Trade Show Booths Survival Kit: Don"t Forget These Essentials
Some people cringe when they learn they've been chosen to man the company's trade show displays at an upcoming conference or exhibition. Let's face it - standing in an exhibit for hours on end, constantly shaking hands and talking to prospective leads can get tiresome. The temperatures can be uncomfortable, and bright lights and hard floors contribute to your fatigue.
Putting together a small survival kit can help. Use a small tote or leather case to hold your survival kit, but be sure whatever you use is clean, neat, and professional looking in case others see it. In most cases, you can stash your survival kit behind one of your trade show displays or under a skirted table. The essentials for your trade show booths survival kit should include the following:
Bottled Water
You don't want to make a habit of drinking when you're manning trade show booths, but you'll occasionally want to rehydrate and soothe your throat. If you've been talking all day, you can quickly get a scratchy throat. You'll feel refreshed and more alert if you periodically drink some water; however, try to do this when traffic is minimal.
Aspirin And Antacids
Most trade show booths are set up on unforgiving surfaces like concrete or cement. The combination of hot lighting, hard flooring, and crowds can quickly lead to a headache or backache. Having a few over-the-counter pain relievers can do wonders for your comfort level and attitude.
You'll probably have to grab quick meals on the fly, and exhibition food isn't known for being high-end cuisine. It is possible that you'll develop heartburn or an upset stomach at some point. Don't let indigestion interfere with your networking.
Eye Drops
Glaring lights, dust, dry air, and allergies are all potential hazards at trade show booths. Itchy, red, watery eyes don't feel good, and they certainly don't help you look professional. Keep eye drops or artificial tears in your survival kit to soothe your eyes and diminish redness or irritation.
A Second Pair Of Shoes
You'll be standing most of the day when properly manning trade show displays. On your break, you'll probably visit some other trade show booths as well. All that time on your feet can make even the most comfortable pair of shoes seem uncomfortable. Keep a second pair of shoes in your kit for when tired, swollen feet get to be too much for you. They should be polished, neat, and professional looking. Sometimes, simply switching to shoes with a lower heel or a different fit can make a world of difference.
Breath Mints
Talking all day can lead to bad breath, and wolfing down a quick lunch can contribute to the problem. Don't run the risk of offending anyone. Popping a breath mint occasionally will not only freshen your breath, but it will also give you a little lift when your energy is waning.
'Just in Case' Items In Your Trade Show Displays
The foot traffic at trade show displays can be heavy, and you'll inevitably meet someone who needs a simple, quick fix for a loose hem, a paper cut, or some other minor hazard. If you have a small repair kit that includes tape, safety pins, band-aids, and a few extra pens, you can come to the rescue of visitors. Grateful visitors can turn into grateful customers.
Putting together a small survival kit can help. Use a small tote or leather case to hold your survival kit, but be sure whatever you use is clean, neat, and professional looking in case others see it. In most cases, you can stash your survival kit behind one of your trade show displays or under a skirted table. The essentials for your trade show booths survival kit should include the following:
Bottled Water
You don't want to make a habit of drinking when you're manning trade show booths, but you'll occasionally want to rehydrate and soothe your throat. If you've been talking all day, you can quickly get a scratchy throat. You'll feel refreshed and more alert if you periodically drink some water; however, try to do this when traffic is minimal.
Aspirin And Antacids
Most trade show booths are set up on unforgiving surfaces like concrete or cement. The combination of hot lighting, hard flooring, and crowds can quickly lead to a headache or backache. Having a few over-the-counter pain relievers can do wonders for your comfort level and attitude.
You'll probably have to grab quick meals on the fly, and exhibition food isn't known for being high-end cuisine. It is possible that you'll develop heartburn or an upset stomach at some point. Don't let indigestion interfere with your networking.
Eye Drops
Glaring lights, dust, dry air, and allergies are all potential hazards at trade show booths. Itchy, red, watery eyes don't feel good, and they certainly don't help you look professional. Keep eye drops or artificial tears in your survival kit to soothe your eyes and diminish redness or irritation.
A Second Pair Of Shoes
You'll be standing most of the day when properly manning trade show displays. On your break, you'll probably visit some other trade show booths as well. All that time on your feet can make even the most comfortable pair of shoes seem uncomfortable. Keep a second pair of shoes in your kit for when tired, swollen feet get to be too much for you. They should be polished, neat, and professional looking. Sometimes, simply switching to shoes with a lower heel or a different fit can make a world of difference.
Breath Mints
Talking all day can lead to bad breath, and wolfing down a quick lunch can contribute to the problem. Don't run the risk of offending anyone. Popping a breath mint occasionally will not only freshen your breath, but it will also give you a little lift when your energy is waning.
'Just in Case' Items In Your Trade Show Displays
The foot traffic at trade show displays can be heavy, and you'll inevitably meet someone who needs a simple, quick fix for a loose hem, a paper cut, or some other minor hazard. If you have a small repair kit that includes tape, safety pins, band-aids, and a few extra pens, you can come to the rescue of visitors. Grateful visitors can turn into grateful customers.