The 10-Minute Pre-Show Plan

Your goal: walk in with intent, not curiosity.

Pick three outcomes (only three):

• Build: scenes, themes, or set pieces you can realistically execute this season
• Buy: products that increase revenue, throughput, or reliability
• People: the relationships that change your year (vendors, operators, talent, tech)

Make your “hit list”:

• 10 must-see booths
• 5 nice-to-see booths
• 3 problems you need solved (throughput, resets, actor training, visibility, queue experience, etc.)

Schedule two anchor meetings per day.
Not eight. Two. Everything else is opportunistic.

What to Bring (So the Week Doesn’t Break You)

Pack for stamina and momentum:
Broken-in shoes
Crossbody or small backpack (hands-free = better conversations)
Portable charger + short cable
Sharpie + small notepad
Water + protein (you’re not “too busy” to eat)
A simple one-page “Who We Are” sheet (attendance, attraction summary, sponsorship contact)

The Floor Strategy That Works

Step 1: The First Lap (Map, Don’t Shop) Do a full lap early to find: Major manufacturers Specialty makers (often where the real gems are) High-traffic bottlenecks (they’ll shape your timing)

Step 2: Target Mode (Decisions, Not Drifting)
When you stop at a booth, ask four questions:
What’s new this year?
What’s in stock vs. lead time?
What’s the price break and the minimum?
What does this replace in my show—and what does it improve?

Capture it clean:
Photo of booth sign + product → text yourself:

“Why it matters / where it goes / budget / follow-up name.”

The Buyer Filter (BHHA Standard)

If it doesn’t do at least one of these, it’s probably not a priority:

Increases revenue (marketable “moment,” premium upgrade, higher conversion)

Improves throughput (fewer bottlenecks, smoother guest flow)

Reduces labor (faster resets, easier training, fewer breakdowns)

Improves reliability (holds up across 20–30 nights)

Simple test: If you can’t explain where it goes in 10 seconds, you’re not buying it—you’re collecting.

Operator Questions That Separate Pros From Tourists

Evaluate everything through performance, not novelty:

Does it hit emotionally—fear, awe, disgust, wonder, humor?

Does it reset fast and stay consistent at peak volume?

Does it make actors better or easier to train?

Does it photograph well for marketing (and look good on mobile)?

Does it reduce friction—noise, safety issues, maintenance, downtime?

Networking That Actually Produces Value

Forget collecting business cards. Aim for five real conversations per day:
One vendor relationship is worth building long-term
One operator doing something you respect
One talent/makeup/costuming contact
One tech/control/audio person
One wildcard outside your lane

Best opener:
“What are you seeing this year that feels like the next shift?”

Best closer:
“Can I text you next week when I’m back in build mode?”

After Hours: One Rule

After-hours can build the industry—but it can also wreck the next day. Pick one each night:

Relationship night: stay out, be present, leave with contacts

Recovery night: leave early, sleep, dominate the floor tomorrow

Don't try to do both in the same night. It won't work.

This is a tough one, especially for the folks that are into party, party, party (we're not knocking that). It just makes for a tough convention, and if we are all being honest, one that is not nearly as productive or fruitful

The "Don't Get Played" Checklist

Don’t buy anything you haven’t measured for your space.

Don’t commit to a theme shift because one booth was incredible.

Don’t skip food until 5pm and wonder why everything feels stressful.

Don’t leave without capturing names, pricing, lead times, and next steps.

The 48-Hour Post Show System

Do this before life eats your momentum.
1) Sort everything into three lists
Build This Season
Buy This Season
Research / Next Year

2) Follow up with your top vendors within 48 hours
“Great meeting you at TransWorld. Here’s what I’m considering. What’s the best pricing and realistic ship date if we move this week?”

3) Make one “show upgrade” decision
One. The best one. The one that moves your attraction forward immediately.

Closing Note: TransWorld and other top-notch conventions reward operators who show up with intent. If you walk in like a fan, you’ll leave inspired. If you walk in like a prepared Pro, you’ll leave with leverage.

Now, go get your season!