Trade Show Survival Tips

NP Nutra at SupplySide West 2011

Planning to visit Engredea in March? Trade shows can be a fantastic experience with the chance to meet a huge variety of people and check out the latest innovation in natural products. Some of us here at NP Nutra® are trade show veterans who’ve clocked up hundreds of trade show hours over the years. We thought we’d share our tips to help you get the most out of your trade show experience.

Get off to a good start: Trade shows are physically demanding so it’s important to arrive at the show well rested with a healthy breakfast under your belt. Book the hotel closest to the venue and try to work out your schedule so you arrive the day before the show, giving you a chance to rest and adjust to the local time zone.

Wear the right gear: Everybody agrees that you must, must, must wear comfortable walking shoes! With the two shows in one location, you will literally be walking for miles so it’s not the time for wearing your hot stilettos or your cool new shoes. Dress in layers if you can. Trade shows can often be cool in the morning and very warm by the afternoon.

Do your homework: Know what you want to achieve by visiting the show. Study the plan of the show floor and decide which exhibitors you want to see, and then prioritize your route. (FYI, NP Nutra® is at Booth 704) Book in for any educational workshops you want to attend. If you’re attending with colleagues, split up to maximize your knowledge gathering potential.

Information gathering: Have your notebook or iPad handy for note taking and keeping organized. Ask plenty of questions, don’t be shy. Exhibitors love talking about their products. Bring a light carry all to collect information that is of interest to you and don’t forget to bring plenty of business cards to hand out and avoid having to fill in forms. Summarize your information every evening and plan your follow up.

Maintain energy: Drink plenty of water instead of soda or caffeinated drinks to avoid dehydration. Carry a couple of energy bars in your bag to help with flagging energy levels. Take a break and get some fresh air every few hours. Tradeshow cafeterias are not known for great food so make sure you eat a hearty breakfast and dinner to compensate. Partying can be a big temptation in a city like Los Angeles but attending a trade show with a hangover is to be avoided at all costs.

Breath mints: With all the product sampling going on, your breath can get a little... well... funky! You want to be able to chat with confidence all day long so carry breath mints and use them regularly.

Above all, have fun and use the experience as an opportunity to reignite your passion for all things natural and healthy. Do you have any more tradeshow tips? Please comment below...