For a first show, the  "Show n Tell n Smile n Sell" will be perfect for you.

Here are the top 10 tips:

1) Set up your display the day/night before or be sure that you are there at the precise setup time the day of the show.

2) Have all your display items in one convenient cart/container to avoid multiple trips to your vehicle.

3) Have a price list, order forms and contact forms.

4) Have business cards and/or brochures and/or flyers and/or some type of handout material as well as promotional items or candy or something to attract people to your display.

5) Have an assistant to help you work the show.

6) Collect business cards by offering a prize.

7) Offer a special discount on items for sale at the show.

8) Visit all the other displays. Your potential customers are not just the people who visit your display.

9) Make follow-up contact with all those you meet after the show.

10) If you are seeking financing, have copies of your executive summary for those who inquire about your offering. Do not bring copies of your business plan. Do not give a copy of your business plan to anyone you have not met with to verify he/she is the type of investor you are looking for. Interview the potentional investor after the show and should that be the type investor you are looking for only give a copy of your business plan after signing of an NDA.

For more PR for your firm, send a nice "thank you" note on your business letterhead to the show sponsors/organizers after the show. With any luck, it will be published for additional publicity about your company.

Should you win one of the 5 "Best of Show" awards, put that on your website with a link back to the show site.