Get the most out of a trade show

They're a lot of work, involve long days and can be expensive.

That's why some companies are hesitant to participate in trade shows, says Kim Livengood, owner of Sarasota-based public relations firm The Eclipse Agency. She's a frequent attendee of trade shows for clients.

But, she says, the benefits can be enormous. “Where else are you going to have the opportunity to get what it is you're selling in front of thousands of people across the country?”