A week or two prior to an event the organisers will send your tickets and usually a booklet listing all the exhibitors together with their stand numbers. Highlight suppliers you want to see, those you currently deal with and those you have dealt with in the past. Even if you do not intend to do an order it is worth looking at what they are selling, to get a feel for how trends have changed, what is new, and what has had its day. Note details of suppliers you want to see but cannot find in the booklet – you may find them at the show listed under another name.
Take a Dictaphone with you to make notes. Quicker and easier than writing, you can record reminders of the many diverse things you see – prices, quantities, location of suppliers, and so on.
