You see these folks at every trade show, walking the aisles. Sometime they are just naïve. Sometimes they are just obnoxious. Be prepared when they stop at your exhibit.
For first time visitors to a trade show, this is great advice.
1. Thinking the show is a party, not business – it's all business, all the time
2. Trying to sell to exhibitors – neither ethical nor legal. Exhibitors paid money to sell, not you
3. Passing out résumés, hard-sell job-seeking – look for good companies at the show, for look good jobs after the show
4. Having no plan, not reading the show program – aimless wandering is a waste of time and energy, plus you miss great opportunities for networking
5. Not having business cards – marks you as a phony
6. Pretending to be a prospect, asking for "everything" – wrong way to look for market intelligence
7. Looking only for give-aways, taking too many items – how greedy can you be. Note, your kids do not buy, so don't ask for extras for them
8. Taking literature, etc. then throwing it out on the way out – what an insult to exhibitors and the show
9. Being a mooch, crashing parties – don't go where not invited
10. Being rude after the show when you are followed-up – you invited the follow-up by attending, be polite
And, the Bonus … Being boring, gossipy, sloppy, ill-mannered and badly dressed. Enough said.
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Julia O'Connor - Speaker, Author, Consultant - writes about practical aspects of trade shows. As president of Trade Show Training, inc,, now celebrating its 10th year, she works with companies in a variety of industries to improve their bottom line and marketing opportunities at trade shows.
Julia is an expert in the psychology of the trade show environment and uses this expertise in sales training and management seminars. Contact her at 804-355-7800 or check the site http://www.TradeShowTraining.com
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