Trade Show Essentials Checklist:
In the AV industry, it’s always trade show season. Manufacturers, integrators, installers, reps, dealers, distributors – everyone is constantly traveling to this month’s biggest show to see or show off the latest products/solutions, form new business relationships, sell products, and much more. Each interaction could potentially be critical to the success of your business. So, it’s importatnt to come preparted to make a good impression.
That’s why we put together this Trade Show Essentials Checklist to help you prepare, stay organized, and succeed. Download this checklist here, print it off, add to it, share it with colleagues and first-time show goers, and bring it with you to your next show.
To understand the importance of the items on this list, we’ve broken each of them down below:
Backpack/Bag
Whether you’re walking to the show floor from one of the nearby hotels or driving in from further away, you’ll need a bag to carry all of your show essentials around with you all day. Be sure there is enough room left for any freebies you might acquire on the show floor!
Portable Phone Charger
You’ll likely be on the show floor for several hours without revisiting your room or any place to charge your phone. It’s a great idea to pack a portable charging pack in case your battery dies down. Especially since you’ll probably want your phone for taking notes, navigating the show floor, trading contact info, and more.
Comfortable Shoes/Gel Inserts
Standing, standing, and more standing…That’s what you can expect at any trade show event. Whether you are an exhibitor, standing in your own booth all day talking to potential customers, or just a visitor, moving from booth to booth. By the end of each day, your feet will be shot if you aren’t prepared.
Business Cards
This is one of your best opportunities to network with potential customers and partners. Make sure you have plenty of business cards to hand out to everyone you meet. You never know which connections might pay off!
Evernote
At LEA, we use this app and we highly recommend it to anyone heading to a trade show. Once you’ve collected piles of business cards from everyone you met, you can use your phone with the Evernote app and scan each card. Evernote will automatically populate the contact info for each person, organize it, and even sync it with your own address book. It’s a real game changer for keeping track of your contacts.
Gum/Mints
This one is easy enough right. If you want to make a good impression (and you do!) make sure you don’t have last night’s vodka or this morning’s breakfast lingering on your breath.
Badge Confirmation
To make the process as smooth as possible, you may want to print your show badge confirmation email and bring it along. You can also pull it up on your phone or have them look it up at the show as a last resort, but nothing beats a printed, hard copy.
Show Map
Navigating the labyrinth of raised carpet and booths can be tricky at times. Keep a map of the show floor handy on your phone or in your bag at all times. Then you can quickly locate bathrooms, food, coffee, alcohol, and any exhibitor you want to visit.
Itinerary
It’s important to make a plan, have a schedule and reference it often. Print your itinerary and always bring it with you so you don’t miss any important appointments or events.
Notebook
When it comes to making new connections, or attending important meetings, a notebook or any note taking method is important to have. We prefer using the notes tool on your phone or downloading a similar app.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is trade show 101. Lots of talking and sometimes, lots of drinking, can negatively impact your voice, breath, and how you feel. Drink lots of water!
Snacks
Shows can often become so busy that you forget to schedule in lunch. Bring some small snacks along and eat when you get the chance!
Hand Sanitizer
With so many people packed so closely together, germs will spread fast. A hand shake here, a door knob there, and WHAM – you’re sick! Bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer and use it often.
Everyday Essentials
There are a lot of things to remember when heading to a trade show, don’t forget your other everyday essentials. Bring your wallet/purse, driver’s license/ID, money, etc.
Proper Clothing
Once again, it’s important to make the right impression at a show. That means, dressing appropriately.
Typical show floor attire might be a company polo or a button up with jeans and comfy shoes. There are plenty of exceptions.
But also be prepared for cocktail/dinner attire. You may want to throw in a nice blazer or jacket and some nice shoes as well.
Travel Confirmations
And lastly, don’t forget any and all documents you’ll need for travel such as:
- Hotel confirmation
- Rental vehicle confirmation
- Shuttle confirmation
- Dinner Reservations
- etc.
For more trade show tips, visit our blog “AV Industry: Trade Show Tips From The Pros”. If you have any feedback or other essential items that you think should be on this list, feel free to drop a comment below or let us know on our social media channels.
