Always Be Prepared

It's the day before a show, and your exhibit is ready for the final touch - the graphic panels.

You find the large cardboard box that the new graphics were shipped in, pull out the graphics, and discover there were two holes the size of your fist through every panel. Turns out some gentle, caring forklift driver had skewered your graphics panels.

Skewered, chipped, bent, or even lost graphics have been the source of numerous panic attacks on the show floor. Luckily, technological advances are making it easier to reproduce ruined graphics (or at least create passable replacements) on the fly. But you still need to plan ahead if you hope to survive unscathed, so here are some tips to help you prepare for the worst.

1. Always have your graphics designer put all show graphics on a CD that you have in your possession at the show in case you need to reproduce or change them on site.
2. Know who in a show city can produce last-minute graphics, such as the show's general services contractor or a 24-hour printer such as Kinko's. Consider making a list of such places for each city you regularly exhibit in - or ask your exhibit house / graphics supplier to compile a list for you.
3. Spend the extra money on sturdy shipping cases made of durable plastic or wood, and use lots of bubble wrap to protect your booth graphics and signage.