Get the best position you can on the trade show floor.

Usually near or opposite key entrances, or near natural places for people to stand for coffee or lunch (i.e. podium tables near where it’s served). Often the biggest sponsors get the best slots, but smaller sponsors who get in there early can usually grab just as good places – negotiate hard given your budget. If you’re a late-comer to the event, try to get an extra booth slotted in a prime space (but expect to pay a little more for the event producer to fit you in – it’s worth it). This is the single biggest thing to get right before the event starts.