Home » Working Women » Careers - Foreign Trade » What is Your Mission in Trade Shows? 1. To get the most out of a show, have a clear picture of why you are participating and what you hope to accomplish in the fair. Find out as much as possible about the organisation which is holding the show, so that it helps you plan your next move.

2. Find out more on who else would be participating. This would enable you to decide whether the show is worth participating, who you are likely to meet.

3. If you are travelling to another city check out the weather conditions of the place beforehand so that you are well-equipped to face it.

4. Prepare a list of possible questions that visitors are likely to ask you at the fair. Spend time role-playing with your employees to make sure they are confident of their answers. Role play should also include sample opening remarks about your company, the products on the show as well as questions to ascertain the attendees' needs.

5. Practice greeting people, shaking hands and introducing yourself. Perfecting these conversation starters with visitors will help create a comfort level for the people manning the booth and make visitors feel welcome.

6. Schedule travel arrangements so that you have time to rest before the fair starts. If you are exhausted from a hectic travel schedule, carrying heavy bags and setting up the booth, then you are not going to make a very positive impression on the visitors to your booth.

All this may seem like a lot of nonsense about nothing, but it is vital because visitors will make assumptions about your company based on the way the staff conducts themselves. Exhibiting at a trade fair is an expensive venture. And you don't want to risk that investment through on-the-spot learning or silly faux pas.