Conventions are expensive. Don't let staffing errors ruin your investment. Here's what NOT to do.
1. Booking Too Late
Mistake: Waiting until last minute to book staff Solution: Book 4-6 weeks out minimum; earlier for major shows
2. Insufficient Training
Mistake: Staff doesn't know your product Solution: Provide written materials + live training session
3. Wrong Staff-to-Booth Ratio
Mistake: Too few (overwhelmed) or too many (idle) staff Solution: 1 staff per 100 sq ft of active space
4. Ignoring Break Schedules
Mistake: Staff burnout from no breaks Solution: Plan 15-min breaks every 2 hours; cover shifts
5. Poor Communication
Mistake: Staff doesn't know daily objectives Solution: Morning huddles, clear goals, end-of-day recap
6. Wrong Dress Code
Mistake: Staff attire doesn't match brand Solution: Provide specific guidelines + approve in advance
7. No Lead System
Mistake: No process for capturing/qualifying leads Solution: Train on lead capture tools + qualification criteria
8. Inflexible Staffing
Mistake: Same staff for all tasks Solution: Match skills to roles (demos vs. lead gen)
9. No Backup Plan
Mistake: No coverage for no-shows or illness Solution: Book 10% extra or have on-call backups
10. Post-Show Neglect
Mistake: Not collecting staff feedback Solution: Debrief meeting + improve for next show
Avoid these mistakes: Air Fresh Marketing 303-720-6060
