29-30 September 2018 Tradestand Guide to Judging and Presentation Before completing the application, please read through this document. It explains: 1. Tradestand selection criteria 2. Required presentation standards 3. New tradestand assessment and judging process 1. Tradestand Selection Criteria The following criteria are applied to the selection of tradestand exhibits: Relevance and quality of product Balance of product categories within the show Permanent business address, quality website, clear contact details Stand design including imaginative use of plant material Courteous, professional and friendly staff Good after-sales service including order fulfilment Tradestand awards record with Three Counties Absence of complaints made and compliance with regulations Prompt payment of show invoices Sufficient staffing levels during show open hours Geographical relevance Support for RHS Three Counties shows
2. Required Presentation Criteria The following are positive and negative points that should be considered when designing a trade stand. They also offer guidance for judging criteria. Positive Design Features Creativity Presentation Design Plant material incorporated into the display is of good quality and imaginatively used The finish of the display is good The customer is able to safely and without difficulty (crowds permitting) see the display, if possible with easy An original and innovative approach to the presentation of the display Good and imaginative use has been made of the site Where relevant, eg in the case of pots and statuary, products are presented in such a way as to provide new and imaginative ideas for their use. With regard to conservatories, structures are displayed in such a way as to stimulate the viewer s imagination in terms of variety of usage The design and presentation of the stand makes the products and/or services offered by the exhibitor easily identifiable and their usage clear Any related literature is displayed tidily and is easily accessible Labelling is clearly and neatly printed and presented, and not obtrusive Products are displayed in such a way as to provide guidance on their use access on to the stand Maximum use is made of the whole display area. Attention should be paid to the overall dressing of the stand, in particular to the side and back walls above eye-level, where appropriate, to the ceiling The stand is tidy and free of any items not directly related to the display (such as briefcases, tools, food etc) and the storage area (if applicable) is artfully concealed Where relevant, good and sympathetic use has been made of common boundaries by exhibitors with adjacent site Where applicable, an educational aspect is demonstrated Products are displayed in such a way as to provide guidance on their use.
Negative Design Features Stand fixtures and fittings have clearly been designed for use elsewhere and no attempt (or unsatisfactory attempt) has been made to adapt them for an RHS flower show Exhibit is misleading to the public Exhibit build, features or fittings are of poor quality Signage/labelling is brash in appearance (for example using day-glo colours) or poor quality, obscured or absent Plant material is of poor quality, minimal or absent Too much attention is concentrated on selling strategies and insufficient attention is paid to the quality of the display. Exhibitor has breached tradestand regulations or has spread outside their allocated space Exhibitor has not considered their location within the showground and therefore not created appropriate boundaries or boundary is poorly defined Flooring is of poor quality Artificial plant material is used Storage has not been incorporated into the exhibit Garden furniture and building interiors are not dressed
3. New Tradestand Assessment and Judging Process Tradestands are assessed for the standard of exhibit presentation and awards are made at the show. Exhibitors are encouraged to display their products to the highest standard. Assessment results will be taken into consideration when allocating space at all future shows. Assessment results are not an endorsement of the product/services on display, they are awarded for the presentation of the exhibit. Award Categories Award Awarded for Awarded Best in show The tradestand with the highest standard of presentation at the show Best tradestand in show trophy 5 star Exceptional presentation 5 star certificate 4 star Excellent presentation 4 star certificate 3 star Good presentation 3 star certificate Good Poor An acceptable standard of presentation Standard of presentation does not meet required levels Letter Letter
Tradestand Presentation The following are examples of what we would consider to be a minimum standard of exhibit presentation. If in doubt please contact us for further guidance: Notes: Neat and ordered layout, unobtrusive pricing, backdrop, coordinated and appropriate product storage. Award: 3* Notes: Innovative and appropriate stand design, good use of colours, good use of plants Award: 3*
Notes: Well considered layout, excellent use of plants, well presented staff Award: Best in Show Notes: Innovative way to display product (artificial grass), excellent use of plants / shrubs as backdrop. Award: Sponsor s stand so not included in judging
Notes: Well considered layout, good use of plants and patio. Award: 4* Notes: Good use of stand space and appropriate for island space (good view from all sides), good use of plants. Well thought design. Award: 3*
Notes: Excellent use of planting, impressive effort to build a garden as part of the stand design. Award: Best in Show Notes: Appropriate and creative backdrop and storage of product, good use of planting to detail use of product, product information well presented, appropriately dressed staff. Award: Silver