We are asked or even told many times within a week of sales calls that an exhibitor is working with the show contractor, or must work with the show contractor, or they have been told that the show contractor is the only resource at their show. That is not true. Just look at your EAC – exhibitor appointed contractor – found in your exhibitor manual. It would not be there if what we just wrote was true. Competition brings many things to the Trade Show floor, innovative design, competitive pricing, and responsiveness that a general show contractor just cannot offer. They have too many clients and responsibilities to be able to jump when you say jump!
Research has shown that in order to compete small business owners focus on quality customer service and quality products. They are more likely to go above and beyond by providing extra service or by acting as a knowledgeable resource. And because they are involved in running the business they tend to be experts in their field. Over 90% of workers in the US are employed by independent and small business owners and given the current economic climate, which is a statistic worth supporting.
When one company controls the production and sale of products they can also control what they charge. But when there is competition, there are also competitive prices. That makes independent businesses the backbone of capitalism. Supporting independent businesses will ensure that your dollars stay in our economy, and don’t go overseas for wages for factory workers or to bonuses for international corporations. Additionally, independently owned businesses employ workers outside their field – construction to build stores, laborers to make the goods, which has a ripple effect across the nation.
The American dream of “you can be anything you want to be” can seem out of reach for corporate drones working for a boss they never see. Independent businesses support the spirit and creativity that made our country great. Independent businesses understand the needs of their target customers. Independent businesses can also be freer to voice dissenting opinions than a large corporation. If independently owned businesses become extinct, who will become the leaders and investors for our children and grandchildren?
