Phase 2 - Planning

9 to 6 months before the trade fair begins

You have decided in favour of a trade fair abroad and the most intensive project phase begins. The following aspects must be taken into account during the registration process:

• Propose a stand location to the organiser and request the relevant documents
• Request a hall layout and occupancy plan from the organiser
• Enquire about the exact date for the editorial deadline for the exhibitor manual
• Clarify which company will be commissioned with stand construction
• Find the responsible forwarding agent at the exhibition centre (forwarder)
• Make a down payment

Travel planning

Set the flight dates, reserve hotel rooms and organise your business visitors. If you plan your arrival and departure early, you will not only benefit from early booking discounts, but also have a wider choice of hotels on site.

Internal preparation

You have appointed a trade fair organiser in your company, now they have to coordinate all the work and keep an eye on the trade fair dates. Make sure that every employee is informed about the upcoming trade fair so that they can contribute to the preparations. The key points here are:

• Coordinate the areas of development, production, design, sales and advertising
• Checking industrial property rights for trademarks, utility models and designs, patents and copyrights
• copyrights (link: plagiarism at trade fairs)
• Specifying the exhibits and their placement on the trade fair stand
• Selecting brochures and advertising measures

Personal preparation

You can move confidently in your target market if you familiarise yourself with the local politics, economy, culture and language. This also includes laws and rules of behaviour.