Today is my last day in the office for the next week, as I'm heading out first thing tomorrow morning for the Atlanta Gift Show/AmericasMart. For those of you who've been to the show in Atlanta, you know how big it is, and how crazy it can get trying to see the entire show in just five days.

I received a call yesterday from a retailer who is opening her first gift shop and planning to attend the show. She asked me for some advice on where to go and what to do to get the most out of it.

So I shared with her some tips that I've gleaned from my many years of show attendance.

1. Create a budget in advance
   It's easy to get caught up at the show and spend more then you planned. Keep a running total of your orders and stick to your budget.

2. Bring a notebook
   With thousands of companies exhibiting, it's easy to forget what you're seeing and where the booth is located. You might want to set-up sections in your notebook to represent the departments in your store, or categories you need to buy. By keeping your notes sorted this way, you'll know if you have purchased enough within each category. Plus, it's a great way to remember products that you want to order down the road.

3. Make a list of the vendors you want to be sure to visit at the show
   Do it in advance, that way you can check them off and ensure that you have seen them all.

4. Wear comfortable shoes and bring multiple pairs
   There's a lot of walking and somehow I always end up with blisters, so it's helpful to bring at least two (if not three or four!) pairs of shoes. OK, so my suitcase looks like I'm going away for a month, but at least I know I'll be comfortable!

5. Have fun
   The energy at the show is always high and it's really an amazing experience. Enjoy it!

I'm looking forward to finding some new products and meeting lots of people. Hope I see you there!