For those in the promotional products industry, trade shows are one of the most important parts of the job. It’s a chance to get new leads on potential customers and gives suppliers a chance to see what new products are on the market.
But as any one in the industry knows, it can also be an exercise in logistics. From setting up accommodations for employees, to setting up transportation to making sure all of your materials are there waiting for you, there’s a lot to keep track of and get settled before the trade show even starts.
This can be a lot to juggle when it comes to trade show logistics. Fortunately for you the promotional products salesman, many trucking and logistics companies can take away all of that stress that can accompany trade show logistics. Working with the right truckload freight company can ensure that all your exhibits and materials for your next trade show will show up undamaged and on time. As any salesman will tell you, trade shows are times when they go through a lot of product and they can’t afford any mishaps when its show time.
Depending on which logistics or truckload freight company you use, some of them offer helpful kits which logistics much easier. They offer tools like color-coded labels, instructions for different service contractors, control forms, pre-printed bills and a hotline that’s open all day, every day to offer any assistance you might need.
Truckload freight companies might also offer you or your company different options when it comes shipping your materials. If you’re in promotional products, odds are you’ve got a lot of different items of all shapes and sizes. A logistics company can help you package up all your odds and ends in a way that keeps them intact.
On that note, all your materials likely weight quite a bit. Logistics companies can help you move materials in and out of the area where you are, which is likely a large convention center. This make things a lot easier and a lot less stressful. A logistics company that’s good at what it does is all about speed, handling your materials with care and being able to adapt to different kinds of specialty freight such as oversize freight or overweight freight.
A reputable logistics company can offer:
- Time-sensitive delivery
- Transportation of trade show supplies to and free the trade show venue
- Climate control
- Project management for larger cargo
- Vehicles that are air ride equipped
- On board couriers
- Ability to meet the time-sensitive and tight delivery schedule requirements of trade shows
Despite the continued and growing use of e-commerce, trucking companies and the trucking industry still play an important role in the way Americans do business. The LTL (less-than truckload) market is estimated at $35 billion and according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the value of freight moved is expected to grow from $882 per ton in 2007 to $1,377 per ton in 2040. Trucks still carry the largest share of freight by value, tons and ton-miles for shipments moving 750 miles or less.
If traveling to and working at trade shows is a regular part of your everyday work life as a promotional products salesman, finding a company to take care of your logistics allows you to focus more on doing your job the best way you can and interacting with customers and showcasing your products instead of wondering if your materials are going to show up and be there when you need them.
By going through a reputable logistics company or truckload freight company, your trade show logistics will be a piece of cake. You’ll be able to make all the transportation and shipping arrangements that you need and you can rest easy with the knowledge that all of your things will get where they need to go, they’ll get there on time and they’ll get there in perfect condition.
