FAQ

Questions about the company

• Who is MEPLAN?

  The MEPLAN company was founded in 1986 and has belonged to the Messe München International group since 2002.
  
  Our competence is based on the individual expertise and experience of more than 50 employees. Our multidisciplinary team of experts, made up of project managers, designers, architects, and communications specialists supports our clients worldwide to enable them to achieve their communication goals at trade fairs.

• What makes MEPLAN different from other booth construction companies?

  Through our many years of experience in the design and construction of booths for exhibitors at trade fairs all over the world we have learned what really counts for our customers. With our fully-comprehensive service we can offer every company a tailor-made, intelligent solution to enable goals to be reached more quickly, more easily and more reliably.
  
  To complement our booth construction service we offer consultancy, training programs and software tools to boost the success of trade fair participation.
  
  The planning, design and implementation of a supporting program of events for our customers' participation in the trade fair round off our service.

• Can I book electricity and other technical services through MEPLAN?

  MEPLAN supports its customers with the planning of their trade fair participation down to the smallest detail. We would be happy to assist you in completing and submitting the order forms for any of the technical services (electricity, water, booth security, cleaning, etc.) offered by the trade fair organizers.

• What kind of services do the MEPLAN Lounge and the IBC provide?

  The IBC (International Business Center) offers exhibitors and visitors the perfect technical infrastructure for carrying out important work processes (photocopying, faxing, internet access) during the trade fair.
  In addition to that, the elegant ambience and the relaxed atmosphere of the business lounge in the IBC provide exhibitors with a sophisticated setting for conversations with customers, intensive work sessions, meetings and exclusive evening events. The IBC is located on the trade fair premises in the Atrium in front of hall B3.

• How far in advance should I plan my booth?

  The earlier the better! Ideally, you should start planning your booth as soon as you have registered for a particular trade fair.
  That way we can ensure that you get the booth you want, tailored exclusively to your requirements and the goals you have set for your participation at the fair.

• What information does MEPLAN need in order to calculate an offer and why?

  The more information you can provide us with, the easier it is for us to make an accurate offer.
  In particular we need details of the size of the booth area, the location of the trade fair and the overall purpose of your participation.
  Additionally, information regarding your approximate budget can help us to develop ideas which are suited to your finances.

• Will my booth automatically be guarded overnight? Is my booth automatically insured? Where can I get a security guard, how much will it cost, and what do I need to be aware of?

  The surveillance of booths is a service provided by the respective trade fair organization. Like all other technical services (water, electricity, cleaning and so on) it has to be booked separately.
  We will gladly assist our customers in completing the order forms.
  
  Please note that booking a security guard does not automatically insure all items of value on your booth against theft. The extent of the security company's liability depends on the ratio of booth size to number of security guards.
  We therefore recommend that you speak with the security services provider before the fair to ask for information and if necessary arrange for additional booth insurance.

• Can MEPLAN accompany me at international trade fairs?

  Certainly we will support you with all your trade fair projects - anywhere in the world. We have a worldwide network and partner companies and can therefore guarantee you consistently high quality in the design, implementation and supervision of your trade fair presentation.

• Can MEPLAN assist me beyond the actual booth construction?

  MEPLAN is your full-service partner for trade fair success.
  In addition to our booth construction services we offer consultancy, training programs and software tools to further the success of trade fair participation.
  The planning, design and implementation of a supporting program of events for our customers' participation in the trade fair round off our service.
  The success of our customers' participation at trade fairs is very important to us: only if our customers are successful will they consider trade fair participation as a long-term marketing tool.

Questions about general trade fair (booth construction) topics

• Is it necessary to get a permit from the trade fair organizers if we want to play recorded music at our booth?

  In accordance with paragraph 15 of the German copyright law of September 9, 1965 it is necessary to obtain the permission of GEMA (the German society for the representation of rights regarding musical performances and mechanical duplication) if you wish to play recorded music at your booth.
  If you intend to, among other things, make use of music or audio-visual playback, or conduct celebrations at your booth, these must be registered in advance.
  The appropriate forms for applying for a GEMA permit are available from the trade fair organizers.
  We will gladly assist our customers in completing the forms.

• Do we need the fair organizer's authorization for events at our booth?

  Yes, events at the booth need prior authorization. If you are planning to hold an event at your booth, contact us and our events department will help you design unique event ideas to put across your message, thoroughly entertain your visitors, and create a memorable experience for them.

• Can we determine the location of our booth at the trade fair?

  In principal it is possible to influence where it's located. You can class your products and services into specific topic areas defined in the trade fair nomenclature. The trade fair organizers assign spaces according to the information you give them. If you have in mind a specific location in a hall, it is best to contact the project managers of the respective trade fair in person.

• Is it possible to get my booth staff specially prepared / trained for a trade fair?

  It is extremely important to have all booth staff properly prepared for trade fair participation and it is one of the key factors which will influence your success at the fair.
  For this purpose MEPLAN offers seminars and training events which will optimally prepare you and your booth staff for the challenge of a trade fair. We work together with you to develop guidelines to help you fully exploit the success potential of trade fair communication.

• Are there checklists / other means of support for trade fair planning?

  We are more than happy to assist you in planning for a fair. MEPLAN's customers have access to information about trade fair planning, implementation and postprocessing in an individual download section. There are checklists, recommendations and suggestions which have been proven in practice and assist exhibitors in organizing a successful trade fair presentation.
  
  In addition to this we have developed a trade fair planning tool which can be individually configurated to give our customers timely reminders of the most important tasks and processes in their trade fair preparations.

• Do I have to organize booth lighting separately?

  If you have booked your trade fair booth using MEPLAN's booth configurator then you can rest assured that basic lighting is included. The connection to the electricity mains needs to be ordered separately from the trade fair organizers. We would be happy to assist you in completing and submitting the respective order forms.
  if you wish to highlight or put special focus on certain exhibits, or you wish to use the booth lighting as a design element in itself, then contact your project manager who will gladly advise you.

• What happens to the booth after the trade fair?

  MEPLAN will take care of dismantling your booth, unless you have explicitly agreed otherwise.
  The disassembly only applies to the booth and equipment rented specifically through MEPLAN. We will dispose of any other items remaining on the booth on the final day after the close of the fair. If you require us to store any items from your fair presentation, we will need appropriate instructions before the fair closes.

Questions about system booths

• Does MEPLAN also offer the technical equipment needed on trade fair booths?

  Of course! Technical equipment plays an important role on your booth.
  As a full-service trade fair contractor we can offer you all sorts of possibilities in this area - and with extremely favourable terms.

• How will MEPLAN help me in the preparation stage?

  Your personal project manager will definitely assist you particularly intensive through the critical stages leading up to the fair.
  MEPLAN has also developed an internet-based tool especially for the build-up phase:
  Open items, small changes and repeat orders can be dealt with very effectively and transparently. Your project manager and our quality assurance always have an eye on the open items and can ensure that these are taken care of as quickly as possible.

• When does the booth handover take place?

  It is best to agree the date and time of the handover personally with your MEPLAN project manager. Since the requirements and general conditions can vary greatly from fair to fair, it is not possible to give a universally valid answer to this question. Usually the handover takes place 1 or 2 days before the start of the fair.

• Can I use a different floor covering than the standard carpet?

  Certainly you can specify the floor covering you require. Your project manager can advise you on this.

• How will I know what additional equipment I'll need?

  If you are not quite sure what equipment you will need for your booth, simply ask your MEPLAN project manager. Our project managers supervise more than 10,000 booths a year and will gladly pass on their experience to you through recommendations, suggestions and hints.

Questions about design booths

• How is the price for a design booth calculated?

  The main factors influencing the cost of an individually planned design booth are: the size of the booth, the materials used, the complexity of the styling, the number of levels/floors, technical equipment, lighting design, to name just a few.

• Can we approach MEPLAN with a predesigned concept?

  If you already have a clear idea or even a complete booth concept, we would be happy to assist you in the optimization and realization of your trade fair project.

• What is the procedure for developing the booth design?

  On the basis of discussions with the customer our experienced design experts propose booth concepts which are orientated towards achieving the communication goals. These concepts are refined during a process of fine-tuning until the perfect solution is reached.
  MEPLAN's feedback system with milestones ensures a transparent planning phase and will show you the current status of the project at all times.

• What information does MEPLAN need in order to create a proposal?

  In order to draft a booth proposal our design team needs as much information as possible about the communication goals of your trade fair participation (target groups, corporate design requirements, new concept versus redevelopment of "old" concepts) and about the general basic conditions (trade fair, size of presentation, budget).

• What does it cost to design a trade fair booth?

  Design is an integral part of the trade fair booth service. We devote our resources to the development of ideas and their visual realization and therefore have to include them in the calculation. There are, however, ways of minimizing the costs. It is essential that you brief us about your communication intentions and the general conditions. The more precise the information you give us in the preparation stages, the fewer resources we will need.

Questions about the online configurator

• Is the information I put into the configurator binding?

  MEPLAN's booth configurator gives you the possibility to assemble your trade fair booth online with no obligation. You can choose from over 100 different booth types. In just four simple steps we can calculate online the cost of your booth including equipment.
  You can have your individual quote sent to you as a PDF file, or you can book the booth of your choice directly online - whichever you prefer.

• Can I plan my booth without giving details of a particular trade fair?

  You can still plan your booth even if you have no particular trade fair in mind. Just select any one trade fair and follow the steps in the configurator. At the final step, select "please send current configuration". This will provide you with a non-binding quote; you will receive from us no additional correspondence, and you are not obligated in any way.
  We reserve the right in this instance to recalculate the offer if you make a definite request for a booth, since the prices of trade fairs not included in our standard program can differ from the ones within.

• Can I choose other colors than those given in the configurator (carpet, header panel text, etc.)

  Your trade fair presentation should be as individual as you want it to be. Certainly you can select the colors on your booth to correspond 100% with your corporate identity. Special colors can lead to changes in the cost structure, so we would ask you to discuss your ideas with your MEPLAN project manager.