Trade Show Survival Tips
The season of Canadian tradeshows is upon us!
Whether you are attending as a visitor or showcasing your company and its products, trade show participation is a time consuming exercise that demands survival of the fittest. To help you navigate and maintain focus at your tradeshow experience, here are five survival tips for getting the most out of those long, non-stop days.1. Pack the right supplies
Ensure you have packed all you need for your trip, your business and your booth. You do not want to break your budget having to replace supplies of things you already own. Purchases made from retailers close to tradeshow venues are usually more expensive than big box stores.2. Have corporate documents on hand
Bring all business and sales documents along with your corporate identity stationery such as business cards, price list and/or product list with prices by product, minimum order and terms of sale. Always bring more than you think you need. It’s better to have extra than to run the risk of having none when meeting an important potential buyer. Save these documents on a USB key and have it on hand at the event in case a printing run is needed to replenish supply.3. Make social media your partner
An online presence can be a great backup for your corporate information, especially if you are dealing with a tech savvy buyer. Having a completed LinkedIn for yourself and/or your company can serve as a backup business card to link with a buyer right away. An Instagram account with photos and an appropriate title can also be your backup if you run out of product brochures. Use Twitter as your promotion platform while at the show by following your industry’s buyers, retailers, publicists, journalists, bloggers etc. Your iPad with a quick access to your website is also very helpful, especially if you have an application that allows for quick info-sharing/transferring from one device to another.4. Wear comfortable attire
This may sound trivial but sometimes we choose style over comfort. Comfort is the key when choosing your attire for standing all day in your booth. Consider wearing loose-fitting clothes made from breathable fabric like cotton or linen. When wearing wool jackets, the inside shirt or blouse should be made from breathable and absorptive fabric. Wear shoes that are made for walking and standing for long periods. At the end of the day your feet will thank you, and you will thank your shoes.5. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
Being in the zone as you are negotiating business and having a successful tradeshow may make you forget to drink water (and also to eat!). The air in most convention centres tends to be dry which in turn dries out your skin and throat. Always remember to drink water, but sip don’t gulp as you will need to leave your booth more often than you wish.To identify upcoming tradeshows in Canada for your participation or market research, visit TFO Canada’s online Trade Events Calendar.
Have a successful tradeshow!