Trade shows are important events for business relationships and visibility in almost every industry. We even have a trade show for the trade show industry coming up soon: Exhibitor Live March 30th, 2020!
But how can you take measures to reduce the possibility of infection during these and other events?
In this post, we’ll go over some of the preventative measures you can take in order to limit the chances of infection while attending these events or just going about your routine daily schedule.
Tip #1 – Don’t touch your face
According to the CDC there are several different recommendations to keep yourself healthy and avoid numerous virus infections including but not limited to the coronavirus (covid-19), influenza and other common cold diseases.
One of the most important is to practice not touching your face. Most people contract virus illnesses from touching things that others who are infectious have touched. From hand rails to elevator buttons, it’s helpful to know you likely have the virus on your hands, but so long as you don’t introduce this into your mouth, nose or eyes the virus doesn’t stand a chance.
Some people chose to wear masks, not just for added assurance from airborne particles but as a reminder to not touch their nose or mouth.
Tip #2 – Take Time to Wash Your Hands… and Mobile Phone
Trade Shows can be very busy and it can be hard at times to remember to take a break to wash your hands, but in addition to bathroom breaks, make sure you are washing your hands before any meals and before you go to sleep.
I also recommend wiping your mobile phone with Clorox or Lysol wipes before using them. If your hands have been touching public places, chances are you are touching your phone too and spreading those germs to your phone. This won’t do as much good if you wash your hands but then grab a dirty phone and put it up to your face!
Tip #3 – Adopt a No-Handshake Policy
Some shows are encouraging, if not fully requiring a no-handshake policy. This is a safe step you can take to reduce your exposure to a potentially infected person.
Take Modex Show’s Covid-19 page. They give numerous recommendations including the promotion of the no-handshake policy. One day this will be all gone and none of us will have to think about it, but for now the fewer touching and interactions like handshakes, hugs and sharing of pens, laptops, etc the better.
Tip #4 – Utilize any chance you get to sanitize your hands
If the show or a booth provides a hand sanitizer station, USE IT! Washing with soap and water is preferred, but if you’re using hand sanitizer then make sure to cover your entire hand with the sanitizer and rub them together/around until it dries up.
If you can still get your hands on some hand sanitizer (no pun intended) then bring some along on your trip. Be careful though, retailers on Amazon have been taking advantage of the situation and have started to price gouge.
If you can’t find any hand sanitizers, remember tip #1 and find somewhere to wash your hands with soap and water.
Tip #5 – Keep your Distance at the Conference
It is now recommended to put a little more distance between you and others. Try to refrain from close spaces where you may be in range of someone that could sneeze and send infected droplets your way.
It might seem a little strange, but 6 feet between you and another person is a good practice that will also contribute to a safer show for you and everyone else.
Conclusion
Staying on top of hygiene and cleanliness is always important , but especially when attending large events such as conferences or trade shows. The two main takeaways here are to wash your hands and to not touch your face.
Check to see if your show has a page on their website for updates on the virus where you can find information for that specific show.
Hopefully, these tips can help you stay safe and infection-free at your next trade show or conference!