ProMat 2009 - Exhibitor Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're interested in exhibiting...
General Information
About the Virtual Trade Show (VTS) at www.promatshow.com
Advertising and Sponsorships Opportunities

I. If you're interested in exhibiting?

Who attends ProMat 2009?
MHIA attendees represent companies involved in manufacturing, warehousing, logistics and distribution, as well as consumer direct with the majority of the Fortune 500 represented. Approximately 48% of attendees come from top corporate and senior management with another 34% coming from middle management. Click here for a partial list of companies who attend. Click here to access attendee demographic information.

Who exhibits at ProMat 2009?
You can access the searchable list of exhibitors by clicking here. To obtain a list of all exhibitors, scroll down to the end of the exhibitor search page and click on find all.

How is ProMat 2009 promoted to attendees?
The ProMat 2009 attendee marketing campaign will be the largest in the event's history. This integrated campaign will reach more material handling & logistics buyers than ever before. All communications will be targeted to the buyer's specific product and solution center interest. Click here for more information.

What do I need to do to reserve exhibit space?
Please visit the Exhibitor section of the site for information on the benefits exhibiting and peruse the floorplan to select your exhibit space. For specific information on booth pricing, payment details, exhibitor requirements and to reserve your exhibit space contact MHIA show sales via email or at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190.

What happens if my booth selections are not available?
Contact the ProMat 2009 Sales Staff at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190 and they will work with you to provide alternative booth choices.

II. General Information

What are the exhibit floor hours?
Monday, January 12, 2007: 10:00 am - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, January 13, 2007: 10:00 am - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, January 14, 2007: 10:00 am - 5:00 PM
Thursday, January 15, 2007: 10:00 am - 3:00 PM

How do I get listed in the Official Show Directory?
You will be given a sign in and password with which to go to www.promatshow.com/listing to add or update your show directory and online listing. Each exhibitor can be listed under 45 product categories and under the solution center in which they are exhibiting. For listing(s) submitted after the October 15, 2008 deadline, your company name will be listed as it appears on your Application for Exhibit Space and your company will not be listed under any product categories. If you don't have your username and password, click here to request it.

What do I do with my sign in and password?
Go to www.promatshow.com/listing and enter your username and password. This will enable you to enter your company listing for the Official Show Directory and the online directory. Once you have submitted your listing, you can upgrade your listing with a showcase virtual booth on www.promatshow.com.

What are exhibit set-up and dismantle hours?
Installation of displays begins at 8:00 AM Wednesday, January 7, 2009 and continues until 5:00 PM Saturday, January 10, 2009. All displays must be completely installed by 5:00 PM Saturday, January 10, 2009. Complete show inspection will be conducted at 5:00 PM Saturday, January 10, 2009.

No exhibitor may begin to dismantle its display before 3:00 PM Thursday, January 15, 2009. All displays must be packed and ready for shipment by 4:30 PM Saturday, January 17, 2009.

How do I know what show hotels still have availability?
Click here for a complete list of show hotels and to make an online reservation. For questions on housing, call 1-800-321-1001 extension 6660. Click here for complete travel information to ProMat 2009.

Will there be a shuttle bus service between ProMat 2009 show hotels and the McCormick Place?
Yes. ProMat 2009 will offer complimentary shuttle busses between ProMat 2009 show hotels and the McCormick Place. Busses will run between the McCormick Place and all designated ProMat 2009 Show hotels from January 12 - 15, 2009. Bus schedules will be posted at the McCormick Place and in each hotel.

III. About the Virtual Trade Show (VTS) at www.promatshow.com

What is the Virtual Trade Show (VTS) at www.promatshow.com?
The Virtual Trade Show (VTS) is the virtual extension of the ProMat 2009 event. Once you elect to participate as an exhibitor, your company will be included in the ProMat 2009 online trade show where visitors can browse your virtual booth 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The VTS is a web-based database that allows attendees to search for exhibitors by product category, keyword, company name, etc. The VTS also allows material handling and logistics buyers to request information from exhibiting companies and create personal agendas when planning their visit to ProMat 2009. Every exhibitor in ProMat 2009 gets a free listing in the www.promatshow.com VTS and ProMat 2009 offers exhibitors the opportunity to upgrade their online listings to a showcase virtual booth listing at very economical pricing.

What do I get for if I purchase a showcase listing in the VTS?
A Showcase listing on http://www.promatshow.com is a great way to increase your online exposure for very little investment. According to a study of Web traffic on MHIA show Web sites showcase listings average 5 times more visits than standard listings.

An ProMat 2009 Showcase listing makes it easier for visitors to find your products and services. With a showcase, your listing will be highlighted on the http://www.promatshow.com home page and in the exhibitor search results. Showcase your solutions with photos, product literature and press releases. Include detailed information and video of your products. Provide visitors with multiple contacts so they can pose technical questions or make personal appointments to meet you on the show floor. You can also directly link to your Web site for more information.

When will my online showcase and/or search ad actually be put on the web site? How long will it stay online?
Online showcases and search ads will be placed within one week of your order and payment. They will remain online until January 2010.

IV. Promotional and Sponsorships Opportunities

What promotional opportunities are available to exhibitors?
MHIA offers many promotional programs to help you increase the success of your ProMat 2009 exhibition-all at little or no cost to you. These promotions are designed to help you promote your company's participation in ProMat 2009 before, during and after the show. Go to http://www.promatshow.com/exhibitors to learn more.

ProMat 2009 Exhibitor Promotions Include:

Free Show Directory and Online Listing
Online Showcase and Product Spotlight Listing Upgrades
Free VIP Pass Brochures to Mail to your Best Customers and Prospects
Free Customized HTML email Invitations
Show Directory Advertising Opportunities
Free ProMat 2009 LeadLink to Track Registration Leads Coming From Your Web Site
Press and Media Relations
Free Export Interest Listing
Advertising Incentives
ProMat 2009 Pre- and Post-Show Registration Database
Online Product Search Advertising

You can find more information on these promotions, including ordering forms and information, online at http://www.ProMatShow.com/Exhibitors/resource.aspx.

If you have any questions concerning your ProMat 2009 show promotion, contact Carol Miller at 704-676-1190/800-345-1815 or via email.

If I want a pre-show and/or post-show mail list - what do I need to do to place my order?
Click here for the order form or contact Carol Miller at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190.

What is LeadLink?
Exhibitors place a specially programmed ProMat 2009 logo on their company's Web site with a link to free ProMat 2009 online attendee registration. MHIA will email complete contact information for all registrations coming from that exhibitors Web site. When a visitor to clicks through this logo link and registers for ProMat 2009, that contact information is emailed to the exhibitor on the same day! Exhibitors can then contact this lead to obtain more information on their productivity needs or arrange a face-to-face meeting at the show.

To sign up for LeadLink, visit www.promatshow.org/leadlink and follow the instructions on the screen. Then follow the instructions to place, program and link the ProMat 2009 logo on your Web site. Place the logo in a prominent area on your site. The more click through registrations received, the more leads MHIA will push back to you!
For more information on ProMat 2009 Lead Link, contact MHIA Marketing at 704-676-1190/800-345-1815 or via email.

Why should I advertise in the Official Show Directory?
An informational and promotional item, the Show Directory is the official guide to the ProMat 2009 Show and Conference in Chicago. According to a survey of MHIA attendees, 94% of attendees use the printed show directory as a resource, and nearly 80% ranked it as very good/excellent as far as usefulness.
The Directory's usefulness goes far beyond the four days in Chicago; it's a valuable year-round tool to every attendee, with a master schedule of seminars, sessions, special interest programs and events, and a complete exhibitor list, and show floor plan. It's a great way to reinforce your marketing message during and after ProMat 2009.

Show Directory Advertising offers your business the following advantages:
· You gain exclusive exposure in the official directory of the ProMat 2009 Show and Conference
· Your marketing message targeted to tens of thousands of buyers when they are ready to buy
· Buyers use the Show Directory as a post-show reference tool
· Economical advertising space rates

View advertising rates and learn more about advertising opportunities at ProMat 2009. Or contact Melissa Auer at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190 or email directory@mhia.org.

How do I set up a press conference during ProMat 2009?
Exhibitors can reserve time in the press conference room in the show hall for any media event. Call MHIA Marketing at 704-676-1190/ 800-345-1815 to reserve the room or email cmiller@mhia.org. The room is reserved at no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis and is set-up classroom style for up to 50 people. All A/V and catering requirements are the responsibility of the exhibitor and must be ordered in advance. If you prefer to hold your press conference or media event in your booth, call to include your event on the show schedule of events that will be mailed to the press before the show and posted in the Press Room. Your conference will also be posted in the ProMat 2009 Online Press Room.

How do I have my press kits placed in the ProMat 2009 Press Room?
As an exhibitor, MHIA will display your press kits or other promotional information in the show Press Room. Members of the trade and business press who cover the show will be looking for information about exhibiting companies. Fill your press kit with product news releases, photos, digital files on diskette or CD-ROM, company information and an invitation to learn more at your booth. You can ship up to 100 media kits to the press room at the show. Bring your press kits directly to the ProMat 2009 Press Room on Sunday, January 11 or ship materials to arrive between January 9 - 11, 2009 to:

ProMat 2009 Press Room/MHIA--Attn: Carol Miller
McCormick Place South
C/O GES Exposition Services
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616

How do I sponsor an educational seminar at ProMat 2009?
More than 70 show floor seminars will be sponsored by exhibitors at ProMat 2009. For more information on sponsoring a seminar, contact Robin Moody at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190 or via email.

**You will need Adobe Acrobat to download some files.