If you’ve never been to a Fresh Summit expo in New Orleans before, odds are you may not be aware of the reality a tradeshow in the New Orleans Convention Center brings. And even if you have, it’s always good to take a moment to refresh before packing your bags. Plus, there are some changes to this year’s Fresh Summit schedule that you may not have thought about quite yet. Fear not – we’ve covered everything you need to know and consider before you leave for Fresh Summit in this post!
The New Orleans Convention Center is Huge
Seriously – it’s 1.1 miles long. (From Julia St. to Henderson St.) And so the length of Fresh Summit expo is about a half of a mile! We recommend knowing the distance and time it takes to get from where you are staying to the exact hall in the convention center where you need to be because for some, it could be a mile walk so pack your comfy shoes! Convention Way, the main drag in front of the convention center is crowded so if you’re cabbing it, consider suggesting an alternate route on Tchoupitoulas St. or Magazine St. to a cross street that intersects near where you need to be.
The New Friday/Saturday Expo Schedule Means Not Succumbing to “Last Day Syndrome”
It’s a well-known condition that takes over during the last few hours of a busy tradeshow, but don’t be tempted to tear down before 5pm on Saturday! With the shorter expo schedule this year, it’s more important than ever to keep your booth open and in-tact during the stated hours. In-fact, PMA shared with us that this is a big buyer “pet peeve.” Why not consider hosting a fun happy hour or special giveaway in your booth doing the last hour of the show instead?
With Fewer Docks, Careful Move-Out Coordination is Essential
The new Friday/Saturday expo days and fewer docks in NOLA combo means that you need to think through your move out plan. There’s a new GES move-out package for 10’x10′ and 10’x20′ booths you can take advantage of. For larger booths, consider starting your labor on Sunday morning. That way your empties will already be in your booth and you will avoid paying overtime labor on Saturday evening. For more important move out tips to consider, read this blog post from PMA.
Fresh Summit season is an exciting time for our industry, and also one where every minute counts. By planning ahead, you can ensure you have the most successful show possible. Take a look at this post linking to several more helpful resources for you to read and consider before the show.
