Practicing self-care is tough during any trade show. Long, exhausting hours at the convention center cause sore legs and backs, and the venue concession stands don’t usually have a lot of nutritious food options. Add in the extreme heat of the Nevada desert, and it’s even more difficult to stay healthy during a Las Vegas trade show.
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. From your travel schedule all the way through self-care tips you can practice in your hotel room, here’s your guide to staying mentally and physically healthy so you can put your best foot forward every moment you spend inside your custom rental trade show exhibit.
Plan a Manageable Travel Schedule
The months leading up to a convention can be hectic, and it’s not uncommon for trade show coordinators to feel a little run down before they even pack their bags and head to the airport. With that in mind, try to give yourself a little extra time when you travel.
For example, it’s often possible for you to take an early-morning flight to Sin City and go directly to your Las Vegas trade show venue as soon as your plane lands. However, waking up in the early hours of the morning, commuting to your local airport, flying to Nevada, and working the show floor all in one day can be stressful, arduous, and exhausting.
In some cases, it’s a lot less taxing on exhibitors if they arrive the night before they’re scheduled to work their trade show exhibit so they have a little downtime. This is especially effective for the many people who might experience jetlag if they’re coming from a different time zone.
This is also true for your post-show travel. Although you might want to get home as quickly as possible, consider staying an extra night in Las Vegas to relax, get a good night’s sleep, and take your time getting to the airport the next day.
Stay Fueled Up
It’s no secret that staying hydrated and eating nutritious food are important habits—but it’s particularly crucial to staying healthy during a Las Vegas trade show. In addition to breathing in dry, recirculated air in the plane that brought you to Nevada, you’re also going to be exposed to dry desert air and pretty intense air conditioning at your trade show venue.
Here are a few tips for giving your body the fuel it needs to feel great and have a successful show:
- Take advantage of your hotel’s breakfast and fill up on nutritious foods.
- Bring a water bottle to the convention center and refill it for free throughout each day.
- Consider using an immune support supplement like Emergen-C or Airborne (be sure to consult with your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements).
- Stock up on healthy, handheld snacks at a local convenience or grocery store.
Although many exposition venues across the country—including Las Vegas—are expanding their menus to include healthier options to the traditional hot dogs and nachos, your food choices will still be rather limited while you’re onsite. Snacks like fruit, nuts, and cheese sticks will help you stay fueled up…and since venue food tends to be expensive, these snacks may be better for your health and your wallet!
Dress for Temperature Swings
The weather in the Mojave Desert is generally hot and dry during the day and cool at night. The outdoor temperature can vary upwards of 30 degrees in a given day—plus, your convention center is likely to have the air conditioning on full blast during show hours.
So, how do you stay healthy and comfortable with all of these temperature fluctuations? First, keep an eye on local Las Vegas weather so you’ll know what to expect. Second, dress in layers so you’re ready for just about any temps you’ll encounter throughout each day. Your custom trade show exhibit design likely includes locking storage like a counter, cabinet, or a full closet, and you can keep a long-sleeved shirt or a jacket in there while you’re working the show.
Wear Your Most Comfortable Shoes
One of the best ways to stay healthy during a Las Vegas trade show—or any trade show, for that matter—is to get a pair of comfortable, high-quality shoes. You’ll be standing and walking around the convention venue for many hours several days in a row, and your entire body can really feel the negative effects of poor quality or worn-out shoes.
Even if your company ordered trade show services like padding or double padding under the flooring in your booth space, you’ll still want good shoes to prevent fatigue and soreness. Wearing comfortable and supportive shoes can save your feet, legs, and back a lot of aches and pains.
Enjoy Your Time Away from the Show Floor
Finding a work-life balance can be difficult for any professional. Trade shows can be particularly taxing because they often mean long hours at the convention center, plus social obligations like company or client outings. And, when you finally get back to your hotel, you’ll likely need to open up your laptop and make sure things are running smoothly at the office while you’re out of town.
To stay healthy mentally and physically, try to enjoy your time away from the convention center. Las Vegas has so much to offer, from the iconic casinos to breathtaking landscapes and unique museums and attractions. There are even plenty of free ways to spend time in Las Vegas if you’d rather not spend (or gamble with!) your own money.
Bonus Tip: Create a Self-Care Routine at Your Hotel
Your hotel room is your home away from home when you’re traveling for an expo or conference. You can turn your room into a temporary sanctuary where you relax and take care of yourself. Try these tips to practice self-care at your hotel and stay healthy during a Las Vegas trade show:
- Order room service and enjoy a nice meal.
- Find your favorite movie or TV show and lay in bed while you watch.
- Fill up a plastic bag at your floor’s ice machine and ice your sore feet, legs, or back.
- Ask the front desk for any extra pillows or blankets that’ll help you get a great night’s sleep.
- Don’t open your laptop right away and start working—give yourself some decompression and relaxation time.
Many hotels in Las Vegas offer onsite amenities like swimming pools and spas that you can take advantage of during your stay. Whatever methods you use to practice self-care, just remember to treat yourself to some “you” time so you can stay healthy during a Las Vegas trade show.
We’ll Take Your Exhibiting Stress Away So You Can Stay Healthy During a Las Vegas Trade Show
We specialize in making the exhibiting process and experience as simple and stress-free as possible. We’ll handle everything from your custom trade show booth design all the way through onsite services like installation and dismantle, plus post-show cost reconciliation. You focus on staying happy and healthy so you can put your best foot forward during show hours—and let us handle the rest.
Tell us about your upcoming trade show today and let’s get started on your next booth!
