Introverts don’t like holding court, but they love talking to individuals. – Simon Sinek, Motivational Speaker on Leadership and Motivation
When we talk about who should staff your trade show booth, we usually jump straight to the big personalities. You know, the outgoing folks who love to talk, never lose their smile, and can work a crowd without even trying. And sure, that’s often true. But not every outgoing person wants to go… and not every introvert should be counted out.
This reminds me of a story I love to tell from the 28 years TPG managed onsite operations for the Ford Commercial Vehicles booth. One year, a Ford staffer walked in who was quiet – clearly introverted quiet. Not unfriendly, just… calm. My first thought was, “Oh boy, how’s this going to play out?”
But over the course of the show, I watched something amazing. He spent the entire day having genuine one-on-one conversations, nodding, smiling, asking smart questions, and truly listening. Every interaction ended with a warm handshake and an exchange of contact information. Later, I found out he was one of the top performers in his division. This quiet, unassuming man connected with people in a low-pressure, authentic way, and had the product knowledge to back it up.
Extroverts can sometimes monopolize a conversation just by talking a little too much. And introversion doesn’t mean someone is shy or socially awkward. An extrovert can be just as awkward in the wrong setting.
At TPG, we always emphasize that booth training is about helping your team communicate effectively with attendees, regardless of personality type or comfort level. But sometimes, during that training, we meet someone more introverted.
Introverts can shine in a trade show booth in ways that often get overlooked. While they may not be the loudest or most animated people on the floor, they bring strengths that can elevate the entire experience. Instead of focusing on what we can teach them, we stop and ask: what can we learn from an introverted booth staffer, and how can an introvert shine on the trade show floor?
The gentleman I wrote about showed that introverts bring some powerful strengths to a booth. Here are five qualities he had, and what we can all learn from them:
- He was a great listener.
Introverts naturally make people feel heard, which leads to more meaningful conversations and better-qualified leads. - He asked thoughtful questions.
Instead of jumping straight into a pitch, he slowed things down and uncovered what people needed. - He brought calm to the chaos.
Trade shows can be overwhelming. His steady presence balanced out the higher-energy personalities around him. - He built deeper connections.
He may have talked to fewer people, but the connections he made were richer and more memorable. - He noticed the details.
While others rushed around, he picked up on nuances such as attendee behavior, reactions, and small insights that improved the team’s approach.
Moral of the story: True influence comes from substance, not showmanship. A thoughtful, well-informed booth staffer can turn curiosity into trust and trust into opportunity.
So, booth staffers everywhere, it’s ok to slow down. Listen more. Ask better questions. Focus on quality over quantity. And remember that a trade show booth isn’t won by volume – it’s won by connection.
C.C. Carr – TPG Event Staffing and Contributing Writer
Ready to unlock the full potential of your booth team? Don’t leave success to chance. Invest in training that helps every personality shine. Whether your staff is introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in between, our proven booth training programs teach strategies for meaningful conversations, lead qualification, and attendee engagement. Staff Training for Trade Shows – TPG Trade Show + Event Marketing