ve concrete floors that are attractively disguised with carpet. Though many exhibit houses promote the use of the padding under exhibit carpets, this padding doesn’t go very far in terms of being friendly to feet and legs.

The ideal floor for an exhibit booth is one designed to absorb shock rather than reflecting it back into the body. Such floors already exist in the dancing i

It's a four-day trade show. By the halfway point the booth staff is earnestly looking for any way to ease their aching feet. Staffing a trade show exhibit is invariably a trial of stamina and endurance. It is something of a marathon, but unlike a marathon, you aren’t allowed to show your discomfort and fatigue. Quite the opposite, in fact. From the moment the doors open each morning through whatever events run into the evenings, you must be meeting and greeting, cruising and schmoozing, focused on making sales and making connections.

Dr. William Scholl of Dr. Scholl's foot product fame often said, "When your feet hurt, you hurt all over." When you’re working a trade show, standing around for long periods of time over a number of days, you know exactly what he meant. Your efficiency level, concentration, and attitude greatly decrease when experiencing foot and leg pain.

While it is unlikely that you can completely eliminate foot and leg fatigue at trade shows, there are ways to minimize or mitigate the discomfort. Having the right equipment is a good place to start.

Good equipment starts with the design of the booth itself. Though many trade show managers limit booth seating on the basis that the staff will “take advantage” and sit around too much (and therefore won’t be getting their jobs done), inclusion of ergonomically well-designed seating will actually help staff be more productive.

Even more significant than seating is the floor of the exhibit space. Most conference and convention centers have concrete floors that are attractively disguised with carpet. Though many exhibit houses promote the use of the padding under exhibit carpets, this padding doesn’t go very far in terms of being friendly to feet and legs.

The ideal floor for an exhibit booth is one designed to absorb shock rather than reflecting it back into the body. Such floors already exist in the dancing in

through whatever events run into the evenings, you must be meeting and greeting, cruising and schmoozing, focused on making sales and making connections.

Dr. William Scholl of Dr. Scholl's foot product fame often said, "When your feet hurt, you hurt all over." When you’re working a trade show, standing around for long periods of time over a number of days, you know exactly what he meant. Your efficiency level, concentration, and attitude greatly decrease when experiencing foot and leg pain.

While it is unlikely that you can completely eliminate foot and leg fatigue at trade shows, there are ways to minimize or mitigate the discomfort. Having the right equipment is a good place to start.

Good equipment starts with the design of the booth itself. Though many trade show managers limit booth seating on the basis that the staff will “take advantage” and sit around too much (and therefore won’t be getting their jobs done), inclusion of ergonomically well-designed seating will actually help staff be more productive.

Even more significant than seating is the floor of the exhibit space. Most conference and convention centers have concrete floors that are attractively disguised with carpet. Though many exhibit houses promote the use of the padding under exhibit carpets, this padding doesn’t go very far in terms of being friendly to feet and legs.

The ideal floor for an exhibit booth is one designed to absorb shock rather than reflecting it back into the body. Such floors already exist in the dancing i

he meant. Your efficiency level, concentration, and attitude greatly decrease when experiencing foot and leg pain.

While it is unlikely that you can completely eliminate foot and leg fatigue at trade shows, there are ways to minimize or mitigate the discomfort. Having the right equipment is a good place to start.

Good equipment starts with the design of the booth itself. Though many trade show managers limit booth seating on the basis that the staff will “take advantage” and sit around too much (and therefore won’t be getting their jobs done), inclusion of ergonomically well-designed seating will actually help staff be more productive.

Even more significant than seating is the floor of the exhibit space. Most conference and convention centers have concrete floors that are attractively disguised with carpet. Though many exhibit houses promote the use of the padding under exhibit carpets, this padding doesn’t go very far in terms of being friendly to feet and legs.

The ideal floor for an exhibit booth is one designed to absorb shock rather than reflecting it back into the body. Such floors already exist in the dancing i

Though many trade show managers limit booth seating on the basis that the staff will “take advantage” and sit around too much (and therefore won’t be getting their jobs done), inclusion of ergonomically well-designed seating will actually help staff be more productive.

Even more significant than seating is the floor of the exhibit space. Most conference and convention centers have concrete floors that are attractively disguised with carpet. Though many exhibit houses promote the use of the padding under exhibit carpets, this padding doesn’t go very far in terms of being friendly to feet and legs.

The ideal floor for an exhibit booth is one designed to absorb shock rather than reflecting it back into the body. Such floors already exist in the dancing i

ve concrete floors that are attractively disguised with carpet. Though many exhibit houses promote the use of the padding under exhibit carpets, this padding doesn’t go very far in terms of being friendly to feet and legs.

The ideal floor for an exhibit booth is one designed to absorb shock rather than reflecting it back into the body. Such floors already exist in the dancing industry; made of wood, they are constructed to be flexible and absorb the force of the dancers’ feet. Purchasing or renting a portable dance floor for your exhibit is a wise move that will give you big paybacks in terms of staff comfort and productivity.

Another piece of key equipment is more personal: the right shoes. While it is not a trade show manager’s job to provide shoes to the booth staff, it is a good idea to request each person to bring appropriate shoes. If necessary, provide some guidelines that will help them show up in the proper foot gear.

A trade show is not the place to unveil a brand spanking new pair of shoes. On the other hand, you don’t want to wear shoes that are too well-worn. If the arch support of the shoes has broken down or the soles are disintegrating, your foot won’t be well supported. There will be decreased shock absorption by the soles and a risk of improper foot alignment, which in turn may cause problems in legs and back.

Your “show shoes” need to fit well, be well-padded, and sufficiently broken in. Women should buy flats rather than shoes with any height in the heels. The best time to purchase them is at the end of a workday because feet tend to swell throughout the day. Remember that when you are standing or walking, your toes and arch structure spread out, which changes the way shoes fit and feel. Spend time before deciding on a purchase to walk in the shoes and pay attention to how they feel when standing in one place.

Here are some tips from the American Pod