Frequently Asked Questions

POST SHOW AUDIT

Question: Have you done a post show audit?

Post-show internal audit can give exhibitors valuable show information.
After IMTS 2006, did you evaluate your company's show participation.

As many of you know, AMT conducts two exhibitor audits, one on show operations (show management, general contractor, utilities, facility, etc.) and the other on the marketing, sales and promotion aspects.

Each survey is reviewed, responses recorded and an overall data book is prepared for our internal use at AMT to benchmark all areas of the show in relation to previous shows. We also perform internal audits of each functional AMT department area to see what worked, what didn't and what action, if any, needs to be taken before the next show.

What are you doing to review your IMTS 2008 show experience?
IMTS represents, for many companies, the major marketing event in their budgets. To participate in the show and not evaluate all its aspects leaves an open end to the show cycle. Here is a list of topics you may want to analyze for your company's post-show audit:

• Booth Layout
  Number of machines, type of machines, decor, conference rooms, signage
  
• Pre-Show Meetings
  Did you have any? Should you have more? What departments were/should be included?
  
• Booth Staffing
  Too many? Not enough? Split days? Distributors?
  
• Lead System
  Timely? Effective? Pre-Qualify? Follow-up report? Sales tracked?
  
• Travel Experiences
  O'Hare/Midway, airline choices, expense account guidelines, car rental
  
• Hotel
  Location, cost, services, room arrangements
  
• Attire
  Suits, company shirt, dress code
  
• External Functions
  Dinner meetings, hospitality suites, after/before show hours booth meetings
  
• Machine Demos
  Live narration, video, more/less, scheduling
  
• Temporary Staff
  Greeters, reception staff, use more? Use less?
  
• Food Services
  Beverage/food in booth? More, less? Lunch schedule? AMTDA Lunchroom, company dinners
  
• Competition/Assignments to Evaluate?
  Post-show report?
  
• Training
  Special sales training, Pre-show booth review
  
• Promotion
  Pre-show? Amount? E-mail? IMTS.com? Magazines?
  
• Booth Display
  Design, construction, ease of assembly
  
• Local Transportation
  Taxis, limos, airport bus, parking, hotel shuttle bus, company van
  
• Move-In/Move-Out
  Service personnel, electrical, air, coolant
  
• Extra Activities
  SME Conference, Student Summit, Freight Trucking lines, truck loading, timeliness

By no means is this a complete list, but I believe it should give you the basis to develop a post-show survey for your company's use. Don't leave your show experience to chance, a thorough evaluation can save you money, time, and help streamline your IMTS participation.

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