image credit: lomokev

With spring right around the corner, it’s officially trade show season. Whether you’re an artisan, designer or blogger, chances are you’ve seen your fair share of trade show coverage already — and the best is yet to come!

There are billions of benefits to trade shows, but if you’re not prepared, they can feel seriously overwhelming. Here are BAKERY’s Trade Show Survival Tips, fresh from the oven!:

1. Plan
Seriously, do it. If you plan to showcase your wares at a trade show, you’d better have the show’s website bookmarked and frequent it often. Not only will you score some great information (hotel discounts, airfare rates and parking details), but you’ll get the inside scoop on the floor plan, booth regulations and your fellow attendees/participants. Familiarize yourself with as much as you can to avoid last minute surprises.

2. Think
Do your brainstorming months before your show, as procrastination is a recipe for disaster. If you’re showcasing products, do you want to offer giveaways, treats and/or product freebies? If you’re attending, which spots are must-have hits for you? Devise a plan early on and take the necessary actions to prepare for your plan.

3. Fuel
Give yourself the energy and focus to get through trade shows, as they can tend to be incredibly draining on the mind and body. Whether your choice vice is coffee, energy bars or yoga, be sure to arrive with plenty of it in tow.

4. Smile
Enjoy yourself, and be friendly. This is a no-brainer, but when dozens of people are crammed into tiny spaces, we tend to release our claws. Keep your attitude in check and stay calm — it will be over soon enough.

5. Follow Up
When all is said and done, retreat back to your hotel room (or home!) and debrief from the day immediately. You’ll pick up ideas for next year’s show, great blog coverage and exciting new contacts that may be lost in the mix if you wait days to put it to paper. Don’t forget to send follow-up emails to everyone who you make contacts with, just to say “it was nice to meet you.” Post-show networking is the best part of the show!

Above all, have fun. Trade shows are exciting (especially with coffee)!