For our industry, there is nothing better than the month of May. It isn't because of the lengthy Memorial Day Weekend or the exceptional weather. (although they also factor into it) Our big industry-wide trade show hits New York City and most of us get a chance to duck out of work to attend. See what Brandon had to say on it here.

Although not for another few days, I have spent my time (at work and at home) preparing for the 2 days of non-stop networking and marketing potentials. Here's just some of what I have done so far. Be sure to read carefully - it could come in handy for any trade shows you may have coming up.

1. Take Notes
Our ASI show gives us a chance to see new and trending product. I examine hundreds of products every time I go and choose the best ones to add to our website later on. Although we are often supplied a notebook and pen during the sign-in process, I find them to be too bulky to make quick notes. Instead, I use something similar to the Leeds Recycled Paper Jotter. This product is less than 3" x 3" and fits easily in my back pocket. In a matter of seconds, I can take out the pad, jot notes and put it back without any struggle.

2. Consider Using A Pen/Stylus
Complimenting piece of advice #1, I am bringing with me a miniature stylus/pen combo. Since getting it, I found that I can leave it concealed in my pocket and create notes very quickly - whether on a pad or on your tablet/smartphone. This also allows quick and easy switches between the old and new forms of note-taking.

3. Clean Yourself Up
Although it doesn't show now (I have a heavy 5 O'Clock Shadow going on) looking presentable at trade shows is a must. I will be ironing/washing my uniform beforehand and bringing mints/gum. As always, I will be doing my daily morning-time routine. (shower, brush teeth, etc.) Without all this, you'll be notorious for all the wrong reasons.

4. Read Your E-Mail
Since last week, I've noticed my Inbox at work filling up with requests to visit certain booths. Some promise for new products and opportunities to network while others create incentives (contests, giveaways, etc.) to bring you in. No matter what, research these companies/individuals. It gives you a chance to learn about what is being offered by the business/organization and can even help in creating a game-plan ahead of time.

5. Rest
Ignore the famous idiom "There's No Rest For The Weary" and take a few minute rest. Doing too much can cause you to crash and become far less resilient the next day or even during the latter end of that same day. A quick rest can allow you to organize some of your notes/business cards and even an opportunity to chew the fat with other potential clients/customers informally.

6. Keep Business Cards Safe
I had a problem last year where I didn't have a proper place for business cards. As a result, there were business cards that became so lost or unkept, that they showed up months after the trade show ended. This year, I will be removing my credit cards/business cards/discount cards from my wallet. This gives me ample business card space in something I am sure to check sooner than the bottom of a bag or the inside of a notebook. 

Preparation is key for a successful trade show run. Be sure to plan ahead, use the above advice and always think on your feet. Feel free to post your advice in our comments section.

It's been called a "fancy science fair," but the Intel-sponsored Science Talent Search is actually a lot more like a science trade show.

According to Extreme Tech, seven of the 70-year-old event's participants have won the Nobel Prize and 11 took home MacArthur Foundation Genius grants. Now that's impressive.

This year's winner of Science Talent Search's $100,000, four-year scholarship is Sara Volz, who researched whether or not algae can be used as a cost-effective biofuel. Volz was able to pinpoint which organisms create the most fuel, and kill off algae that didn't perform as well. "The end result of her project is a process that can produce algae-based biofuel more efficiently, and if anything, stands as something of a proof-of-concept for commercially viable biofuel," Extreme Tech reports.

What Ms. Volz accomplished is nothing short of amazing. Congratulations on your eco-friendly discovery!

There are lots of ways to keep on top of go green trends, from following blogs to reading your favorite eco magazine. But have you ever attended an eco-friendly trade show? If not, you might want to consider it. Exhibitors at such shows are known for showing off breakthroughs in eco-conscious living.

Ecopreneurist has compiled a list of the best eco-friendly trade shows across the globe. Let's go over their top picks:

1. Eco Expo

Set for October 28 - 31, 2013, Eco Expo Asia is the biggest environmentally-friendly conference in Asia. It will be held in Lantau, Hong Kong at the Hong Kong International Airport. Attendees will find information on air quality, green giveaways, green building and more.

2. EcoBuild

This eight-year-old trade show began this week in London, England at the ExCel Centre. Today is its final day running.

3. Eco Transport & Logistics

Scheduled for March 26 - 28, 2013, the Eco Transport & Logistics Trade Show will focus on transportation issues. The show will take place in Paris, France, and more than 100 exhibitors are expected to set up booths. Ecopreneurist notes that participating in this event is a great way to reach out internationally, as visitors come from across the globe.

Will you attend any of these top go green expos?

When you're prepping for a trade show, the last thing on your mind is how much garbage you'll leave behind. That is, unless you're aware of just how much waste conventions can create.

Trade shows are responsible more than 600,000 tons of trash each year. And, according to the Trade Show News Network (TSNN), expos in the U.S. and Middle East alone emit nearly 200,000 tons of carbon annually. And that's just from the production of exhibition booths!

If you exhibit at or attend at least one conference a year, you contribute to these alarming statistics. And that's why it's also your duty to help reduce the waste that's created.

TSNN recommends the following tips for reducing display waste:

1. Use recycled materials

If you're printing brochures, making signs or even passing out trade show giveaways, opt for ones made from eco-friendly materials. For example, your literature can be printed on recycled paper. Also look for eco-friendly promotional products that can be passed out to attendees.

2. Print with vegetable-based ink

Did you know that traditional ink can leak volatile organic compounds once the paper has been thrown out? TSNN suggests switching to soy-based ink, instead: "Such inks have dramatically less impact on the environment, and are easily removed." What an easy way to make a difference!

3. Avoid UV coated paper

Although some printers will argue that UV-coated paper protects the environment by "sealing in" any oil-based solvents, this type of material is also difficult to recycle. Paper that features an aqueous (water-based) coating will be much easier on the earth.

Did you know that trade shows reportedly create 600,000 tons of waste every year?

Expo Web reported that the combination of banners, booklets and more make the convention industry the second most wasteful. More than 1 billion lbs. of waste is generated from the 60 million people who visit trade fairs each year. If you're alarmed by these numbers, you should be. Here are three ways to help reduce the rubbish:

1. Do Things Digitally
   
   Why hand out flyers when you could instead pass out promotional flash drives that contain your marketing materials? Not only do digital versions save paper, but your imprinted product will help boost your brand well after the trade show's over. QR code technology can also help.
   
   
2. Use Eco-Friendly Products
   
   These days, you can find eco-friendly everything -- from cups and cutlery to bags and giveaways. When shopping for items to be used at your trade show, consciously look for ones that made from recycled or biodegradable materials.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
3. Make Recycling Easy
   
   This is really as easy as setting up waste bins throughout your trade show floor. Creating color-coded bins is a great way to distinguish between different types of waste, like cans and paper.

 Making trade shows greener isn't as hard as it seems. Follow these three steps and together we can help reduce the waste this industry produces.

From my experience with many promotional products trade shows, I feel that the display plays a very important role. Your trade show exhibit says alot about your company and how you choose to represent yourself. A great display represents cleanliness, knowledge and experience. In my opinion the display must captivate and engage the client to visit your booth. There are many creative and unique ways to set up a tradeshow display. Pop up booths, table top stands, banner stands, full floor kits, tents, and signs, these are just a few of the tradeshow materials that can greatly assist you with standing out in the crowd at a tradeshow. How do you want to portray your brand?

Processing and packaging are necessary in almost every industry, from automotive to tobacco. That's why PACK EXPO 2012 will be the largest edition of the trade show since 2002.

According to the trade show's website, "For four full days, PACK EXPO International 2012 brings together more than 46,000 buyers from all over the globe and 1,800-plus leading suppliers, showcasing state-of-the art materials, machinery and methods for packaging and processing in every market." More than 1.1 million square feet of space will be dedicated to a record 1,800+ exhibitors displaying the freshest packaging and processing innovations.

The October 28 - 31, 2012 event will take place in Chicago, Illinois. To make it easier for attendees to find solutions for their particular needs, PACK EXPO will feature five industry pavilions: The Processing Zone, The Brand Zone, The Pharmaceutical Pavilion, The Confectionery Pavilion, and The Reusable Packaging Pavilion.

Furthermore, this year's event will highlight suppliers who offer sustainable solutions. Eco-friendly trade show packages will feature the green PACK EXPO logo.

Trade shows are the not most environmentally-friendly events. There tends to be a lot of waste and litter. You can't control what other companies do, but you can make sure that yours puts its best (and greenest) foot forward. Here are a few tips for going green at your next trade show:

Reduce
Cut down on paper. You can still make an impression without handing out printed materials. Many exhibitors are now taking advantage of our growing technology with promotional flash drives. You can put your digital brochures and other marketing materials on the drive and customize it with your company name and logo. It accomplishes two goals at once and reduces the use of paper.

Reuse
Most trade shows provide some kind of food, and not all of it is always eaten. Check with the show prior to attending and ask them how left-over food is disposed of. Encourage or even head-up donation to ensure it doesn't go to waste.

Recycle
Nowadays, trade show facilities often have places for exhibitors to recycle and even offer separate compost bins. Look into the available options before the show and put clearly-marked receptacles at your booth to allow visitors the ability to recycle paper, plastic and metals as well as dispose of trash so it does not end up littering the facility's surroundings.

Just try to make greener choices in general. If you must have paper products, try to use those made from recycled materials. If you must have sample spoons or forks, find options that are compostable (not just biodegradable) to reduce the amount of waste produced at the show. And top it all off with eco-friendly promotional products.

When you go green at your next trade show, not only are you doing something good for the environment, but you're also showing your customers and potential customers that you are willing to help reduce your carbon footprint in any way you can.