Either End of the Spectrum
Two of my clients are exhibiting at NPE 2009. One’s a brand new client (yippee!)…one’s an existing who’s fallen off the wagon, so to speak. Though the newbie has a 10×20, you’d think he’s a city planner, for crying out loud. His accountability and attention to detail are refreshing and an immeasureable value to our process. He was ready to pay before we invoiced, his artwork’s pouring in and he’s given us more than enough time to process his paperwork and coordinate logistics. My existing client, however, is no where to be found. They have a darn big space next year, too. And darn big spaces require a lot of preparation. We started designing a few months ago, which was perfect, as they’re shaking things up a bit with regards to products and marketing objectives.
…..that was a few months ago.
They went M.I.A. and resurfaced a month or so later, informing me that the objectives have completely changed and they’re to meet with the big wigs to draw out a plan. THAT was October 20th.
We realize things have to evolve in this fragile economy. So changing objectives is fine. As is modifying the space and reducing the budget. We’re happy to help because your success is our success. The lack of communication isn’t only frustrating, it jeopardizes production and wastes the client’s, the designer’s and the account exec’s time. We’ve had this project (which we’re still really excited about) on the production schedule since August. And to date, we’re no closer to signing a contract than we were then.
My (albeit long-winded) point is: if you’re an exhibitor - heck, if you’re anyone’s customer - please have some regard for the efforts made. Know that your vendor’s sole objective is to help you have an awesome show. But we can’t do that if you’ve fallen of the planet. Let us know what’s up!