About Trade Shows I Learned in Kindergarten!
TradeShowTips Online, Issue #34, April 2002
Remember these lessons learned the first day of school? Sometimes, we just need to go back to the basics to make the job of exhibiting go much smoother.
1. Stand up straight.
When you slouch, you lose credibility. Stand tall and proud of who you are and what you represent.
2. No gum chewing.
... Or eating, or drinking in the booth. Period.
3. Don't shove.
... Brochures, giveaways, or anything else at people as they pass by your booth.
4. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
You won't win people over by running down your competitors. Point out the benefits of your products without bashing anyone else's.
5. Play fair!
Your selling activity should be confined to your own exhibit booth.
6. Hold hands when you cross the street.
Everything works better when you act as a team.
7. You can never have too many crayons!
Don't limit your imagination -- Creativity is important!
8. You can always count on recess and naptime.
Take plenty of time for breaks to re-energize yourself.
9. Take turns.
Talking, that is. In fact, you should do more listening than talking.
10. Put things back when you're done.
Remember that you're part of the team and make it easy for all the other members to do their jobs.
©2002 Marlys K.
Arnold
Marlys K. Arnold,
ImageSpecialist, consults with both companies and individuals to
help them build a better trade show image. Her experiences as both
an exhibitor and a show organizer offer her a unique perspective on
trade show exhibiting. An active member of Meeting Professionals
International (MPI), she is also the
author of Build a Better Trade Show
Image (2002), and the
host of the Trade Show
Insights podcast.
For
information on reprinting this article, please e-mail
Marlys or call
816-746-7888.
Want to know when Marlys will be leading a workshop in your
area?
Just send an e-mail
with your
name, company name, city and phone number and we'll notify you when
she is coming to a city near you!