The Ultimate Checklist for a Successful Trade Show!

Preparing for a trade show or trade fair requires time and organization. Some tasks must be completed weeks or even months in advance. When the day before departure arrives, it’s crucial to know what to pack!

To assist you with this task, we’ve prepared a list of must-haves to ensure maximum effectiveness at your show. When you’re confined to a location for several hours, it’s best to have everything you need at hand!

Essentials to bring to a trade show or fair:

• Extension cords
• Cords for connecting your various equipment
• Velcro straps to keep cords together
• A multi-tool screwdriver
• A flashlight
• Paper clips
• Masking tape
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Elastic bands
• A stapler
• Pens and highlighters
• Paper, a notebook, or notepads
• Resealable bags (Ziploc or other)
• Plastic boxes of various sizes
• Pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil)
• Mints or lozenges
• Hand sanitizer (Purell or other)
• Snacks and water bottles
• Paper towels and tissues
• Your business cards
• Your promotional material
• Your passes or tickets for the event
• Name tags or badges for identifying staff
• Your company-branded clothing, if you have any.

For computer-based promotional material, prepare documents that can operate without Internet, such as PowerPoint presentations or photos stored on your computer. If the network fails, you won’t be caught off guard!

Does this list seem complete to you?

Feel free to share your ideas drawn from your trade show experience! We’ll add them to the document for everyone’s benefit.