Do you like to play at any game of chance for money? Are you willing to risk money on outcomes driven by luck…like gambling on the toss of a dice? If so, words like estimate and approximate might not bother you. But for everyone else, relying on vague quotes from an exhibit house is the same as gambling.
Reviewing two sales orders side by side can be a quick lesson in risk. If any line contains words like estimate, ballpark figure, or “total with post-show bill to follow” and you sign it, you are a gambler. True exhibit quote transparency means knowing your full costs before the show—not after.
Comparing Apples to Apples
If any of the following phrases appear on your sales order without final numbers, you may be gambling with your budget:
- “Prices are estimates only.”
- “Pricing does not include furniture, flooring, or lighting fixtures.”
- “Shipping will range from $1,000 to $25,000. Actual cost invoiced later.”
- “Install and Dismantle – estimated at straight time (which rarely happens).”
- “Project Management Fee – $7,500–$15,000.”
Without exhibit quote transparency, these estimates become unpleasant surprises after the show.
Why Transparency Matters
Exhibit programs already require major investments of time, money, and people. The last thing you need is an unpredictable invoice arriving weeks after the event. By insisting on exhibit quote transparency, you protect your budget, avoid disputes with finance, and reduce stress for your entire team.
Transparency means knowing exactly what is included in the sales order: design, graphics, A/V equipment, labor, supervision, shipping, and post-show services. It also means no hidden travel expenses, vague timelines, or inflated project management fees.
The Bottom Line
Take out your two or three exhibit house quotes, place them side by side, and really comb through them. Is every line item final? Are there caveats or ranges instead of numbers? If so, you may be gambling with your money and your program’s success.
Gambling after show hours in a casino can be fun. Gambling on the trade show floor is not. Demand exhibit quote transparency—because certainty is worth more than luck.
