K Show is the longest-running trade show in the industry; eight days! But never fear! The K Show veterans from Davis-Standard have compiled a list of tips to help you survive the K Show marathon and get across the finish line in good shape.
While eight days provide attendees with ample networking opportunities, the long days merged with late nights of dining and entertaining colleagues, suppliers, vendors and customers can quickly take its toll. By the end of day three, you may be asking, “How in the world am I going to survive five more days of this?” Hopefully, the following tips will provide insight and save some trade show tears.
1. Treat yourself to some relaxation. Did you know K2019 offers shiatsu, acupressure and massage? For more information, visit here.
2. Take a night or two off! While it’s tempting to participate in something every evening, we recommend taking a few nights off to catch up on some extra z’s (sleep). Your body and mind will thank you.
3. Be nice to your feet. We recommend shoe inserts and foot powder! (Shaq likes Gold Bond.) DO NOT under any circumstances save new shoes for the exhibition. Blister city! You should be breaking in a new pair of shoes (or two pairs) now.
4. Bring a spare belt. Be warned…eating good food, including many Schweinshaxe at the Zum Schiffchen expands your stomach. Two to three inches have been recorded in the first three days! At past exhibitions, the “belt repair clinic” has been a hotbed of activity for repairing buckles and adding belt holes. A larger belt is a good fallback.
5. Carry a sewing kit. As with an expanding waist, shirt buttons may begin to pop! A sewing kit with spare buttons is cheap insurance.
6. Pack supplemental vitamins. Boost your immunity with vitamins C, B6 and E.
7. Hand sanitizer. Need we say more?
8. Include face cloths for showering. Most hotels in Germany do NOT supply these, and they are nice to have after a long day.
9. BEWARE injection moulding samples. You will be tempted by Darth Vader masks, plastic chair parts, and others partly or fully built home components. Just remember, you will be carrying these around in crowded halls along with bags of literature weighing as much as a small elephant. Then, you’ll have to buy another suitcase to take them home. We suggest travelling light and avoiding the cool samples.
10. Walk to the show. If the weather is nice and your hotel is close, take the opportunity to walk to the show. It’s good exercise, clears your head from the night before, and gives you time to prepare for the daily grind.
11. SECURE YOUR PASSPORT AT ALL TIMES. A replacement passport will take at least one full day, discussions with multiple people, and give you one heck of a headache. Knowing where your passport is at all times is essential! Just in case:
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- Have a copy of your passport ID page in your bag/briefcase which helps with the lost/stolen process and still presents a form of ID.
- Snap a photo of your passport on your phone.
- Report stolen passports to local police.
- Report lost passports to your embassy or consulate.
12. Be aware of your surroundings. Crowded venues and public transport are prime areas for pick-pocketing and credit card scanner theft. Also, never travel alone if you don’t have to. “Buddy-up” as we say to our kids.
13. Carry some Euro coins. Take care of the restroom attendee.
14. See the sights! Hofgarten Park is recommended for a quick run or walk through the upscale Königsalle for some window shopping. The Hafen Harbor District has some good and modern restaurants. The walk along the Rhine from the show to Altstadt makes that first beer all the more worthwhile!
15. Enjoy German beverages. You must drink Killepitsch while in Dusseldorf (a local herbal liquor). The local beer in Dusseldorf is Alt. It would be blasphemous to order a Kolsch (the beer from Cologne; neighbouring and rival city). But if your hotel is in Cologne, don’t dare order an Alt. It gets complicated…
16. Be prepared for the weather. Mid-October in Germany can deliver the unexpected, so pack accordingly. Most veterans ponder whether to bring the umbrella or not on a daily basis. If you don’t like getting wet, bring the umbrella.
17. Don’t forget your favourite pain reliever. Advil® and Tylenol® work well.
18. When in doubt, ask a Veteran.
These tips were provided by the Davis-Standard Connect Blog Team & K Fair Veterans. For more blog entries, including more about K Show 2019, visit the DS Blog Archive.
K Show is the world’s largest trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, running from 16 – 23 October in Dusseldorf, Germany. In 2019, exhibitor’s innovations and many accompanying events will focus on the interconnection between the digital world, production processes and new product developments as well as on the promotion of the circular economy.
Davis-Standard will be found exhibiting at K Show 2019 in Hall 16, Stand A43.
