EXHIBITOR UPDATE

WELCOME TO THE EXHIBITOR UPDATE

There are 34 days left until IMTS. Are you ready?? See below for this week's due dates, new developments and tool reminders. Click here for archived issues of the "Exhibitor Update". We are here to help in any way we can. - IMTS Staff

Want to be added to the weekly email list...send an email to lorange@amtonline.org.

August 5, 2008 Issue

» Exhibitor Webinar: Aug. 7th @ 11:00 am - What's Happening at IMTS 2008?
» Free Wireless Access in Exhibit Halls
» IMTS 2010 Space Application Mailed and Online Payments
» Planning Your Booth Personnel's Dinners
» Your IMTS.com Showroom & myMap Leads
» Hanging Sign, Truss and Banners
» To All Exhibitors and Their Freight Carriers
» FAQ of the Day: How Do I Get on the "Today At IMTS" Schedule?
» Upcoming Deadlines

EXHIBITOR WEBINAR INFO: THURSDAY, AUGUST 7TH @ 11:00 AM EDT

This webinar will show an in-depth look at all the exciting featured areas at IMTS 2008. Learn about MTConnect, The Emerging Technology Center, The Manufacturing Business and Technology Forum, The Innovation Center, and much more!
Presenters: Peter Eelman, John Krisko and Steve Miller
View the archived webinar today.

FREE WIRELESS ACCESS IN EXHIBIT HALLS

There will be free wireless access in each Exhibit Hall provided by IMTS Show Management. Please note - the purpose of this access if for occasional internet use (example: to check email). With all the machines at IMTS, the service is not guaranteed. If you need internet access to show a demo in your booth or for a machine, etc - you will still need to order a drop from Focus One.

IMTS 2010 SPACE APPLICATION MAILED AND FOR 1ST TIME ONLINE PAYMENTS

IMTS is one of the greatest marketing opportunities in the world for companies in the manufacturing industry. It provides an unparallel forum where more than 90,000 attendees gather together to view the newest technology. All have an integral role in the decision process determining the direction of their respective companies in the years ahead.

IMTS 2010 will be held in Chicago from Sept. 13-18, 2010 and the 2010 Space Applications have been mailed. For the initial space assignment, the completed application and 10% deposit need to be returned by October 6, 2008.

And for the first time, you'll be able to complete your application and pay your deposit online. Just login to your E-Kit and go to IMTS 2010 Space Application. Follow the instructions to fill out your form and pay your 10% deposit online. It's fast and easy! Remember...you still need to FAX us your application to 703-827-5250.

PLANNING YOUR BOOTH PERSONNEL'S DINNERS

Finding a place to dine can be a hassle if you don't know all the tips and tricks, but we are willing to share them! Here are 5 simple ways to assure that you always have a table at the show:

Plan ahead. It isn't too soon to start calling for reservations.
Don't know how many you'll have in your party? Try to figure out a range, and tell the reservationists that the number may increase or decrease once you get on site. Then, remember to have someone call that morning.
Check out http://www.meetinchicago.com/IMTS for ideas for where to call.
Once you get onsite, if you need to make a reservation, visit the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau booth located in the South Building on level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse.
One other way to get a reservation is to check with the concierge at your hotel. Most hotels in Chicago have relationships with local restaurants and can get you in somewhere at the last minute.

YOUR IMTS.COM SHOWROOM & MYMAP LEADS

One benefit of purchasing a booth at IMTS is that you have a complimentary showroom on the IMTS.com website. The Showroom is a landing point where attendees come to learn more about your company after they search the site. One of the most common searches used on IMTS.com is the search by product category. Attendees will often view the showrooms of companies in product categories that they are researching to learn more about them. Also, your company is exposed to many people that have no intention of visiting IMTS, but come across you via search engine results or links from other sites.

There are several ways (in addition to the traditional ways like phone, fax, etc.) that attendees can choose to contact you from the showroom:

Click through to your website - Attendees and prospects may chose to hit the link within your showroom to learn more about your offerings. Many savvy exhibitors set up a link to a special IMTS landing page, informing them about what will be on display. Thinking now and then taking action to make sure your site is geared properly to welcome this active audience can help you achieve your show goals.

Leads from myMap - As attendees are building their list of companies they want to visit at the show, through the myMap program, they are given the option of sharing their information with the exhibitors. When that happens, an email will be sent to you. This is a company that is highly interested in contacting you. You should consider offering a personal invitation to them in advance of the show to come and talk to you at the show.

E-mail - Perhaps the attendee or prospect has an urgent need that they want to discuss with you NOW. They can send you an e-mail directly from the site. All IMTS E-mails will come through with a subject line of "An Email from your IMTS showroom." If you haven't already, take a look at your Showroom live on the site and verify that you are listing a good address. You might even want to send the address a test message to confirm that the messages are coming through. Click here to search for your Showroom.

You have the ability to view the Statistics and E-mail 24/7 through your E-Kit. Simply look under the "Stats & Specific Activity" at the bottom of the E-Kit homepage.

Once there, you can view the attendees that have added your company to myMap, their personal agenda for the show, your showroom stats and the emails that IMTS visitors are sending to your company.

If you haven't already done so but are interested in purchasing an expanded showroom online, contact Bill Caldwell for more details (bcaldwell@gardnerweb.com).

HANGING SIGN, TRUSS AND BANNERS

Final call for all exhibitors with hanging signs, non-electrical truss or banners to be hung at the show. The drawings with dimensions need to be submitted to AMT for approval and then sent to GES with the appropriate Hanging Sign Labor Form no later than August 8.

TO ALL EXHIBITORS AND THEIR FREIGHT CARRIERS

In order to facilitate the movement of freight deliveries and pickups, carriers will be required to have a tractor attached to every load, and must stay with the truck until the shipment is either loaded/unloaded.

Multiple loads that check in at the Marshalling Yard, that do not have a tractor attached, will be subject to off-target charges of $9.00 per cwt. The penalty charge will be assessed to the exhibitor of record that is receiving the shipment.

Please notify your shipping department and your freight carriers to plan your deliveries accordingly.

"Need Shipping Instructions...see Exhibitor Update 7/29/08: FAQ: Where can I find Shipping Instructions For Our Booth?.

FAQ OF THE DAY: HOW DO I GET ON THE "TODAY AT IMTS" SCHEDULE?

Each day we'll post "Today's Events" and the top sights to see at kiosks throughout the show and in the Media Center. If you are having a celebrity guest, a special event, or interesting end product in your booth as part of your IMTS 2008 experience, let us know about it. In the past we've highlighted tigers, a variable sweep wing from a bomber, numerous race car drivers, and sports celebrities.

So, don't miss this fantastic opportunity. Send your information to Mary Uhrina at clearlywrite@sbcglobal.net or call her at 630-240-3139 to be part of the IMTS excitement.

UPCOMING DEADLINES

Due 8/8 Booth Traffic Measurements
Due 8/8 EAC Registration
Due 8/8 Sales Lead Response & Follow-Up
Due 8/11 Floral Services
Due 8/11 Metra Train Ticket
Due 8/11 Bottled Gases $$$
Due 8/11 Cable TV Services $$$
Due 8/11 Electrical Services $$$
Due 8/11 Internet Services $$$
Due 8/11 Phone Lines $$$
Due 8/11 Plumbing Services $$$
Due 8/11 Floor Plan Template - FocusOne
Due 8/11 Smart Value Pricing Quote Sheet/Questionnaire

» Have your name added to the weekly email list lorange@amtonline.org.