Have you found a suitable trade fair date and booked your tickets? Then it's best to think about how you'll get to the fair in advance. Whether by bus, train, car, or plane, always check the organizer's website to see what options are available and what works best for you. There you'll find all the necessary information about parking garages, bus stops, and other travel options.

1. Plan your journey

Have you found a suitable trade fair date and booked your tickets? Then it's best to think about how you'll get to the fair in advance. Whether by bus, train, car, or plane, always check the organizer's website to see what options are available and what works best for you. There you'll find all the necessary information about parking garages, bus stops, and other travel options.

If you're driving , write down the exact address for your navigation system . Sometimes the trade fair management is located in the city center, while the exhibition hall has a completely different address. Of course, you'll need a parking space for your car. If you choose a nearby parking garage , check carefully what it costs to park there on the day of the trade fair. Higher rates are often charged, especially on trade fair days.

If you're traveling by train , keep in mind that the exhibition center is often a short walk from the final stop at the train station. The tram or bus doesn't always go right to the door. To avoid disruption to your schedule, plan enough time for your journey.
For longer distances, you can also fly to the trade fair . Find the best connection to the trade fair and reserve your seat on the connecting train in advance.

Every mode of transport has its advantages and disadvantages: With a car, you're independent and have enough space in the trunk to store your shopping. However, after a day at the trade fair, you're often pretty exhausted and just want to relax. Then it's very nice to be taken home by train and not have to concentrate on the journey. If you're meeting up with friends, find a meeting point that's easy to find and well-signposted, such as the main entrance to the trade fair or a specific bus stop. Trade fair grounds are often very extensive, and having to search for each other wastes time and, above all, energy.

2. Create your personal trade fair day

Visiting a trade fair often involves long walks . Some events even span multiple halls. Therefore, careful planning in advance is crucial so you can visit everything that interests you and avoid unnecessary travel. Please contact our customer service team and arrange a meeting with a member of staff. This will ensure they have enough time to provide you with detailed advice at the trade fair.

• Take a close look at the exhibitor list in advance. Which manufacturers do you definitely want to visit?
• Are there any interesting congresses, workshops , stage shows or championships that take place at a fixed time?
• If possible, download a trade fair map .
• Mark on the map where the parking garage or the arrival stop is and how you can get to the entrance from there as quickly as possible.
• Don't forget the restrooms and the catering area so that you quickly know where to take a break if necessary.

You can always find tips for preparing for the trade fair on the individual organizers' trade fair portals. After all, no one wants to miss their most important dates or program items in the hustle and bustle of the trade fair. The entrance fee is simply too precious, and the journey is usually quite time-consuming. With your personalized trade fair plan, you'll get the most out of your day .

3. Wear something comfortable

Most trade fairs don't have a dress code. Perhaps you're meeting a business partner or customer, or want to apply to become a partner with your favorite manufacturer? A well-groomed appearance is never a bad idea. Your outfit should also be comfortable enough for the trip and the trade fair visit :

• well-groomed appearance, nails may need to be freshly modeled
• comfortable shoes for long distances
• Onion look for cool or stuffy exhibition halls
• Leave bulky accessories at home

Insider tip trolley

You may like it or not. If you have a lot to transport and want to protect your back, a trolley can be a good alternative to a tote bag. It's easy to pull on wheels and offers plenty of space for your trade show purchases.

He's practically an icon, especially at nail and beauty trade shows. But please be careful not to step on or over each other's feet. Even after a long day at the trade show, the following applies: Be kind to one another...

Handbag theft

A tiresome topic, but unfortunately always relevant. Keep an eye on your bags and wallets. Many visitors like to pay with cash at the trade fair. Pickpockets know this, too. So here are a few tips to prevent theft:

Always carry money, credit cards, papers and other valuables close to your body and use closed inside pockets
Carry handbags and shoulder bags with the closure towards the body and in front of the stomach
Always carry hand luggage on your body
Never leave valuables in jackets hanging on coat racks or over chair backs.

4. Charge the battery, pack the power bank, delete the memory card

You might not think of it at first, but imagine you're about to call someone you're meeting at the trade fair. Then your batteries should be charged . Even if you want to share your trade fair visit on social media or take home some great ideas, you should also keep a few things in mind:

• Charge your smartphone, tablet or camera at home
• Pack the charging cable
• Prepare your memory card for photos from championships or at the trade fair stand
• Is Wi-Fi available at the exhibition center or do I have to make do with my data allowance?

5. Food and drink

Even, or especially, if you have a lot of appointments and booths to attend, your body needs plenty of energy . Even on stressful days, you should eat and, above all, drink enough. Exhibition halls are usually air-conditioned and therefore have quite dry air. Food at trade fairs is, in our experience, quite expensive . However, a shared coffee or a small snack is also quite sociable and can enrich a day at the trade fair. You should definitely pack the following:

• Drinking bottle for the journey and for the first few meters at the trade fair until something else is found
• small snack for on the go, perhaps energy bars that are light in weight but still keep you full for a long time
• Chewing gum/candy for a dry throat

6. small reward at the end

Why not extend your trip and treat yourself to an overnight stay ? Take a short trip into the city and enjoy the time. Düsseldorf, Berlin, Munich, or Wiesbaden are always worth a visit, and with their culinary and cultural offerings, they offer a wonderful contrast to the hustle and bustle of everyday trade fair life. Go for a fancy meal or take a city tour the next day—you're sure to come up with something.

7. Post-processing

After the trade fair, it's a good idea to go over your notes again, as they're still fresh in your mind. Even if your legs might be heavy and your head heavy the next day from all the impressions, you should plan in some follow-up work. If you're at a nail salon or beauty salon, it's best to take the day off or schedule as few appointments as possible so you have enough time for follow-up work. After all, a trade fair is like a small business meeting and should be treated as important.

• Are there any products you still have questions about?
• Have you perhaps placed an order or made a deposit?
• Maybe there is a post-trade fair discount in the online shop?
• Are there any new trends you would like to offer your customers?
• Share your trade fair visit on social media
• Sort your business cards and meeting notes

Checklist for the trade fair:

• Note special features at the trade fair (dates/events, parking reservation, large grounds)
• Think about what you want to take with you (business cards, tablet, your own samples, etc.)
• Pay attention to your clothing and footwear (comfortable, yet stylish, spare clothes)
• Good preparation (directions, dates, trade fair plan, exhibitor list, possible overnight accommodation)
  

And this goes into your pocket:

• blister plasters
• Cooling gel for tired feet
• headache tablets
• Nasal spray with seawater (against dry air in exhibition halls)
• Lip care
• Deodorant
• Gel insoles for shoes
• Small emergency sewing kit
• muesli bars
• Fresh fruit
• Peppermint candies
• notebook
• Pen
• business cards
• Tablet
• Registration documents
• Hall plan
• Company documents (evaluations, sales figures, etc.)
• Drinks/snacks, comfortable change of shoes