WHY EXHIBIT THIS YEAR
Exhibitors have the LOWEST COST SALES CALL per decision-maker!
BCMC Exhibitors REACH KEY PEOPLE who come to learn and make decisions for their businesses!
Approximately 46% of component manufacturer attendees are managers within their organizations, and 14% of these managers are CEO's.
BCMC is the only national industry tradeshow that is guided by component manufacturers for the benefit of component manufacturers and its suppliers.
"Exhibiting at BCMC" by Tom Manenti, MiTek Industries, Inc. (From April 2001 WOODWORDS)
"What Do Component Manufacturers Think About BCMC?" (From April 2001 WOODWORDS)
BCMC IS GROWING!
BCMC 2000 had a record 2,217 attendees!
New companies attend BCMC every year. Over 470 component manufacturing locations from around the world sent people to attend BCMC in 2000.
Your company’s name will be heavily promoted as an exhibitor in BCMC advertisements in WOODWORDS Magazine, possibly other trade magazines, as well as on the this site.
WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR
Because we listen to what you have to say, there are a few changes to the Schedule of Events for BCMC 2001:
The feedback about the first ever Exhibitor Sandwich Bar was overwhelming, so it will be offered again this year!
Also, you indicated the Welcome Reception should be held on the show floor, so it will be back on the show floor.
Lastly, there were countless requests to extend the time the exhibit hall is open. This year we've extended the show floor time by 3-1/2 hours (including the Welcome Reception).
Thank you for providing feedback to us so we can make your show more valuable to you as an exhibitor! See Special Offers from WTCA to make your promotion a success.
COMPLIMENTARY MEETING SPACE
In appreciation for supporting BCMC, we're offering a special perk to exhibitors. Complimentary meeting space will be available for meetings, receptions, etc. which are held outside of show hours. Meeting space will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis for a limited time.
The meeting space may be used for:
Hosting a hospitality suite for your clients.
Holding your own private reception or dinner.
Holding company/customer meetings.
Holding training sessions.
How do you take advantage of this great opportunity? Contact one of the three contracted hotels for BCMC 2001. The individuals listed below will
work with you to find meeting space that will best meet your needs.
| |
Karen Kincade
Hyatt Regency Louisville
502/540-3142
kkincade@sdfrlpo.hyatt.com
DEADLINE APRIL 27th
Lora Lee Ion
The Galt House Hotel
502/589-5200, x 4155
DEADLINE APRIL 29th |
Lori Smith
Seelbach, Hilton Louisville
502/585-3200
DEADLINE APRIL 1st |
What is the criteria for obtaining free meeting space? You must submit a signed Contract for Exhibit Space with the required deposit to the WTCA office. If you are an official exhibitor, you're set!
COOL SHOW FLOOR SPACE OPTION —
EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITY
The Kentucky International Convention Center has two suites that overlook the show floor. These suites can be yours to enhance your BCMC presence. Be one of the two lucky exhibitors to have these suites.
The suites include a kitchen, office and a 30 x 20 conference room. They are available October 29th and 30th all day and October 31st through November 2nd during show hours only.
The weekly rate for one suite is $5700. If you have contracted 400 square feet of exhibit space or more, we will offer a special 50% discount of $2850. Daily rates are available, but precedence is given to weekly rentals. Contact WTCA at 608/274-4849 for details.
All requests must be made in writing. The suites can be used for:
Meeting with special clients.
Office space.
Holding training sessions.
THANK YOU LUNCH
To show our appreciation to our BCMC 2001 exhibitors, and to save you time by making move-in and setup go more smoothly, WTCA will host a sandwich bar lunch on Tuesday, October 30, 2001, from 11:00a to 1:00p in the Kentucky International Convention Center.
FIRST-TIMER RATES
"First-Timer" exhibitor rates are available to companies that have not exhibited for the past five years. The first 100 square feet reserved costs $995 with additional square footage discounted 20 percent off the appropriate pricing schedule.
First time exhibitors (those companies that did not exhibit at BCMC in ‘96, ‘97, ’98, ’99 or ‘2000) are extended a discounted rate on 10’x10’ or larger 10’x___ spaces. Please contact WTCA for details. First time exhibitor discount cannot be applied to trailer, crane or forklift rates.
MOVE-IN SCHEDULE
Small booth Move in Schedule: Again this year we will be asking all exhibitors with 300 square feet or less to move in and set up on Tuesday, October 30th. Set up hours on Tuesday will be from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Due to the large equipment being brought into the hall on Monday, October 29th, early move in will not be permitted for safety concerns. We are asking everyone to be completed with there set up by 4:00 PM on October 30th for security purposes. Exhibitors will be allowed into the hall on Wednesday morning to do finishing touches to your space prior to show opening at 12:15 PM. [READ MORE]
Machinery, Trailer and Large Equipment: We will be using a targeted move-in schedule to aid in getting everyone in, in a timely schedule. Attached is a projected schedule to unload, starting from the front of the hall to the back. We are anticipating an 8:00 a.m. start for unloading with plans to mark the floor and laying large area carpets on Sunday. In the event we are not able to work in the building on Sunday, we will delay the start of unloading to allow us to mark the floor properly. [READ MORE]
DEADLINES
Be sure to take notice of these important deadlines for BCMC 2001 exhibitors.
 |
MAY 1
Deadline for early-bird exhibitor booth space pricing. NO EXCEPTIONS. |
|
SEPTEMBER 1
Deadline for submitting certificates of insurance and final exhibitor booth space payments. |
|
SEPTEMBER 24
Deadline for early-bird exhibitor registration pricing. NO EXCEPTIONS. |
|
SEPTEMBER 27
Deadline for submitting your housing form.
After September 27, the hotels cannot guarantee our special BCMC room rates! |
EXHIBITOR PERSONNEL POLICY
EXHIBITOR
PERSONNEL
Member
Non-Member
Spouse |
THROUGH
9/24 |
AFTER
9/24 |
$150
$225
$105 |
$175
$250
$105 |
Each 10' x 10' exhibit will be allotted three (3) complimentary exhibitor registrations. All exhibits larger than 10' x 10' will receive two (2) complimentary exhibitor registrations per 100 square feet purchased. See EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION in the Rules and Regulations for more detailed information. Additional exhibitor registrations over the complimentary allotment may be purchased using the Exhibitor Registration form included with this promotion. Please see table for pricing and deadline information:
STEPS TO YOUR SUCCESS AT BCMC 2001
STEP 1. Complete the enclosed BCMC 2001 Application and Contract for Exhibitor Space.
STEP 2. Return the completed and signed contract to BCMC with a 50% deposit. Space allocation begins on May 1, 2001.
STEP 3. Begin to advertise your presence at BCMC to your potential customers in WOODWORDS. Increase your exposure at BCMC by sponsoring a golf hole at the popular BCMC Golf Tournament.
STEP 4. Complete forms as you receive them from BCMC. This will include personnel registration forms, product description forms and other forms to help ensure a successful show.
STEP 5. About eight weeks prior to BCMC 2001, you will receive exhibitor services information from Hubbell/Tyner, an affiliate of Geo E. Fern. This exhibitor service manual will provide all the information you need to order utilities and booth furnishings, arrange for shipping and storage, etc. If you have questions in advance of receiving the information, you may call Hubbell/Tyner, an affiliate of Geo E. Fern at 816/221-0525.
STEP 6. The staff at BCMC is more than willing to help you make this your most successful show of the year! Don’t hesitate to email Peggy Pichette (ppichette@woodtruss.com) or Jill Meyer (jmeyer@woodtruss.com) or call them at 608/274-4849 ext. 23 and 22 respectively.
MARKETING TIPS
Before the Show
1. Have a message. Flashy showbiz may get people into your booth, but it will be for the wrong reasons. Sell solutions.
2. Pictures say a thousand words. People should be able to glance at your booth and know what you are selling in an instant.
3. Invite attendees to visit your booth. "Trade show industry research indicates that buyers on the floor are four times as likely to visit the booths of companies who sent invitations before the show as those who did not." ("Rising Above the Fray," Exhibit Marketing Spring 2000: 11)
4. Prepare your people! Be sure to take representatives from your company who connect well with people. You can have the greatest product in the world, but if attendees don't like the reps, you won't sell anything!
5. Show off your current client list. Let everyone know who you work for or sell to. Customer/client testimonials are another valuable method of showing off.
6. Make your booth inviting. Are there visual "barriers" keeping attendees from wanting to enter your booth? Will attendees feel welcomed? An opportunity to sit in a comfy chair is quite alluring and gives your sales staff more time to make those sales.
7. Read the show manual. You will end up saving much time and frustration by doing this simple task.
During the Show
8. Bring your CEO along. Attendees definitely remember meeting a high profile executive, and they will feel that they are getting extra special treatment in your booth. People like to feel important!
9. Look available and make a personal connection. If you do not look available to talk, people will not approach you, effectively losing you sales. Make any kind of personal connection with the attendee. Never underestimate the value of emotional response on the part of attendees.
10. Use those giveaways! Giveaways lose value when they just sit out. Instead, have your salespeople hand them out only to interested people.
11. Pay attention, pay attention, pay attention! It is a common error for an exhibitor to do all the talking, telling the attendee about every feature of their product—after all, they have been preparing this information for months! Guess what? Attendees don't really care! Remember: attendees don't come to buy your product, they come to buy solutions. If you listen and pay attention, the attendee will tell you everything you need to know.
12. Get it from the horse's mouth. While the show is going on, find out from attendees how they like—and dislike—your booth. Get specific information, so you will know what does and doesn't work for next time.
After the Show
13. Document, document, document! Okay, so you learn about what worked and didn't work at this show. Will you remember next year? What if the organizer changes jobs? Be sure to document everything about the show—the booth, the methods of contact, the giveaways—everything discussed above and more—so that you don't have to reinvent the wheel next year!
14. Follow up! "One study shows that 80% of trade show leads never receive a follow up." (Richard G. Ensman, Jr., "Is There Life After Trade Shows?," Exhibit Marketing Spring 2000: 38.) Multiple methods of follow-up are even more effective—a personalized mail piece within one to three weeks of the show, and a phone call a week or two after that.
Sources used: Exhibit Marketing, Spring 2000; www.reedexpo.com
