Physical Security
Physical security is the first concern of every trade show participant.  This refers to your immediate surrounding, which can include buildings, visitors and other participants.

When considering security for your trade show, keep the following in mind:

- Is the location of the trade show accessible and considered safe?
- Is the building where the trade show will be held considered sound?
- Is there sufficient support and protection from professional security personnel?
- How many exit points are there from where your booth will be standing?  In case of an emergency, will you be able to reach those exits in a short period of time?
- Does the building offer safety equipment (fire extinguishers, automatic sprinklers, smoke alarms, etc.?)
- How will participants and visitors enter and leave the room or building?
- Are people checked by security personnel before they enter?
- How many security personnel are involved in keeping peace and security during the trade show?  Is the number of security personnel enough compared to the size of the building or trade show area and number of participants and visitors?
- What types of security equipment are being used to ensure that the trade show is safe?
- Is there a possibility that the trade show will attract troublemakers?  If so, what are the security measures that the organizers have put in place?
- In case there is a problem, is there a representative of the trade show organizers you can turn to for help?

Product Security
Product security is your next concern but it’s equally important.

To keep your products safe, here are things you need to consider:

- What is the likelihood that your products will be stolen, pilfered or damaged because of mishandling?
- What are the security measures you have put in place to prevent these from happening?
- Is there a trade show participant whose products are considered unsafe, such as flammable materials or potentially toxic chemicals?
- If you’re using electronic devices to keep your products safe, do you have access to emergency backup or power in case it goes out?
- Can you and your sales personnel handle the number of people who will be coming to your booth to browse, examine, review and inquire about your products and services?  Do you have security gadgets that will allow your visitors to freely interact with your products without your participation?

Install individual electronic locks on the products.
Individual electronic locks are ideal for use with small items, such as CDs, DVDs, flash drives, toys, and the like.  These locks are often called retail security systems because they are commonly used in retail stores and shops.

One of the most commonly used is the Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS.  This system helps prevent theft due to shoplifting by discouraging trade show visitors from taking a display item from the premises.  If a product leaves that area for any reason, a sensor triggers the alarm.  Only if and when a product is unlocked by the authorized personnel can it be safely brought away from the booth.

Use a sensor-cum-security electronic security system.
This works particularly well with handheld items such as mobile phones, PDAs, portable game consoles and digital music players.  This type of displays technology lets consumers freely view, touch and interact with the product without requiring any assistance from the booth in-charge.  This system is particularly useful during trade shows when consumers are curious about the product’s features and want to experience it for themselves.

The built-in security system keeps the product secure by triggering an alarm in case of theft and the sensor re-aligns the item automatically when it is returned onto the stand.

For multiple product displays, use an electronic line alarm system.
An electronic line alarm system is the best choice for ensuring the security of several products all at once.  It’s ideal for use during a trade show because once it’s set up, the products can pretty much be left alone.  Visitors and potential customers can go in, inspect and interact with the products without full attention or assistance from the booth owner.

This type of displays technology is excellent for multiple product displays, particularly where products have to be handled by visitors in order to be appreciated.  The same technology is used to keep products such as mobile phones, laptops, monitors and portable digital music devices secure.  The main control of this system is also kept at a minimum — only one person can unlock the system, thus reducing the possibility that a product is stolen or tampered with.