Tuesdays with Tom: The Tradeshow Survival Guide (Tom-Edition)
How Tom Handles Tradeshows (and Your Records)
But after attending dozens of tradeshows over the years, Tom’s picked up a few important lessons—lessons we think are worth sharing.
Tom’s Tradeshow Tips (That Might Actually Help Your Records Too)
- Wear comfortable shoes. Your archive might be on paper, but your feet are on concrete. The same goes for your storage strategy—look for long-term support, not just short-term comfort.
- Don’t take every brochure. You’ll only read one. (The one Tom hands you.) When it comes to document management, simplicity beats stacks—every time.
- Talk to people who actually want to help. Some folks are just there to scan your badge and move on. Tom’s not one of them. He’ll stick around, ask what’s frustrating you, and offer honest advice—whether you’re ready to start a project or just trying to figure out what’s in the back room.
- Yes, you do have more boxes than you think. Everyone says, “We don’t have that much.” Tom hears it constantly. And he’s constantly helping cities realize they’re storing years of files they don’t need—and can’t find what they do.
Booth 70: Where It’s Always a Conversation (and a Coffee Basket Giveaway!)
Whether you’re attending the League of Cities conference or not, the spirit of the show is what Advantage is all about: people talking to people, in person, with no pressure—just helpful ideas and real solutions.
Tom doesn’t believe in flashy pitches or complicated platforms. He believes in showing up, listening, and making your life easier. If your filing cabinets are full, your storage room’s overflowing, or you’re just tired of guessing what to shred—stop by Booth 70.
He’ll be there. With stories. With coffee. With practical advice on how to get your records under control without overthinking it.
Oh yeah, and we are giving away a coffee basket, stop by booth 70 and enter to win!
Not in Des Moines? You Can Still Talk to Tom
Shoot him a message at tom@advantageds3.com or ask him to swing by your city office when he’s back on the road next week. It might not come with a tote bag, but it’ll come with a plan.
