Survival tips for working your booth
When the doors open at the upcoming wedding show,
there's an exhilarating rush as attendees scurry around the exhibit floor.
But even though the Cape Fear Wedding Show is just four
hours long, it can quickly become tiring and repetitive. After all, you will be
selling yourself to hundreds of prospects during that time. Being properly prepared
to work in your booth will keep the show experience fun and help you stay attentive to
your potential customers.
Exhibitors must have mental and physical stamina to survive
while remaining cheerful and appealing to their prospects. Here are some survival tips
that will make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful and exhausting.
For your comfort:
- Shoes. Avoid wearing new shoes or high heels. Sore feet are
a major problem in a trade show booth. Improper shoes will lead to leg
and back fatigue. Make sure your shoes are comfortable!
- Clothing. Select sensible and confortable clothing that you have worn previously.
New clothes can be scratchy or make you feel uncomfortable. Dress in layers if possible.
Typically the trade show floor is cool in the morning and by late afternoon, excessively warm.
Dressing in layers will make it easy to control your body temperature while allowing you to
look fresh for your prospective customers.
- Energy. Arrange for breaks. Leave the booth and get food. The break, along with
the food, will revitalize your mind and body giving you with the extra energy to finish the
day off strong. At our show, water will be available for exhibitors at the vendor check-in station.
The Convention Center's concession stand will have coffee, soft drinks, snacks and other refreshments
during the show.
- Booth Survival Kit. Aspirin, eye drops, Band-Aids and Tums can keep you and your
staff functioning at 100%. The lights, noise and physical stress can cause headaches. Many
people complain of eye irritation from dust in the air, fibers and allergies. Eye drops can
refresh and soothe weary eyes and give the added relief to both contact and non-contact wearers.
It never fails: somebody will require a Band-Aid or safety pin so it’s best to have them on hand.
For your presentation:
- Teamwork. If possible, arrange to have a partner or employee -- or two -- in the booth
with you. If there's only one of you to talk with customers, you won't have time for a meaningful
interaction with everyone who might be interested in your business. You don't want prospective
customers to get impatient and go away after waiting for a word with you. Once they're gone, you're
unlikely to get them back.
- Tool kit. Be prepared to improvise or make repairs to your exhibits if necessary. A
few common tools can be life-savers: screwdrivers (flat and Phillips), pliers, wire cutters, pocket
knife or utility knife. If you'll be using power, bring your own extension cord and/or line splitter,
as you may be allocated only a single outlet. Monofilament fishing line can let you hang a sign or
other exhibit at any level on your booth's rear drape. And, of course, the all-purpose emergency item:
Duct tape!
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