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While many companies go to trade shows with high hopes, few are completely sure how to make the trade show a success. You only need to know and remember a few things to make your company's presence a success.

First, set a goal. Like anything else in life, you need to have a plan of attack and a conceivable objective to strive for. Don't under or overestimate your company, and don't be too upset if you don't reach your goal. How many new customers do you want to establish relationships with? How many deals do you want to close in your time there? Ask yourself and your employees these questions before setting up your booth.

Second, take note of what your competitors are doing. Any champion or winner has drawn on a combination of their competitors tricks of the trade, and there's no reason you can't do the same. Notice what customers seem to like and not like about your competitors and make a mental note to figure out how to better your company because of it.

Next, don't be afraid to try new products. Trade shows are great because you can give away products you're unsure about and you will hear customer feedback almost immediately. And if one of your products doesn't work out, don't think of it as the end of the world. Take the criticism and fix it.

Be careful of the shows you choose to attend. This is twofold; first off, don't pick a trade show just because of where it's located. Sure, visiting Disneyland would be fun, but that doesn't mean you should decide to attend a trade show in Florida just for that. Also, be wary of first year trade shows. Start up costs can be high and there's nothing wrong with sticking with shows you know.

Lastly, do everything with a smile on your face. It may sound corny, but people are more likely to want to do business with a company whose employees show a bright, spunky demeanor. If your employees show they enjoy their work, your customers will enjoy doing business with you.