Packing for the tradeshow needs a little thought especially if you have to ship items.? You will most likely have to have everything packed up 2 weeks or more in advance depending on how or where you are going to ship it.? If you are driving, then you have a little more leeway however you need to review the laws of the convention center on what you are allowed to carry in versus what the union has to do for you.? Usually if you can carry it with one person or roll it, you shouldn’t have a problem.? ?

Here is a general checklist of the items I would recommend having along:?????????

• Scotch Tape?????????
• Masking Tape?????????
• Duct Tape? ?????????
• 2-sided Tape?????????
• Velcro?

Seems over kill I know BUT you never know when some part of your booth is going to fail you and you need a quick fix.?

• Scissors?????????
• Pens?????????
• Lint Brush (this helps clean up table clothes, a quick carpet clean…because you do have to pay for them to vacuum, or if you have a popup booth with fabric sides)?????????
• Stapler?????????
• Binder for leads?????????
• Sell Sheets/Catalogs?????????
• Price list?????????
• Media Kits?????????
• Business Cards?????????
• Quick easy snacks.? I brought Power Bars because you often don’t get time to eat.?????????
• Water or other beverage?????????
• Mints (I don’t recommend gum)?????????
• Camera? (you are not allowed to take pictures of other booths without permission nor are they allowed to take a picture of yours.? I stopped more than one photograph)?????????
• Screwdrivers/tools that you will need to assemble your booth or for your product.? ?????????
• Power strip?????????
• Extension cords?????????
• Extra lighting to brighten up the booth.? (you will get charged for electricity)?????????
• Extra product for samples to buyers.? You do not need to give a free sample to each buyer and often times they will offer to pay for it.? ?Quite often the buyers will ask for samples to be sent so they don’t have to carry so much during the show.?

Obviously don’t forget the basic elements of your booth and your product to showcase.

?”Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” Henry David Thoreau

Gwen Austin, RC Art Toys, Inventor of the Color Bugâ„¢? www.rcarttoys.com?