Super 7 Series: Success at Trade Shows 4 of 7

Pre-Show Checklist: Your Trade Show Prep Timeline

Trade show success doesn’t start at the booth — it starts weeks before. Proper planning is the key to showing up confident, clear, and ready to shine. This Super 7 breaks down the essentials to cover before you ever set foot on the show floor.

1. Create a Budget

Factor in booth fees, travel, print materials, SWAG, signage, staff time, and pre-show marketing. Plan for “surprise” costs like electricity, shipping, or parking — they add up fast.

2. Define Your Booth Goals

Are you focused on lead generation, sales, brand awareness, or partnerships? Set 1–2 clear goals and design everything around them.

3. Build Your Team

Assign team members, brief them on messaging, and create a shift schedule. Make sure everyone knows the “elevator pitch” and how to qualify leads.

4. Plan Your Marketing

Start your pre-show content now: social posts, emails, teaser videos, event countdowns. Use the event hashtag and mention your booth number early and often.

5. Design Your Booth

Layout matters. Plan for space, traffic flow, signage, and zones: product display, giveaways, lead capture. Branded and organized = approachable and memorable.

6. Prep Your Materials

Print brochures, order business cards, prep QR codes, and get your branded SWAG ready to go. Don’t forget to check shipping deadlines.

7. Set Up Lead Capture

Whether it’s a form, app, notebook, or badge scanner — make sure you have a system to track contact info and conversation notes.

Pro Tip:
Have a team huddle 1–2 days before the show to go over your booth setup, goals, FAQs, and lead strategy. A short sync-up can prevent a dozen small problems.

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📌 Part of the Black Swann Consulting Super 7 Series: Trade Show Success
Next up: Booth Design 101: How to Stand Out Without Going Overboard

📌Want three trade show checklists in one free bundle?
Download the Trade Show Strategy ProPak — it includes Pre-Show, During-Show, and Post-Show checklists to help you make the most of every event.

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