Often exhibitors get caught up in the excitement of prepping their booth space and forget that there are other, less glamourous aspects to exhibiting. While some show organizers are good at providing these reminders, don’t count on it. Here’s a quick list of things you can do to take responsibility and be better prepared for your next trade show.
Read the Exhibitor Manual
Study all the rules, regulations and display guidelines — then follow them!
Inform All Booth Staffers
Clue everyone in on the show rules, your exhibiting goals, and how to behave in the booth.
Fill Out Show Services Forms
Get these turned in on time! Not only will you save headaches at the show, you’ll save a lot of money.
Practice Good Labor Relations
Know how to work with the various labor unions involved at the show facility. A little kindness and understanding of their jobs can go a long way.
Know Who’s Who
Get to know show management — both your sales person, the onsite staff (also note where the show office will be located), and the PR/marketing people. Every show should be a team effort between exhibitors and show management.
Be In Charge of Your Security
Be responsible for your own valuables. Secure them at the end of each day, either on your own or in the lock-up provided by show management.
© 2011 Marlys K. Arnold (Reprinted from the October 2010 TradeShowTips Online. To receive tips like this in your inbox every month, please take a moment to fill out this request.)
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About the Author:
With experiences as both an exhibitor and a show organizer, Marlys Arnold has a unique perspective on trade show exhibiting. She travels the country consulting and training both exhibitors and show managers, and is the author of Build a Better Trade Show Image (2002), host of the Trade Show Insights podcast and creator of the ExhibitorEd training kit. She can be reached at 816-746-7888 or www.imagespecialist.com.
