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London, England
Value Added Tax
➤ VAT in London is 20 percent, and it is charged on most goods imported into or purchased in the United Kingdom. A 5-percent duty tax is often applied to shipments as well.
➤ Exhibitors can recover most VAT charges by submitting the appropriate forms to HM Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk), but enlisting a tax expert is advised.
➤ An ATA Carnet may be used to avoid VAT on items that will not remain in the United Kingdom.
Voltage
➤ London operates on 240 volts, and electric sockets require either the standard round two-prong European plug or a rectangular three-prong plug.
➤ Adapters for each plug style are easily obtained from the show-services desk or local stores, but it is advisable to bring transformers from home.
Garbage
➤ Booth cleaning can be ordered from the show organizer, and exhibitors can contract with the venue for garbage handling.
Cellphones
➤ Arrange an international calling plan from your provider before arriving in London.
➤ Alternately, a prepaid phone, an international calling card, or a SIM card can be purchased at the airport or at local kiosks.
Shipping
➤ To allow adequate time for port handling, customs, etc., ocean freight should be scheduled to arrive at least seven days before it is required at an exhibition. Airfreight shipments should arrive at least five days in advance.
➤ Airfreight shipments to London can take two to three days. Ocean freight can take one month.
Music
➤ Permission to play music should be obtained from show organizers, and volume restrictions are enforced. Royalties may be required.
Emergencies
➤ Dial 999 for all emergencies in London.
Payments
➤ U.K. exhibit houses are typically paid via bank transfer. Common terms require 50 to 80 percent payment upon acceptance of the agreement.
➤ Some vendors accept credit cards, but it is not uncommon for them to add a 3-percent fee.
Greetings and Culture
➤ A handshake with a friendly "Hello" is appropriate.
➤ You should not address people by their first names unless they have invited you to do so.
➤ Respecting personal space and presenting a calm demeanor are very important in English culture. The English may be put off by overly loud or close conversations.
➤ Business cards are typically exchanged at the end of a conversation or meeting.
Hospitality
➤ In-booth hospitality is common in large exhibits, which typically have some sort of bar or lounge for visitors. Very large companies may serve full meals, and others often provide finger sandwiches and canapés along with an assortment of hot and cold beverages.
➤ While hospitality is less elaborate in small booths, most serve coffee, soft drinks, and candies or snack mixes.
➤ Alcohol is common on the show floor, with beer most often served. Exhibitors at some shows will host happy hours in their exhibits. Refer to the show manual for regulations.
Language
➤ English is obviously the native language in London, and though many immigrants live there, it is universally spoken in the business community.
➤ Signs and literature should be printed with British English spellings. For example, in Great Britain, the American English spelling of catalog would be catalogue, organize would be organise, and labor is spelled labour.
Staff Attire
➤ Business suits are standard for both men and women, although London style is trending toward chic, less-formal attire.
➤ It is advised that staffers remove piercings other than earrings, and tattoos should be concealed unless you are at a show serving an industry where such adornments are somewhat common.
Venues and Resources
➤ ExCel London ( www.excel-london.co.uk) is the largest exhibit venue in the city, with 1.1 million square feet of meeting and exhibition space including 700,000 square feet of column-free exhibit halls. The venue also has five on-site hotels and more than 40 restaurants and bars attached.
➤ The Olympia Conference Centre has more than 500,000 square feet of event space divided into two halls and three large meeting rooms. The venue, which is four miles west of downtown London, is flanked by hotels, restaurants, and public transportation options.
➤ The Event Suppliers and Services Association ( www.essa.uk.com) is a trade association representing contractors and suppliers of goods and services to the events industry.
Installation and Dismantle
➤ London does not have labor unions, and drayage is not charged at shows held in the United Kingdom.
➤ Exhibitors may set up their own booths, though they may be required to contract the venue's labor for rigging, mechanized equipment, and electricity.
➤ Most exhibit houses and contractors will quote a turnkey price for services, but exhibitors should ask whether any quote is subject to overage charges for labor.
➤ You will need to provide booth plans to the show organizer prior to exhibiting, and an engineer usually must approve the safety of the structure.
➤ Exhibit fabrics must carry a Class 1 fireproof rating.
➤ Walls extending higher than 8 feet must be covered on both sides.
➤ Regulations can differ significantly from one trade show to the next, and exhibitors should be careful to consult the show manual.
General Facts and Tips
➤ London's subway, called the London Underground or the Tube, is an efficient means of travel. If you need to take multiple rides on the subway, purchase an Oyster card for discounted fares.
➤ When traveling in groups of four or more, taking a taxi will be cheaper than four adult fares on the Tube.
➤ Hotels within walking distance of major convention centers are plentiful, although the venues are also accessible from downtown London hotels within approximately 15 minutes.
➤ Making the peace sign with your palm facing you is an insulting gesture in the United Kingdom.
➤ Be sure to carry a portable umbrella with you in London, as rain is frequent.
➤ Ask show organizers for permission to play music in your booth. Royalties should be paid to one of several music-licensing organizations.
➤ London has multiple airports. Heathrow and London City are the closest and most accessible to the city center. Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted are farther away and require longer travel times.
SOURCES
Fabricio Amilibia, general manager, AAG Workshop, Sáo Paulo, Brazil; Alejandro Blitstein, president, Dodecaedro Group, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Anselmo Carvalho, founder and CEO, ExpoSolutions Brasil, Sáo Paulo, Brazil; Paco Collazo Garcia, general manager, Sistemas de Exposición, Cancun, Mexico; Monika Detemple, commercial director, PromoBox Group, Sáo Paulo, Brazil; Christopher Dorn, president, Idea International Inc., Osaka, Japan; Jeff Hannah, vice president of international interiors and creative, Exhibit Concepts Inc., Vandalia, OH; Tim Matthews, owner, OX2P Creative Communications, London, United Kingdom; James Prescott, senior project manager, GLS Design Ltd., Farnham, United Kingdom; Andrew Sexton, creative director and partner, 2LK Design Ltd., Guidford, United Kingdom; Jeannine Swan, owner, Global Exhibit Management, Fort Worth, TX; Jenny Town, director of sales and marketing, Expo Partners, Shanghai, China; Mariska van Dasselaar, internal office coordinator, The Inside, Deventer, Netherlands; Xiaoyang Wang, Asia Pacific account executive, Skyline Exhibits, Shanghai, China; Jamie Zavoral-Brown, business development director North America, Bray Leino Events, Devon, United Kingdom
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