Trade Show Tips: A Packing List
Trade Show Prep
Preparing for a trade show can be a daunting task, and in Optics and some of the other highly-targeted industries we serve, they remain one of the most successful ways to connect and reconnect with prospects. Trade shows are nutty times, though, and inevitably you will forget something. Be prepared. Before the craziness begins, and the deadlines are breathing down your neck and UPS is knocking on your door, take ten minutes to write out a list of things that you need to take… I read a great article by Candy Adams , “Don’t Leave Home Without It”
So, thanks to Candy, we now have a great place to start:
- Cargo Boxes – trust me you will need extras when you are repacking your booth.
- Portable Strapping Kit – you gotta have something to hold your cargo boxes to the pallet
- Bubble Wrap
- Tape of all shapes and colors
- Black Stretch Tape
- Tear-by-Hand Tape (Scotch makes a good one.)
- Gaffer Tape – aka. Fabric or Cloth Tape, the stuff the sound guys use; it’s great for taping cords to the floor, etc.
- Double Sided Adhesive Tape
- Velcro – great for just about everything.
- Instant Carpet Stain Remover – Because no, your morning latte displayed on the white carpet in the middle of your booth is not the best way to greet customers… you know, we’ve all done it.
- Novus Polishes – to make your booth shine.
- Box Cutters – remember to pack this item in the pallets that are being shipped, they look down on it at the airport these days, but believe me they are more useful than the pair of dull scissors you can borrow from your neighbor.
- Permanent Markers – for touching up your booth and/or marking items & boxes.
- Portable Vacuum – just a little Dirt Devil will do, but it will save you the cost of paying the union workers to do it at night, and you can do touch ups during the day.
So, print this out and put it in your show folder…
If you need help with your trade show presence, PLS can help. Check out some of the booths we've designed.
Have a question? We're
here to help you.