DEADLINE EXTENDED! Momentum Management's $1,000 Apple Store Giveaway!

We are extending our deadline for our Trade Show Tips Contest!  If you sent in your tips last week, please resend them to hhull@momentummgt.com to make sure we received them!  New deadline is June 8 at 12 noon.  THANK YOU!  

Momentum Management's $1,000 Apple Store Giveaway!

Momentum Management works hard to educate our customers  with as much useful information as possible in our monthly e-blasts. One email we get the most comments on is “Gaining Momentum – Tips from the Tradeshow Floor.” In this email, we give our customers a few tips on ways to make life on the show floor a bit easier. (If you’d like to sign up for our email list to receive these monthly e-blasts, click here.) So how about a challenge? Most of our great ideas come from our customers. What we are offering you is a chance to win a $1,000 gift card to the Apple Store. All you have to do is submit your tips on ways you can enhance your performance on the tradeshow floor, and the top tip voted by our staff will receive a $1,000 shopping spree to the Apple Store. Visit Momentum Management’s blog to see our latest tips and then submit your tips via our Facebook page, Tweet them @momentummgt, or email them to us at contact@momentummgt.com by May 31, 2012, at noon EST. In our efforts to educate our customers and future customers, all the tips we receive can be viewed on our blog, Facebook and Twitter pages. Make sure you “Like” our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter so you can keep up with the tips as they come in. Our winner will be announced via all our social networking sites the first week of June.  Happy tipping! Momentum Management Inc. is a national labor management company that focuses on all aspects of labor services including installation, dismantle and supervision for tradeshows, store and museum installs and other events. For more information, please visit www.momentummgt.com or email us at contact@momentummgt.com.         Here is a quick list of our tips that have been published in recent years:   TIP #1: John Ramaglia - VP of Operations   EAC Forms  One of today's challenges, as a result of the economy, is that both show and exhibit house coordinators are simply overwhelmed by many details and deadlines.  A critical one that often slips through the cracks is getting your EAC forms in early.  Often the deadlines have been moved up by general contractors and show management companies for various reasons.  Having them come in late often results in your desires to use us or any other exhibit appointed contractor (EAC) removed, forcing you to use the GC's labor. Momentum is sending you EAC requests based on our history together in advance of the deadline to help you to remember this detail.  We're also sending out reminders of deadlines that you have not known about as we become aware of so that you can be proactive.  Even so, when you get your "early reminder", help us help you.  That's how we're trying to Redefine Service to you.    TIP #2: Matt Cornell - Southern California Manager  Outbound Shipping Using FedEx as an outbound shipper can be risky.  FedEx comes to a convention center once a day for pick up and if the paperwork is delayed or someone misses their freight, then it could be shipped via the general contractor carrier or to their warehouse.  Also, when a show dismantles on a weekend, there is even more of a chance FedEx will not show up at all.  If it is a small box, allow Momentum Management or the client to take it to FedEx.  FedEx drivers have a tight schedule and do not like to wait in line for their pick up at a convention center. TIP #3: Rich Carlson - Las Vegas City Manager    1.  Equipment Count - Know your equipment needs when placing your order so that the labor shows up to your booth with the necessary equipment.  Otherwise, they may have to leave the booth to retrieve equipment after the start time. (Saving you time and money!)  2.  FedEx - FedEx rarely picks up packages from the show floor, so before shipping out FedEx, make sure you know the show's shipping regulations.  This will save you money on forced freight or your labor company making the delivery for you. (Which Momentum will be happy to do for you if ever necessary!)  3.  Baby Wipes -  I know this sounds funny, but it is a cleaner and a disinfectant.  It will clean hands, food spills, shoe scuffs, and will soothe irritated rashes caused by excessive show floor walking.      TIP #4: Andy Deeb One issue that comes to mind that can help you avoid unnecessary charges is "target times" while scheduling labor.  It's a small detail that often gets overlooked on the busy trade show floor.  Make sure the labor isn't scheduled to begin until several hours after the target time... and on the dismantle, double check to make sure the truck isn't sent in until the correct time.      Note:  After Andy brought this concern to our attention, many other common mistakes that often occur during the dismantle were brought to the table.  The dismantle is a very common place where hours are wasted when many small details get overlooked.  Please stay tuned for next month's "Gaining Momentum" email for more tips and tricks focusing on a smoother dismantle. Glen Ruggiero TIP # 5 Glen Ruggiero - National Account Executive   After focusing our previous Gaining Momentum email on "target times", we thought we'd give another useful tip regarding the dismantle.  'When to begin the dismantle?' may seem like an easy question to answer.  To avoid overtime charges, many clients request that the dismantle begins the day after show close, but we have found that  many times, it is safer and more cost-efficient if the client begins the dismantle as soon as possible after the show close.  Take a look at the chart below.  (And for a refresher on last month's Tips and Tricks, click here.)     Beginning the dismantle at show close: PROS CONS Your client's product can be secured at show close.  If product is being left on the floor overnight, you risk the possibility of theft or damage. Your booth can be packed and ready to be picked up for shipping first thing in the morning.  This can be very beneficial if the booth is trans-shipping to another show.  If your crates are not returned to your booth in a timely manner, you risk paying for the labor as they wait for the crates to arrive to finish packing the booth.  Note - if your booth is located near the loading dock, there is a good chance your crates will be some of the last ones to be delivered.  The client or supervisor can leave town earlier saving in travel costs and time away from the office.  Possibly more overtime charges as most shows tend to break later in the afternoon.  TIP # 6 Helen Richie - ACI Design    "One thing we always tell our customers:  Never leave your purse or laptop unattended during setup and dismantle, in any way.  We had a customer who had two booths at the show and walked across the aisle for about 10 minutes.  When she came back her laptop was gone!"    Mike Ciufo -  Northeastern Regional Manager   Tip #7 - Bring a big spray bottle of one part fabric softener, one part water.  Spray it on the carpet to eliminate static (just don't spray too close to any plugged-in equipment).       Tip #8 - This may seem obvious, but never forget your first aid kit.  You never know when you may need it! Katana Luther - Skyline Exhibits and Events Tip #9 - To avoid any possible theft, never wrap pallets containing flat screens or other valuable items in clear shrink wrap.  It's better to always wrap in black wrap so that passersby cannot easily view items waiting to be unwrapped or shipped off.   Tip #10 - When filling out the outbound MHA for show management, make sure that you write clearly and note each item in the appropriate line on the form for each item you have shipping out of the show.  Don't look at the MHA for the items shipping to the show and write down the exact same items, weight or description because it is likely that the number of pieces shipping out and their description will be different than what was sent in.  Kaci Bledsoe - Momentum Management Billing Coordinator    Tip #11 (for iPhone, iPad users)   Pressing the power and home button together on your Apple device creates a picture of your current screenshot. Creating a screenshot of your screen on any iPone or iPad is as easy as a touch of a button.  Simply press your home screen and the power button at the same time and it creates a photo of your screen and saves it in your 'camera roll' on your phone.  You can easily send the photo to someone via a text message or email. This can also be helpful when someone is unable to open a certain type of file like .pdf or .xlsx.  By sending them a "picture" of the document open on your screen, they should be able to open it no matter what type of device they are working with.  If you are using an Android device, you can download an app called "Screenshot It" to get similar results.      Annette Jester - Art & Display  Tip #12-16 Visit Starbucks as often as possible during breaks to keep yourself refueled. Keep visqueen down as long as possible so that you won't stain the carpet when you spill your coffee. Use a backpack instead of a purse or nice laptop carrier/brief case.  No one wants to steal an ugly back pack! Bring works gloves. Bring a BIG black felt pen, preferably with your name or company logo on it because it will likely be "loaned" out.      Richard Wienecke - DC and Baltimore City Manager Tip #17:  It's important to get order confirmation on carpet or electricity orders.  This simple order confirmation from whomever orders the product will allow the project to stay on budget and on time. Tom Goss - New York City Manager Tip #18:  At NY Javits Center, it's important to always PRE-ORDER everything.  Pre-order electric, pre-order rigging, pre-order plumbing, pre-order everything possible.  Doing this simple step will enable you to save money in the long run!

Momentum Management Celebrates 20 Years!

Randy Bott
President & CEO

Momentum Management, Inc is pleased to announce the company’s 20^th anniversary.  President and CEO, Randy Bott realizes that this would not have been possible without the dedicated employees of Momentum, and also the faithful customers who continue to trust Momentum Management year after year for their labor needs.  

Back in 1991, Randy, wife, Vicki, and close friend, John Ramaglia started Momentum Management from the ground up.  Little did they know, 20 years later, their small company would grow to become a national provider of labor services.  Randy is humbled when he thinks about the many long hours and hard work that hundreds of people have put in to  bring about the success that Momentum Management has realized.  Because of the amazing staff in Atlanta, the city management teams, and hundreds of men and women working across the country, Momentum Management has become widely known as one of the premier service providers in our industry.

In recent years, the philosophy behind the scenes of Momentum Management is what has been able to drive significant success, even through a down economy.  “We were willing to change the way we looked at this business when the industry had a downturn in 2009,” says Bott.  “It was during this time that we committed to invest in new people, technologies, processes, and approaches.  The results of those investments have convinced me that our best days are ahead of us.   Today, I believe Momentum Management is unique amongst its peers and is growing in a way that would not have happened without the support of our entire team and customers we service.”  

Tim Murphy, President and CEO of AD*EX International, has been a customer of Momentum’s since the early 1990s.  "Having worked with Momentum and knowing the CEO, Randy Bott even longer, it's a great tribute to Momentum, the employees and culture to sustain and weather the challenges we all know that have been imposed within our industry.  Only the strong and smart teams survived the economic downturns of late and Momentum is obviously one of the true survivors. The Team at AD*EX has enjoyed growing our partnership with Momentum for the past 20 years and on behalf of Team AD*EX and our valued customers that 'WE' have supported together over those years, we congratulate Momentum on their  success and we look forward to continue this great relationship for years to come! "

Gaining Momentum! Tips from the Trade Show Floor - Part 6

Welcome to March's "Gaining Momentum"!  In addition to our trade show list and city profile we send you each month, Momentum Management would like to help you to continue to "gain momentum" in the trade show world with our "Gaining Momentum" tips.  This email is just a short list of common sense solutions to everyday problems you may run into. We'll also be posting these on our facebook page so if you have any comments or suggestions in addition to our tips, please take a few minutes to comment on our page.  Send us your tips, we'll send you a gift card!  We welcome any tips from you that we can add to our "Gaining Momentum - Tips from the Trade Show Floor" email.  If we use your tip in an upcoming issue, we'll mail you a Starbucks gift card!  --Your Momentum Management Team

 

Richard Wienecke - DC and Baltimore City Manager

Tip #17:  It's important to get order confirmation on carpet or electricity orders.  This simple order confirmation from whomever orders the product will allow the project to stay on budget and on time.

Tom Goss - New York City Manager

Tip #18:  At NY Javits Center, it's important to always PRE-ORDER everything.  Pre-order electric, pre-order rigging, pre-order plumbing, pre-order everything possible.  Doing this simple step will enable you to save money in the long run!   

Gaining Momentum! Tips from the Trade Show Floor - Part 5

Welcome to January's "Gaining Momentum"!  In addition to our trade show list and city profile we send you each month, Momentum Management would like to help you to continue to "gain momentum" in the trade show world with our "Gaining Momentum" tips.  This email is just a short list of common sense solutions to everyday problems you may run into. We'll also be posting these on our facebook page so if you have any comments or suggestions in addition to our tips, please take a few minutes to comment on our page. We welcome any tips from you that we can add to our "Gaining Momentum - Tips from the Trade Show Floor" email.  If we use your tip in an upcoming issue, we'll mail you a Starbucks gift card!  Annette Jester with Art & Display replied back after a previous issue with her helpful hints which you'll see highlighted below.  Thanks Annette! --Your Momentum Management Team

Kaci Bledsoe - Momentum Management Billing Coordinator   

Tip #11 (for iPhone, iPad users)  

Pressing the power and home button together on your Apple device creates a picture of your current screenshot.

Creating a screenshot of your screen on any iPone or iPad is as easy as a touch of a button.  Simply press your home screen and the power button at the same time and it creates a photo of your screen and saves it in your 'camera roll' on your phone.  You can easily send the photo to someone via a text message or email. This can also be helpful when someone is unable to open a certain type of file like .pdf or .xlsx.  By sending them a "picture" of the document open on your screen, they should be able to open it no matter what type of device they are working with.  If you are using an Android device, you can download an app called "Screenshot It" to get similar results. 

   

Annette Jester - Art & Display 

Tip #12-16

• Visit Starbucks as often as possible during breaks to keep yourself refueled.
• Keep visqueen down as long as possible so that you won't stain the carpet when you spill your coffee.
• Use a backpack instead of a purse or nice laptop carrier/brief case.  No one wants to steal an ugly back pack!
• Bring works gloves.
• Bring a BIG black felt pen, preferably with your name or company logo on it because it will likely be "loaned" out.

  

Momentum In The Exhibit City News...

From Ideas to Innovation: 

Benchmarking Best Practices

Momentum Management was founded in 1991 by Randy Bott and a small group who shared a common vision of creating a nationally recognized labor management company. The company currently handles installation and dismantle service request for tradeshows and other events across the U.S. and Canada. 

“After all these years I couldn’t be happier with the direction we’re headed and the progress we’ve made,” said Bott. 

Three years ago, Randy brought Rick Bellerjeau to the company as general manager. What made this appointment unusual is that Bellerjeau’s background is not in either the tradeshows or labor industries. In fact, Bellerjeau came from a technology background. 

“With a background in another industry,” said Bellerjeau. “I could look at the company through a different prism. Randy is a very forward thinking leader, and he believes in benchmarking best practices across industries.” 

In the technology industry, companies understand the value of strategic partnerships. Companies partner and leverage strength, and through strategic partnerships, all of the partners become stronger. How could this be an advantage in the I&D industry? 

Bellerjeau ‘s fresh eyes saw an industry dominated by fear. Because the tradeshow industry depends on acceptance of a creative  effort, there is a personal element to customer acquisition. Will they like the exhibit? Will it ‘wow’ senior management? Will someone else get the business? Will they buy it? 

Not only is the pressure personal, but time pressure is a big part of the industry. Deadlines are tight, as are schedules and delivery dates. With this in mind, Momentum shifted its focus away from the fear of cannibalization to committing to work with exhibit houses in order to understand what exhibit builders mean when they say they sell value to a client. What type of delivery do they promise? And how does a company like Momentum help them keep their promises? 

Momentum is on a path of keeping track of continuous improvement. The company takes labor, a commodity, and adds innovation to reinvent themselves and the industry. 

In doing so, Momentum is redefining service in the I&D segment with systems, processes, training and action. Bellerjeau, as general manager, believes in taking people to another level, specifically in taking a union employee who is part of a labor force that has done things the same way for decades and reintroducing this person to a new concept.

“The first step was to get our product, our labor force, to be excited about exceeding themselves on the show floor,” he said. “There are some companies that will throw their partners under the bus to make themselves look good; we’re not one of them. We know that our whole culture is about the client experience on the show floor exceeding everyone’s expectations.” 

“We focus on our people, on training and on presenting the bigger picture, the whole vision,” Rick continues. “There’s a consistency to our approach from the time the dock doors open until the show opens. We know that our customers back at the corporate office are worried that something might go wrong. Maybe they’re launching a new product and they know that the show is  important. It’s the primary place where they can meet their customers and they realize that a lot of business is started on the show floor. 

“We’re a communications company as well as a labor company. Communications dissipates fear, and when the exhibit houses put our processes and procedures in their RFPs. It works. Our processes turn price discussion into value discussions. Especially in a down economy, we want to provide the highest level of service and sell value. In our work, we demonstrate how our vision is working as we build a culture of partnerships, value and customer focus. We make the fear go away.”

Gaining Momentum! Tips from the Trade Show Floor - Part 4

Welcome to December's "Gaining Momentum"!  In addition to our helpful trade show list, Momentum Management would like to help you to continue to "gain momentum" in the trade show world.  Every other month, we'll send out a short list of common sense solutions to everyday problems you may run into.

We'll also be posting these on our facebook page so if you have any comments or suggestions in addition to our tips, please take a few minutes to comment on our page.

We welcome any tips from you that we can add to our "Gaining Momentum - Tips from the Trade Show Floor" email.  If we use your tip in an upcoming issue, we'll mail you a Starbucks gift card!  Katana Luther with Skyline replied back last month with her helpful hints which you'll see highlighted below.  Thanks Katana!
--Your Momentum Management Team 

Mike Ciufo -  Northeastern Regional Manager  

Tip #7 - Bring a big spray bottle of one part fabric softener, one part water.  Spray it on the carpet to eliminate static (just don't spray too close to any plugged-in equipment).    

 

Tip #8 - This may seem obvious, but never forget your first aid kit.  You never know when you may need it!

Katana Luther - Skyline Exhibits and Events

Tip #9 - To avoid any possible theft, never wrap pallets containing flat screens or other valuable items in clear shrink wrap.  It's better to always wrap in black wrap so that passersby cannot easily view items waiting to be unwrapped or shipped off.  

Tip #10 - When filling out the outbound MHA for show management, make sure that you write clearly and note each item in the appropriate line on the form for each item you have shipping out of the show.  Don't look at the MHA for the items shipping to the show and write down the exact same items, weight or description because it is likely that the number of pieces shipping out and their description will be different than what was sent in.