Trade Show Booth Staff Training Expert, Susan Friedmann, CSP, The Tradeshow Coach

How many of your booth staffers realize that the most important message they send is communicated without a single word being spoken? Body language is a critically important element of communication. The way we hold ourselves, from posture to hand position and our proximity to our peers can determine how successful we’ll be as exhibitors.

Here’s a quick checklist. How many of the following “Sinister Six” body language habits do your staffers have?

1.    Crossed Arms of Doom: Arms rigidly locked over the chest, a clear non-verbal cue that the arms’ owner doesn’t want to do any talking!
2.    Look at my Shoes!  Attention fixed on the carpet makes it easy to avoid meeting attendee’s eyes.
3.    Jiggle, jiggle, jingle: We’re not sure what’s so interesting in your pockets — but we really hope it’s change!  A signal of anxiety, nervousness, and poor stress management — not likely to inspire confidence in a prospect!
4.    I hope this table’s really strong: If you’re so tired that the table has to hold you up, you’re clearly too exhausted to talk to attendees.  Don’t lean on the furniture!
5.    Dance fever: Hopping from foot to foot, shuffling nervously, this little anxiety inspired jig makes us want to give you directions to the restroom — not our business.
6.    The classic fig leaf: It’s okay — you’re wearing pants.  You don’t need to ‘cover yourself’ from prying eyes!

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