Transit Air Cargo’s On-Site Freight Management Program
You have shipped your cargo through a trade show logistics company and now you are at the show, but is your freight? How can you check to make sure it has arrived on time and intact? Calling your logistic s service may be out of the question, if it is a weekend or after business hours.
Transit Air Cargo offers a unique service for its customer’s; The On-site Freight Management Program, which is available at most major shows. The Freight Management team is at the show site overseeing the unloading and count pieces of your shipment before it hits the floor and is there to make sure your shipment back is accounted for and is loaded on the truck. If there are any issues, the Transit Air Cargo On-site Freight Managers will notify you and handle it professional until it is resolved. You will have access to your manager’s phone number and their presence at you show will make things run smoother.
In our new series of articles, Transit Air Cargo will introduce you to the On-Site Freight Management team, beginning with Kim Peace, the Field Operations Manager. She was kind enough to talk with me. Read about her fascinating career and life below.
How long have you worked at TAC?
KP: 13 years
Prior to coming to TAC, what was your profession?
KP: I was Assistant to the Southeast Exhibit Services Executive for Yellow Freight Trade show Division, and was their on site liaison for Shepard Exposition Services. Prior to working with Yellow, I was a freelance trade show coordinator, working with exhibitors and General Service Contractors such as GES, Expo Group, Hargrove, and Champion. My experience also includes history as a full time Exhibit Services Representative with GES in Las Vegas.
What attracted you to the position of Field Operations/On-Site Freight Management?
KP: I saw a company that valued her employees and offered a competitive service to exhibitors. I was allowed the opportunity to fine tune a department and develop policies that fulfilled my desire to not only expand, but to polish an already unique service offered to our customers.
Why is your position important for trade show exhibitors?
KP: I manage a department that is unique from anything any of our competitors offer. My position allows me the opportunity to communicate with exhibitors on a daily basis, helping them with their shipping questions and concerns. Many of our customers know me by name and keep my cell number close, because they know that no matter where they are at any time, I am almost always available to assist them.
What is your favorite aspect/duty of your position?
KP: I enjoy helping exhibitors, when they are at a loss for what to do when something takes place at a show. My background in shipping, as well as trade show production has provided me with the experience and knowledge needed to help exhibitors resolve not only shipping, but overall trade show challenges.
What is the one thing you would love to see happen in the trade show industry that would improve it for exhibitors?
KP: Customer service from the GSC’s has come a long way in the past several years. Customer Service, Floor Managers, and Service kiosks are now on many show floors to assist exhibitors with questions. But, if I had to choose one thing that would make things a little easier for the exhibitors working their booth at a show, it would be to somehow make the outbound shipping process a little simpler for the less experienced. A simplified process for completing outbound shipping documents aka “Material Handling Agreements” would prevent much of the rerouted or “forced” freight that every show has. If exhibitors were permitted to complete an Online MHA in advance of the show’s move in, many of the sales reps that are often left in the booth to break down and pack up, would not be faced with the challenge of completing paperwork with which they are unfamiliar. Trade show managers could include the MHA in the instructions packet that is often given to their on-site sales team, with instructions to simply finish the piece counts and turn in to a service desk. Doing this, of course would have its challenges as well. Exhibitors are not given outbound MHA’s from the GSC, if there is an outstanding balance with no form of payment on file.
What is the best advice you can give to exhibitors who are using a logistics company, such as TAC, to ensure the best shipment possible?
KP: When packing your booth during the move out of a show, make sure everything is clearly labeled and that your piece count and destination address is correct on the MHA. Equally importantly, is to make sure an MHA is actually completed and turned in to the Service Desk. If the carrier name is not placed on the MHA, the General Service Contractor (GSC) will not release the shipment, but will reroute via their choice of carrier.
In your experience, what convention center is the most difficult to navigate?
KP: There are several which are difficult, but the most challenging would have to be McCormick in Chicago. This center, built in the early 1900’s is actually four buildings that are interconnected and run either along Lake Michigan or close to it. The proximity to the Lake makes working the docks in the winter extremely cold and windy. Shows that consume the entire center are a real bear to work. Almost as challenging is the Orlando Convention Center. The original center (now known as the north/south building) was always known for being extremely long. But now, with the addition of the West Building across Universal Drive, a person needs to be in very good physical shape to walk the entire length.
Which is the easiest?
KP: One would think that the smaller the center, the easier to it would be to work. This is not necessarily the case. Many hotels have convention centers and although they might be easy for walking around, the challenge of move in and move out often lie in the lack of easy access to the docks for our drivers. Sharp turns, low ceilings, and short dock space can create difficulties for even the most experienced drivers. All things considered, I would have to say that the easiest center I have worked would probably be the Cobb Galleria Center in Atlanta. This is a small center with multiple halls, but adequate docks for even the largest trucks. The fact that I know this center very well and have done over 100 shows there, also helps!
If you have a favorite show that you love working, which is it? Why?
KP: I don’t believe there is any particular show that I enjoy more than all the others. A more accurate question would be who my favorite GSC is to work with. Although I enjoy the exhibits and the industries reflected in many shows, my work usually brings me onto the show floors during the set up and on the last day, just prior to the closing. I don’t often have time to wonder around in a show that is open and enjoy it as an attendee normally would. If I did find time to enjoy a show while it was in full swing, I would probably choose to see the music industry shows, because I was a music education major in college and love many kinds of music. I have also enjoyed shows that promote companies in the special events industry, such asTS2 and Expo!Expo!. These are shows that I have been to many times as both an exhibitor and a shipping company with customers on the floor. They are filled with exhibitors who, like myself, are in the trade show and special events industry and I enjoy being around fellow trade show professionals in a more neutral arena.
Please tell me about your hobbies and a little about your life outside of Transit Air Cargo.
KP: Since 1985, I have been in the special events industry, whether it was the planning of a corporate open house, organizing a fundraiser, bringing vendors together for an open air market, coordinating and directing weddings or working a trade show in any variety of positions. Although I have managed to land myself in the logistical side of trade shows for the past 15 years, I still enjoy organizing events for non-trade show related groups such as church or local police departments. When I am not working a trade show for Transit Air, I can often be found directing and coordinating a wedding, planning a private party, bringing people together to promote and support local law enforcement or working on any number of other special events. I enjoy world travel with family, singing with various groups, decorating cakes (when my wrists will allow it), and sharing our photo booth with those celebrating special events. I enjoy a very busy and active life and show no sign of slowing down any time soon!
As you can tell, Kim is passionate about life and her job. When you meet her, you will notice that right away about her. Transit Air Cargo is proud to have her as the Field Operations Manager
Be sure to check back next week, when Transit Air Cargo introduces you to Lauren Chapman, the Field Operations Supervisor.
