Display/ Trade show set-up

[woodworx]

I have to send a rather large quote out to a customer in the next few days. It is for a custom trade show set up. It is perfect work to make me look good! (Thanks Shopbot) A lot of large structures and small run production items. Any advice or general knowledge that goes with doing these kind of jobs. Also, does anyone have a contract they use when selling trade show builds?

[carlhopkins]

Justin,
The trade show industry can be money making deal. I was a PM for 3 years prior to 9-11.
Some customers want to see a lot of words “describing what they get for their money” others don’t. I would go for the more side and let them tell you just get the job done. As you know we sometimes do way more than we realize so cover it all.
I do not have an example contract but I would make the “quotes” be “estimates” until signed and be sure to make very clear what materials you are including at that price point.
Just my 2 cents, good luck

[gerryv]

Up here the single most important thing is that your client, the exhibitor, can be asked for verification that the booth is made only of fireproof materials which may include certified treatments. At large shows it's not unusual for the fire inspector to walk the show, usually just pre-show opening, looking especially for things like custom built setups. If the booth doesn't pass muster, it's not a case of a fine. It's getting the booth removed pronto and no refund from the show organizers.

[woodworx]

Anyone know prices on fireproof plywood?

[gabepari]

Also, lot's of places only allow Union labor to assemble the display on-site. So you may have to design it so 3 monkeys with 2 hammers can assemble it


Good Luck,

Gabe

[jerry_stanek]

I work for a display house and we use mostly white wood ply. Lots of MDF an sintra. Chicago and Las Vagas You have to use union setup crews so keep them simple to install. Also keep them light as the derage gets very expensive.

[jhicks]

Also recommend that your quote required a 50% deposit that covers 100%+ or more of your material and considerable design/labor costs. You should be whole at 50% after material and finishing is accounted for.
No magic formula but I generally think material and paint cost runs about 10% to a max 25% of the total sell price depending on complexity of finishing and assembly in the project.
After all its skill and labor + a profit you're selling.
We generally add 25% to material cost for scrap and yield to our calculations.
Custom cabinets can sell for $1,000.00+/ Ln ft so don't be too cheap. Signage sells for $100.00/ sq ft ++ so when you break it down it should make for a good project if you don't under sell it.
Foam and sintra letters aren't cheap either so check the web for competitive pricing on them.

50% Balance due upon completion before you have the truck pick it up or when you deliver. Wouldn't give terms for delayed payment.

May sound like material is low but the real work is design, finish, and assembly with bot time being the least of your worries once you have a solid design.
Good Luck

[carlhopkins]

Justin,
Many good points have been made here.
As for fire proof plywood, we used a fire rated coating on all interior surfaces rather than raw wood, but a coating supplier should be able to assist. But I think only if the exhibit would be going to a location where that is required. As mentioned by others the location can be VERY important. Chicago and Las Vegas are hot spots. Electrical can eat your lunch too. Make sure all wiring is easy to access after build up has been done.
I came from the office furniture and custom cabinet side of life before trade show and wow what a learning experience. We had a great support group and a good system in place to cover all the bases.
We had a customer that left us before my time and had an exhibit built so poorly that the set up went so badly that they called us and said if we would take it down after the show we could get their business back. It was not pretty. It may all just seem like stuff, however much to consider!!
Just be very careful

[jhicks]

Agreed that McCormick or any Chicago show is rigid on Union and code compliance. You can't set up and assemble yourself even if you want to.
Have you considered crating this baby? That alone has its own time, design, and cost elements to be considered.
Must have union folks unload, uncrate, store crating, and set up all electric outlets, carpet etc at union rates when they get to it. Rare to be able to even plug in an extension cord so whatever you do, make sure you fully understand code and set up/tear down/crating parameters.
I would suggest you require the end customer to sign off and take responsibility for providing any compliance issues/parameters so you are not held responsible for any last minute design and implementation discrepancies.
If you take design and compliance responsibility, you really need to dot every I and cross every T and even then stuff can happen.
This is why you want sign off in advance and final payment before shipping! If that fellow at the convention center has an attitude or drops it off the lift truck, you don't want to be holding the bag.
Be careful out there.

[woodworx]

great info. Thanks Jerry, Jerry, Carl, Gabe, and Gerald. I submit today, Wish me luck!