opinion

Prep Tips for Optimizing Your Adult Retail Trade Show Experience

Prep Tips for Optimizing Your Adult Retail Trade Show Experience

January is trade show season, probably my favorite time of year in our industry. I love the anticipation of kicking off the new year with all my work colleagues and customers. These shows are often some of the only face time I get with people during the year, and that’s always a humbling experience. Zoom, the internet and social media provide us with opportunities to connect, but it just isn’t the same as the real thing, hugs included.

That’s why we must make our limited time together as special as possible. Below are some tips to help maximize your time at upcoming trade shows.

Setting dedicated meetings for your important relationships is critical, but so is being available for new people and product experiences.

Supplies

I usually end up taking a suitcase worth of stuff to the show floor each day, and I always end up wishing I had consolidated. Be thoughtful about what you carry with you so that you aren’t paying more attention to lugging stuff around than to the meetings and new products you really want to see. Limiting yourself to a small bag with just the essentials frees up your hands for handshakes, hugs and writing.

Supplies I recommend having on you include: A notepad for jotting down meeting notes, thoughts on new products and contact info for connections you make at the show. A couple of pens — it’s safe to plan on losing one or two; bring multiple so that you always have a backup. Chapstick, mints/gum, business cards and a bottle of water are other must-haves. You personally might have your own “essentials” that I haven’t listed, so make room for those. If you need toiletries, get travel sizes, and make yourself a small day bag of your go-to items. Don’t forget a backup phone charger or power bank. You may not get back to your room until late at night, so be prepared to charge on the go.

Schedule

Planning your schedule is important, but make sure to include free time and force yourself to take breaks. Setting dedicated meetings for your important relationships is critical, but so is being available for new people and product experiences. Scheduling in free time will allow you some leeway to meander through the show and look at all the booths. As mentioned, this may be the only time you get to see new releases in person or your favorite vendors/ sales reps.

If you over-commit, just let people know so they can adjust their schedule as well. If you are like me, you might want to print out your schedule so you can make notes on it. It’s easy to lose papers, though, so always have a backup schedule in digital form to ensure you stay on track.

Catalogs/Samples

I love physical catalogs and I tend to retain information better in that form than I do with digital versions. Plus, it’s a nice option to have if you want to jot notes on certain SKUs, such as pricing and other details. However, the volume of catalogs and samples available at a show can be excessive. If you are getting overburdened, ask vendors if they are willing to ship them to you after the show.

This can work in the favor of vendors as well, since it’s hard to have enough on-hand samples to pass out at the show, and even harder to manage on top of meetings and other daily activities. If you are a vendor, sending a post-show “care” kit can be as beneficial to a manufacturer as it is to the customer. You are ensuring that they get all the information you wanted them to have and can include a curated set of samples based on show interest.

New Products

This is the season of new releases and new brands. Vendors work extra hard to deliver a great trade show experience. Don’t be afraid to stop in and ask what’s new, as there could be hidden goodies in the booth. Shows are a great way to discover new brands, or existing brands that might fill certain inventory opportunities you have. It’s a great idea to have backup options for bestsellers before you need them. Take the time to experience the samples and ask questions. Do these products come with marketing support? What does the warranty process look like? Does the brand offer store trainings or event support? Is there online social media content you can use on your own social media page, to help promote the new product? Take the time to jot down key questions that are important to you, so you don’t get caught up in the moment and forget what you were going to ask.

Take a Break

Seriously. Set aside time within your schedule to give yourself 15 minutes, at a minimum, to catch your breath and get some fresh air each morning and afternoon. If you are at a trade show hosted in the conference area of a big casino, that’s probably not enough time to make it all the way outside and back in. In that case, find a quiet spot and play on your phone or do whatever helps you decompress for a few minutes. When you get tired during the day, it starts to show. Looking refreshed and on point is important whether you are a vendor or a buyer. Layer in more appointments on the last day instead of rushing to finish. Building in breaks helps keep you at your best for meetings and appointments.

Recovery Kits

Expecting to be out late? Think about what it takes to help you recover from long days and late nights. Plan to have the right supplies in your room to help you compensate for getting little rest due to all the fun you are having. Make sure to have enough water or other beverages in the room to stay hydrated. Keep Tylenol on hand, bandages for blisters, tea bags for early-morning breakfast if coffee isn’t your thing. Facial mist is always nice to keep your skin looking fresh and hydrated during the day. Keep snacks in your suitcase for the late-night munchies or when you skip breakfast to get some extra sleep. It’s the little things that make life easier, and thinking ahead can help with those rough early mornings.

Have Fun!

We are so fortunate to work in an industry where we not only love what we do, but truly love the people we work with as well. These shows are such a great opportunity to kick off the year, set goals with your partners and build strong relationships. They also give you perspective when looking ahead into the new year and setting your own ambitions and goals.

Here’s wishing you all a wonderful new year, and looking forward to seeing you soon at a show.

Danielle Seerley, aka “America’s Sex Toy Sweetheart” (AmericasSexToySweetheart.com), is the director of sales for Thank Me Now.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Tips for Keeping the Adult Retail Trade Show Momentum Going

Trade shows are a whirlwind of energy, excitement and opportunities. You spend days on a vibrant, buzzing show floor, making valuable connections and discovering innovative and exciting new products. You spend time, energy and money to be a part of this fabulous circus.

Rin Musick ·
opinion

2025's Top Tech Trends That Adult Retailers Should Know About

I just got back from the National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention & Expo, also known as “Retail’s Big Show,” where I walked the floor, sat in on key panels, talked with industry experts and influencers, and did my best to sift through the b.s. so I could report back to you all on the things you need to care about.

Sean Quinn ·
opinion

Understanding the Importance of Graphic Design in Sexual Wellness Social Media Marketing

In the world of social media, graphic design is more than just making things look visually appealing — it’s a vital tool in shaping and maintaining a brand’s identity. Your social media is your storefront, so aesthetics mean everything.

Hannah McManus ·
opinion

How Adult Retail Is Shaping Sexual Health One Customer at a Time

Remember back in health class, when they taught us about boundaries, consent and how many nerve endings are in the clitoris? Of course you don’t, because it didn’t happen. In fact, sex education is still severely lacking in much of the U.S.

Kimberly Scott Faubel ·
trends

Meet the Up-and-Coming Pleasure Brands of 2025

Over the past year, the pleasure industry has witnessed the emergence of new brands across various adult retail categories — brands that are now entering 2025 with ambitious goals for success and growth in their sophomore year.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

WIA Profile: Nefertiti Mitchell

Local retailers are the backbone of the pleasure industry. Driven by passionate business owners who are deeply dedicated to sexual wellness, brick-and-mortar stores serve as safe spaces that uplift and delight customers — while greasing the wheels of commerce for manufacturers and distributors.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Industry Vet Mike Savage Discusses Comeback, Goals With Full Circle Distribution

"We never know where life’s going to take us,” says Mike Savage. He should know. The pleasure biz veteran, who describes himself as “a poor Irish kid from Philly,” first made his name in the adult retail biz over the course of a nearly 40-year career.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

Sensually Yours Founder Shellee Rose on Boosting Sex Positivity in Hawaii

Honolulu pleasure store Sensually Yours has served Hawaii for 40 years, establishing itself as a top destination for adult products. Founder and President Shellee Rose says her most important strategy for achieving four decades of success has been prioritizing customers.

Quinton Bellamie ·
profile

Gregory Dorcel on Building Upon His Brand's Signature Legacy

“Whether reflected in the storyline or the cast or even the locations, the entertainment we deliver is based on fantasy,” he elaborates. “Our business is not, and never has been, reality. People who are buying our content aren’t expecting reality, or direct contact with stars like you can have with OnlyFans,” he says.

Jeff Dana ·
opinion

Westridge Labs Celebrates the History, Future of ID Lubricants Brand

If you work in adult retail, you know ID Lubricants. With its classic, clear bottles and consumer-friendly pricing, ID has maintained a home on brick-and-mortar shelves since the brand’s inception, way back when physical stores were still the name of the pleasure game.

Colleen Godin ·
Show More