Getting ready for a trade show? How do you ensure that you, your team and your trade show display are ready to meet the challenge? Here are a few tips:

Work Backwards

The best part about a trade show is that it is going to happen on a specific date, whether you are ready or not. So you take the date of the trade show and plan backwards to make sure you can meet all of your objectives. This means that you (and your team) have no room for procrastination or delays; you have to get it done, so do it.

Hammer Out the Details

Ensure you know exactly what your needs and requirements are, and that each employee understands their responsibilities. Whether it is booth set-up, procuring supplies, or fetching refreshment you need to have all the details organized well ahead of time. It’s also a good idea for each person to have a “back-up” in case of illness or other incident on the big day.

Have a Test Run

Unless you and all your staff are seasoned trade show participants, it is a good idea to have a test run to ensure that everyone knows their job, and that you haven’t overlooked any key elements. A test run can also help identify any issues with your trade show displays and banners so they can be repaired or replaced.

Train your Staff

For first timers you have to spend time training them on how to achieve the goals and objectives of a trade show (i.e. new leads / clients). Outline the process for capturing leads and follow up, and hammer in the details of the product or service you are selling.

Keep a List

A trade show is a project, so outline it as such. From pre-planning to follow-up, you should have a list of all the tasks, supplies, and responsibilities so all participants know what they need to do. After all is said and done you should revisit your plan and see if there is room for future improvement.

If you are preparing for your first trade show, or it’s been a while, you may want to start by ordering new banners and professional displays to wow prospective clients.