This trade show is BORING. You can do better!

If you're just getting started in tradeshow work, here are a few pointers to consider to get the most from your trade show dollars and make your booth as engaging as possible.

1. The closer you are to the focal point of the trade show floor, the better. Closer booths are likely to get more attention. They're also likely to sell out very quickly.
2. Tall things capture attention. What can you fly high? Flags, trusses, banners and more.
3. Lighting captures attention. One simple example: a custom gobo made with your company's logo pointed on the walkway to attract the attention of passers-by.
4. Sounds capture attention—whether it's a spinning "wheel of winning," musical instruments set up in your space, the guy who likes to pretend he's a circus barker, or the MP3s you're playing. However, you can't assume that people will be able to understand the audio track of a video if the floor is noisy with conversations (as it likely will be). This shouldn't keep you from showing video—but provide a take-home copy or a link to an online streaming version so attendees can get the full experience later.
5. Unusual booth setups capture attention. If you're the only one with extensive trusses or a booth arranged diagonally in your space, people will notice the difference.
6. The fewer similar vendors on the floor, the more likely you are to attract attention. Being one of 37 office furniture vendors is bad. Being one of 2 gourmet bakeries is good. (Especially if you're providing samples!)
7. Padding under the carpet is a welcome change that invites lingering. The extra money may seem like a waste at first, but consider how attendees will feel after hours of walking the event floor and how you will be encouraging them to dawdle chatting with you. Padding is also nice for your staff who will be standing all day for the length of the show.
8. Be friendly, pay attention and engage people. Don't sit back doing e-mail on your phone, ignoring passers-by.
9. Pre-package whatever sets of things you're giving away (brochure, DVD, samples, business card, statements of capabilities, press releases, etc.), so you can quickly hand them out if you get a rush. If people have to wait in line … well, they likely won't.
10. If you're going to leave your booth empty … well, don't. But if you do, leave lots of information out for people to take.
11. Bring LOTS of literature, business cards, and any giveaways you're providing. It's a lost opportunity to run out of items with your contact information on day one!
12. Putting a handy QR code on your booth wall gives you a back-up means of providing contact information, if for some reason you do run out of literature.
13. Think in advance about what pressing need your company provides (a means of filling that small-business subcontracting quota? the latest in green products?) and post a blurb about this prominently on your booth's wall. And if you don't provide a solution to a pressing need attendees have … why are you attending this trade show, anyway?
14. Don't give out items that people can't fly home in a carry-on. No letter openers, oversized liquids, etc.
15. Use scanners consistently with the people you talk with. They make it easy to build follow-up contact lists—as easy as it has ever been, really.
16. Follow up with your tradeshow contacts within 3 days of gathering them. The next day is even better. Don't let people forget why they thought you were awesome in the first place!

What other basics would you suggest? What key things did you learn in your first few trade shows?