For vets or newbies, trade shows are tough, and even tougher without the survival essentials.

Going into the trenches of a trade show can be a daunting task for even the most seasoned veteran, but it's important to be prepared to handle the most unexpected challenges from the moment you hit that trade-show floor.

"There are two things that happen at trade shows," says trade-show veteran Chuck Wilkins, PR manager for Venable LLP, who attended several trade shows in his former ...