| To look at anyone working a trade show booth it | | | | mistake for a trade show. Though working a booth is |
| would look like one of the easiest jobs in the world. | | | | not strenuous, standing, moving, and talking in a |
| However, this is definitely a case where appearances | | | | manner you typically do not do on a daily basis will |
| are deceiving. Working a trade show booth is taxing, | | | | work more muscles. These need to be fed. A good |
| standing on the feet all day with consistent noise in | | | | idea is to eat a heavy breakfast that will fuel you |
| an unfamiliar area will wear on anyone. Often, one | | | | throughout the day. Don't worry the heaviness will |
| has to travel to the event and does not have the | | | | not slow you down because you will be moving all |
| comforts of home. This compounds the unfamiliar | | | | day long. For lunch eat healthy but get a good |
| task with the rigors of travel (jet lag). But there are | | | | quantity. If typically you eat a small salad, get a large |
| some things that can be done to keep one fit and | | | | salad. If you typically eat half a sandwich, eat both |
| energetic for the job. | | | | halves. If you feel you need a sugar boost choose a |
| To have a productive booth I recommend exhibit | | | | natural sugar like a fruit or a quality trail mix over a |
| staff stand the entire time. However, this is difficult | | | | candy bar or donut. |
| to maintain for people who are not accustomed to | | | | Do not forget to drink plenty of water. You will be |
| standing all day long. As anyone who has worked in | | | | expending more energy and perspiration by standing. |
| retail or the food industry can attest, standing all day | | | | Also, you will be talking quite a bit; this talking will |
| is not easy. Making matters worse, many trade | | | | have you putting off your body's water more than |
| shows last longer than a standard eight-hour day. To | | | | average. Plus, conference areas tend to have a very |
| keep one fresh it is a good idea to take frequent | | | | dry atmosphere. In a regular business day you |
| breaks. A few minutes every hour would be good. | | | | probably take in a lot of liquids and don't even think |
| During these breaks move briskly to stretch your | | | | about. But at the booth you will be out of your |
| muscles and then sit for a few moments. It is also a | | | | routine. Therefore keep plenty of bottled water |
| good idea to try and relax your mind too. | | | | around to hydrate with. |
| A better option if possible is to set a schedule for | | | | Finally, take precautions to immunize yourself before, |
| frequent rotation of staff. It would be nice if every | | | | during, and after the event. You will be dealing with a |
| staff member could have two hours on and two | | | | lot of people from a lot of different locations. It is a |
| hours off. But only if staff members are able to get | | | | good idea to use hand sanitizer frequently. Take |
| away and fully relax for their two hours off, like in a | | | | plenty of vitamins, get plenty of rest, and exercise |
| hotel room. | | | | before and during the trade show. This will help you |
| Be sure and preplan your meals to be healthy meals. | | | | build up immunity to what people may be carrying. |
| The larger conventions have less healthy food | | | | Also, be aware any time you put your hands to your |
| options available. Very large shows typically are held | | | | eyes, nose, or mouth to make sure they are clean |
| in venues that have concessions of nothing but junk | | | | before you do so. In slow times quickly take a |
| food. So, plan to accordingly. Smaller shows are held | | | | sanitizer wipe to the exhibit's common areas where |
| in conference hotels that have a restaurant, which | | | | people touch and lay things. |
| should have some nice healthy entrees. Many | | | | Hopefully, these tips will help you have a good show |
| business professionals tend to eat no breakfast or a | | | | and send you home healthy. |
| very light breakfast opting for coffee only. This is a | | | | |