This week in our trade show series, we want to share our go-to list of things to bring with you to your trade show. This may not qualify as in-depth marketing strategy, but sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference between a smooth process and lurching from one mini-crisis to another.
After years of setting up and managing booths for clients, we’ve found that there is almost always something we wish we had on hand. Some little gadget, a marking pen, a certain type of tape… By now we’ve compiled what we think is a pretty bullet-proof list of things to bring to a trade show besides the booth itself – just in case something comes up. If you’re the staffer who remembers to bring this box of stuff, you’ll end up being the hero of the show!
Trade Show Necessities
1. Business cards
2. Band-aids
3. Batteries
4. Tape: Duct tape, electrical tape, double sided tape
5. All-purpose cleaner
6. Cleaning rags
7. Razor blades
8. Zip ties
9. Super glue
10. Sharpie pens
11. Ballpoint pens
12. Sewing kit
13. Clear nail polish/nail clippers
14. Screwdriver
15. Allen wrenches
16. Gloves
17. Toothpicks
18. Napkins
19. Sponges
20. Extra keys to exhibit cases
21. Shipping labels
22. Contact list
23. Show manual and exhibitor kit
24. Shrink wrap
25. 3M spray adhesive
26. Miscellaneous nuts and bolts
27. Rubber bands
28. Trash bags
29. Paper towels
30. Hammer
31. Glass cleaner
32. Staple gun and staples
33. Strapping for shipping
34. Baby wipes
35. Hand sanitizer
36. Small bite-size snacks
37. Small water bottles
38. Ibuprofen
39. First aid kit
40. Booth prints, layout and schedule
For more information on trade show planning, please see our Trade Show Success Guide.
Next week in Trade Show Secrets: The Trade Show Experience.
