1. First impressions count! Plan NOW for your booth for next month! Invest in colorful signage that clearly identifies you and your product. Have before/after photos, samples of your product.

2. Put on a show and given 'em ACTION! A live demonstration always draws a crowd. Two heads are better than one, especially is one is doing a demo. Have a second "expert" in your booth to field questions while you demo.

3. Bring a supply of chocolate or mints to serve as magnets to passersby. By the way, Don Dana of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce calls this "trick or treating for adults."

4. Trade incentives and giveaways for information. Have passerbys drop their business cards into a fish bowl for a chance to win a really nice door prize. What a friendly to collect data!

5. Quality giveaways help project the image that you are a quality business. Make sure the giveaways includes contact information.

6. Always face attendees. Greet people with a question that requires an answer. Don't just say "Hi," say "Hi, have you seen our product before?"

7. Make sure everyone representing you is HIGH ENERGY, friendly and outgoing. Sitting down at your exhibit may leave the impression that you are resting and don't want to be bothered. NEVER chew gum, eat or drink at your exhibit!

8. Bring three times as many business cards as you think you will need. TIP: Instead of brochures, distribute postcards instead. Unlike a heavy brochure, postcards are light and easy to carry. They are also very inexpensive to print. For about $500, you can get 5,000 postcards made by 1-800-POSTCARDS or http://www.1800postcards.com. TIP: Collect the cards of serious prospects. Say, "So many people were interested in my products, I've already given all my brochures away. But, I'd love to send you one as soon as I get back to the office."

9. Dress appropriately. Business attire or polo shirt with company logo. TIP: Wear a jacket with pockets so you can always have a supply of biz cards handy. Right pocket for your cards; left pocket for cards you collect.

10. Finally, make your exhibit full-service, not "self-service." Spreading literature, give aways and product samples on a table where attendees can just grab them and walk away defeats the purpose of attending trade shows - which is to interact with visitors.