Supplier FAQ's
Q. What is the cost per show?
A. $500.00
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. You can make an online payment with a major credit card or mail us a check.
Q. Can I make payment installments?
A. Yes, please contact us to set up a payment schedule.
Q. Do you offer any discounts?
A. Yes. We offer discounts for paying early and booking multiple shows.
Q. I heard something about an incentive Great Lakes ASTA is offering to those who sign up. Please tell me more.
A. Receive a $100 prepaid credit card at the trade show for every new supplier that signs up! How? First, register yourself. Next, talk to your fellow travel suppliers and tell them why they should participate in Great Lakes ASTA's Trade Shows. Important! Send an email to [email protected] and let us know you spoke to them. Or copy us in on your email to them. If that supplier signs up because of your referral, you will receive a $100 card for every show they sign up and pay for. A supplier who did not exhibit in 2018 is considered a new supplier.
Q. Do you accept trade for payment? For example, can I trade you a free trip in exchange for booth space?
A. No. To keep things fair for everyone, we only accept monetary payment for our booth space.
Q. Do you allow booth sharing?
A. Yes. It is your responsibility to find a supplier you would like to exhibit with. It is also up to you to determine how the booth cost will be split. There is no additional charge to share a booth.
Q. What is included in my registration fee?
A. Included are a 6-8 ft skirted table, a three course dinner, snacks during set-up and two drink vouchers.
Q. Do I need to provide a door prize?
A. That is up to you. Most suppliers give away a door prize when giving their one minute spiel.
Q. What types of door prizes are given?
A. Please no alcoholic beverages. We ask that your door prize be valued at $50 or greater. Anything from gift cards to something unique to the company you represent is appreciated.
Q. Are there any additional charges?
A. No.
Q. Can I have a colleague help me at my booth?
A. Yes. You may have up to two additional colleagues help at no additional charge. We have seen great success from companies that have two people working their booth. If you will be having more than one representative at your booth, please indicate that on your registration in the notes section so we can properly prepare for the amount of meals needed.
Q. Can I mail my collateral to the venues ahead of time?
A. We prefer that you bring your materials with you. Andiamo does not have a storage area to hold on to your items. If you need to mail your collateral, Andiamo will accept it only on the day prior to the shows. They reserve the right to deny shipment or charge you storage fees if they receive your collateral earlier than the day prior. If mailing your collateral, it is your responsibility to ensure that your items have arrived.
Q. How many agents attend your trade shows?
A. We get close to 200 travel agents that attend the DTW show and approximately 100 that attend the GRR show.
Q. What types of agents attend your trade shows?
A. We get all types of travel agents that attend our shows. We have home based agents, agents who work in a retail office, agency owners, new agents, experienced agents, agents who sell bus tours to those who sell luxury only travel, cruise only agents to those who sell all types of travel, business travel agents and leisure only travel agents.
Q. What time is set up?
A. Set Up begins at 1 PM EST. Light snacks and beverages will be provided for you. Please be set up and ready at least 30 minutes prior to the show.
Q. What type of booth display do I need to have?
A. The booth displays at our shows vary from just placing brochures on the tables to elaborate set-ups. The choice is yours. We encourage you to look at photos from last year to get some ideas. If you have a large backdrop or need electrical, please indicate that on your registration form so we can make sure you are not obstructing anyone's view and we can make sure you are placed by an electrical outlet.
Q. What time does the show start?
A. Registration and trade show starts at 4:30 PM for the Detroit Show and at 5:00 PM EST for the West MI Show.
Q. What is the format of your shows?
A. Registration and the trade show portion of our event starts at 4:30 PM in Detroit and 5:00 PM EST in Grand Rapids. During registration, agents are asked to give a business card. They are then given a name tag. Agents have until 6:30 PM to walk around to the booths and drop off their business cards. At 6:30 PM, agents are asked to take a seat and dinner starts being served. During this time, suppliers take turns coming up to a podium to introduce themselves and give away their door prize. Prizes will be drawn from the business cards dropped off at the booths. Each agent may only win once. Our show concludes promptly at 8 PM with the grand prize giveaway (a $200 prepaid credit card provided by Great Lakes ASTA).
Q. Do you offer any opportunities to give a longer presentation?
A. Yes and No. We do not have any opportunities at the Trade Shows. Our chapter occasionally partners with the SE NACTA chapter on events or hosts separate events in Grand Rapids. If interested in partnership opportunities, please contact Andrea Doremire at 616-901-1127 or email at [email protected].
Q. Tell me about the agent name tags.
A. Agents are given different name tags to help you distinguish between home based and retail agents. In the past the tags are differentiated by either color or shape. The agent's name and company name will be pre-printed on the name tag.
Q. Tell me more about the "passports".
A. Passports were discontinued in 2016.
Q. Tell me more about my time at the podium.
A. During dinner, suppliers are asked to come up to the podium. We have a lot of suppliers to get through so we ask that you be courteous to your fellow suppliers and adhere to the 1 minute limit. Introduce yourself and make things brief and memorable. This is your time to shine! Please remember that you must also give away your door prize during the 1 minute time frame.
Q. Why do you limit us to only 1 minute?
A. The main reason we only allow 1 minute is because we want to give each supplier in attendance the same equal opportunity to speak. In order to get through everyone that is all the time we have. Our research has shown that after a long day, travel agents have a short attention span and appreciate being able to go home at a decent hour.
Q. What type of dinner is served?
A. Dinner is a three course gourmet meal. The main entree is typically some sort of chicken. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know at time of registration and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Q. What time does the show end?
A. 8 PM EST
Q. Will you provide me with a list of attendees after the shows?
A. Yes. You will be emailed a list of attendees along with all of their contact information. Attendee lists are emailed to you within a week after the show.
Q. How do you advertise the shows?
A. We send emails to our extensive database of over 1,000 MI travel agents. Our shows are listed on our monthly e-news letters. They are also posted on ASTA's calendar. We encourage all exhibitors to forward our invitations to their own databases to ensure that we are reaching as many agents as possible.
Q. How do I register?
A. Registration is done online. Please contact Andrea to receive a link for registration.
Q. Are there hotels nearby if I need overnight accommodations?
A. Yes. We will provide you with a list of recommended hotels in Warren. If you wish to stay at the Crowne Plaza Grand Rapids - Airport, rates are being negotiated and will be available soon.
Q. What are the locations of your shows?
A. In 2019, Great Lakes ASTA will be hosting travel trade shows at Andiamo in Warren, MI and the Crowne Plaza in Grand Rapids, MI. For shows hosted by other ASTA chapters, please visit ASTA's calendar.
Q. Do your venues have free wifi and electrical outlets available?
A. Yes. There is a $25 fee for access to an electrical outlet in Grand Rapids.
Q. Do your venues have free parking?
A. Yes. Our venues have free and ample parking.
Q. I heard you are collecting unopened toiletries at your shows. Please tell me more.
A. As travel professionals, we all tend to gather a lot of toiletries from our adventures. Starting in 2015, Great Lakes ASTA decided we would give back to some local charities who could make use of them. We titled this charity "For those overnight stays that are unplanned." The toiletries from our first drive went to the local Ronald McDonald Houses. Starting in 2016, we have selected the Salvation Army as the recipient of our toiletry collections. Please click Here for more information. Toiletries will be collected at the registration tables at each show.
Q. As a supplier, what is the advantage of being an ASTA member?
A. If you have a local event that you would like advertised our chapter will include it in our monthly newsletter. You and your booth will also receive special recognition at our trade show(s). There are many other benefits of being an ASTA member. Please click on the link below to learn more.
Q. How do I become a member of ASTA?
A. Please click here to learn more.
A. $500.00
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. You can make an online payment with a major credit card or mail us a check.
Q. Can I make payment installments?
A. Yes, please contact us to set up a payment schedule.
Q. Do you offer any discounts?
A. Yes. We offer discounts for paying early and booking multiple shows.
Q. I heard something about an incentive Great Lakes ASTA is offering to those who sign up. Please tell me more.
A. Receive a $100 prepaid credit card at the trade show for every new supplier that signs up! How? First, register yourself. Next, talk to your fellow travel suppliers and tell them why they should participate in Great Lakes ASTA's Trade Shows. Important! Send an email to [email protected] and let us know you spoke to them. Or copy us in on your email to them. If that supplier signs up because of your referral, you will receive a $100 card for every show they sign up and pay for. A supplier who did not exhibit in 2018 is considered a new supplier.
Q. Do you accept trade for payment? For example, can I trade you a free trip in exchange for booth space?
A. No. To keep things fair for everyone, we only accept monetary payment for our booth space.
Q. Do you allow booth sharing?
A. Yes. It is your responsibility to find a supplier you would like to exhibit with. It is also up to you to determine how the booth cost will be split. There is no additional charge to share a booth.
Q. What is included in my registration fee?
A. Included are a 6-8 ft skirted table, a three course dinner, snacks during set-up and two drink vouchers.
Q. Do I need to provide a door prize?
A. That is up to you. Most suppliers give away a door prize when giving their one minute spiel.
Q. What types of door prizes are given?
A. Please no alcoholic beverages. We ask that your door prize be valued at $50 or greater. Anything from gift cards to something unique to the company you represent is appreciated.
Q. Are there any additional charges?
A. No.
Q. Can I have a colleague help me at my booth?
A. Yes. You may have up to two additional colleagues help at no additional charge. We have seen great success from companies that have two people working their booth. If you will be having more than one representative at your booth, please indicate that on your registration in the notes section so we can properly prepare for the amount of meals needed.
Q. Can I mail my collateral to the venues ahead of time?
A. We prefer that you bring your materials with you. Andiamo does not have a storage area to hold on to your items. If you need to mail your collateral, Andiamo will accept it only on the day prior to the shows. They reserve the right to deny shipment or charge you storage fees if they receive your collateral earlier than the day prior. If mailing your collateral, it is your responsibility to ensure that your items have arrived.
Q. How many agents attend your trade shows?
A. We get close to 200 travel agents that attend the DTW show and approximately 100 that attend the GRR show.
Q. What types of agents attend your trade shows?
A. We get all types of travel agents that attend our shows. We have home based agents, agents who work in a retail office, agency owners, new agents, experienced agents, agents who sell bus tours to those who sell luxury only travel, cruise only agents to those who sell all types of travel, business travel agents and leisure only travel agents.
Q. What time is set up?
A. Set Up begins at 1 PM EST. Light snacks and beverages will be provided for you. Please be set up and ready at least 30 minutes prior to the show.
Q. What type of booth display do I need to have?
A. The booth displays at our shows vary from just placing brochures on the tables to elaborate set-ups. The choice is yours. We encourage you to look at photos from last year to get some ideas. If you have a large backdrop or need electrical, please indicate that on your registration form so we can make sure you are not obstructing anyone's view and we can make sure you are placed by an electrical outlet.
Q. What time does the show start?
A. Registration and trade show starts at 4:30 PM for the Detroit Show and at 5:00 PM EST for the West MI Show.
Q. What is the format of your shows?
A. Registration and the trade show portion of our event starts at 4:30 PM in Detroit and 5:00 PM EST in Grand Rapids. During registration, agents are asked to give a business card. They are then given a name tag. Agents have until 6:30 PM to walk around to the booths and drop off their business cards. At 6:30 PM, agents are asked to take a seat and dinner starts being served. During this time, suppliers take turns coming up to a podium to introduce themselves and give away their door prize. Prizes will be drawn from the business cards dropped off at the booths. Each agent may only win once. Our show concludes promptly at 8 PM with the grand prize giveaway (a $200 prepaid credit card provided by Great Lakes ASTA).
Q. Do you offer any opportunities to give a longer presentation?
A. Yes and No. We do not have any opportunities at the Trade Shows. Our chapter occasionally partners with the SE NACTA chapter on events or hosts separate events in Grand Rapids. If interested in partnership opportunities, please contact Andrea Doremire at 616-901-1127 or email at [email protected].
Q. Tell me about the agent name tags.
A. Agents are given different name tags to help you distinguish between home based and retail agents. In the past the tags are differentiated by either color or shape. The agent's name and company name will be pre-printed on the name tag.
Q. Tell me more about the "passports".
A. Passports were discontinued in 2016.
Q. Tell me more about my time at the podium.
A. During dinner, suppliers are asked to come up to the podium. We have a lot of suppliers to get through so we ask that you be courteous to your fellow suppliers and adhere to the 1 minute limit. Introduce yourself and make things brief and memorable. This is your time to shine! Please remember that you must also give away your door prize during the 1 minute time frame.
Q. Why do you limit us to only 1 minute?
A. The main reason we only allow 1 minute is because we want to give each supplier in attendance the same equal opportunity to speak. In order to get through everyone that is all the time we have. Our research has shown that after a long day, travel agents have a short attention span and appreciate being able to go home at a decent hour.
Q. What type of dinner is served?
A. Dinner is a three course gourmet meal. The main entree is typically some sort of chicken. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know at time of registration and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Q. What time does the show end?
A. 8 PM EST
Q. Will you provide me with a list of attendees after the shows?
A. Yes. You will be emailed a list of attendees along with all of their contact information. Attendee lists are emailed to you within a week after the show.
Q. How do you advertise the shows?
A. We send emails to our extensive database of over 1,000 MI travel agents. Our shows are listed on our monthly e-news letters. They are also posted on ASTA's calendar. We encourage all exhibitors to forward our invitations to their own databases to ensure that we are reaching as many agents as possible.
Q. How do I register?
A. Registration is done online. Please contact Andrea to receive a link for registration.
Q. Are there hotels nearby if I need overnight accommodations?
A. Yes. We will provide you with a list of recommended hotels in Warren. If you wish to stay at the Crowne Plaza Grand Rapids - Airport, rates are being negotiated and will be available soon.
Q. What are the locations of your shows?
A. In 2019, Great Lakes ASTA will be hosting travel trade shows at Andiamo in Warren, MI and the Crowne Plaza in Grand Rapids, MI. For shows hosted by other ASTA chapters, please visit ASTA's calendar.
Q. Do your venues have free wifi and electrical outlets available?
A. Yes. There is a $25 fee for access to an electrical outlet in Grand Rapids.
Q. Do your venues have free parking?
A. Yes. Our venues have free and ample parking.
Q. I heard you are collecting unopened toiletries at your shows. Please tell me more.
A. As travel professionals, we all tend to gather a lot of toiletries from our adventures. Starting in 2015, Great Lakes ASTA decided we would give back to some local charities who could make use of them. We titled this charity "For those overnight stays that are unplanned." The toiletries from our first drive went to the local Ronald McDonald Houses. Starting in 2016, we have selected the Salvation Army as the recipient of our toiletry collections. Please click Here for more information. Toiletries will be collected at the registration tables at each show.
Q. As a supplier, what is the advantage of being an ASTA member?
A. If you have a local event that you would like advertised our chapter will include it in our monthly newsletter. You and your booth will also receive special recognition at our trade show(s). There are many other benefits of being an ASTA member. Please click on the link below to learn more.
Q. How do I become a member of ASTA?
A. Please click here to learn more.