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Published on Thursday, October 2, 2014

Nickels and Dimes

Some friends from Germany recently visited the U.S. for the first time. We were happy that their first stop was Chicago. It was good to see them and it provided an opportunity to show off the city. They were impressed with Lake Michigan’s beautiful shoreline, restaurants, the museums and the architecture.

 

Nickels and DimesThe one negative comment they expressed was, when purchasing something, the price was more at check out than what was posted or tagged. Also, they were surprised that extra charges for their hotel were not included in the original reservation.

 

“Sales and hotel tax,” I said. I also explained taxes varied by city and state, and by certain items like food, drinks and medicine. “Americans are just used to it. We call it being ‘nickeled and dimed’.”

 

Two articles crossed my desk recently. Not earth-shattering, world impact stuff, but enough to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up a little. The first article was about Marriott openly urging guests to tip the hotel cleaning staff.

 

TippingI get it, and when traveling, I do make it a habit to leave a little something for the folks who clean up after me. When more hangers or towels are needed, or a service worker goes out of their way to take care of a special request, that extra effort should be rewarded.

 

As the article explains, here was a large corporation admitting that in order to keep their costs down, they were relying on customers to pony up more cash on the back end. Yeah, what’s a couple of extra bucks a day? It might be nickels and dimes to Marriott, but it starts to add up to their guests. What was always viewed as an option (tipping) is being turned into ‘shame on you if you don’t’. 

 

Baltimore Convention CenterGuess what? It’s also happening in the trade show and exhibit world. Just when conventions and meetings are starting to pick up again, this article shows up.

 

 

Install and DismantleWe’ve seen it before, certain general contractors charging a fee to use an EAC (exhibitor appointed contractor) at an event they are managing. It happens infrequently, but I would hate to see it become a standard practice. Hats off to the E2MA (Exhibit and Event Marketers Association) and Exhibit City News for reporting and publicizing the issue.

 

It’s difficult enough to establish and follow budgets for an event. When after-the-fact fees and charges pop up, it adds to the frustration of the exhibitor and their vendor partners, and fuels the notion that our industry is one filled with hidden and unpredictable charges.

 

Install and DismantleSo, before we get accustomed to special taxes or surcharges, we need to continually question these types of fees. While it is understandable that some costs cannot be determined up front, I don’t see a problem as long as estimated costs are clearly identified and not hidden.

 

Being ‘nickeled and dimed’ time and time again can overshadow an overall positive experience, and leave a lasting impression. Just ask our friends from Germany.

 

 Steve Moskal

 

Nickels and Dimes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (0)Number of views (3384)

Author: Steve Moskal

Categories: EAC, I&D

Tags: Conventions , Surcharges

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Steve Moskal
Steve Moskal

Steve Moskal

Other posts by Steve Moskal
Contact author Full biography

Full biography

Steve’s journey in the trade show and event world started in 1983 with one of the original Nomadic Display sales organizations in North America. In 1994, he co-founded Prairie Display/Chicago.

Steve was an Allied Board Member of TSEA (Trade Show Exhibitors Association) from 2007 to 2011 and recipient of the TSEA President’s Award in 2009. He also served as Financial Chair of the Midwest Exhibit and Event Professionals (formerly the Chicago chapter of TSEA) and as a commissioner with the Elmhurst Economic Development Commission from 2011 to 2016. Currently he is Vice President of Education for the Addison/Elmhurst, IL Toastmasters Club.

When not working with customers and co-workers at Prairie, you can find him trying to spend more time biking and pursuing other creative endeavors. Steve lives in Oak Brook, IL with his beautiful and equally understanding wife of 26 years, Shelley.

Steve is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, with a B.A. in Journalism and a Fine Arts minor.

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