Now they help both show management and exhibitors with event marketing. Due in part to customer research that found clients wanting a single-source contractor for their trade show and event programs, both GES and Freeman now provide marketing support for events. Many exhibitors are now in charge of corporate events outside of the traditional trade show exhibit. Last year, GES launched Tradeshow U, a traveling seminar series for exhibitors. With topics ranging from integrated marketing to pre-show staff training, the seminars are designed to help exhibitors better market and manage their trade show programs.
Technology is the key to today's rapid business pace, and show business is no exception.
Ten years ago, most floor plans were still drawn by hand, and it could take as long as a week for the GSC to have a draftsperson make changes and return the plan to the show manager. Thanks to computers and the Internet, nearly instantaneous changes are now possible. Freeman, for example, now offers Design Vault on its intranet. It includes floor plans and creative renderings for every major convention facility in the country. So clients can do a virtual walk through the facility and make floor plan changes in real time.