The ECA, A Delivery Industry Alliance’s 2022 MarketPlace is just around the proverbial corner – April 11th through 13th, in Tucson, Arizona! With the show comes a unique format. Freight carriers and shippers come from across the United States to experience 48 hours of speed dating to form new business relationships and strengthen current ones. Shippers and carriers meet in carefully curated 1-1, 15-minute meetings according to a preset schedule. In our exhibit hall, both shippers and carriers get to meet with the delivery industry’s most important and valued vendors. Throughout the three day event there are ample opportunities for networking and fun! However, there is a lot to know before, during, and after the ECA MarketPlace. We’ve published our How-To Guide for Shippers and Carriers. Without further ado, here is a Vendors’ How-To Guide to get you started on best practices to navigate the show!
This year we are excited to get back to our traditional spring gathering. Meeting in the spring allows for sufficient post-MarketPlace follow ups, as shippers and carriers define possibilities they discussed in general terms at the speed dating sessions held in the MarketPlace.
This year ECA, A Delivery Industry Alliance is proud to announce a full slate of exhibiting vendors. We sold out of booth space this year, and are so excited to welcome our industry’s finest! These companies represent diverse services in support of delivery, logistics, and transportation, including:
- banking platforms
- screening services
- contractor management
- risk management
- driver onboarding tools
- fleet management
- logistics platforms
among others! Vendors reserve their booth space to exhibit their services and promote their branded value-add to carriers and shippers.
Carriers will gain access to the list of vendors attending this year’s ECA MarketPlace when they rate the shippers. Carriers are encouraged to review the vendor list and request specific meetings to engage with vendors at the exhibit hall. Vendors are exhibiting during the entire two-day show and are available by appointment and for walk-up inquiries.
Shippers can avail themselves of the vendors exhibiting during the show and are encouraged to study the list and do so.
Vendors, to prepare for a successful MarketPlace the ECA, A Delivery Industry Alliance has tried and true tips gleaned from the expertise of past ECA MarketPlace exhibiting vendors.
Prepare and Submit Your Profile
For starters, upon registration, make certain to submit a comprehensive profile and description of your services to facilitate carrier and shipper previews of your company. Current vendors, please remember to review your profile ahead of time to ensure it’s up to date with all descriptions of your company, services, and contact information.
Promote Your Attendance
Promote your attendance at ECA MarketPlace to let your clients, leads, and potential new leads know you will be there! Consider creating a page on your website describing your attendance at the ECA MarketPlace and inviting attendees to make an appointment. Promote your page through ECA Connect Daily Digest, LinkedIn, and/or a targeted email campaign. Be sure to include these essential details of the event:
- Name – ECA MarketPlace
- Date – April 11th – 13th
- Location – JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson, Arizona
- Team members – You may also choose to feature the team members representing your company at the event with their names, photos, and job titles.
- Giveaways and contests – If you’re offering a giveaway or contest, be sure to promote these as well to encourage attendance!
Prepare for a Productive 48 Hours
The ECA MarketPlace is a powerhouse event with opportunity after opportunity to develop your business while exhibiting and networking. We want you to arrive prepared for this busy and energetic event!
- Bring plenty of business cards and marketing materials to give to carriers and shippers
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Hydrate and refuel throughout the day
- Review your schedule and map out with your team who will take each shift at the booth to allow for breaks
- Review the schedule to know when to move your vendor booth in and out of the exhibit hall
Vendors make sure to block time in your schedule for when carriers and shippers have requested scheduled meetings. Be ready to greet them at your vendor booth with your elevator pitch, marketing materials and giveaways (if applicable) at the scheduled time.
Keep Your Exhibit Up and Attended for the Entire Show
It’s important to stay for the entire show and not take down your exhibit early. This is an important commitment you make when you register for ECA MarketPlace, and you never know when a shipper or carrier who had a busy meeting schedule will stop by for a walk-up visit. The last meeting could be the most fortuitous one!
Follow Up After ECA MarketPlace
Follow up meetings post ECA MarketPlace are critical. The MarketPlace is a time for meeting new carriers and shippers and strengthening relationships with current ones. The business opportunities begin to take shape after MarketPlace during your follow-up meetings.
Ask the visiting carrier or shipper attendee for a specific follow up time, so your meetings are scheduled already when you’re packing your suitcase at the end of the show. Carriers and shippers – do the same! The ECA, A Delivery Industry Alliance vendors provide key support to the delivery industry. Following up is an essential part of the cycle and ensures successful outcomes from the networking opportunities at MarketPlace.
