Godfrey Group Blog

Wednesday I spoke about what to look for in a person you are sending out to work a trade show when you can’t make it yourself. Essentially you need somebody who is trustworthy, presentable, able to follow your lead, and can solve any problems that may arise along the way. While all of these things are great qualities to have in any employee, regardless of whether we are talking trade shows or retail stores, it’s also important to remember to send them on the road with a few supplies that will help them survive the grueling days ahead. Let’s face it, trade shows and conventions are never easy and if you’re the one having to stand at a kiosk all day talking to everyone that walks by, it can be downright brutal on even the most gung-ho individual. In order to avoid some of this fatigue and possibly keep a steady roll call of people willing to travel every weekend, a zip-lock bag containing a few simple items could save you tons of grief:

• Aspirin-Like I said above, trade shows can be tough on anyone. Often you leave in the late afternoon, grab a couple hours sleep at some random hotel, are up by 5 a.m and work till 8 p.m. Throughout the day you can expect to meet hundreds of people while music and crowd noise blare in the background. Headaches are going to happen and a little help to easy the pain will come in real handy.
• Caffeine-Throw in some money for coffee, maybe a couple bottles of 5-hr Energy, some chocolate covered coffee beans….whatever your choice just remember that when things are pop’n and the crowd has got you covered up things are great, but when things die down you’re going to need something to keep you in the game.
• Ant-Acids- Nobody eats good on the road. The food is grease, spicy, covered in batter. The stress levels are just as high as the expectations and all of it leaves your body feeling all out of sorts. A roll of Tums will go a long way to help calm your nerves and fight all that fattening food.
• Breath Mints-This is a no-brainer. Nobody wants to get up close and personal to talk about your latest gadget if you have bad breath.
• Band-Aids- Paper cuts are an occupational hazard and can cost sales if someone were to walk up to find you bleeding all over the place. A few band-aids, maybe some antibiotic ointment, and if possible a bandage should help control the situation and save you some cash.
• Break-Time- You can’t put this one in a bag, but it’s just at vital as all the others. Don’t expect yourself or anyone else for that matter to stand behind a display all day and stay fresh. Make it known that once or twice a day it’s okay to get out and mingle through the crowd. Not only will this give you a lay of the land to see what others are promoting, but it will allow you to make connections with those that may not otherwise stop by your booth or even know you are there.

Part of being a vendor at a trade show means that you are required to man the fort from dusk to dawn with little or no respite. As hard and rewarding as it is though, why not make life easier on yourself and your employees by sending along a bag containing a few simple items that will make the trip more bearable. It’s a like our moms used to say, “A little help goes a long way”.