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. At the Country Club, set up starts at 6:30 a.m. and it's first come, first served for table locations. There are limited electrical outlets available, so bring a long extension cord should you require electricity and a multi-plug wall outlet so you can share with your neighbors if need be. Also, the Country Club has no public Internet access. If you require same, bring your own cloud connector.

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, contact forms and sign-up sheets.

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. You will want to personally meet everyone there.

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. (You will be provided a link to the contact data to every paid attendee after the show is over.)

10a) 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 potential 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.
10b) If you are a not-for-profit, have copies of your annual report and/or other literature describing the good you do/have done for the community. Yes, you may also ask for donations during the show.

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.

Every table has a table number card. Keep that in plain view on your table. During the seated breakfast, you will be asked to stand and introduce yourself. Be sure to mention your table number. Should you win one of the 5 "Best of Show" or 10 "Honorable Mention" awards, put that on your website with a link back to the show site.

Should media interview you, remember to talk in "sound bites," smile, don't fidget and keep your hands down. Look directly at whomever asked you the question and not at the camera. Make a statement one sentence at the time, then wait for a response/reaction/next question; don't go on and on and on. To do otherwise will absolutely kill your chance of being broadcast. Make every statement positive or don't make it at all. Ditto.