Best Practices in Event Planning

Size doesn't always matter when it comes to exhibit space. What does matter is how you enhance the investment.

If you're the trade show planner for your organization, make sure your booth staffers brush up on some etiquette guidelines before the show opens so that all your hard work does not go to waste. And who knows, these might come in handy should you yourself ever be called at the last minute to man the booth!

Here are five etiquette tips for the trade show floor:

• First impressions. It's important that you are approachable while keeping up appearances. Stand to greet attendees, smile, make eye contact, avoid eating/drinking/chewing gum while in the booth, and thank visitors for stopping by your booth when they leave.

• Be mindful to dress codes. Not only does it show you are respectful of the organization as well as the attendees, it reinforces booth themes.

• Use scripts. It is professional and respectful to the attendees if the booth managers know what they are talking about. Assign specific areas to those with the proper expertise or the knowledge on where/how to get requested information.

• Engage guests, not colleagues. It's pretty common that attendees are at the trade show because they have a good reason. They probably want to hear about your product! So make eye contact and make them feel comfortable while you answer their questions. Keep your attention on them; it's why they came!

• Keep it clean. You already know to store empty boxes under skirted tables or in the common storage area. But do you do so for the duration of the event? Don't get so preoccupied that you let trash slip by on tables or even the floor. Stay organized all day!