the professional woman’s guide to dressing for a trade show
DESCRIPTION
Part of the standard trade show attire is that of badge holders. Every person who attends or presents at a trade show can typically be seen with a ribbon lanyard around their neck.TRANSCRIPT
IT
THE PROFESSIONAL WOMAN’S GUIDE TO DRESSING FOR A
TRADE SHOW
The Professional Woman’s Guide to Dressing for a Trade Show 4
Badge Reels: Function and Fashion 10
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Professional Woman’s Guide to Dressing for a
Trade Show
Trade shows can be fun and interesting;
much like attending a professional
conference. Also like a conference, trade
shows often include long days of meeting
and greeting. In all of this mingling that
is done at a trade show or conference, a
person has several – sometimes hundreds
– of encounters in which they will make a
first impression. And as you know, you
only get one chance to make it a good one!
Because of the sheer nature of a trade
show, it is very important that the
professional woman look the part.
Meetings are brief and sometimes hurried.
Everyone in attendance will meet many
people and therefore make snappy
judgments. Those initial judgments can
make or break your opportunity to create a
new working relationship. And, those
initial judgments are based on what you are
wearing and how you are wearing it.
First, let’s look at what you are wearing.
Trade shows are not always as formal as a
work environment; but that doesn’t mean
that you show up in sweats and tennis
shoes. What you wear to a trade show is
reflective of the professional you hold and
also a reflection of your company or
business. This is true regardless of whether
you are an attendee or an exhibitor. Many
trade shows will offer a guideline for dress
with their brochure or registration
materials. If you are in doubt, ask around
with others who have attended trade
shows.
Most of the time, the attire at a trade
show will be business casual. This means
that you can lose the high heels and suits
for a few days. However, you still want to
be mindful of your wardrobe pieces. While
you may not wear a suit, you will still want
to wear comfortable slacks in lieu of your
well-worn jeans. Instead of wearing a low
cut tank top, you would still wear a button
up blouse or crew-neck sweater. If you
wear a tank top to a trade show, it would be
an undergarment worn with a cardigan
sweater.
How you wear what you wear is the
second thing that people will notice at trade
shows. Just as you would at work, you
want to make sure your clothing is pressed
and presentable. Pants should fit well and
not hang too low. The same goes for what
is worn on top. A trade show is a place to
make professional connections and you will
therefore dress for that sole purpose.
Part of the standard trade show attire is
that of badge holders. Every person who
attends or presents at a trade show can
typically be seen with a ribbon lanyard
around their neck. While badge holders are
a necessary item, there is no need to be
stuck wearing a ribbon lanyard featuring
the logo of a company marketing their
product. When you attend a trade show,
you can look and feel great wearing a
ribbon lanyard of your own choosing. In
fact, you could go the extra mile if you so
choose and purchase a lanyard decorated
with classy beads.
Trade shows are about gaining or giving
information on new products and services;
but even more importantly, they are the
place where a professional woman can
show what she’s made of. Looking the part
is the first step in gaining credibility in
your profession.
Badge Reels: Function and
Fashion
Many employees today wear badge reels
as a way to display their ID card, badge or
proximity card. Badge reels are clips that
attach to the clothing; allowing an ID
badge to be easily seen and used. The ID
can be slipped inside of a plastic badge
holder that is then attached to the clip.
Sometimes the clip contains a retractable
cord. Retractable badge reels are ideal for
employees whose ID badges must be
swiped. The retractable cord makes it easy
to pull the ID out and swipe it for access to
different areas of their workplace.
Badge reels come in a variety of styles.
We have already looked at two major
designs of badge reels: the retractable and
the stationary. But there are even more
details that one can find when looking for
the right badge reel for themselves or for
their employees. One of the most popular
types of badge reels is the no-twist style.
What this means is that the reel contains a
piece that is meant to prevent the ID card
from getting twisted.
Some badge reels are clipped onto
clothing, while others can be worn on a
lanyard. A lanyard is a cord that can be
worn around the neck or the wrist.
Typically, employees choose the neck style.
This style is less cumbersome and easier to
use when the ID badge needs to be swiped
or shown regularly throughout the day.
However, the lanyard doesn’t work in all
situations. Lab technicians, for instance,
may prefer to use badge reels that clip to
clothing in order to prevent any items from
dangling between them and their work.
The design of the badge reel that you wear
is a way to enhance your outfit and present
your own personal fashion flair. Some
badge reels are round and some are square.
However, the badge holder that you wear
to work does not have to feature a plain
metal clip. Your badge reel doesn’t have to
look industrial. If you work in a
professional environment and you want
your overall look to reflect your attitude,
you don’t want your ID badge to get in the
way of that.
When you must wear an ID badge every
day all day, why not make it a part of your
clothing that stands out positively rather
than something you wish to hide?
Badge reels don’t have to be plain and they
don’t have to feature only a company logo.
With a little searching, it is possible to find
a badge reel that displays your personal
style to a T. Styles exist for both men and
women and can feature everything from
flowers to the emblem of your favorite
college.
The badge reel is a necessary tool for the
individual who must wear an ID badge to
work. Finding a badge reel that is both
functional and fashionable is a real treat.
When you wear a designer badge reel, you
look and feel your best every day!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT BADGE HOLDER
AND
BADGE REEL,
PLEASE CHECK OUT
WWW.BOOJEEBEADS.COM