37 Things A Trade Show Booth Does
May 3, 2013
By Michael Thimmesch
Recently I wrote a surprisingly popular blog post called “44 Things A Booth Staffer Does.” Some readers were amazed at the wide range of skills and tasks booth staffers require, while other readers wanted to share with their naïve peers just how much staffers actually do.
That led me to think about the job of your biggest booth staffer. And I’m not talking about that body builder from sales, or the big cheese CEO. I’m talking about your trade show booth.
Trade show displays are multitasking marvels made of metal, wood, fabric and more. Just like your booth staffers, they’ve got a very long to-do list. Imagine what it takes to build one thing that has to do all 37 of these things well:
- Build, enhance, reposition and maintain your brand
- Support your booth staff
- Generates leads
- Be seen from a distance
- Communicate quickly
- Stop attendees
- Help attract qualified attendees
- Promote your benefits
- Announce your product markets
- Break your company into new markets
- Tell your story
- Host a presentation
- Provide meeting space
- Display your products
- Introduce your new products
- Recruit new employees
- Advances the buying cycle
- Host a press conference
- Make a statement
- Reinforce a themed message
- Answers questions
- Store your staffer’s stuff, plus promotions, supplies and electronic gear
- Facilitate dialog
- Scare your competitors
- Reinforce business partnerships
- Welcome customers
- Change booth sizes
- Change messages to fit different markets
- Instill pride in your team
- Impress investors
- Minimize operating costs
- Pass show regulations
- Pack down efficiently
- Set up as easily as possible
- Travel without getting damaged
- Last for years
- More than pay for itself
Your trade show booth must be a marketing powerhouse, a great host, a workplace, and a versatile team player. May you find the right booth for you.

In this book Skyline has compiled 26 blog posts originally published in the Skyline Trade Show Tips blog. The posts combine information about social media tools and tactics, pre- and at-show promotions, digital marketing tools and general marketing tips.
From experienced trade show consultants, traditional marketers and digital marketing practitioners, these authors know Trade Shows and how to leverage modern marketing tools to help draw new and returning visitors to your trade show or event.