This Isn’t Just an IMTS Booth. It’s a Live Factory Floor.
- Lisa Venegas
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
If you’re headed to FABTECH, IMTS, or PACK EXPO, you know the drill. This isn’t just about pretty graphics and a nice reception counter. It’s boots-on-the-ground operations…live machinery, real automation, working systems…all built under unforgiving timelines, on a crowded show floor, with a lean team. And everything has to work.
You’re not just designing an exhibit space. You’re building a functioning factory inside a convention hall. There are overhead power drops, rigging plans, compressed schedules, and strict safety requirements. Your team is juggling demo planning, equipment logistics, travel coordination, and marketing around the event. It’s a lot to manage.
Yet, many exhibitors still choose their exhibit partner based mostly on design renderings and bid estimates.
The real questions aren’t about creativity, they’re about CAPABILITY.
A sharp-looking concept doesn’t mean much if your partner can’t execute under pressure.
Who’s leading the project when the trucks roll up to the convention center?
Do they have experience managing live equipment and the various services needed to make this equipment function on the floor?
Are they actively handling show services or just handing you the paperwork?
How do they handle billing for freight and labor? Will you get hit with post-show surprises?
How are they sequencing machinery move-in and exhibit installation to ensure alignment across labor crews, show services, and your team’s on-site schedule?
Our Approach: Clarity, Control, and the Right People on Site
At Align Exhibits, we don’t just design and build. We run point on the entire operation, and that means managing service orders, coordinating with show organizers and general contractors, and keeping your staff ALIGNED from planning to installation.
Our experienced team stays with the job from start to finish. They’re not handing things off or managing from a distance. They’re on-site, solving problems in real-time, and keeping things moving. This isn’t our first rodeo…we’ve worked these shows, we know the venues, and we understand what it takes to keep complex setups on track.
This Is Where Experience Matters
“Full-service” gets thrown around a lot. But the real test is in the details and understanding how well your partner plans, how they manage moving parts, and whether they’re ready when challenges hit the show floor. A capable partner will help you control budgets, hit early discount deadlines, and map out a master schedule that keeps labor, freight, and equipment in sync.
We’ve been there when machines are rigged, forklifts are flying, and the timeline gets tight. In those moments, it’s not about who had the best rendering. It’s about who’s prepared and who can keep things on track when there’s no room for error.
Are You Planning to Exhibit at IMTS or Another Show Like This?
Before you award the bid, look past the presentation. Ask how your potential partner really operates. Do they stay hands-on through installation? Can they handle complexity? Are they ready to lead when the pressure hits?
In shows like these, experience isn’t a bonus; it’s the baseline. Work with a team that’s done it before and knows exactly how to get you to the finish line.
If you have questions or want to talk about your next exhibit, Contact Us or call 1-844-932-2546.
