Trade Show's Do's And Don'ts (Article)
 

Great Ideas: Five trade show don'ts
Canadian Business Online, April 7, 2005

Buying a booth at a trade show can be a powerful marketing tool ? when it's done right. Done wrong, it can be a terrible waste of time and money. In his new book Powerful Exhibit Marketing, Canada's trade show guru Barry Siskind describes the five biggest mistakes a company can make at a trade show.

Don't #1: Sit. Working a show is a long and tiring day, and you may be tempted (or convinced) to provide chairs for your booth staff. But sitting creates the impression that booth staff are tired and that it is an effort to get up and take care of visitors. Visitors don't want to impose ? so they don't.

Don't #2: Eat or drink. Again, the issue is perception. Visitors who walk by your booth and see booth staff snacking may feel that disturbing them will be an imposition. Even coffee and tea should be avoided. The only exception to the no-food-or-drink rule is water. In fact, booth staff should keep a water bottle in an inconspicuous place at all times so they can sip on it during the day.

Don't #3: Chat with colleagues. When booth staff huddle together to talk, it sends the signal that they are busy and shouldn't be interrupted. The result is a lost opportunity.

Don't #4: Distract yourself during slow times. When things get slow, booth staff may be tempted to scan the newspaper, complete some office paperwork or read other exhibitors' brochures. They must resist the temptation: their attention must be on the job at hand 100% of the time, or opportunities could be missed.

Don't #5: Exercise. Working a trade show can cause sore feet and a stiff back as the day goes by. But deep knee bends, back stretches and over-the-shoulder arm extensions are not acceptable. Visitors should feel that booth staff are energized and ready to serve them. What message is sent to booth visitors when they walk by and see your staff massaging their feet?

DH

Only those 5?

Sure alot more.

Dont #6 Masturbate under the table

I guess being hungover is bad too :)
WG

Depends on what industry you are in :1orglaugh

DH

Do's : Have a jager machine, some cold beer and few topless hotties smilling to everyone.

Don't : throw chairs off of balconys

Do : Tell people the reason you pulled up in a taxi was because your lamborghini is in the shop for repairs

Don't : Try and do business

Do : Send over a hot ass stripper you hired for the event to flirt with webmasters and make them feel good... in hopes of traffic in return

Do : Lock all food in your car when you sleep, or risk getting attacked by an AaronM

Don't : Pass out near a table with a bottle of ketchup :1orglaugh

Don't : Actually... don't pass out anywhere

Damn! I wondered what I was doing wrong all those years!!

Glad to be out of the booth business!!

Matt