Randy,
1. As far as your canopy goes, make sure you prepare for any type weather. Wind, rain, sun, etc.
2. Being able to take credit cards and debit cards will be a huge plus.
3 .Have a nice way to display your boxes…........a wobbly card table with a table cloth thrown over it will not be very impressive or cinder blocks and 2×6's are just as bad. Your a woodworker, so your display should be professional looking.
4. Have a professional looking sign for your business. Stand out from the other exibitors.
5. Make sure you have plenty of business cards, flyers or brochures. Have your business cards professionally printed. Home made business cards look like you're new in business and doesn't really convey confidence that you will be in business long.
6. Seven Second Rule. That's approx. how long it takes a prospective customer to walk by your booth and for you to make a good first impression…...and remember, you only get one chance to make a good impression.
7. After you get your booth set up; critique it! Walk up to your booth from any possible direction a prospective customer would be able to approach your booth and make sure it looks good. Make sure your displays looks good from any direction. Make sure the customer sees what you want them to see. No junk, trash, empty boxes, et.
8. Don't eat while in your booth; it's a proven fact that most people will walk past your booth if you're eating because they don't want to bother you.
9. Don't talk on your cell phone and never stand there texting. It will not impress the prospective customer acting like you're closing deals on the phone instead of talking to them.
10. Never stand in your booth with your arms folded across your chest or sit there reading a book waiting for someone to stop at your booth. Prospective customers will think you're bored and don't want to be bothered.
11. If you have any doubt about what to do or not to do, just remember #6…......you only have 7 seconds to make a good impression.
12. One last thing, never start taking your booth down before the show is over (trying to get a jump on everyone else). If you don't want to be at the show, then no need to go at all. I've closed some of my best deals right at the end or even after the show actually closed.
When the show is over, make sure you critique your results. If you have a great show, take the time to figure out why. If you have a bad show, again, take the time to figure out why. Was it because the weather was bad, you feel it was the wrong time of the year, the location of the show or maybe something you did or didn't do. You may not be able to change the weather or the time of year a show is held, but you can sure change anything you did or didn't do.
Make sure you have plenty of inventory and enjoy yourself. Let people see your passion for woodworking, your boxes already show that, so just make sure they see that in you!
Hope you have a great show and let us know how things went.