In 2021, industry professionals participated in an average of 8.2 regional and 5.6 national trade shows. About 11.5 million professionals attended business-to-business trade shows nationwide last year.
With so many people on the move, there’s bound to be an item left at the office by mistake, a minor scrape during an exhibit setup or other common mishap.
To navigate these pitfalls, it’s helpful to have these top four trade show emergency kits on hand—so you can be prepared for just about anything.
Emergency Kit #1: First-aid
Minor injuries can happen as trade show attendees make their way to, from and through convention centers. A first-aid kit can be just what the doctor ordered when someone scratches their hand during booth set up or trips and scrapes their knee.
A first-aid kit is designed to handle minor cuts and scrapes, splinters, burns and sprains. A kit may contain items, such as bandages, medical tape, gauze, dressing, nitrile gloves, antibacterial ointment, antiseptic wipes, scissors, an instant cold compress and a breathing barrier for CPR.
A convenient option is a first-aid kit that’s already assembled with supplies and a bag. Or you can put together your own kit with individual items, such as a hot/cold pack and bandages.
Emergency Kit #2: Technology accessories
It’s important for technology to run smoothly to have a successful (and less stressful) event. Here are some trade show must-haves that can help you stay powered up through a full day of networking.
- Extension cords and power strips: If your booth is located a little too far from an outlet, these can give you more reach to stay plugged in.
- Phone and laptop chargers: There’s no time to stress about a low phone battery while managing your booth. Charging cables or power banks are essential items in your trade show emergency kit.
- Ethernet, HDMI and audiovisual cables: It never hurts to have extra cables to ensure you stay connected.
- Backup files: A USB drive with duplicate files turns panic into peace of mind if the video you thought you had is nowhere to be found.
Emergency Kit #3: Toiletry items
84% of marketers and exhibitors say they feel “optimistic” or “hopeful” about the effectiveness of trade show marketing.
Your face-to-face interactions can form the first impression attendees have of your brand. Having a few basic toiletry items on hand can help you feel more comfortable—and likely more successful—as the crowds pass by throughout the day.
Lip balm can sooth dry lips during a day of continual conversations, a simple toothbrush and toothpaste can boost your confidence after lunchtime and a Jewel Compact Mirror can help ensure you look your best.
Emergency Kit #4: Sewing supplies
What happens when you notice a small tear in your clothing? Or lose a button? These wardrobe snafus don’t have to be showstoppers at the trade show. Having a simple sewing kit allows you to make a repair on-site within minutes, rather than having to run back to your hotel or to a clothing store. This trade show must-have is a valuable time saver when you need it most.
A basic sewing kit contains a sewing needle and multiple colors of thread. It can also be a good idea to pack a few extra buttons just in case.
Glitches happen—but you’ve got things covered with trade show emergency kits
When the unexpected happens at a trade show, you’ll be prepared and ready to react with ease using these four trade show emergency kits.
Key Takeaways
- Keep a first-aid kit on hand for minor scrapes.
- Bring extra cables to stay connected and charged.
- Pack essential toiletry items to be confident and comfortable.
- Take a sewing kit along for clothing mishaps.