Hacking Your Packing
It’s always a bit nerve wracking to pack for an out-of-town event. What have you forgotten? Have you overpacked? What don’t you know you need? In a previous post, we went over the basics… and now it’s time to level up. In Your Pocket has a few hacks that have saved the day more than once.
Most trade shows have pretty strict regulations about moving merchandise or gear on the floor once a show has opened - for example, using dollies is frowned upon. But when you absolutely, positively have to get materials to or from your booth during show hours, there are creative ways to make it happen. We firmly believe that if you have the booth space, bring a large rolling suitcase that you can stash under a table. Not only does this travel well on a pallet to keep all of your materials safe, once it’s empty, it can be a lifesaver. Do you want to try to hand-carry 4 cases of water from the loading dock to your booth? Of course you don’t. One quick trip with a suitcase and you’re set.
A less-orthodox (but very effective!) tool came to us by accident. As we were unloading pallets at a booth, we noticed that there was a separate box that had been shrink wrapped to one of the pallets. Upon opening it, we were mystified - how did this show up? After calling the shipping company (who told us to keep it and assured us that they’d make it right with the intended recipient), we chose to assemble it. Words do not exist to describe how valuable this simple tool proves to be at shows when it comes to moving items quickly, and it proves even more crucial if you’re setting up a show by yourself. Have you guessed what it is yet? Here you go.
Shows are notorious for having expensive rental furniture. You can lower your price *and* earn goodwill with the staff of the convention center by hitting up IKEA. Here’s exactly how to do it: several weeks before the show, place an online order with IKEA for delivery. Have the items sent directly to advance shipping at the show. When you get to your booth space, your items will be there, ready for you to assemble. “But wait!”, you say, “I don’t want to assemble IKEA furniture, and I don’t want to take IKEA furniture back home!” Shh. We’re going to address both of those issues.
First of all, don’t buy items that are hard to assemble. A few Kallax units can be made to look like professional merchandise cabinets with the addition of stick-up LED lights. A conversation area can be created with a few Nolmyra chairs and some throw pillows. A homey experience can be achieved with a few Lampans. Still not convinced? It can be $800 to rent a single chair for a show. It can be $2000 for a merchandising cabinet. A Nolmyra is $59; a full-size Kallax is about $120.
As you were assembling this furniture, there’s no doubt that the floor crew noticed what you were doing. If you really don’t want to ship the furniture back home (some of those pieces travel better than others), as they come over, ask the crew if they’d like any of the furniture at the end of the show. They’ll be more than happy to take it off your hands. And once you have that , furniture promised to them, they’ll be more than happy to make sure that anything that, if anything goes askance with your booth, you’ll have their immediate attention.
This is just a sampling of the creativity you can expect when you partner with In Your Pocket, and we’re all ears for other suggestions and hacks. What are some of the more creative event hacks you’ve seen? What would you add to this list?