[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-243165-105":53,"doc-detail-243165-en":127},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":120,"head_meta":122,"extra_data":124,"updated_unix":126},105,"en","ultimate-trade-show-planning-checklist-introduction-months-before-and-after-the-show","Ultimate Trade Show Planning Checklist - Introduction - months before and after the show","","Ultimate Trade Show Planning Checklist provides a structured, month-by-month roadmap for preparing to exhibit and maximizing results before, during, and after a trade show. It emphasizes strategic early actions such as contracting booth space with early-bird rates, assessing event cost versus expected return, and building a detailed participation budget. The guide also covers connecting with an exhibit solutions partner, developing an integrated marketing plan, planning flooring timelines, and finalizing exhibit purchasing, design, graphics, and pre-show marketing activities.",{"@graph":63,"@context":119},[64,80,102],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":36,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/forms/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/ultimate-trade-show-planning-checklist-introduction-months-before-and-after-the-show/243165/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/ultimate-trade-show-planning-checklist-introduction-months-before-and-after-the-show/243165.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Jiven","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-12","2026-09-12",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":101},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",6,{"@type":103,"mainEntity":104},"FAQPage",[105,111,115],{"name":106,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":108},"Why is it important to plan trade show participation months in advance?","Question",{"text":109,"@type":110},"Trade shows can be costly, and many key prerequisites—such as booking space, arranging displays, and building marketing momentum—require lead time to avoid higher costs and rushed execution.","Answer",{"name":112,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":113},"What should exhibitors outline when building an overall budget for a trade show?",{"text":114,"@type":110},"A complete budget should project expenses across booth space, logistics like drayage and shipping, electrical needs, lead capture tools, flooring, rentals (furniture/A/V), installation/dismantle, rigging, staff travel, and related marketing and sales expenses.",{"name":116,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":117},"What actions are recommended about 90 days (3 months) before the show?",{"text":118,"@type":110},"Plan flooring if it is not included, finalize the exhibit purchase with booth design and graphics, reserve furnishings and accessories in advance, and begin pre-show marketing using coordinated multi-touch channels.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":121,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":123,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":125,"site_id":56},243165,1791417955,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":128},{"doc_id":125,"user_id":129,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":130,"doc_module":9,"category_id":35,"category_name":36,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":131,"file_id":132,"file_url":133,"file_type":134,"file_size":135,"view_count":101,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":136,"language":137,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":138,"faqs":139,"seo_title":140,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":141,"read_time":47},1099513958607,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/100002390cf8733938c?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1778829742770036399","ULTIMATE TRADE SHOW   \nPLANNING CHECKLIST  \nINTRODUCTION    \nExhibiting at trade shows is an invaluable way to market your brand and build relationships, as it  \nallows you to showcase products and services to highly-targeted individuals, learn about current  \ntrends in your industry, see what your competitors are doing and, of course, foster relationships with  \ncustomers and prospects.  \nHowever, trade shows can be an expensive way to market. From booth space to drayage, rigging and shipping, trade shows can get expensive if you do not plan ahead. Taking the time to strategically plan and prepare for a show improves your chance at achieving your sales and marketing goals.  \nThis checklist will help you prepare for a successful exhibiting experience at a trade show by outlining common “to-do” items in the months leading up to and after the show. Use this checklist as a general template for your event marketing program, but be sure to contact show management for each of your events for actual deadlines and important dates. Every trade show is different, but using a common checklist will help you standardize the way you plan, execute and measure your trade show program.  \n2  \nMOdays befTthShow OUT (OR PRIOR)  \nWhile the show may be in the seemingly distant future, there are several important planning prerequisites to set your program up for success.  \nContract your space at “early bird” rates  \nEarly bird rates for exhibitors typically expire four to six months before the show. These rates are about 5-10% lower than standard rates.  \nSometimes you also should consider signing up for “association memberships” in order to benefit from deep discounts provided to members-only on exhibit space. Some shows assign seniority to incumbent exhibitors and encourage contracting a year in advance at a discounted rate. Make sure to book early, because space can fill up extremely fast.  \nBefore contracting space in any show, be sure to evaluate the cost of the show with the potential return. Check out Nimlok’s Trade Show ROI Playbook for the winning formula in choosing the right events.  \nOutline your overall budget for participation  \nProject your costs in these categories of expenses:  \n• Booth space  \n• Drayage/material handling  \n• Electrical (if required)  \n• Lead machine  \n• Shipping to and from the show  \n• Carpet/flooring (if required)  \n• Rental furniture or A/V equipment  \n• Installation and dismantle (if required)  \n• Rigging for hanging structure(s) (if required)  \n• Booth costs (rent or purchase)  \n• Airfare for booth staff  \n• Lodging for booth staff  \n• Marketing campaign and sales expenses for dinners, pre-and post-show awareness campaigns  \nFor greater guidance on budgeting for a trade show, download Nimlok’s Trade Show Budget Worksheet, a free budget template that accounts for trade show expenses big and small.  \n3  \n4 MONTHS OUT (OR PRIOR)  \n120 days before the show (continued)  \nConnect with an exhibit solutions partner  \nTo ensure that you have a rockstar exhibit in time for the event, be sure to connect with an exhibit solutions partner to discuss your exhibit and display needs and requirements. If you do not have an exhibit partner, meet with and interview two to three to determine which one best understands your goals and visions and who is also most capable of delivering the ideal exhibit solution for your needs.  \nDevelop your marketing plan  \nBegin planning your marketing and promotional program for before, during and after your event. This plan will be your road map for driving qualified visitors to your booth and converting those visitors into new clients.  \nNot sure how to create a trade show marketing plan? Download Nimlok’s Smart Marketers’ Guide for Trade Shows e-book for guidance on effectively marketing your event.  \n4  \n3 MONTHS PRIOR  \n90 days before the show  \nThis important period of time lays the groundwork for the months leading up to an event.  \nCarpet and flooring  \nIf flooring is not included with your bo","cbCaipsj07yGp5gb","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaipsj07yGp5gb","pdf",2169633,13,"English","# Introduction\n## months before the show (or prior)\n## 4 months out (or prior)\n## 3 months prior","[{\"question\":\"Why is it important to plan trade show participation months in advance?\",\"answer\":\"Trade shows can be costly, and many key prerequisites—such as booking space, arranging displays, and building marketing momentum—require lead time to avoid higher costs and rushed execution.\"},{\"question\":\"What should exhibitors outline when building an overall budget for a trade show?\",\"answer\":\"A complete budget should project expenses across booth space, logistics like drayage and shipping, electrical needs, lead capture tools, flooring, rentals (furniture/A/V), installation/dismantle, rigging, staff travel, and related marketing and sales expenses.\"},{\"question\":\"What actions are recommended about 90 days (3 months) before the show?\",\"answer\":\"Plan flooring if it is not included, finalize the exhibit purchase with booth design and graphics, reserve furnishings and accessories in advance, and begin pre-show marketing using coordinated multi-touch channels.\"}]","Ultimate Trade Show Planning Checklist - Introduction - months before and after the show | PDF",1789200740]