Readers Speak: Walking the Showfloor Pain-Free
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 1/17/2005
Even without a scientific study, it's not hard to figure out that show managers' productivity decreases in proportion to the physical toll of walking the showfloor. After too many post-show backaches and burning feet, show managers have gotten crafty with their ergonomically minded accessories. Senior Assistant Editor Rachelle Crum asked a handful of show managers: Short of hiring a personal assistant to lug your showfloor essentials around, how do you survive a show pain-free?
"I try to avoid carrying anything, but I usually have hand sanitizer. I don't have special shoes, but I am convinced that they sell Advil in the big bottles for show managers."
Hugh Tobin, Associate director, Pfingsten Publishing, DECOR Expos; Artexpos
"Our staff was carrying a cell phone and a walkie-talkie, but this past year we started renting two-way radios with the cell phone option. The most comfortable shoes are my Land's End waterproof moccasins for women. They were worth every penny."
Jana McWilliams, Conference coordinator, Specialty Graphic Imaging Assn., SGIA/The Specialty Printing & Imaging Technology Show
"We carry an over-the-shoulder pouch that holds a water bottle, cell phone, radio and pens. Then I carry a pad of paper with me. I keep my binder of important information on our cart that we have during move-in. I don't carry the binder around the show — it is an inconvenience not to have it with me, but it weighs 10 pounds."
Elli Miller, Exhibition manager, Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society, HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition
"Buy a new pair of comfortable walking shoes and gradually break them in prior to the show. Put together an emergency foot kit consisting of powder, cream, lotion, corn pads, blister pads, adhesive tape and foam toe sleeves. Put it in a plastic school pencil box.
"I issue everyone a safari/hunting style vest — plenty of pockets to keep those little items like lip balm, gum, mints, etc. Also, have disposable cameras available to quickly document those issues that will need future review."
John Krisko, Exhibitions marketing director, AMT-The Assn. for Manufacturing Technology, Intl. Manufacturing Technology Show
"I wear very comfortable shoes, mostly flats with rubber soles, and I keep all my stuff in a hiking pack. On my hiking pack, I hook the show radio, the show Nextel, my cell phone and the show pager. I keep the radio call number and phone number list so I can contact someone who might not be programmed into one of my communication devices."
Jennifer Gorman, Event manager, PennWell, Fire Department Instructors Conferences; Wildfire Summit
"Wear very comfortable shoes. I now have orthotics or wear shoes with rubber soles — they are getting better in fashion. I try not to carry a lot of items. During move-in, I may carry a clipboard for exhibitor listings by booth or alphabetized and for notes. If you carry papers, they start to melt in your hands — use a portfolio."
Julie Ichiba, Group show director, VNU Expositions, ASD/AMD Merchandise Group
"For comfort in walking during move-in and move-out, I wear Reeboks. During shows, I typically have at least two pairs of shoes in the show office so I can change from flats to heels or to a different pair of flats if necessary.
"I carry my cell phone, walkie-talkie and a zip binder that always contains the exhibitor list, floorplan, note paper, business cards, a pen and show rules. I add and delete other items depending on what's going on at the time. For instance, during move-in the binder will contain the move-in schedule with contact names, cell and/or emergency phone numbers for each exhibitor in case a problem arises."
Mike Hutya, Vice president, meetings and shows, Recreation Vehicle Industry Assn., Natl. RV Trade Show
"I used to carry a large notebook with all of my stuff in it. I had it in a briefcase that had an arm strap. At the end of the convention, I had a bruise on my shoulder. Now, I use a Dell Pocket PC.
"I can put all of my work and Excel documents right in the Pocket PC. It has wireless Internet access so I can check my e-mail as well. It also holds music that I can listen to on the plane, and pictures of my loved ones that I can look at while I'm on the road."
Jamie Romano, Tradeshow logistics manager, Produce Marketing Assn., PMA Fresh Summit Intl., Convention & Exposition
"I think most male meeting managers have enough pockets and belt space to just clip tools onto their clothes without having to wear a special accessory. I carry a small Swiss Army knife with me onsite. I have a wallet version of the same knife — it is about the same size as a business card with all the instruments flattened so that it will fit comfortably in a wallet or shirt pocket. It comes in handy on site visits and for traveling in general.
"I also found a pocket office tool that is about the size of a large Swiss Army knife, but it contains a pen, paper clips, miniature stapler, staple puller, small blade, screw driver and integral scissors. It goes with me in my field kit whenever I travel. I only wear fashion shoes now for formal events."
Tony Maiorino, Exhibition manager, Scherago Intl., American Assn. for Clinical Chemistry, Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo
"When I walk my showfloor, I carry a clipboard with only those important papers I need, as well as my cell phone, pen and money. When I'm at a competitive show, I carry a lightweight shoulder bag. I combine my purse and workbag into one with only the essentials. I wear shoes that have a rubber or cushioned sole. Definitely no high heels or a brand new pair of shoes."
Elizabeth Waiksnis, Show director, Advanstar Communications, LICENSING Intl.
"I only keep relevant business cards so I don't have hundreds to go through to find someone. If the show is particularly large I try to only take material that will be useful, otherwise the bag gets too full and too heavy and starts to strain the back. On occasion, if the bag of material is full I ask the staff at registration to hold it for me while I finish the show.
"I always wear light clothes, and I prefer a jacket or pants to put my business cards in so I don't have to carry a purse and briefcase around."
Karen Elliott, Managing partner, ProPlan Conference Planners, Independent Meeting Planners Assn. of Canada
"In the film 'The Wedding Planner,' Jennifer Lopez's character wore a tool kit apron-like belt. At the latest Independent Meeting Planners Assn. of Canada Conference, we did a three-pouch apron that looked like a casino croupier's apron, to hold our walk-about lunch. When each of us arrived at the tradeshow, waitstaff tied on our aprons. These aprons can be used by planners when on the tradeshow floor to hold all their stuff, or can be given out to delegates."
Sandy Biback, Founder, Imagination+ Meeting Planners, Independent Meeting Planners Assn. of Canada
"I have created my spec book so that it is easily transportable in small sections for each day's events. If you have an office, I don't think there's a real need to carry around a 20-pound binder with every scrap of paper generated for the meeting. If you try to carry it all, your fingertips will soon be numb from all the stuff you're carrying around.
Jack Chiasson, Director, meetings and conventions, Natl. Assn. of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies
