Be ready for trade show emergencies

By Ross Bielema

You and your trade show team are excited to share your business message at the big expo. You have professional trade show banners, custom table covers, giveaways and even some fun games ready for the doors to open. He wasn’t invited, but Murphy’s Law decides to visit your booth. Be ready for unexpected hiccups with a trade show emergency kit that will let you keep the positive vibes flowing to your visitors with minimal delays.

Let’s break down those emergency situations into four areas: minor injuries, electrical hookups, display damage and a shortage of giveaways.

Assemble a trade show emergency kit that can handle all these issues so your staff can keep focus on their customers and booth visitors.

1. Stay ready for minor injuries

Safety should always come first when setting up and tearing down your trade show tables, banners and other display materials. Be sure your staff is prepped on how everything opens and closes—showtime isn’t ideal to use something for the first time! Read the manufacturers’ instruction booklets for each item and talk with colleagues who have used the items before.

Pinched fingers, minor cuts, broken fingernails and tired or blistered feet all should be treated promptly. A basic first-aid kit can handle these situations as well as headaches, muscle aches and an upset stomach.

2. UL approved: electrical hookups and battery backups

Your booth’s lighting, laptops and even signs depend on electricity, so make sure you bring UL approved power cords, power strips and surge protectors. Be sure to check with the venue to see what you can hook up yourself. Some may charge hook-up fees even if the task seems simple. Portable power banks are handy for cell phones and laptops and are a great thing to have on hand.

3. No tears if your banner tears

No matter how much you spend on custom printed banners, flag signs, table runners and other trade show displays, they eventually start to wear. Rolling and unrolling them dozens of times take its toll. Handling and storing them carefully in durable cases helps them last longer, but you could get a tear before or during a show. Trusty duct or packing tape can save the day in a pinch. Try to bring duct tape in colors that match your banners. 4imprint carries replacement banners and graphics too!

4. Big crowds take all your giveaways

This is actually a nice problem to have, because it shows your booth’s and staff’s persuasive power to attract crowds and your company’s strong selling points. When stocking up on trade show giveaways, think in terms of “good, better and best”—a range of product options that vary in price, features and perceived value so you can appeal to different audiences and budgets.

Reserve some of the best items, such as high-end notebooks, logo pens and phone battery chargers, for your best prospects and visitors. Use the mid-priced items for the bulk of your booth visitors and save a stockpile of value-priced items for the end of the day or show. Our bulk pricing makes it easy to stock up for multiple shows, no matter how big the turnout is.

Don’t forget to bring...

It’s obvious to expo veterans, but you’ll need plenty of notepads and Post-it^® notes, pens, pencils, highlighters, calculators, staplers, paper clips and business cards. A basic tool kit with pliers, screwdrivers, small wrenches and a knife could prove useful. Remember extra light bulbs, a tape measure and glass cleaner with paper towels to keep everything looking sharp. Bring spare batteries for wireless mice and keyboards. Snacks and water will keep your staff sharp and hydrated.

It won’t cost you a bundle to assemble a simple trade show survival kit that includes items to handle each of these hiccups, but it will save your dedicated trade show staff much time and aggravation with this simple preparation. Good luck with your show! Let us know if you need any help. We are here for you!

Ross Bielema

Ross Bielema is a seasoned SEO marketing specialist at 4imprint, based in Oshkosh, WI, a title he’s held for the past 16 years. He previously was a copywriter here, crafting everything from headlines and company letters to e-mails and faxes. Boosting web presence and organic ranking creatively for one of North America’s top promotional merchandise distributors comes easily because of his combined 38 years of journalism experience. This includes freelance writing for local media outlets such as the Shawano (WI) Leader newspaper, expanding his experience beyond digital marketing into broader content creation. Ross brings a unique blend of marketing acumen, content creation talent and community engagement to his work at 4imprint.

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