Refund & Cancellation Policy:
Refund of Attendee or Spouse/Significant Other/Child or Golf
registration fees, minus a $100.00 per person administrative fee, will be
provided upon receipt of a written notice of cancellation postmarked no later
than one month before the start of the MarketPlace. Requests are to be mailed to ECA, 9532 Liberia
Avenue #752, Manassas, VA 20110-1719.
Registrants who fail to attend and do not send written notices of
cancellation prior to March 15, 2015 are liable for the full registration
fee; no refunds will be given. However, substitutions will be accepted.
Refund of Exhibit Booth registration fees, minus a $250.00
administrative fee, will be provided upon receipt of a written notice of
cancellation postmarked no later than March 01, 2018. Requests are to be mailed to ECA, 9532 Liberia
Avenue #752, Manassas, VA 20110-1719.
Registrants who fail to attend and do not send written notices of
cancellation prior to March 01, 2018 are liable for the full registration
fee; no refunds will be given unless the booth is resold.
Each registration category has certain procedures and deadlines.
Check back soon for additional information. Questions? Email fiona@expresscarriers.org
Dress Code
Business Attire for Interview Meetings
Cocktail or Dressy Suggested for Evening Events
Carrier Frequently-Asked Questions
Q: May I take part in interview sessions without having pre-registered?
A: No. All participants in interview sessions & social events must be pre-registered for ECA MarketPlace 2018. Please wear your badge to all events.
Q: How long does each interview last?
A: The normal length of an interview at the MarketPlace is fifteen minutes. Be Punctual. When the bell rings, please move to your next appointment or into the exhibit hall.
Q: What if my schedule conflicts with a pre-arranged interview. May I re-schedule?
A: No. Appointment schedules are final as printed. Sorry, we cannot make any changes to these schedules on-site.
Q: What else should I know before attending the MarketPlace?- Be truthful in representing your company, respecting the integrity of the association.
- Show Respect — Make the most of your time allocated by being brief and concise. The shippers, carriers & vendors have other appointments.
- Some shippers may be unavailable for appointments.
- Networking breaks — These breaks are schedule for everyone, so please do not try to do an interview with a shipper during the breaks.
- You may see a vendor at any time that vendor-carrier interviews are not being conducted. Please visit the vendors & thank them for supporting the ECA!
Shipper Frequently-Asked Questions
Q: What are the benefits to my company if I attend?
A: The advantages of you attending are huge. For a summary of what to expect please click here.
Q: What is the cost of attending ECA MarketPlace?
A: A Shipper's cost to attend MarketPlace is FREE (not including the fully-refundable $250.00 deposit)! The Carrier members of ECA support Shipper attendance at the show. And, the shipper company also has the opportunity to be reimbursed for one night's lodging. So, cost to the Shipper is minimal compared to the return on investment in meeting quality Carriers from every region of the United States.
Q: How do I choose the carriers I want to meet?
A: After a Shipper's registration forms are completed and submitted to the ECA offices, approximately 4 weeks prior to the MarketPlace, each shipper representative will receive Carrier Profiles. These profiles provide pertinent information about the Carrier service capabilities, service territory, equipment and other specific information that shippers require while evaluate any Carrier vendor. The Shipper ranks the Carrier profiles on a weighted scale. The Shippers interview schedule is created from this weighted scale profiling.
Q: How do I know which carriers I will be meeting?
A: Each shipper representative will receive an interview schedule the first day of Marketplace during the Opening Reception.
Q: Do the carriers know which shippers will be attending?
A: The ECA does not publish any contact information of the Shippers attending the show to eliminate any pre-show solicitation prior to the show.
Q: How many interviews will be scheduled?
A: Be prepared for a full schedule of back-to-back interviews. Each interview lasts 15 minutes. A shipper can have up to 48 scheduled interviews over the time allotted. It is definitely a "working show". Keep in mind that when it is time to meet the Carrier you have already reviewed their profile and know some information about their service capabilities.
Q: What are some helpful hints from previous shipper attendees?- Plan your presentation to carriers.
- A prepared questionnaire is extremely helpful.
- Use the first two minutes as a "Shipper organization overview."
- Know your exact needs to determine a good fit.
Q: Am I able to finalize contracts during the interview sessions?
A: We do ask that any rates not be discussed during the interview process. Any contract finalization should be conducted at another time between a Shipper and chosen Carrier. However, have agent/carrier paperwork available, if there is a good fit between you and a Carrier.
Q: Is my company able to send more than one representative?
A: Yes. Actually we encourage Shippers to bring more than one company representative. It helps to either relieve a person for a break or to share the interview process. It is a "working" show although there will be social events planned for some evenings, including a Shipper Appreciation Dinner.
Have a Question About the MarketPlace?
Send us an e-mail or call us at the number below, and an ECA Staff member will be happy to answer your questions.
Express Carriers Association
9532 Liberia Avenue, #752, Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: 703-361-1058
Fax: 703-361-5274
Email: eca@expresscarriers.org