Your mobile device can be the “backup” to your “backup plan” & help you to save time and make better decisions. Here are some of our favorite apps and why they’ll be a great resource when you travel to your next show.
Sometimes, getting to the Expo can be half the battle. Fortunately, search apps like Kayak & SkyScanner Flights can help you with last minute travel snafus. Encourage your coworkers to use Just Landed to instantly let you know when their flight has arrived. (Don’t forget about your favorite airline’s app- it can help to confirm details, speed up check-in, access your boarding pass & look for upgrades!)
If you shipped literature to the show at the last minute, knowing where your parcels are is priceless. The FedEx, UPS and USPS apps are comprehensive, save your preferences, and bring instant peace of mind. (Some freight carriers have tracking apps too! [For tracking your entire trade show display shipped in on pallets].)
While on the show floor, check to see if show management or their contractors have an app. Show apps are great for quickly accessing maps of exhibits, viewing daily schedules and connecting with other attendees. Sometimes using the show contractor’s app can save you from walking across the whole expo hall to get help from the service desk. (Save your energy for setting up your trade show booth!)
Having printed copies of your receipts, order forms & installation instructions goes a long way towards avoiding complications & misunderstandings. But having an electronic copy to instantly share with show management, vendors & co-workers is even better. PDFExpert, Dropbox & iBooks are all fantastic options for storing, organizing, accessing & sending your important documents. With Dropbox, your files are stored in the “cloud” so even if you lose your phone & paper copies, it is still possible to gain access via a desktop computer or borrowed device.
Need to edit or create a document on the fly? Look no further than Google Drive & Genius Scan. Google Drive is great for editing text & spreadsheets, and Genius Scan turns your phone’s camera into a full-fledged scanner & PDF creator (perfect for documents that need your signature!)
If you’re traveling to an exhibition in another country, having a local translator is obviously best. However, in a pinch, iTranslate is a fantastic tool that allows both parties to speak into the app and see/hear the translation in their native language.
You’re in a strange city & want to take a client out to dinner, but don’t know where to go? Of course there’s an app for that, and it’s called “Yelp!” Once you pick the perfect spot, make a lightning-fast reservation with OpenTable. Both apps allow you to leave a review of your experience, so other business travelers will know what to expect.
While digesting your meal, take a moment to save the details to Concur or TimeSheeter for easy tracking of your expenses. These flexible apps allow you to save information on meals, mileage and hours, all with the ability to easily export the data when you get home.
For anything else a “road warrior” might need in an unfamiliar town, check out AroundMe. This app uses the GPS in your phone to find the pharmacy, gas station, ATM, coffee shop, parking lot, supermarket, taxi, etc., nearest to your current location. One of the fastest & easiest ways to get accurate information on the businesses closest to you-Don’t leave home without it!
If all else fails, there’s Evernote. There are too many features to list, but the big ones are:
- Taking notes-it’s the perfect place to help you remember useful websites & important details
- Making “To-Do Lists”
- Uploading documents & photos
- All notes you enter, documents & photos become searchable for text; you can easily find whatever you’re looking for with just a few taps.
- With options for all operating systems, desktop computers & web/cloud access, you’ll never be without the information you need.
Most of the apps mentioned here are free and available for Android and iOS. Hopefully, these apps will take a little bit of the stress out of your next trade show appearance and make you more productive!
Tell us about your favorite apps in the comment section, below!
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