Trade Shows

Trade shows. Here are my thoughts as we prepare for our booth at the upcoming 2021 Community Bankers of Michigan Convention and Expo in Traverse City, Michigan.

• They are tough

• They are really tough

• They are really, really tough

• They are extremely time-consuming

• They take a ton of preparation

• They are harder to put together than you think

• You always forget something

• Always bring a few extra of everything - especially cables

• Did I mention bring extra cables?

• Always bring a change of clothes for when you spill your coffee (it will happen)

• They take a lot of internal organization

• They are still hard to organize even when you plan and create lists

• Don’t lose your lists

• Use outside sources for assistance whenever possible, even the neighbor’s kid if need be

• They are really, really, really tough

• Do any necessary stretching beforehand so you don’t pull a hammy

• Don’t fill your table with too much stuff

• Don’t have too little of stuff on your table

• Do more stretching mid-show so that you don’t pull a hammy

• When setting up, or tearing down the booth, don’t be afraid to ask for help so you don’t pull a hammy

• Trade shows consume resources, financially, physically, emotionally, and in man-hours

• Trade shows are absolutely, positively worth every single second of effort put towards them, unless that Covid thing is lurking.