Supply Chains

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Supply Chains

We asked 10 experts to share their views and opinions on supply-chain issues.

"We're using more in-stock rental properties in our designs and keeping a greater stock of 'often-used' materials to buffer supply and delivery issues."
— Dominic D'Ambrosio, senior vice president, global operations, Spiro, a Global Experience Specialists Inc. (GES) company

"Some say the problems may end in 2023, but we haven't felt it yet. Materials continue to be difficult to procure, costs continue to go up, and rentals are harder to find."
— Sharon Crichton, chief operating officer, Jack Morton Worldwide Inc.

"It's gotten to the point where it's difficult to dedicate scarce parts for displays rather than customer orders. We're sourcing hard-to-find components from eBay and online vendors."
— Chad Stover, CTSM, technical marketing manager, The Conair Group

"It's a game-time decision: buy extra material, pay more than what was budgeted, and find a workaround."
— Amy Freed Humber, vice president of sales, Communication Exhibits Inc.

"We will no longer ship via ocean freight (we could swim things there ourselves faster), and we must be more proactive in our purchasing and inventory levels."
— Jason Weddle, CEO, Hamilton Exhibits LLC

"I don't think supply-chain problems are overhyped. They're ever-changing, so it's easy to forget about them until you need some random thing and come to find it's not readily available. "
— Janet Dusenberry, CTSM, event marketing specialist

"Our account teams are providing realistic timelines to launch projects earlier and achieve milestones sooner to account for the delays."
— Alli Hughes, marketing manager, Derse Inc.

"Over the past couple years, portable exhibit frames coming from Asia have often been delayed, with many stuck on containers ships."
— Steve Riches, principal, Laguna Displays Inc.

"We're having some trouble locating specific promotional items and have had to settle for other substitutes. I've started exploring options and placing orders a full year in advance."
— Annette McClure, CTSM, CSEP, account manager, trade shows and events, marketing and public relations, Nationwide Children's Hospital

"One issue we have is that the pricing for some materials we usually buy – lumber, acrylics, etc. – fluctuates rapidly. This creates more issues with managing costs for each project."
— Scott Arbogast, president and co-founder, ExhibiTeam