Package booth zones: Set aside a section of the exhibit floor for package booths - those that come with carpet, 6' table, 2 chairs and a wastebasket. You may be able to negotiate with your General Service Contractor (GSC) for a reduced rate for these spaces because they will only have a single run for carpet rather than separate runs for individual booth carpet.

Work with your GSC to develop one or more turnkey packages which could include services from the GSC as well as other contractors. These services, bundled with exhibit space fees allow exhibitors to budget more effectively.

You might also work with the GSC to develop New Exhibitor pavilions or technology pavilions for small businesses that may not have the financial resources to afford exhibit space and services. Companies that participate in these pavilions might have a kiosk or a table top exhibit.

Value added carpet: Carpet savings can be realized by laying the hall carpet in one color and including it in the price of exhibit space. The GSC will then be able to lay long runs of carpet at a reduced labor cost. You might provide one color standard 9' wide carpet for all in-line exhibit spaces and cut/lay carpet for peninsula and island booth spaces and include the price of carpet in the exhibit space fees.

POV cart load service: Work with your GSC to create a material handling rate that includes a fixed rate or cart load rate for exhibitors that arrive at show site in a POV (personal owned vehicle). These shipments are defined as materials that do not exceed 200 lbs. and can be moved to an exhibitor booth space with a flat cart.

Advanced ordering: Encourage your exhibitors to take advantage of discount ordering deadlines offered by the GSC and other specialty contractors. Orders placed onsite can cost up to 30% more than those ordered in advance.

Exhibit rental: Encourage your exhibitors to utilize the GSC's exhibitor sales consultants for custom rental exhibits. Rental exhibits can provide a cost-effective, design-conscious solution for exhibitors to market their company at a fraction of the cost of a traditional build exhibit.

VIP meeting rooms: You may be able to negotiate a package rate with your GSC to build hard wall meeting rooms on open space in your floor plan. This allows exhibitors and attendees to stay on the show floor.

Graphics design: Encourage your exhibitors to take advantage of the GSC's design capabilities. They can design and produce exhibitor graphics at a nominal fee compared to outside design groups.

Place storage in the hall: Check to see if the GSC can store empties in the hall (pending Fire Marshall approval), as this can expedite the return of empty crates at the close of the show.

Close early on the last day: Closing an hour earlier on the last day of the show may allow some exhibitors to start moving out on straight time that afternoon. Smaller exhibitors may be able to move out entirely the day the show closes.

Provide lower cost meals in the facility: During the show, you may be able to provide a location for exhibitors to catch a quick lunch near the show floor. Coordinating with the venue to provide lower cost meal items cuts the costs of meals and prevents the exhibitor from having to travel far for meals.

Negotiate parking pass rates: Check with the venue to see if they sell exhibitor parking passes for all show days at a lower package price.

Schedule pre-show exhibitor workshop: Schedule a pre-show workshop at the convention facility for exhibitors and display houses. You might host a tour of the exhibit floor and develop an educational program that features a panel of key contractors who can discuss union jurisdictions and costs for services.

Electronic service kit forms: Offer online ordering for exhibitors if possible. Even if you don't offer online ordering, putting the forms online in a PDF format saves exhibitors time.

Create a target floor plan: A target floor plan enables the GSC to move in your event more efficiently and at the same time helps exhibitors schedule their booth installation. More often than not, a targeted freight floor plan will maximize straight time rates for the exhibitors.

Block lower cost hotels for exhibitors: Providing exhibitors a choice in hotels allows them to maximize their budget. The extra benefit is that more rooms in the headquarter hotel remain for attendees to occupy.