Tips for Exhibitors

Here are some tips from members of the ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee and the ACC Exhibits Subcommittee. To learn more about the ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee, please visit the Exhibitor Committee page.

Happy Staff = Happy Visitors

By Jim Burch, Director, Communications, Toshiba America Medical Systems; ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee member

Happy Staff Tip #1: Accentuate the positive.
If you want your staff to have positive interactions with your exhibit visitors, make sure your interaction with your exhibit staff is positive. Treat them well, and be kind, attentive and courteous while keeping them informed and engaged. You’ve spent significant energy making the booth look great, now keep your positive energy flowing and help your team be great!

Happy Staff Tip #2: Create a sense of fun.
Create a daily tip sheet for exhibit staff working the booth. The tip sheet can contain the name and photo of the staff member who gathered the most qualified leads. It can also cover other essential items like contacts, show hours, break schedules, dedicated exhibit times and weather! Place the tip sheet somewhere so it can’t be viewed by visitors, only staff. Even if you have a 10x10 booth, there is usually a drawer or back of the booth where you can tape a piece of paper.

Happy Staff Tip #3: Location, location, location.
Nothing impacts the morale of your exhibit staff like nice accommodations close to the action. People who get a good night’s sleep and come to the exhibit refreshed are energetic ambassadors for your brand. Of course, you increase your opportunity to get assigned nice accommodations by meeting all your housing deadlines, so be watchful.

Happy Staff Tip #4: Go the extra mile.
If you want your staff to deliver a little something extra for your exhibit visitors, then do a little something extra for your staff. It could be a nice breakfast, a foot massage, or something as simple as peppermints in the exhibit. They’ll appreciate the gesture. Be sure you let them know that their "treat" is a symbol of the type of customer service they should provide in the exhibit.

Happy Staff Tip #5: Knowledge is power.
Empower your staff prior to the meeting with a series of communications in the weeks leading up to the exhibition. Not only will it prepare them for their time in the exhibit, but it will also give them information about exhibit activities that they can share with their customers and prospects. It always helps to have a pre-show meeting as well, so all your booth staff is aware of goals, protocol, product (or service) information and anything else required to have a successful showing.

Verify Your Full-Access Badge Allotment

By Heidi Zipfel, CTSM, Convention Specialist, sanofi-aventis; ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee member

Check the number of complimentary ACC full-access badges your company is entitled to. This way, there are no surprises when arriving at exhibitor registration to claim your badges. A change in exhibit size (either increase or decrease) could affect your allotment and result in your having to reassign badges.

Review Your Invoices On-Site

By Riki Metzger-Ford, Associate Director, Conventions & Exhibits, Merck & Co., Inc.; ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee member

Make sure to get invoices directly on site at the end of the meeting from the General Contactor or other vendors that you used on site. That way, it's easier to know what you are being charged and can question any discrepancies right there on the spot.

Draw Physicians to Your Booth with Smart Strategies

By the ACC.09 Exhibits Subcommittee Physicians

In planning your booth, emphasize your product/service messaging—especially for new products. Physicians visit booths based on topic interest, so clear, concise messaging and welcoming product displays are key. They are turned off by gimmicky, noisy attractions, but are likely to visit booths serving bottled water and coffee or other beverages...especially if the lines are not long.

ACC surveyed the ACC.08 attendees as to what exhibitors could do to encourage attendees to spend more time on the Expo floor. The top responses were:

62% Educate rather than sell
53% Hands-on activities (simulation)
51% Offer refreshments
40% Presentations/Demonstrations

	Welcome Exhibitors! Expo Contacts Key Dates & Deadlines Interested in Exhibiting? Who Should Exhibit ACC.09 Exhibitors Profile of ACC.09 Attendees Space Selection Process Also on the Expo Floor ACC.10 Interest Form ACC.10 Exhibit Prospectus Prospectus Updates ACC.10 Floor Plan Promotional Opportunities Satellite Events Non-CME/CE Guidelines Fees & Categories Procedures & Securing Space Scheduling Your Satellite Event Promoting Your Satellite Event Third-Party Planners Satellite Event Request Form ExpoSuites Industry-Expert Theater Registration & Housing Exhibitor Resource Center Expo Contacts Key Dates & Deadlines Resources for Exhibitors Tips for Exhibitors Expo Glossary Exhibitor Committee Exhibitor Login Embargo Policies Atlanta Print this page	Tips for Exhibitors Here are some tips from members of the ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee and the ACC Exhibits Subcommittee. To learn more about the ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee, please visit the Exhibitor Committee page. Happy Staff = Happy Visitors By Jim Burch, Director, Communications, Toshiba America Medical Systems; ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee member Happy Staff Tip #1: Accentuate the positive. If you want your staff to have positive interactions with your exhibit visitors, make sure your interaction with your exhibit staff is positive. Treat them well, and be kind, attentive and courteous while keeping them informed and engaged. You’ve spent significant energy making the booth look great, now keep your positive energy flowing and help your team be great! Happy Staff Tip #2: Create a sense of fun. Create a daily tip sheet for exhibit staff working the booth. The tip sheet can contain the name and photo of the staff member who gathered the most qualified leads. It can also cover other essential items like contacts, show hours, break schedules, dedicated exhibit times and weather! Place the tip sheet somewhere so it can’t be viewed by visitors, only staff. Even if you have a 10x10 booth, there is usually a drawer or back of the booth where you can tape a piece of paper. Happy Staff Tip #3: Location, location, location. Nothing impacts the morale of your exhibit staff like nice accommodations close to the action. People who get a good night’s sleep and come to the exhibit refreshed are energetic ambassadors for your brand. Of course, you increase your opportunity to get assigned nice accommodations by meeting all your housing deadlines, so be watchful. Happy Staff Tip #4: Go the extra mile. If you want your staff to deliver a little something extra for your exhibit visitors, then do a little something extra for your staff. It could be a nice breakfast, a foot massage, or something as simple as peppermints in the exhibit. They’ll appreciate the gesture. Be sure you let them know that their "treat" is a symbol of the type of customer service they should provide in the exhibit. Happy Staff Tip #5: Knowledge is power. Empower your staff prior to the meeting with a series of communications in the weeks leading up to the exhibition. Not only will it prepare them for their time in the exhibit, but it will also give them information about exhibit activities that they can share with their customers and prospects. It always helps to have a pre-show meeting as well, so all your booth staff is aware of goals, protocol, product (or service) information and anything else required to have a successful showing. Verify Your Full-Access Badge Allotment By Heidi Zipfel, CTSM, Convention Specialist, sanofi-aventis; ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee member Check the number of complimentary ACC full-access badges your company is entitled to. This way, there are no surprises when arriving at exhibitor registration to claim your badges. A change in exhibit size (either increase or decrease) could affect your allotment and result in your having to reassign badges. Review Your Invoices On-Site By Riki Metzger-Ford, Associate Director, Conventions & Exhibits, Merck & Co., Inc.; ACC.10 Exhibitor Committee member Make sure to get invoices directly on site at the end of the meeting from the General Contactor or other vendors that you used on site. That way, it's easier to know what you are being charged and can question any discrepancies right there on the spot. Draw Physicians to Your Booth with Smart Strategies By the ACC.09 Exhibits Subcommittee Physicians In planning your booth, emphasize your product/service messaging—especially for new products. Physicians visit booths based on topic interest, so clear, concise messaging and welcoming product displays are key. They are turned off by gimmicky, noisy attractions, but are likely to visit booths serving bottled water and coffee or other beverages...especially if the lines are not long. ACC surveyed the ACC.08 attendees as to what exhibitors could do to encourage attendees to spend more time on the Expo floor. The top responses were: 62% Educate rather than sell 53% Hands-on activities (simulation) 51% Offer refreshments 40% Presentations/Demonstrations