How to Choose the Best Location for a Trade Show Booth

Have you ever left a trade show and wondered why you hardly collected any leads? Did you do something wrong? Was your booth not attractive enough? Did you not use effective signs? Maybe the problem was the location where you setup your booth.

If you have previously worked a specific trade show, build upon your experience of that show and reprise your game plan when it is presented in the same exhibit hall again. Were you satisfied with the amount of traffic and the number of quality leads? If so, leave well enough alone and guard your secret diligently. If your results were less than stellar, maybe it's time to try a new strategy.

Look closely at the floor plan for the show. This is most likely available online. Look for familiar companies and see where they position themselves. Most shows have similarly themed companies grouped together. You don't want to set up too close to a competitor, but you also don't want to isolate yourself and make it hard for visitors to find you.

Do not choose a space right at the entrance of the main hall. You will receive a flood of traffic all at once that will overwhelm you and then everyone will pass on by. When visitors have seen the rest of the show, they will be tired and probably have little time to stop and talk to you on the way out. Do not choose a space that is close to restrooms or a food court. Things like that have a tendency to distract people. Do not choose a space in a side hall that is connected to the main hall by a door or hallway unless you just want some quiet time to reflect on your thoughts.

Take advantage of a space drawing for booth availability if it is provided and try to choose a booth that is close to the end of an aisle and near the front of the main hall, but at least two or three aisles away from the entrance. Choose the side that faces early morning traffic so that you attract the people who just rushed the entrance and then slowed down after passing the first few aisles to look around. Use a company sign that is very specific in describing what your company offers.

Spend some time walking the show and take note of which companies have the largest crowd and how much time people spend at the booth. It is a good idea to set up near them next time, but not directly next to them. You want to benefit from the substantial visitor traffic, but you also don't want potential customers' attention drifting to a nearby busy booth. Also pay attention to the companies who have annoying attractions or people in their booth. Avoid setting up near them in the future. Annoying people usually don't change their habits year after year and nothing is more aggravating than to have a talkative exhibitor from another company in your booth, distracting you while valuable potential customers size you up and then keep walking. If you are a small company and you transport your own booth equipment and set it up yourself, pay attention to the proximity of the loading area to your booth. Exhibiting near the loading area can make a huge difference to you on the first and the last day of the show.


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How to Find the Best Deals at a Children's Consignment Sale

Why pay retail prices for children’s’ clothes and toys when you can pay a fraction of the price for lightly used items at a children’s consignment sale?

Find a local consignment sale by looking through the newspaper, online websites, and by word-of-mouth advertising. The basic idea behind a children's consignment sale is that someone gives an organization, often a church or school, some articles of clothing or toys which are clean and lightly used. The organization will tag the item with a price and a reference to the seller. The general public is admitted and when someone buys the item, a large percentage of the money goes to the seller and a small portion to the organization, so both parties benefit. These consignment sales may be listed in local newspapers or even mentioned on web sites like Craigslist.org. Friends who also have young children are also good resources for discovering new consignment sales.

Consign several items yourself or volunteer to help with the sale. Most organizations who conduct consignment sales will offer a discount to the people who consign their items. Volunteers who help with the sale also may receive a discount and be allowed early entrance to the sale. Early entrance is a great privilege because it will give you access to the best items at the best prices. Also, you get to shop with a much smaller crowd. Some popular things to search for at children's consignment sales are the "boutique" items, which are normally isolated in their own section. These are high dollar items like fancy dresses and shoes and usually cost more than the average items.

Be prepared to shop aggressively. If you do not consign or volunteer for a sale, but you do want to shop, be sure to arrive early and bring a container, like a clothes basket to carry your purchases. Also be sure to bring some cash as many consignment sales are not equipped to process credit cards. Be prepared to navigate through a highly motivated crowd. Due to the low prices and crowded spaces, it is not uncommon for tempers to flair and for people to get into arguments over items. It is best to avoid these confrontations if possible.

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How to Travel to Myrtle Beach, SC from Charlotte, NC

It's time to leave for that much anticipated trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. Your family and friends are all packed and ready to go. You begin your journey from Charlotte, North Carolina. What is the safest and fastest route to Myrtle Beach SC from Charlotte? There are so many ways to go, but which one is the best?

Take I77 south towards Columbia. You will pass Carowinds, Tega Cay, Rock Hill, SC and two rest areas. Take the exit for Highway 9, which is located just after the second rest area. At the top of the exit ramp, take a left, which will direct you onto Highway 9 south towards Lancaster.

Stay on Highway 9 bypass and then take Highway 903. Travel on Highway 903 until you get to the city of Mcbee, where you will find Highway 151. Watch your speed through Mcbee. The limit drops to 25mph and the police are very aggressive against beach travelers who speed through their town.

Take Highway 151 south towards Darlington which runs into Highway 52. When you reach Darlington, take Interstate 95 north and then the Highway 327 bypass, which runs into 76/301. This will eventually turn into Highway 501. If you are going to Myrtle Beach, Highway 501 will run straight to the beach. If you are going to North Myrtle Beach, take the exit for Highway 22. This will take you straight to the outlet mall in North Myrtle. From there, take Highway 17 north to continue to North Myrtle Beach.

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