How do you ask a competitor to leave your booth while at a trade show.? -

I was at an event that was poorly planned and with minimal publicity. To make matters worse, a competitor was placed next to me. He looked at my display and said he was going to steal the idea. The day went downhill from there. He spent more time at my booth than his own; asking very detailed questions about sources, techniques, packaging, etc. He was a tremendous bore and would not take a hint. I didn t confront him because it was an all day event and he was sitting six feet away. At the end of the day, I nearly snapped his fingers in a display case as he wouldn t stay out of my booth while I was trying to pack. He was that annoying. My question is, how does one say leave my booth, stop touching my merchandise and there s not a chance in !@#4 that I will ever give you any information! In a civilized way of course. The organizers were no help at all and I have no intention of returning to next year s event. I ask because there are a lot of competitors visiting my booths with the intent of copying my work or obtaining sourcing info. Thanks!

In a public trade event, there is little you can do except to make sure he does not steal something. He, as a member of the event, is entitled to enter your booth space and take brochures, even photographs.The best you can do is to follow him closely so that he is certain you or someone else is closely watching him.Then you do the same thing to him. You can actually become quite a nuisance to him if you want to - although that is not very professional.I have seen things like a guy intentionally knocking over a stand of brochures, forcing the staff to clean up. Sometimes they just come alongside a display and pull out a wire, or sabotage the machine in some way. very unethical.I think you made the correct decision to stay away from future shows. A good show planner would NEVER put competitors alongside each other. that is simply not good planning.