Performing a show in another country on a project of great complexity, but that market is where are the best oportunities to grow your business.
So here are 11 tips, provided by Senior Account Executive Leslie Hopkins and Project Manager Julie Comfort of Skyline Houston, and Director of Development Philip Foust of Skyline Exhibits and Events, who have traveled around the world with their clients:
So here are 11 tips, provided by Senior Account Executive Leslie Hopkins and Project Manager Julie Comfort of Skyline Houston, and Director of Development Philip Foust of Skyline Exhibits and Events, who have traveled around the world with their clients:
1. When exhibiting abroad, you need more of everything: more time, more money, and more planning.
2. It may sound obvious, but take the time to
research before you go – about the country, the city, the people, and
the show regulations.
3. Learn about cultural differences, which
transfer to how local attendees do trade shows differently. What is
considered polite and “politically correct” changes from country to
country.
4. Different cultures need different common
phrases, even when you are communicating in English. When emailing
outside of the United States, it’s better to write “can you please?”
instead of “will you please …”
5. You have to remain flexible, even more so than domestically.
6. Have cash in pocket!! You find out that in
some places you can’t use credit cards, but have to pay in cash, such as
in Rome, where you pay cash to get electric. Have cash for
emergencies.
7. You must let go of your usual expectations.
For example, there are no plug-in extension cords in Brazil– instead
they wrap raw wire with tape!
8. The exhibition venues can be so different – such as halls in the Middle East not having enough air conditioning.
9. Getting a trade show exhibit through customs
can be daunting. Better to rent locally if you have a trusted source in
country.
10. Contact your cell phone carrier in advance and ask if you can use your phone overseas ,
and ask for one month international services. But ask how much the
calls, data, and texts will cost so there are no surprises.
11. If your products or equipment are heavy and
you need to ship them to the show, plan far ahead so you can ship
earlier and cheaper by boat. And yes, international shipping is harder.
The world is very large and there are many opportunities on the planet, so do not hesitate, take the risk there are big markets waiting for you.
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