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The Ultimate Trade Show Survival Kit: What to Pack for a Smooth Event
Trade shows are exciting, fast-paced, and full of opportunities to showcase your brand. But anyone who’s worked a booth knows they can also be long, hectic, and unpredictable.
A missing cable, a sore back, or a last-minute booth issue can quickly throw things off track unless you’re prepared. That’s where your trade show survival kit comes in.
We’ve broken down exactly what to pack so you (and your booth) are ready for anything the event can throw your way.
1. Essentials for You and Your Team
When you’re on your feet all day, comfort and energy are everything. Keeping yourself and your team feeling good ensures you can focus on connecting with visitors and showing off your brand.
Pack these must-haves:
- - Refillable water bottle: Staying hydrated keeps your energy and focus sharp.
- - Healthy snacks: Nuts, granola bars, and fruit provide a quick boost between meals.
- - Comfortable shoes + blister care: Long hours on hard floors can take a toll.
- - Pain relievers: A lifesaver for headaches or sore muscles.
- - Hand sanitizer & tissues: You’ll shake a lot of hands — keep it clean!
- - Breath mints or gum: You’ll thank yourself later.
💡 Ace Tip: Create a checklist for team members to refer to when packing for the event.
2. Booth & Display Emergency Tools
Even the best booths have moments when something goes wrong. A loose screw, a flickering light, or an out of place cable are all manageable issues with proper preparation. Having the right tools can save your day (and your display).
Your booth toolkit should include:
- - A multi-tool or small toolkit
- - Gaffer’s tape (strong but residue-free)
- - Extension cords and power strips
- - Zip ties for quick fixes
- - Extra light bulbs or batteries
- - Cleaning wipes, lint rollers, and microfiber cloths
💡 Ace Tip: Create a checklist for team members to refer to when packing for the event.
3. Marketing & Business Materials
Your booth isn’t just a setup, it’s your marketing hub. Make sure you have what you need to make lasting connections and keep your brand top of mind.
Don’t forget to pack:
- - Extra business cards or a way to showcase QR codes for digital connections
- - Lead capture tools (tablet, badge scanner, or sign-up forms)
- - Printed product sheets or brochures for attendees who prefer physical copies
- - Branded pens or notepads — useful, memorable takeaways
- - Extra giveaways or swag so you never run out mid-show
💡 Ace Tip: Store your lead capture device chargers and backup materials together so you’re always ready for high-traffic moments.
4. Tech & Connectivity Backup
Tech problems can bring a booth to a halt. Stay one step ahead with backup solutions for your devices and displays.
In your kit, include:
- - Portable chargers or power banks
- - Spare charging cables for every device your team uses
- - Wi-Fi hotspot or backup internet plan
- - USB drive with booth graphics, presentations, and videos
💡 Ace Tip: Keep a folder labeled “Event Files” on your USB drive, just in case something gets corrupted or lost during setup.
5. Organization & Storage
A great survival kit isn’t just about what you bring. A little planning and organization helps you stay efficient during setup, showtime, and teardown.
Recommended tools:
- - Rolling bin or tote: Easy to transport and keeps items contained.
- - Labeled storage bags or pouches: Find things fast, even in a rush.
- - Compact first-aid kit: For those inevitable minor cuts or blisters.
- - Printed checklist: Helps you restock and stay prepared for your next show.
💡 Ace Tip: Keep a laminated copy of your checklist inside your kit for quick reference.
Final Thoughts
A well-prepared trade show survival kit helps you handle anything the event throws at you — from a dead battery to an unexpected spill.
Here’s what to remember:
- - Take care of yourself and your team
- - Pack booth repair tools for quick fixes
- - Keep marketing materials handy for lead capture
- - Prepare tech backups for smooth operations
- - Stay organized to make the most of your time and energy
With these essentials on hand, you can focus on what really matters: connecting with attendees and showing off your brand.
Need help creating a booth setup that’s as reliable as your survival kit?
👉 Reach out to our Displays Experts. We’ll help you choose displays that look great, perform flawlessly, and make setup easier so your event runs as smoothly as possible.
About Ace Displays
In 2006, Ace Displays was founded in Southern California with the desire to provide quality products at competitive prices with the fastest delivery times in the industry. We believe purchasing an event display and its accessories should be an easy and exciting experience. Leveraging our short lead times to differentiate ourselves, we exist to connect people by providing event solutions that create conversations and lasting impressions.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide the best event & trade show displays at budget-friendly prices with unparalleled service to ensure we exceed our clients expectations and to foster an environment our employees are proud to work in.
The Ace Method
We are excited to work with you - from meeting your budget to meeting your deadlines - we will help you create a display that looks great and asserts your presence. To aid in what can be a rather laborious process, Ace has developed a 6-step method to get you a display quickly and easily so you can focus your time on other areas of your business and upcoming events.