Trade Show Manual for South African Exporters to the US

Depending on whether you are a manufacturer or a manufacturer dependent wholesaler, the number of programs you can do is limited to the amount of product that can realistically be produced per year.

If you depend on the Commerce Department to fund your trade shows, you will only be able to do 4 per year, and that's only as long as they have the money allotted for trade shows.

If you do 4 shows per year ที่เที่ยวในอเมริกา by DTI, you will have to return to South Africa after each show, and all goods and money must come from South Africa. They will not consider any claim that is paid with foreign money, that is, by agents on your behalf.

STAND PLANNING

It is imperative that you carry so little equipment with you, because when the show is over, you will have to get rid of all your furniture / stuff, or store it in the US if you want to use it again.

The DTI gives you a subsidy to bring your samples and equipment to the US, but they will not pay for you to take them home again, unless you are participating in a Pavilion exhibition, where they will pay all your expenses. It is essential that you decide what you will do with the entire stand after the first show is over.

DTI will also not pay for the costs of warehousing in the US and transportation of the booth to the second show from that warehouse. If you want to go that route, you will have to pay for it yourself.

A typical charge to bring products to a show is approx. $ 400, obviously depending on the weight and size of the shipment.

It's a good idea to set up the booth in advance and plan exactly how you want everything to look. Reduce it to a minimum. After all, you are selling products, not decorations. Use your imagination to display the samples in the most profitable way.

Make sure you have all the risers and decorations you can imagine. Pack all your office necessities, i.e. bills, brochures (very important), replacement staplers and staples, pens, etc., etc. Although, of course, there are many shops around, sometimes the shows are in secluded locations, and it is not easy to photocopy and buy forgotten essentials.

SHIPPING OF SAMPLES AND BOOTH EQUIPMENT

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray"

Allow enough time for your samples to arrive at the warehouse so that there is no additional cost for transportation.

Also, although your shipping agents will give you an idea of ​​how long it will take for your goods to arrive, always allow two more weeks, because there may be delays with customs clearance and delivery.

Make sure you have clear and accurate invoices accompanying the samples, with prices, tariff lines, and clearly marked as duty-free trade show samples.

If you are shipping seeds, pods, or grasses, make sure you have fumigation certificates. Leather goods and animals must have a wildlife permit.

Try to keep your booth equipment as small as possible. It is easier to move compact equipment than large and oversized pallets, which cost more due to the volumetric size.

STAND CONFIGURATION

Plan to arrive at your destination at least one day before installation day. If you have not been to the site before, go to the exhibition site and verify that your samples have arrived at your booth.

Check your directory entry to see that everything is correct and familiarize yourself with the room layout. Make sure what time you can start setting up and be there right away. If you have to go out and buy anything that you have forgotten, now is the time to do it.

Prepare your "office" so that everything you may need to write orders, distribute brochures and price lists is perfectly available.