Street Fair and Trade Show tips from L&B Printing: Before the Event:

1. 
Seek out the appropriate event for your booth. If you can attend a similar event as a member of the public, do so. Bring a notepad and paper, taking notes on what you appreciated in certain booths and what you thought other booths could have done better.

2. Sign up early. Find out well in advance what is required to run a booth at the event you wish to attend.

3. Keep track of all costs associated with the event, including booth, giveaways, food, fees, etc. When the event is over you will want to compare its cost and results with other events to decide if you want to return.

4. Gather your supplies.

A. Displays and signs. At the very least, have at least one large banner stating clearly who or what you are promoting. Additional displays can help to inform your audience, too. Don't expect anybody to read large amounts of text while wandering by a booth. Instead, use large, eye-catching graphics and save the details for your flyers. A consistent look and feel between your different displays will help give your booth a unified, complete feel.

B. Freebies. A classic way to attract people to your booth is to give something away. Samples of something related to your message are ideal.

C. Literature. If you want people to contact you and remember you after the event, plan to hand out business cards, flyers, or brochures relating to your message. Bring more than you think you will need.

D. Demonstrations. If you can demonstrate something related to your organization (such as a product or service) or display the results of a successful project or activity, bring it for show and tell.

E. Activities. Bring these to draw people to your booth. Holding a drawing for a larger prize can net you a bowl full of contact information.

5. A Tent. If your event is outdoors, a portable canopy, tent, or gazebo is indispensable for keeping the sun (or rain) off. It will also help you look more official and professional.

6. A table and chairs. Again, the event organizers may provide these, or not. If you're not sure, ask.

7. Weather proofing. If the booth is outdoors, you may need weights to hold down papers, clips or clothespins to keep tablecloths and signs from blowing away, and so on.

8. Tie downs and tools. If you know you will be assembling your own booth, table, or displays, make sure to bring the tools you'll need.

9. A cart or dolly. Especially if it is a large event, don't assume that you'll be able to park anywhere close to your booth.

10. Water. You'll be talking a lot, and it may be costly or inconvenient to visit the event concessions.

11. Get help. If your booth is doing its job, you'll have lots of people to talk to over the course of the event.

12. Prep your help. Let them know what they're offering the public, whom they're approaching and how, where the various facilities nearby are, and when to arrive. They'll be speaking for your organization as experts, and they'll come across more professionally if they're informed, even if they are volunteers.

13. Dress for success! Try to staff your booth with people who are attired appropriately, yet draw attention. This will set your booth and organization apart from the maze of other booths and make you part of the show.

A.  If your organization has a uniform or even a t-shirt, wear it, and encourage your colleagues to do the same. Customized t-shirts are relatively inexpensive to produce even in low volumes.

B.  Dress alike. Even if you simply agree to wear jeans and a t-shirt in your organization's color, you'll look more like you are meant to be there.

14. Have Fun.