Unleashing the Potential of Event Shipping Containers:
A Comprehensive Guide
BMarko Structures offers you a better way to promote your business at your next event. Modified shipping containers deliver a unique first impression to your customers and leave a lasting impression for your brand. Our shipping containers for events are 100% custom-built. Get started on your new event shipping container, today!
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In the dynamic world of event planning, organizers are constantly seeking innovative solutions to create memorable experiences. One such trend that has gained significant traction in recent years is the utilization of event shipping containers. These versatile structures provide a unique and customizable space for hosting a wide range of events, from pop-up shops and exhibitions to festivals and corporate gatherings.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the myriad benefits of event shipping containers, delve into the various types and configurations available, highlight successful case studies, and provide valuable insights for event planners looking to leverage this trend. By the end, you’ll have a thorough understanding of why event shipping containers are revolutionizing the industry and how you can utilize them to elevate your events to new heights.
The Rise of Event Shipping Containers
Event shipping containers have emerged as a game-changer in the event planning industry, offering a multitude of benefits that conventional venues often lack. One of the key reasons for their increasing popularity is their versatility. Event planners have recognized the potential of shipping containers as blank canvases that can be transformed into unique event spaces.
Unlike traditional venues, event shipping containers provide a cost-effective solution. Renting or constructing a brick-and-mortar location can incur substantial expenses, while shipping containers offer a budget-friendly alternative. Furthermore, these containers are often made from recycled materials, making them an environmentally sustainable choice.
Types and Configurations of Shipping Container Event Space
Event shipping containers come in various types and configurations, each with its own set of advantages and design possibilities. Standard containers, also known as dry containers, are the most common type. These containers are durable, weather-resistant, and can be easily modified to suit specific event requirements.
High cube containers, on the other hand, provide additional vertical space, allowing for creative design elements such as elevated stages or multi-level setups. Adding HVAC into containers are ideal for events that require temperature-controlled environments, such as food festivals or art exhibitions.
The flexibility of event shipping containers allows for endless configurations. Containers can be stacked to create multi-story structures, connected to form larger event spaces, or transformed into open-air setups by removing sections of the walls. Modular designs are also gaining popularity, offering the ability to expand or shrink the event space as needed.
What are the Benefits of Event Shipping Containers?
Mobile
Shipping containers come in a few different sizes. But they’re all sized to fit on trucks and trailers. So you can move your container from location to location. A major sporting event one week, a music festival the next.
Fast To Manufacture
Once we have your design, we can start manufacturing your event sea can right away. Because we build indoors, there are never any weather delays! BMarko Structures offers the fastest lead times in the industry.
Customizable
You dream it. Your architect designs it. We build it! (Remember to think about accessibility when you talk about your ideas with your designer.)
Easy To Set Up
Once your container is placed on-site, just open the doors or windows and you’re ready to roll.
Cool
There’s no denying the coolness factor of a corrugated shipping container with its funky industrial vibe. (But if that’s not the look you’re going for, it’s all customizable!)
Durable
Sea containers are tough! They’re designed to safely store goods while withstanding rough seas with other full containers stacked on top of them! Your event container will last a long time.
Upcycled
A 40’ shipping container is made of 8000lbs of steel. Many containers sit unused after a handful of trips across the ocean. You can exercise your green cred and put that steel to good use in your shipping container marketing events!
Weather-Resistant
If it gets windy, you’d need to pack up a tent. You can also have HVAC in your event storage container to accommodate heat and cold. And rain is no problem.
Secure Storage
In between events, anything you use for your marketing experience can be safely stored inside the container (unlike a tent and table which have to be stored somewhere).
Appeal To Different Market Segments
Your high street brick and mortar store might appeal to boomers, but you might want to attract millennials with your pop-up store.
What are the Applications for Shipping Containers for Events?
You can use your modified shipping container at many kinds of events and in many different locations (with the necessary permissions of course!). Here are some examples:
- Trade shows/expos
- Festivals
- Concerts
- Sporting events
- Public parks and spaces
- College campuses
- Public transit hubs
- Malls and shopping centers
- Pop-up food courts
- Theme parks
You can also use your experiential marketing shipping container for all sorts of activities. Here are some examples:
- Classes and workshops
- Product testing/tasting
- Photo booths
- Movie Projection Screens (seen above)
- Giveaways
- Competitions or games
- Karaoke
- Art installations
- Art/craft creation
- Virtual reality
- Product launch
- Connecting with a niche audience (e.g. environmentalists, ancient coin collectors, or Atlanta Hawks fans)
Tips for Planning with Event Shipping Containers
When incorporating event shipping containers into your event planning process, there are several key considerations to keep in mind. First, ensure that you have the necessary permits and comply with local regulations for hosting events in temporary structures. Consult with local authorities to address any potential challenges or requirements.
Designing the interior space of the shipping container is crucial for creating an immersive experience. Consider the event’s theme, branding, and target audience when selecting color schemes, furniture, lighting, and signage. Creative use of space optimization techniques, such as utilizing vertical space or incorporating modular furniture, can make the most of the container’s compact dimensions.
Collaborate with experienced professionals who specialize in event shipping container modifications. Their expertise will ensure that the containers are transformed safely and efficiently, meeting all necessary structural, electrical, and safety requirements.
What’s the Construction and Transportation Process for a Event Container?
Once we have your designer’s drawings, we’ll manufacture your event container in our facility. We’ll cut windows and doors, add insulation, flooring, put in any HVAC equipment you need, create the internal and external finishes, add graphics and signage. Our factory paint booth is 37,500 cubic feet — one of the largest in the southeast.
The size of your container will affect the transportation and placing options available to you. A small container can be towed on a trailer by a pick-up truck, and put into place with a forklift. A larger container may need to be towed by a semi-truck. To place the container, you might use a self-offloading trailer or a mechanical lift. In certain circumstances, a crane might be your best option.
What you use for transportation and placement will depend on the size of your container, the locations you’ll be placing it, and your budget. We’re happy to provide information and advice about this.
How To Get The Most From an Event Container
Remember, experiential marketing is marketing — not only something fun and creative. This means that, in some way or another, your activities need to support sales. Event marketing is typically thought of as a top-of-the-funnel strategy — creating brand or product awareness, rather than closing sales. However, if you can gather contact information at your shipping container expo event, or get people to sign up to a newsletter, you’ve created the potential to move them further into your sales and marketing funnel.
So, let’s start with collecting people’s contact details. Collecting this information is a solid way to demonstrate the ROI of your events. The crucial thing is that you need an enticement that makes people want to give you that information! For example, a fashion brand could have visitors take a photo of themselves and create an avatar. Then they could style the avatar’s hair and dress them in the brand’s clothing items and accessories. Then the brand could ask for a name and email address to send the finished, fully outfitted avatar to.
Think photogenic! If your modified sea can is visually striking, it’s much more likely to be the background for selfies than a boring trade show tent and table! Many brands have a hashtag associated with their events, which makes it easy for selfie-sharers on Instagram or Twitter to promote your brand at the same time! And you can easily count these brand mentions on social media.
Event shipping containers have revolutionized the event industry, offering unparalleled flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. As this trend continues to gain momentum, it is crucial for event planners and organizers to familiarize themselves with the endless possibilities these structures present. By incorporating shipping containers into their events, professionals can create unique, memorable experiences that captivate attendees and differentiate their brands from the competition.
Whether it’s a music festival, corporate event, or community gathering, event shipping containers provide a canvas for creativity and innovation. By embracing this trend, event planners can unlock new realms of possibility and take their events to the next level. So, don’t miss out on the opportunity to harness the power of event shipping containers and create unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impact.
FAQs about Event Shipping Containers
If you’re planning experiential or event marketing for your brand, consider moving away from the typical tent-and-table set-up and using a cool-looking custom shipping container booth to elevate customers’ experiences with your brand. Large, well-known brands such as Coca-Cola and Adidas have chosen to use shipping containers for experiential marketing campaigns. And many small brands have done so too.
Event containers are not primarily about selling products from the container (although that might happen too). They’re about providing customers with valuable experiences.
Those experiences can be straightforward, such as using a simple shipping container trade show booth to allow customers to try out your new product. Or they can be incredibly complex, involving an extensively modified container to provide a state-of-the-art virtual reality experience.
Shipping containers that can be converted into event containers might be new (at most one sea journey) or used. Unsurprisingly, newer sea cans are more expensive. Used shipping containers vary in just how used they are. The more well-used a container is, the cheaper it is to buy — but fixing it up in to usable (and visually stunning!) condition will likely be more expensive than if you’d started with a container in better shape.
A modified shipping container is a sturdy, mobile option that you can use to promote your brand, engage people in the real-life experiences they crave, and draw leads into your marketing and sales funnel.
Event shipping containers can be customized in numerous ways. They can have windows, doors, insulation, electrical systems, climate control, lighting, branding, and even multi-level configurations, depending on the specific event requirements. Ask our experts to see how your wildest imaginations can come true. If you have the budget, we can likely achieve it.
Determining the cost-effectiveness of event shipping containers depends on the specific application and desired modifications. It is essential to consider factors such as the event type and the desired outcome when assessing the financial viability of containerized solutions. While a basic traditional tent venue or a trade show table with a backdrop may be more affordable initially, it’s important to weigh the long-term benefits and unique advantages that event shipping containers can offer.
Event shipping containers are particularly beneficial for companies seeking mobility and a captivating visual impact. If your event requires frequent relocation or aims to create a “WOW” factor that engages and captivates attendees, then opting for a containerized solution can be highly advantageous. The versatility of event shipping containers allows for creative customization and branding opportunities that can set your event apart from the competition.
It’s important to consider the long-term return on investment when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of event shipping containers. While the upfront costs of container modifications may be higher than traditional options, the potential for increased brand recognition, enhanced attendee experience, and the ability to create a unique and memorable event can deliver significant value in the long run.
Ultimately, the decision to choose event shipping containers should be based on a comprehensive evaluation of your event goals, budget, and the specific requirements of your target audience. Consulting with professionals experienced in container modifications can provide valuable insights and help you determine whether event shipping containers are the most cost-effective solution for your event.
vent shipping containers are indeed designed with easy transportation in mind. Their standardized dimensions facilitate seamless movement by land, sea, or air, giving event planners unparalleled flexibility in hosting events at different locations. However, it’s important to note that when setting up containers at the final site, additional considerations and services may be required.
To ensure a smooth installation process, it is advisable to hire a professional general contractor experienced in container modifications. These experts possess the expertise to handle the logistical aspects of container placement and ensure proper assembly. They will oversee tasks such as leveling the ground, securing permits, and coordinating with utility services if needed.
In some cases, depending on the size and placement requirements, a crane or similar equipment may be necessary to position the container accurately. This step ensures safety and guarantees a sturdy foundation for the container structure.
By engaging professionals for container setup, event planners can ensure that all necessary steps are taken to streamline the process and minimize any potential issues. These specialists will work in collaboration with event organizers to create a seamless experience, from transportation to installation, ultimately allowing the event to shine in its chosen location.
Therefore, while event shipping containers offer mobility and versatility, it is recommended to rely on experienced professionals to handle the setup and installation aspects, ensuring a successful and hassle-free event execution.
Yes, event shipping containers come in various sizes, offering flexibility to accommodate different event requirements. The standard sizes for event containers typically range from 20 feet to 40 feet in length, providing ample space for creating immersive event environments. Additionally, high cube containers are available, offering increased vertical space, which can be advantageous for creating multi-level setups or accommodating taller structures.
In special cases, 10-foot containers can also be utilized for events that have more limited space requirements. These smaller containers are compact yet still offer a viable option for hosting intimate gatherings or creating smaller event installations. While they may have a smaller footprint, 10-foot containers can still be customized and transformed to suit the specific needs of the event.
The availability of various container sizes allows event planners to select the most appropriate option based on the scale, nature, and spatial limitations of their events. Whether it’s a large-scale festival, a trade show booth, or an experiential marketing activation, choosing the right container size ensures optimal utilization of space while accommodating the event’s unique objectives.
By considering the range of available sizes, event planners can tailor their container choices to match the specific needs and constraints of their events, ensuring an efficient and effective use of the container space.
Event shipping containers offer tremendous flexibility when it comes to creating event spaces of various sizes. By combining or stacking containers, event planners can seamlessly expand the available space, accommodating both intimate gatherings and large-scale events.
The ability to combine or stack containers allows for the creation of unique layouts and configurations that can be tailored to the specific needs of the event. Whether it’s a multi-room exhibition, a multi-level structure, or a connected series of spaces, event shipping containers provide the versatility to bring these ideas to life.
For intimate gatherings, a single container or a few containers can be utilized to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. These smaller setups can be perfect for pop-up shops, boutique experiences, or small-scale activations that require a more intimate setting.
On the other hand, for larger events, multiple containers can be combined or stacked to provide a spacious and impressive venue. By seamlessly integrating containers, event planners can craft dynamic spaces that cater to larger crowds, such as music festivals, conferences, or trade shows.
The flexibility of event shipping containers also extends to the arrangement and orientation of the containers themselves. Containers can be placed side by side, end to end, or even arranged in a geometric pattern to create eye-catching designs and visually engaging environments.
With the option to combine, stack, and arrange containers creatively, event planners have the freedom to design event spaces that are not only functional but also visually striking. This adaptability allows for endless possibilities in terms of event layout, maximizing the use of space and delivering an unforgettable experience for attendees.
Event planners should check local regulations and obtain necessary permits before using event shipping containers. Local authorities may have specific requirements regarding safety, zoning, and temporary structures. Consulting with professionals experienced in container modifications can help navigate these regulations.
Booking timelines may vary depending on availability and customization requirements. It is advisable to secure event shipping containers well in advance to ensure availability and allow ample time for modifications and preparations to meet the specific needs of the event.
Who Can You Contact for a Custom Event Container?
BMarko Structures is an experienced manufacturer of experiential marketing containers. We’ve worked with major brands — such as Coca-Cola, Mercedes, and Porsche — as well as many small companies, on simple projects and complex ones. If you’d like to talk about a shipping container event space, or if you have questions, please contact us!
Looking for something else?
Event shipping containers are completely custom-built, and nearly all of the design features are up to you. If you’d like to add or modify something that you don’t see here, chances are, we can probably do it. Give us a call at (678) 666-3688 to learn more.
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