The characteristics of general trade logistics include standardization, electronic informationization, automatic intelligence and globalization, which are all possessed by exhibition logistics. However, unlike general logistics, exhibition logistics only refers to the transportation of exhibits, with different supply chain links and components, different focus of reverse logistics and different marketing channels.
1. Different supply chain links
General trade logistics refers to the procurement, transportation, packaging, circulation processing, distribution and other links of raw materials by manufacturing enterprises or traders, and finally transporting them to the destination. Exhibition logistics refers to the transportation process of transporting exhibition logistics and related auxiliary materials from exhibitors to exhibition halls, and returning them to exhibitors or exhibit buyers after the exhibition. Therefore, the focus of exhibition logistics is on the transportation of exhibits and exhibits, and does not involve original village procurement and product production. The supply chain of exhibition logistics is shorter.
2. Different supply chain composition
The supply chain composition of general trade logistics includes manufacturers, wholesalers, agents, retailers and consumers. Since there are many objects involved in the supply chain chain and the chain is long, it is relatively stable once formed. In exhibition logistics, the supply chain relationship is mainly composed of exhibition organizers, exhibition organizers, exhibitors and exhibition halls. When the exhibition ends, the reverse logistics of exhibits is completed, and the supply chain relationship will also end or be re-formed.
3. The focus of reverse logistics is different
General trade logistics mainly focuses on product returns and recycling of waste items, and the demand for reverse logistics is relatively small. In exhibition logistics, there is a wide demand for reverse logistics. Most exhibits will be returned to exhibitors in their original state. The time, cost and operation process required for the return process are basically the same as those for the outbound journey.
4. Different changes in property rights
General product logistics is accompanied by business flow, that is, the transfer of property rights during the buying and selling transaction process. In the entire process of exhibition logistics, the ownership and use rights of the exhibits belong to the exhibitors and have not changed.
5. Different timeliness requirements
Exhibition logistics is particularly important for timeliness control. It has a strong phased nature in time and is bidirectional and uncertain in demand. This requires exhibition logistics service providers to put timeliness first in the selection of solutions. For example, try to choose direct flights for shipping schedules and direct flights for air routes. For example, the timeliness of unpacking and warehousing services in Africa is poor and uncontrollable. Exhibition logistics service providers should not choose LCL transportation. Therefore, the key to whether the exhibition can be successfully held is how to meet the exhibitors’ various emergency needs in a specific time. Whether the exhibits can arrive at the booth on time and without damage has a great impact on the success of the exhibition.
6. Different safety requirements for goods
General trade logistics is loaded at the factory and unloaded at the destination, and the number of handling and loading and unloading is not much. Exhibition logistics has many transportation links, and the number of loading and unloading, handling, and customs inspections are more than 4 times that of general trade logistics. Therefore, there are special requirements for packaging.
7. Different repeatability of the process
Once a relatively stable supply chain relationship is formed in general trade logistics, it will be continuously repeated or optimized on this chain, with continuity and repeatability. However, for exhibition logistics, each exhibition activity is specific and not repeatable. Past experience is only for reference, and the organization plan and logistics plan must always be innovative.