Hints & Tips on Trade Show & Exhibition Etiquette

(and some dos and don’ts!)

With the exhibition and trade show calendar in full swing, we thought we take a 

moment to remind everyone of trade show etiquette.

 DO your best

From nodding off on the job to looking uninterested with your arms folded as people pass by the stand, when our clients come to us they do so because they know we have the best promo staff. Be your best every second you are on the stand.

DO organise break times and lunch

Get organised with the rest of the team as to when break and lunchtime are. And remember, even if ‘it is quiet’ and ‘no one was around’, eating and drinking on the stand is not to happen! Stick to your allocated break time so your colleagues get a break too, if you need an extra pair of helping hands – hire Event Staff to alleviate some pressure. 

DO ‘qualify’ the people you are talking to

There is a difference so remember that when you get chatting to someone, you are looking to qualify whether they are interested in buying and whether they are in the position to do so. In other words, don’t ‘just chat’.

HINT – don’t know the answer to a question? Don’t blag it – ask someone!

DO wear what you should be wearing

Most of our clients like promo staff to be wearing branded uniforms. We strongly suggest leaving your uniform at the stand for the next day.

DO familiarise yourself with the venue

From checking out the car parking and or travel arrangements to arriving with plenty of bottled water and food, make sure you familiarise yourself with the venue and its rules. EVERY venue is different!

Do familiarise yourself with the client, their brand, products, and services

You’ll be briefed on what you need to do on the day but we expect every member of the team to be familiar with the brand and what they do. Spend at least 10 minutes having a look at their website and be confident that you know who they are and what they do.

Do be prepared

From having a notebook and pens in your bag to a spare layer of clothing (such as a black or white top) in case it gets chilly, being prepared makes you the versatile member of staff that we know our clients look for.

Other points to remember…

• Even on the biggest stands, space is at a premium so don’t take a huge bag or too much stuff with you.
• Put your phone away!
• Be proactive when its quiet – tidy the stand, replenish stock and so on
• The client has invested in you and they expected a return – consider what you can do to be the member of staff they remember (and ask for again!)
• Enjoy it!