The End of the NW Washington Fair for Another Year

It's been hard to get a blog post in today with the busy-ness all around. It's great to see so many people here after a quiet few days in the middle of the week. Yesterday was a good day for many of the vendors; we are hoping for another one today.

What makes a good fair or trade show for us vendors? I thought I would ask around. First of all: people, lots of them, preferably friendly. Personable, responsive fair staff and a clean environment is a plus; the NWWF ranks high on that list. Congenial fellow vendors help make slow times pass by more quickly and help keep the environment positive; one rude or uncooperative vendor can make life miserable. And for vendors who are selling product, not just raising their profile by handing out literature, a fair or trade show needs to be profitable.

A few tips: Good shoes are a must when standing on concrete for 13 hours a day. Resilient matting under the booth carpeting is a great idea too. Some type of seating is good in order to give feet and backs a much-needed rest during the day. Pack some healthy food along with your dose of fair food favorites. Dress professionally - it is amazing to me how many vendors don't. And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, to prevent fatigue and headaches. All this will help keep that smile on your face and the energy level high to greet clients all day, day after day.

This week is drawing to a close. Only a few hours remain until the barn doors close for a final time and we pack up for the year. It's been a good week again. I hope I'll be able to be a help and a blessing to the people I've met through the work that I do for them. And now it's time to shut down the computer and hand out a few more cards, give away a few more brochures, and make one or two more appointments for next week...