Nimlok Tradepoints:
Don't Waste Time

Time is our most precious resource. There's no way to manufacture any more minutes in an hour or hours in a day. Yet believe it or not, there are some folks who think that the tradeshow floor is an ideal place to waste time.

Some tradeshow attendees are freebie junkies, wandering from booth to booth snatching up whatever goodies are offered. Others are trying to sell their own products or are looking for employment. They clog up your exhibit, discouraging the potential prospects you want to meet from stopping by. Your team needs to effectively and efficiently move these people along, while remaining polite.

My trick for handling this situation? Simply glance at your watch, use the person's name, and say, "Oh my! I didn't realize how long I've been keeping you! You must want to see the rest of the show." Thank them for stopping; hand them a giveaway item; and send them on their way.

Written by Susan A. Friedmann, CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, working with exhibitors and meeting & event planners to improve their event success through coaching, consulting and training. Website: www.thetradeshowcoach.com