10-13 May 2018

Tradestand Guide to Judging and Presentation at RHS

Malvern Spring Festival 2018

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 (preference given to garden related and

horticultural products)

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 / RHS

Absence of complaints made to Three Counties / RHS and compliance with Three

Counties / RHS regulations

Prompt payment of show invoices

Sufficient staffing levels during show open hours

Geographical relevance

Support for RHS and 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 access on to the stand

An original and innovative approach to the presentation of the display

Any related literature is displayed tidily and is easily accessible

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

Good and imaginative use has been made of the site

Labelling is clearly and neatly printed and presented, and not obtrusive

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, 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.

Products are displayed in such a way as to provide guidance on their use

Where relevant, good and sympathetic use has been made of common boundaries by exhibitors with adjacent site

With regard to conservatories, structures are displayed in such a way as to stimulate the viewer’s imagination in terms of variety of usage

Where applicable, an educational aspect is demonstrated

The design and presentation of the stand makes the products and/or services offered by the exhibitor easily identifiable and their usage clear

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. Stand is presented in a tradeshow style, not appropriate for a flower show

Too much emphasis on non-horticultural elements eg fitted kitchens, sitting room furniture etc

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 RHS 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

4 star Excellent presentation 4 star certificate

3 star High quality presentation 3 star certificate

Good A good standard of presentation

Letter delivered at the show

Poor Standard of presentation does not meet required levels

Letter delivered at the show

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: RHS 3*

Notes: Innovative and appropriate stand design, good use of colours, good use of plants

Award: RHS 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: RHS 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: RHS 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