Home » Working Women » Careers - Foreign Trade » Exhibitions Extend Well Into the Night If you think that you need to role-play only at the exhibition site, you are mistaken. Your role will extend even after the exhibition. Your manners, your social and business skills will extend up to the wee hours of the morning on many days. Because in addition to the exhibition floor, there are business meetings, 'social' gatherings, cocktail parties, lunches and dinner. Check the schedule of events prior to the fair and be sure to attend them in time.

Do not use these evenings out to model your latest purchases. Every industry has its own cultural norms that dictate dress codes. Just be careful that the clothes you wear indicate you are there to do business, not to display. Take special care of your feet. Comfortable but professional-looking shoes are a must as you will be on your toes the whole day.

During the social or educational events, it is bad manners to stay glued to your colleagues. Make it point to socialise actively. This is the opportunity to meet prospects that did not stop by your booth and to win greater visibility at the fair and in the industry. The 'social' events are also excellent opportunities to build relationships with people you already met.

Remember that although this may be a 'social' event, you are still on a business trip and your business acumen is judged on how professionally you conduct yourself all the time. Do not overindulge in anything.

Pack more business cards and company literature than you think you could possibly need. If the show is in another country, the material may need to be bi-lingual. Also pack the supplies you will need to work efficiently in the booth and to organise your expenses and follow-up.

With all the excitement of preparing for the trade fair, don't forget to plan for everything to function smoothly at the company during your absence. If not, you might find irate employees, colleagues or clients on your return, not to mention a mountain of work that got accumulated while you were away.