Exhibit Etiquette: Non-Verbal Behavior in the Trade Show Booth
Watch your exhibit staff. Do they engage in any of the following nonverbal behaviors?
- Continually fidget with pens, lead-gathering devices, or other items?
- Assume the "fig leaf" position with hands crossed over their crotch?
- Root in their pockets — for change, keys, or goodness knows what?
- Play juggler — tossing giveaway items, brochures, or other items into the air?
What these behaviors, often unconscious, communicate to attendees…
- I'm bored.
- I don't want to working this trade show exhibit.
- I'm nervous and don't want to talk to anyone.
What can you do?
- Create awareness and provide an alternative to keep their hands busy at the trade show booth.
- Give your team something to hold onto. Clipboards with surveys, lead cards, giveaway items, brochures — anything to keep hands out of the pockets!
- Practice makes perfect! Role-play the do's and don'ts before the show.