How do you greet and exchange cards with exhibitors properly?

Etiquette at the fair follows fairly standard international business norms, with a few specific habits worth knowing so a booth conversation starts smoothly rather than with an accidental misstep.

The business card ritual

Present and receive cards with both hands, with the text facing the other person so they can read it right away. When you receive one, take a moment to actually look at it rather than pocketing it immediately — this is a small habit that reads as respectful rather than rushed. Keep received cards reasonably organised through the day; sorting through a jumbled stack later trying to remember which booth each one came from is a common and avoidable frustration.

Greeting and introductions

A handshake is the standard, expected greeting — firm but brief, not a prolonged grip. If you know someone’s title, using it alongside their surname is a small courtesy that’s noticed, though most booth staff will introduce themselves in a way that makes this straightforward.

Punctuality and pacing

If you’ve arranged a specific meeting time with an exhibitor, treat it seriously — arriving noticeably late without notice reads poorly in this context, the same as it would in most international business settings. Conversations at a booth are often brief by necessity given how many buyers an exhibitor sees in a day; a focused, efficient conversation is generally appreciated more than a long, meandering one.

Conversation topics worth avoiding

Keep the conversation on the product and the deal — sensitive political topics are best avoided, consistent with general international business practice rather than anything specific to this fair.

What’s next

Check the packing list to make sure you have enough business cards for a full day of these exchanges, or confirm what to actually wear.