EMEA Blog

Exhibitor Customer Services: The Organiser’s Secret Stress Test

Written by GES Marketing | Oct 22, 2025 2:32:17 PM

Ask any organiser what keeps them awake at night, and it isn’t (just) visitor numbers. It’s exhibitor emails.

“Where’s my order form?”

“Can I change my graphics?”

“Why is my socket in the wrong place?”

Exhibitor customer services are the hidden frontline of every event. If exhibitors feel ignored, confused, or abandoned, they blame the organiser - and they don’t rebook. But when handled well, customer services become a quiet asset: exhibitors feel supported, deadlines are hit, and organisers get fewer panicked calls.

Friction is fatal

Exhibitors already juggle product launches, staff training, and travel plans. Add a confusing manual or a late response, and frustration grows fast. Frustration doesn’t just cost goodwill - it costs rebookings.

Pro tip: Exhibitors are often making amendments even when the event is open – make sure you enable their success by providing them with on-site support.

➡️ Did you know? We call all exhibitors who haven’t placed an order before their show begins to cut friction before it starts.

A service desk that feels like a partner

Exhibitors don’t want to be “processed.” They want to be heard. A quick, helpful response tells them: you matter. An ignored email tells them: you don’t. It’s that simple.

Pro tip: Set service level agreements for exhibitor responses. Consistency matters more than speed.

➡️ Did you know? Our exhibitor services team provide dedicated on-site desks, phone lines, and online help - so exhibitors never feel abandoned.

Multilingual support is not optional

In European shows, English is often the default. But default doesn’t mean comfortable. Exhibitors who can ask questions in their own language are exhibitors who feel confident, not marginalised.

Pro tip: Map your exhibitor base. If 20% come from one country, make sure that language is covered by your customer services team.

➡️ Did you know? Our exhibitor services cover over 20 languages, helping exhibitors feel at home wherever they are in the world.

Data as a feedback loop

Every question asked by an exhibitor is also an organiser insight. Dozens of queries about deadlines mean your comms aren’t working. Repeated confusion over stand packages means the offer isn’t clear.

Pro tip: Track FAQs and feed them into your planning cycle. They’re a roadmap for improvement.

➡️ Did you know? We provide organisers with reporting from service desks - turning noise into actionable data.

Exhibitor customer services may never trend on social media. But they determine whether exhibitors leave your show thinking: “that was smooth” or “never again.”

Handled badly, they’re chaos. Handled well, they’re the difference between a one-off exhibitor and a lifetime client.

👉 If you want exhibitor services that cut friction, add confidence, and keep rebookings healthy, talk to us.