The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. says it has never been easier to determine the upfront cost of exhibiting at its triennial NPE show, next due to be held in Orlando, Fla., from April 1-5, 2012. And SPI has rolled out an interactive, online “exhibitor budget calculator” at the organization's website, www.npe.org, to allow companies to do just that.
The three-step process begins with inputting the amount of floor space needed, in square feet or square meters, and indicating whether the company is an SPI member.
Next, the calculator needs the approximate weight of the booth's content including equipment, products, display materials and any other items to be shipped to the show. The weight will be calculated against the booth size to provide a “density score.” That score will dictate the cost for materials handling, carpet (if selected), etc. A table of services within each materials-handling “bundle” determines what services a user will receive. The third screen helps users determine the utilities needed to operate equipment and power booths.
The calculator provides the cost, which includes all labor and unlimited drops, assuming services are ordered prior to the deadlines that will be outlined in the exhibitor services manual. The manual will be made available in February.
Once the power and utility requirements are entered, the calculator provides the estimated total. Variables can be adjusted to determine whether additional equipment can be added at no extra cost per square foot, SPI said.
The tool aims to address one of the biggest complaints previous NPE exhibitors had about budgeting for booth space when the show was in Chicago's McCormick Place. Exhibitors almost invariably got hit with extra, unexpected costs after the show, according to SPI President and CEO Bill Carteaux.
So SPI is dealing with the situation by offering exhibitors a package plan in which a single price covers everything from floor space, hauling and rigging, and booth utilities, Carteaux said at the K show, held Oct. 27 to Nov. 3 in Dusseldorf.