and their team will move freight in all hours each day to ensure target schedules stay on track.
In addition, exhibitors can avoid lines for the marshaling yard by taking advantage of the new advance warehouse services in the package plan. This includes Freeman receiving materials at the advance warehouse and storing freight for up to 60 days prior to the show. Materials will be delivered to the exhibitors’ booth on their target move-in date. There are no additional fees for overtime or special handling when unloading and reloading your shipments from the advanced warehouse or direct to show site.
And this is just the beginning.
There’s no better place to see, hear and learn what AEM and its vendor partners have in store for you than the upcoming CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE Exhibitor Meeting, which is set for Aug. 16-18, 2022, at the Hyatt Recency O’Hare near Chicago. In times of doing more with less, the Exhibitor Meeting shouldn’t be thought of as an exclusive opportunity for new exhibitors. Included as part of your exhibitor package plan, this event provides all show exhibitors with the information they need prior to CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE.
Think of the Exhibitor Meeting as your opportunity to ask questions, gain expert insights and put yourself and your organization firmly on the path toward making the 2023 shows your best yet. While the event’s main sessions will be livestreamed, and the education breakouts will be available on-demand beginning Sept. 19, we all know there is no substitute to being on-site, live and in-person. Registration is still open, so reserve your spot.
There is so much that is new, different and better about the 2023 editions of CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE. What has not changed is our steadfast commitment to providing the best possible CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE experience for you and your customers.
See you in Chicago next month!
Learn More
Stay up to date about CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2023, by signing up for show alerts. Visit conexpoconagg.com/show-alerts and ifpe.com/show-alerts to make sure you have access to all the latest news and information.
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