I
wish someone would have told me when I first started in this business how both
energizing and draining a tradeshow can be if you don't know what to expect. If
you haven't attended before, be prepared for 100% sensory overload! The good
news is if you follow my tips and prepare early you'll be in for a real
treat! First, immerse yourself completely in the whole event. Plan on having
fun in a big crowd! These are people just like you; all desiring good things
for the benefit of their business and the chance to rub shoulder with like
minded professionals.
If you are enjoying success,
come learn and enjoy greater success. If your business is struggling come to
re-charge and re-vitalize yourselves. There is no better place to do this than
a gift industry tradeshow!
Here's how you "work" the
show:
Wear comfortable shoes!
I cannot stress this enough. If you don’t follow any other suggestions in
this article the shoe thing will be worth the price of admission.
Be systematic in your
approach. If the
show is more than one day, spend the first day just getting “the lay of
land”. Learn what’s on the floor, collect information and go back to hotel
to review. You might regret making purchases on the first day if you don’t
scope out the entire show floor first.
Pre-select
companies that are “must see” vendors. These would include your favorite vendors (I
ALWAYS see what’s new with
Burton & Burton). You may want to make a note to check out vendors that
are geographically close to you and have products that interest you as well
as the new ones that have peeked your curiosity.
Avoid Separation Anxiety.
If you are with someone, a business partner or employee, PLAN on getting
separated; there is almost no way to avoid it at the larger shows. Be sure
to have cell phones or walkie-talkies on hand. The good news is at the end
of the day you can compare notes and go back to the booths that make sense
for your business.
Take lots of business
cards.
Networking is fun!
Take a small stapler.
You’ll need this to staple reps business cards to brochures, invoices,
coupons and other goodies given away.
Prepare address labels in
advance! This
will help you to avoid filling out your contact information repetitively.
Take a small note book with
you. Take notes
about new products that might be a good fit down the road or facts that a
vendor shares about their line you’d want to refer back to later.
Bring a small rolling cart
or suitcase.
This will help you carry around all of the catalogs, flyers and information
you will receive. Be sure to check with the exhibit hall before packing the
extra bag; some of them have bag size restrictions.
Consider a prepaid FEDEX or
UPS box.
Otherwise, how are you going to get all of that information on the plane?
With a prepaid box, you can dump all of your materials into one place and
ship them back to your business. If you have a shipper number, many hotels
can help you with this option.
Whew, there are a ton of other
tips I could give you, but these are my top 10. All of my years of both being
an exhibitor and attendee into one easy reference guide. Most importantly, HAVE
FUN! Maybe I’ll bump into you at the next show!
I
wish someone would have told me when I first started in this business how both
energizing and draining a tradeshow can be if you don't know what to expect. If
you haven't attended before, be prepared for 100% sensory overload! The good
news is if you follow my tips and prepare early you'll be in for a real
treat! First, immerse yourself completely in the whole event. Plan on having
fun in a big crowd! These are people just like you; all desiring good things
for the benefit of their business and the chance to rub shoulder with like
minded professionals. 
