Rules of the booth

It's convention season again and having attended a few - as attendee and as exhibitor I'd like to remind us of the rules of the booth

Do

• Make it easy for delegates to approach you (see the "Don'ts below)

• Dress to a slightly higher standard than attendees - you are a brand ambassador

• Remember to smile and use open ended questions as attendees browse your materials

• Have a way to collect prospect data - a business card for a lucky draw? A QR code to scan? Got white papers they can download?

• Have blank business cards for those who run out, or a google sheet on your phone

• Hold a lucky draw every day you are exhibiting, or even twice a day. Vary the prizes

• Staff the booth for the peak traffic times (before first session, during lunch and breaks and following last session of the day) AND for the quieter times. Yes you need a roster so everyone is clear

• Know where the emergency exits, coffee / food booths are and how to get to the toilets

• Set up appointments with clients, prospects you know that are attending to drop by for a chat

• Have an interactive feature in your booth. Tech is all the rage, but Human is still cool... what can you set up to draw people in?

• Attend some of the plenary and "tracked" sessions - have something to talk about that's not just your products

• Discuss how you are going to engage people walking past your booth - what questions will you ask to draw them in?

• Practice / rehearse your talk track about your company, products, point of view and any industry trends you think are pertinent. Make sure your team can do the same

• Plan to follow up swiftly (next day is good guidance) to everyone you connect with in person. Have a similar plan for the cards you collect

Don't

• Eat while in your booth - step away to do so

• Work on your computer or spend an inordinate amount of time on your mobile device - you look busy and not approachable. If you must use a device, leave your booth and stand elsewhere

• Sit during peak traffic times (see above)

• Stand in groups and chat with your colleagues: This can be daunting to more reserved or introverted prospects

What would you add to the above?