Best Apps for Tradeshow Travel
A tradeshow attracts all sorts of people: vendors, exhibitors, store owners, tradeshow managers, booth handlers and more. They all have different goals at the show. But it’s safe to say that many of them end up doing a lot of the same tasks with a smart phone or iPad, which means that many use the same apps.
Here is a list of apps I’ve used a past tradeshow junkets that come in handy. Some are essential while others are just nice have.
![Google Maps](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Google-Maps.png)
Google Maps
Whether you use Google Maps of the native iPhone mapping app, getting from Point A to Point B in a rental car should be as easy as possible.
![iphone-clock](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/iphone-clock-150x150.gif)
Alarm Clock
Yeah, who needs the hotel alarm clock when you have your clock app? I was glad I had it the time the power went out at the hotel!
![images](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/images-150x150.jpg)
Camera
Having a camera on your smart phone can be the handiest thing you’ll ever use. Need a picture of a booth? Want to record a quick video testimonial?
The Weather Channel
Yes, you spend most of your time inside, but knowing what’s going on outside can help you adjust travel and meeting schedules.
![WikipediaAndroidAppicon_thumb](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/WikipediaAndroidAppicon_thumb-150x150.png)
Wikipedia
You could just open up your web browser, but the Wikipedia app makes it that much easier to look up something specific.
![AutoBuyingToolsApp](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AutoBuyingToolsApp-150x150.jpg)
AAA
Driving a rental car means you assume risks. AAA’s app is very useful in helping you get roadside assistance, searching for hotels, and perhaps cashing in on member-only deals.
![WC Finder](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/WC-Finder-150x150.png)
WC Finder
Out walking and need a potty? The WC Finder may help you out. I say ‘may’ because it doesn’t always have accurate information – although I’ve found it is correct more often than not.
![Gas Buddy](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Gas-Buddy-150x150.jpg)
GasBuddy
You have to fill up the rental car before returning it. This app gives you easy access to the closest, lowest-priced gasoline.
![Hidden](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Hidden-150x105.png)
Hidden
Helps find your iPhone if you lose it. Of course, you’ll need a laptop or an iPad or you’ll have to coordinate with someone back in the office to find it, but Hidden is great at tracking lost iPhones.
![ATT Scanner](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ATT-Scanner-150x150.png)
ATT Scanner
One of many QR code scanners on the market.
![Vine](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Vine-150x150.jpg)
Vine
Is Vine a source of silly six-second videos or does it help capture a client’s buzz and help spread it around? Once you try it, you may find you like it.
![twitter_app_icon](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/twitter_app_icon-150x150.png)
Set up your account to ping you whenever you get an @reply. Great way to keep up with online buzz by searching hashtags.
![facebook-app](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/facebook-app-150x150.jpg)
Post photos, updates and more quickly.
![foursquare-icon](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/foursquare-icon-150x150.png)
Foursquare
Check into places – you might even learn something about the area or see that a client or prospect is on Foursquare, too.
![Carbonite](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Carbonite-150x150.jpg)
Carbonite
This has saved me more times than I can remember. Back up the computers at home and have immediate access to any archived file, like a forgotten set-up drawing or contact information. Easy to view and download files, which you can then forward via email.
![dropbox-icon](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dropbox-icon-150x150.png)
Dropbox
Much the same as Dropbox, although there are strong differences. Dropbox can have shared files and folders, which can give clients access to files with more ease than Carbonite.
![Evernote](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Evernote-150x150.jpg)
Evernote
While I’ve used this app for a couple of years, I know that I haven’t come close to using all of its features. Those that do rave about it for file clipping and saving things that you can easily access on any device.
![Appzillaicon175x175](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Appzillaicon175x175-150x150.png)
Appzilla
99 apps in one, including things like auto camera, Clinometer, Decibel measurement, flashlight, Plumb Bob, Sleep Aid and even a ton of fun things like generating a fake phone call or fake text when you just have to have a good excuse to get out of a meeting.
![instagram-icon](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/instagram-icon-150x150.png)
Everyone is here posting filtered photos, are you? Not essential, but lots of eyeballs there.
![pinterest-app](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/pinterest-app-150x150.jpg)
Great place to view and post photos of clients, booths, meetings, people and more.
![skype-icon](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/skype-icon-150x150.png)
Skype
Make cheap phone calls on wi-fi or 4G.
![Starbucks-Icon-150x150](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Starbucks-Icon-150x150.png)
Starbucks
Find and pay for coffee.
![pandora-icon](http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/pandora-icon-150x150.png)
Pandora
Listen to your favorite tunes!
What are your favorite tradeshow travel apps?