Well kids, it's the final countdown. So grab yourself a little chocolate, a glass of wine, a bottle of tequila... whatever helps you get through the next few days. But also grab a pen an paper because this is something everyone keeps asking... what should I bring to NSS?  

1.  Bring a binder or folder with all the copies of your paperwork to date. That means your contract with GLM, your order form with Javits for the electrical, orders with whoever does your walls, shipping, decal, etc. Basically anything you ordered, bring a copy.
2. Bring another binder or folder to keep track of orders and business cards you collect throughout the day. That folder should go home with you every night. What if some crazy person decides to rummage through your booth while you're still at the hotel sleeping? It's possible... so don't leave any personal or important information in your booth unattended.
3. Get yourself a bunch of those plastic pages with the business card pockets. It'll help keep you organized. Plus you can refer to it on the shuttle every morning before you head in so you can refresh your memory. Lots of buyers come by at least twice.
4. Someone asked me what to wear. My best advice is bring layers. Sometimes it gets cold, then if you get a lot of traffic or have some serious lighting action, you'll get warm. Wear comfortable shoes. Someone recommended I bring 2 or 3 pairs with me everyday: flats, heels and in between. It's a great suggestion but I didn't do it because I had 4 heavy albums to lug back and forth from the hotel everyday. I wore flats everyday except the last day because I was dressing up my jeans.
5. Also in regards to dressing... you don't have to wear a ball gown or a designer outfit. Wear whatever makes you comfortable. Preferably not sweats and flipflops because at the end of the day you are representing your brand and it's the first impression many buyers will get of you. But jeans are perfectly acceptable. Just be yourself, it’s the most compfortable.
6. Bring an umbrella and a raincoat. It never fails to rain in NYC during NSS. Fingers crossed we will break that tradition this year.
7. Bring snacks, water, and something to do. That doesn't mean you can talk on your cell phone. It means, look busy. Stuff your price sheets into your catalogs, organize your business cards, etc.
8. Last but not least, I have a box that sits in the storage room/assembly room that I keep open. Anytime I think of something I need to bring to the show, I just drop it in. Easier than keeping a list. So far it contains the following:

• scissors
• x-acto knife
• every type of tape known to man kind: double sided (adjustable and permanent), velcro tape, washi tape, clear tape, duct tape (mine is neon of course), tape runner refills (for my 3M tape gun and for the mini runners), Zot dots
• paper towels and countertop spray. i like to arrive early and start fresh and clean everyday.
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
• Goo Gone
• fire retardant spray... just in case (I bought mine from Rose Brand)
• thumbtacks of various sizes
• string
• light bulbs
• tape measure
• pencils
• pens
• power strips
• pad of paper for buyers who don't bring business cards (I was surprised how many forgot theirs!)
• tissues
• cell phone charger
• calculator (not from your cell phone!)
• mints
• hand sanitizer
• lotion (because I don't know about you but my hands get dry from touching paper all day)
• Band-aid and Neosporin (This may shock you, but I'm prone to paper cuts)
• Square reader
• stapler and staples

thought of a few more!
• a ruler and/or level comes in handy.
• a duster (like swiffer has) to keep your booth clean!
• extra extension cords just in case.
• a camera to take lots of pics!

Posted by robyn

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 07:56 am

furniture wipes (dollar store ones work great) for keeping the table/chairs in your booth presentable. and i like a refillable water bottle -- NYC tap water is some of the best in the country. take advantage of our best free resource! ;-)

Posted by Nicole

Monday, May 14, 2012 at 09:49 am

Excellent list, lady! Thanks for the umbrella reminder. I end up buying one in NY every May! Washi tape was one of our fave last minute additions for NYIGF - cute and functional!

Posted by carina

Monday, May 14, 2012 at 09:25 am

Saline drops for your eyes, like Systane. Mine were SO dry during the show.

Posted by Carrie

Monday, May 14, 2012 at 09:18 am

Just thought of another one to add! Bring a thick highlighter or thick sharpie so you can mark your spot for the parcan light!

Posted by Claudia

Monday, May 14, 2012 at 04:51 am

Lint rollers! Great for clothes, paper fibers and carpet tiles just to name a few!

Posted by Adrienne

Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 11:10 pm

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I'm not sure if all this lovely spring weather is clouding everyone's head lately, but I've been getting loads of emails lately with a very common spelling mistake. Many are from people who are in the paper business, so I thought I would re-post one of my most popular posts... a little spelling tip from yours truly!

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Remember Wordly Wise from seventh grade English class? Mrs. Eagan would be so proud to know that after all these years I am dedicating this lovely post to her. 

It's painful to see stationery designers misspelling the word that best describes what they do, but it’s not just my fellow stationer’s, it happens to appear quite a bit, and I shake my head each time. So for all of you out there, still never sure, I’m going to pass along my crazy learning tip.

Stationery with an e is the paper kind. Paper has an er at the end of it, just as stationery does. Stationary with an a is the parked kind, as in your car is sitting parked at a red light. Parked has an ar just as stationary does.

I always remember it by stationery has an e, and so does envelope! :) Found your site thru Makeunder My Life. Love it!!

Posted by Carisa

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 08:35 am

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