A Healthy Show is a Happy Show

A HealthY Show is a Happy Show

One of the keys to a successful trade show is the people manning the booth. The days can be long, and everyone has to be at his or her best.

And a big part of being at your best is your health. If you’re not feeling healthy, your potential customers will surely notice and that won’t help you or your company.

So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some things you can do to keep yourself in tip-top shape while on the road.

#1. Comfortable Clothing – Dress well, but also comfortably. You’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet and so it’s especially important to bring extra shoes. Consider changing them at 3-4 hour intervals; it’s a great way to invigorate your soles. This is especially true for women wearing heels. High heels really should be avoided, but if you must, combine them with a comfy, no-heel sneaker or something comparable that you can wear behind the tables. You’ll be glad you did.

#2. Hydration – Even if you’re not moving around a lot, standing for long periods of time in a crowded exhibition hall can have a way of sucking the fluids right out of you. Keep plenty of water, tea or juice closeby and don’t let yourself go too long without drinking something. Avoid carbonated sodas and coffee if you can, they don’t do nearly as much good for you as the above will. Energy drinks can be helpful as long as you use them in moderation. And remember: Not all energy drinks are the same, so do some research to see what experts recommend. Also keep in mind that air travel and high altitudes can have an adverse effect on your hydration levels as well, as can alcohol.

#3. Eat Better Than You Normally Do – Traveling to a trade show means a lot of eating out at strange hours. To combat this, start out your day by eating breakfast. Lots of people skip breakfast; but at most hotels, it’s your one free meal of the day, so why not take advantage of it? Before leaving for the show, buy some of your favorite healthy snacks like trail mix or dried fruits or vegetables and take some with you for a quick bite every couple of hours. That way, even if you overdo it a bit at night, you’ll know that you did your best during the day.

#4. Take a Break – At least once during the day, weather permitting, take a few minutes to go outside, find a bench or chair, and just soak in the weather. It’s one of the best things you can do for yourself since 95% of your day will be inside breathing a lot of other people’s CO2. Do your favorite stretches, even if only for 5 or 10 minutes, or just take a quick walk. You’ll feel recharged, ready to re-enter the fray!

#5. After-Hours Limits – When you’re traveling, especially after a grueling day, it’s tempting to let loose, order a big meal, have a few drinks and stay up way past your bedtime. You’ll feel better in the morning if you set some limits for yourself such as having a two-drink maximum, ordering off the healthy choices menu or putting your “in room” deadline at 8 or 9 p.m. This will give you a chance to unwind, make calls, etc. and still get to bed at a decent hour. If you want to reward yourself, make the last night your indulgent one (as long as you don’t book an early morning flight).

#6. Preventative Maintenance – You can do lots of things to prevent sickness or a run-down feeling due to travel and the long days you’ll face on the road. First and foremost, bring some hand sanitizer for the booth. You may well be shaking lots of hands, and an anti-bacterial sanitizer can be your best friend. If you take vitamins on a daily basis, be sure to pack them, along with a few other things like antacids, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. You’ll be ready if you don’t feel well, and you won’t have to rely on your hotel to have these things in stock or to make a late-night run to a convenience store. Hiring local event support provides your event well-rested, Brand Ambassadors to represent your brand.  You won’t have to be concerned with their travel and after-hour commitments.

#7. Sleep – Many people have a hard time sleeping the first night away from home; getting used to the hotel bed, new sounds (or lack thereof) and sometimes adjusting to a new time zone. If your company’s budget and time constraints permit, think about getting to your destination a day early and getting the first night’s sleep out of the way so you’ll be raring to go on day two. Also consider bringing a white noise machine – they are great for blocking out hallway conversations, traffic sounds and noisy neighbors.

These are just a few things you can do to ensure a happy and healthy stay during your next show. Every little bit helps, and you want to be at your best!

Consider Exhibitors Connection as your on-site marketing team.  We specialize in creating a team that will be a natural extension of your brand, your company and represent you in an outgoing, professional manner.  Let us know if we can provide you with the right team to help draw attendees into your event or exhibit space, 773.631.9465.

Exhibitors Connection, nationwide tradeshow and event marketing, specializes in creating an on-site, event marketing team that will best represent your brand, your company and be a natural extension of your team. Let us know if we can help you pick the right team for your next event, 773.631.9465.

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