We’re about two weeks away from the frantic, time-shredding marathon that is the winter trade show season. It can be a hectic time for even the savviest road warrior, which is partially why Promo Marketing recently published our 2012 Trade Show Preview in our December issue (should be in your hands in about a week, dear subscribers!). Among the detailed previews and teasers of the year’s biggest shows, we also printed a handy travel guide loaded with packing and planning tips to make your yearly travels as painless and calamity-free as possible. Be sure to check out the full guide in our December issue, but if you’re looking for a few quick tips to hold you over until then, try this handful that I’ve clipped out from the full article:
- Clear your wallet or purse of old receipts. Whether you work for a company that will reimburse you directly or you’re just planning to deduct your business expenses from your taxes, keeping a clear wallet will make it a lot harder for receipts to get lost. To make it even easier, make sure you have a empty, labeled folder or envelope ready for when you get home.
- Get all your electronics in order. Make sure you have all the files you’ll need on your computer now. Get the power cord, any peripherals like mice or headphones, and any batteries you may need (Say for a wireless mouse). Do the same for your phone (charger, memory cards if necessary, any apps or files), iPod, iPad, etc. Also, if it’s necessary, be sure to find a couple Wi-Fi spots within easy reach of your hotel or the trade show floor, so as to avoid playing everyone’s least-favorite travel game, “Let’s Find the Internet.”
- Build an “oops” kit. Floss, a lint brush, tweezers, a small pair of sewing scissors, a glasses repair kit, a tide pen, all these things might seem silly to pack until the exact situation happens where they’re direly needed. Don’t get caught unprepared.
- Prepare for the flight. There is nothing worse than a long flight with nothing to do. Whether work, games for your phone, or nausea medicine needed to endure an eight-hour flight, make sure you have it all together before you go.
- Have a written schedule and map ready. Even a medium-sized trade show can have dozens and dozens events scheduled and booths to explore. Find out ahead of time what speakers you want to see, what classes you want to attend, and where exactly your must-see suppliers are. Save the map-fumbling and confused wandering for the rookies on the floor.
Thanks for reading, and see you all next week!
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MONDAY MIKE FACT: I recently received these magnet toys, the Original Sonic Rocks from Prime Line, that are super-fun to play with. Highly recommended!
