Here's how you can swiftly recover and develop resilience after a trade show setback.

Recovering and developing some resilience after a trade show can be challenging. These are some strategies that can help one bounce back quickly. I. Give yourself time to recoup lost energy and recharge. Get adequate sleep, eat and drink well. II. Do some debriefing and evaluate. Reflect on the event's successes, mistakes and challenges. Identify rooms for improvement and implement changes for future events and programs. III. Seek support of your colleagues, partners and friends. Ask open questions, encourage them to share their experiences (especially if they were also attendees of the event), and come up with workable and realistic suggestions. IV. Engage your customers. Tell them you are still here! V. Stay focused and organized.

I agree but most importantly get everyone's perspective on the "setback". Was it truly a failed experience for all stakeholders or just from a logistics point of view, attendance, lack of sales, overbudget? If not meeting the goals of the show were the setback, dig deeper and make sure you have the right reach- audience and the right message. Before even deciding to go to a show research that the show you are doing is a mirror to your objectives. Maybe the show you've "always done" is no longer is the right fit for you.

This exercise could be a huge step in aligning Marketing and Sales. Feedback with perspective is valuable and can lead to understanding why an effort was successful or not.

Keep in mind is that all shows/events are not equal. Identify and replicate what went well IF it is applicable to the target market at the next event. A recovery method should include bringing the right people in at the beginning of the planning process where applicable. Better understanding + appropriate time to execute = Greater Success!

As we all know setbacks happen, often despite our best efforts and planning. It’s important to regroup as quickly as possible to find a solution and limit collateral damage. Use team members to share solutions and then decide to act decisively and calmly as possible.

Reiterating that your team is not defined by their failures and this exercise is not about blame but how to become better. Well defined team goals and a thorough understanding of how each team members efforts directly effects that result will help grow the confidence and performance of the team.

Despite the best planning and organising setbacks do happen, despite the solid planning and organising. Following an unexpected setback, the key is for the team to reflect on the incident and learn. Explore and reflect on, with all those involved, what could we have done differently, thought about, or acted on. This reflection, from a positive standpoint, will ensure a learning outcome from the issues which strengthens the team employing a growth mindset.