Trade Show Basics: Your Emergency Trade Show Kit
Have you ever been on the trade show floor and suddenly realized how nice it would be to have a certain item with you? Did it even occur to you that you might need that item before you left for the show? A great way to avoid any mishaps and provide damage control when needed is to think ahead and pack an emergency trade show kit.
Critical for any exhibitor, you should always have a show emergency kit (sometimes referred to as Gang Boxes) available in your trade show display. This self-made kit can contain some or all of the following items:
Office Supplies
Business cards, pens, pencils, markers, hi-liters®, a variety of tape from duct to Scotch®, scissors, staplers, hand held paper punch, super glue, glue sticks, paper clips, rubber bands, binder clips, and notepads.
Tools
Flashlight, screw drivers, pliers, hammer, measuring tape, and most importantly any tools specific to your exhibit.
Misc. Items
Breath mints, Kleenex®, hand sanitizer, small sewing kit, Ziplok® bags, Velcro® – BOTH hook and loop, WD40, batteries. Basic Medicine – Advil®/Tylenol®, allergy medicine, eye drops, and a small first aid kit.
Cleaning Supplies
Paper towels, cleaning wipes, adhesive remover, carpet stain remover.
Exhibit Part and Pieces
Light bulbs, screws, connectors, Gaffers tape and double sided carpet tape.
The great thing about these kits is that they are reusable. Once you have created one, all you need to do is maintain the few items that need to be replaced as the supplies get low. Also, keep in mind the size of your trade show booth space. Larger booths should have more than one kit available in the space to make sure everything is accessible.
Why start your kit now? Waiting will only increase the likelihood you will forget something. Not every item listed above will pertain to your space, but odds are good that many of them do. How many times have you been in a rush finishing items at the office before a show only to arrive and realize that you left your business cards at the office? Save yourself the hassle and pack these kits early!
By: Clarissa Piquero Kierner –
