Kindle Contest

The NorthStar office has just been bristling with energy with the launch of our Kindle Contest. Last week, we could hardly contain ourselves as Steuart Marten, one time maybe once again reality star, came looking for Rex and really wanting a Kindle.

If you haven't watched the first video about our Kindle Contest do so now. I'm serious. Do it. It's right here:

Ok, now that you are laughing and probably a little confused, here's what you need to know:

We often get new customers because our current customers refer our services to them. While we always try to reward those of you who pass our name along, this time we wanted to do something big. So, we decided to give away Kindles! The process is pretty easy. All you have to do is read the contest rules and fill out the contest form.

We truly appreciate the relationships we have developed over the years with all of our customers and want to say thank you as we continue building that relationship and look to build new ones. A BIG thank you to everyone who is part of the NorthStar experience.

Follow us on YouTube as more videos about the Kindle Contest are posted and keep looking for updates via e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter. You never know what's going to happen next!

Event Planning/Trade Show Checklist

Below is a quick, modern presentation explaining some of the necessities in trade show planning:

Your Event Planning Guide

For a more thorough checklist, as well as your own Shipping 101 guide, please click here to be directed to the appropriate page on NorthStar Express.com . We hope you found this first quarter’s blogs to be helpful to your shipping planning needs. For the first part of next quarter we will be looking at referrals, and our first blog will be by guest writer Roxanne.

Our referral contest has officially started! Enter now for the chance to win a Kindle!

NSE: The Efforts of a Team

After reading last week's blog, we can all agree that without Donna, NorthStar Express would be doing a great deal of fumbling. However, there is also an emphasis on team effort within the company that may not be obvious at first glance.

• Rike and Lauren, two of our lovely customer care reps, are as equally well versed in NorthStar Express’s obsession with customer care. If any of the three are out sick, in class, or on vacation, the others are able to step up and keep work going as planned.

• Roxanne, our marketing coordinator, keeps everything and everyone in order with her superb organization skills. She also keeps readers up to date with her creative eNewsletters.

• Molly’s work is the first thing every potential customer sees. She has recently given our website a much needed facelift, fixing links and adding content to help every viewer find their way around with ease.

Behind everything seen on the website, eNewsletter, and the caring service that is provided, there is a person working to make sure your experience with us is one of ease.

Making the time to keep shipping easy

A Shout out to Donna Magel

A top client of ours, Yvonne*, recently spoke to us about how our own Donna Magel continually assists them through the trade show planning and shipping process.

“The reason we keep using NorthStar Express is because of Donna Magel. She takes the time to explain and chart out each show schedule. Even if I miss something in the paperwork, she will catch the mistake and fix it before it is put into the system. With Donna’s expertise with show planning and your thorough website, I always have no doubt that my shipment will reach its destination.”

Way to go, Donna! Your fantastic way of working with clients makes NorthStar a better company.

"From your website to the specifics of advanced show planning, Donna always initiates the necessary steps to keep our arrangements flowing."





*Client’s name has been changed for security purposes.

How does trade show planning help better our customer service?

When your show is planned well in advance you…

…create a symbiotic relationship between you and your shipper that can last a multitude of years.

…lessen the confusion that comes with the paperwork, especially if you are dealing with a number of shows.

…know when to expect your shipment back from a previous show.

…can focus more on your presentation during the show, which in turn prepares you more.

…can relax knowing that you’ve done everything in your control to make sure your show experience goes well.

Trade Show Shipping: Let's dig a little deeper

What Northstarians do to keep your trade show planning as easy as ever.

Following up on last week’s blog about finding the right shipper, we decided to give you an up close and personal peek into what happens here at NorthStar Express.

• Ask your customer care representative for a quote. This will allow for budgeting and makes the following two items much easier.

• Make sure all freight is ready at least 10 days prior to the show’s starting date. In a pinch, we do offer overnight and two day standard shipping.

• We’ll give you a planning template for you to complete. This will help both of us keep to the schedule.

• Finally, if you will be shipping internationally, allow several extra days for customs to look over the shipment. We also have our own customs broker available if you’re having trouble finding one on your own.

Questions? Concerns? Comments? Feel free to email or comment us below.

How to choose the trade show shipping company that's right for you

Advice Bytes
By Guest Writer: Rike Lingstaedt

Five bytes to help you find the right trade show shipper:

• Ask for a written price quote that covers all shipping and transport requirements. NorthStar's Request-A-Quote service will give you an outline to what you can find at NSE.

• Ask for a description of the services provided.

• Ask for a list of references from others who had used that company as a shipper. Call them.

• View their insurance policies. What is covered? What isn’t?

• Follow your gut. Have the people you’ve been talking to been knowledgeable about their product? Do they understand your needs and want to help you? The answers to these questions, combined with the points above, will help you come to a final decision about which company is best for you.

NorthStar's Shipping Expertise Can Make Your Job Easier

We are not a frequent shipper; even so, NorthStar Express still assists with the same responsiveness of one who is:

After one of their first shows using us, Drew forgot to file the correct forms with his NorthStar Express rep. Instead of having to scramble for the correct information, the NorthStar driver called Drew’s rep, who in turn called Drew back.

The organization that comes with top trade show planning is what is needed in cases like these. Without it, Drew would have had a very poor first experience with us. Instead, this minor delay was forgotten, and Drew’s company is a frequent customer of ours.

“It was so gratifying. The driver not only took the time to call but he also waited with me for a response; in the end, everything was made clear, and my company saved a lot of time."

Lost Items, Now Found

There’s a reason Andrea uses NorthStar Express.
“One of our boxes went missing in transit. Once. Five years ago.”

And even that minor delay went over well. Andrea’s company exhibits programs for multiple federal clients. They were on their way to an important conference when the box disappeared.

“NorthStar kept in contact with me the entire time. They provided snapshots of the docks the box had traversed in their attempt to locate it,” said Andrea. “Our customer service representative eventually located the box and returned it to us. To avoid having an incomplete display, NorthStar Express rushed a replacement piece for us to use.”


Since then, Andrea has had no other incidents with lost items, and feels confident when she tells her clients that their shipments will be treated well.

This is why we at NorthStar Express are so keen on trade show shipping planning. In this particular case, without it, our minor delay could have catapulted into a major setback. When we plan for trade shows, we plan for everything, even the mistakes that could happen. Because of this, we are able to factor in potential delays for a client, and fix them as quickly as possible when they do arise. And in this case, our meticulousness has paid off.

What our Clients say about Trade Show Shipping with NorthStar

“When I started doing shows, I did maybe five a year. With the help of Rex Houlihan and NorthStar Express, my company and I are now doing two a month!”

Tammy is the warehouse supervisor and the woman in charge of trade shows at her small company in Wisconsin. She has worked with many other companies in the past, but NorthStar Express is the one that has stuck.

“The energy and humor of your staff make what could’ve been an incredibly stressful time enjoyable. It all starts when you call in and your enthusiastic dream of a receptionist Jeffrey answers – your worries are put at ease.”

Instead of just shipping your freight to point A to point B, NorthStar Express enjoys making your experience enjoyable. At the beginning of each year, your company, like Tammy’s, can send us your show schedule. A month prior to each show your company will receive a reminder email from us. In addition to this, your company will be given an account manager for each show the client does. Your manager will help you with every small step from the time you call in the order until that particular show is done.

“The expert planning, help given to us after other companies’ mistakes, and the liveliness of the staff makes NorthStar Express the company I plan on staying with.”

NorthStar Express Freight-- Your Trade Show Shipping Coach

Greetings and welcome to the NorthStar Express blog! With this blog, we hope to give readers a sneak peek about what’s going on at NSE. Get ready to pour your eyes over the latest company news, exciting new gadgets we’re testing out, our ever helpful hints, and latest promotions and customer thoughts. It’s going to be a fun time.

One of the things we take pride in here at NorthStar Express is our ability to help. From our WebTraker, which enables clients to access their orders anywhere at any time, to our obsession with phone based conversations (to keep you in the loop), we try to make your trade show experience an easy one.

Our goal is to infuse modern technology with an old school presence – that is, give you the very latest news via twitter, all the while keeping it personal with a phone call or face-to-face meeting.

Feedback is always appreciated. If you’ve got something to say, comment us here