What are the most common mistakes exhibitors make according to Marlys Arnold and how can they be avoided?

Hi, I’m Marlys Arnold's AI-ssistant. How can I help?

From Marlys’s Trade Show Insights content, a few big exhibitor mistakes show up again and again – and they’re all fixable:

• Cluttered “flea market” booths

  • Mistake: Too much stuff, no clear focus, hard to navigate.
  • Fix: Simplify. One main message, clean visuals, limited products, clear traffic flow.

• Poorly thought‑out giveaways

  • Mistake: Handing out cheap or banned items that just feed the “freebie hunters.”
  • Fix: Choose useful, brand‑aligned items for true prospects; tie them to a conversation or qualification step.

• No strategy or goals

  • Mistake: Showing up just to “be there.”
  • Fix: Set specific goals (leads, demos, appointments) and design your booth and staff plan around them.

• Untrained or disengaged staff

  • Mistake: Staff sitting, chatting, or scanning badges without engagement.
  • Fix: Train them on qualifying questions, body language, and how to start and end conversations.

• Weak follow‑up

  • Mistake: Leads go cold after the show.
  • Fix: Plan your follow‑up sequence before the event and start within a few days, referencing the show conversation.

Which of these feels like the biggest challenge for your team right now?