Before you make the final decision about renting a trade show exhibit, you need to have all the facts and know the answers to some important questions.

10 Important things to know about Trade Show Rental Exhibits

1. How Often Will You Need Trade Show Rental Exhibits?

If you exhibit at shows on a frequent basis then trade show rental exhibits may not be the best choice. In this situation, you would probably be better off buying the components and displays that you use because the rental fees would add up to more than the purchase price over time. Decide how many shows it would take of renting to equal the purchase price.

2. Do You Want a Standard Exhibit Booth or Something Unique and Original?

If you are a smaller company and you just want a standard booth, then renting could be a good move. If you are looking for something that is unique and original, something that no competitor will have because it is customized just for your business, then a rental may not be the right move in this situation.

However, be sure to check with your trade show exhibit company first. You might be surprised at what all you can rent and how unique and creative trade show rental exhibits can be.

3. What Budget do you have to Work With?

One of the biggest advantages of trade show rental exhibits is that you only pay for the time that you need the display. This can be far less expensive than buying a comparable exhibit. If you are on a smaller budget or you are not willing to spend a lot because the show prospects are smaller than renting could be the best pick.

4. How Large Will Your Exhibit Be?

If you want a typical sized exhibit booth then you may find plenty of rentals that fit the bill. If you plan on covering three booth spaces with a massive two story exhibit that towers over all the other displays then you will probably not be able to find a suitable rental and you will probably have to have this custom built for your specifications.

If everyone is going big this year at the convention, try going small. Many people are overwhelmed at a booth that looks like a cathedral; they feel lost and unimportant.

Source: Steve Olenski at Forbes.com

5. Are You Willing to Store the Exhibit Pieces in Between Shows?

One of the popular benefits with trade show rental exhibits is that you do not have to worry about storage in between shows, or the storage fees that owning the same components will involve. Make sure that you consider the storage aspects before you finally decide to buy an exhibit instead of renting it.

Also, consider the transportation fees involved in transporting the exhibit from the convention hall back to your storage location. Hefty charges for storage and transportation can add up quickly.

6. Do You Want a Turnkey Exhibit?

7.   Who Will Set Up and Tear Down?

One reason to use trade show rental exhibits instead of purchasing the exact same things is the hassle of setting everything up before the show opens, and then tearing everything down once the event has ended. In many cases, the rental company you choose will handle this for you.

If you are not experienced with the set up process then you may want to hire someone to do this for you.

From our article, A Baker’s Dozen Mistakes to Avoid when you Set Up Exhibit Booths. Click here to read the entire article.

8. Can You Get the Color Combinations that You Envision?

If you have specific color combinations in mind and you wait until late in the game to start contacting rental businesses then you may find you are out of luck. You can come up with a plan B for color combinations, or you can try to buy the exhibit that you want and then hope it is finished in time.

Plan ahead and talk to your trade show exhibit company. Many large companies can use your specific branding colors in their rentals.

9. Are Your Older Displays Worn or Outdated?

If you have a previously purchased exhibit booth is it still in good condition or has it become outdated and worn over time? If you need something new then you can always try out a rental to make sure that you want to keep the same components.

10. Are You Interested in Changing Things Up?

When you use trade show rental exhibits you have the opportunity to change things up for every show. If you buy then you will want to get the maximum use out of these items before replacing them.

Do you use trade show rental exhibits? Why or why not?

Should you rent a trade show exhibit or just buy one outright? The answer is not always the same. There are many factors you need to consider to decide which method works best for your convention marketing needs. In some cases, renting will make financial sense, but in other situations, buying may be a better choice.

When You Rent a Trade Show Exhibit, You Could Save Money

If you rent a trade show exhibit you could save money and exhibit on a smaller budget, but this is not always true. If you plan on exhibiting numerous times a year then the rental fees could add up quickly, and you may be better off buying some or even all of your exhibit components and display items instead of renting these every time.

The lower cost makes it better for those who are just starting their business, but it’s not an investment decision. The booth is gone as soon as you return it.

Source: Bartizon.com

Frequent Convention Marketing May Make Buying an Exhibit a Better Choice

If you plan on frequent convention marketing and you attend many shows each year, then renting could be a big waste of money. Purchasing new exhibit pieces and components could be more cost effective if you must rent display items over and over again. If you buy the same items, you could take a tax deduction on the cost (check with your tax adviser to make sure).

What is Your Budget?

What Type of Exhibit do You Want?

Before you decide to rent a trade show exhibit or buy it outright, you need to think about your convention marketing goals and the type of exhibit that you want to use. Some displays may not be available for rental, these must be purchased. If you want to use a two story display that is customized and elaborate then you may need to buy some of the components instead of renting them.

The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to the types and appearances of the exhibits that you can use for conventions and trade shows; you are only limited by your creativity and imagination when you design customized displays. Renting has more limitations, so you need to decide if the lower cost is worth the sacrifice.

Will You Need to Change Components Frequently?

Before you can decide whether to buy or rent a trade show exhibit you should consider how often you will want to change up one or more of your display components. You may want a fresh look for each event, and that may mean using different banners, displays, and even booth configurations. Renting can be more affordable than buying numerous exhibit variations.

Think about how long you will actually use a display before you decide to make it a permanent acquisition. A custom display can be engaging but the higher cost may not always make sense, especially for smaller companies and firms with a smaller budget to spend on this effort.

How often do You Exhibit at Shows Each Year?

Before you can decide whether to rent a trade show exhibit or buy it outright, you need to consider how many shows you plan on using the convention marketing display for. If you attend many shows each year then buying could be the right choice, but make sure the exhibits purchased will be used for some time to come.

If you plan to use the exact same exhibit design for an extended period then it may be less expensive to buy the individual components than renting would be.

Read more about buying versus renting here.

Do a Cost Benefit Analysis for Each Option before Deciding

You cannot really make the best decision on whether to buy or rent a trade show exhibit until you do a cost benefit analysis for each method. This will help you determine which choice will give you the greatest benefits and the least disadvantages, and help you make the choice that works best for your company and your financial resources.

Would you rent a trade show exhibit or purchase it outright? Why?

Rental Trade Show Booths – 10 Things to Consider

1. Price and Budget

Some rental trade show booths will be extremely affordable but also simple; others can be costly and elaborate. Before you can choose the right booth for your business, you need to set a budget for this expense category. This will help you determine what you can spend and help you weed out any displays that are more than your budget amount.

2. Company Image and Appearance

From any hanging banners that you choose to the overall appearance of your entire area, it is important that your final choice reflects your company image. If you pick the wrong booth or display items to rent you could find that visitors view your company in a negative light instead of a positive one.

Trade Show Exhibit by the Design Factory

3. Keep it Consistent

All of the components in your rental trade show booths need to have consistency. This is important to reinforce your brand and give your business a professional image. If there are components that do not fit or that are inconsistent visitors may avoid your booth instead of heading straight for it.

A consistent brand identity makes your business seem more legitimate. It’s no wonder that multinational brands like Chevrolet and McDonald’s have very defined logos and colors.

Source: Sarah Matista at Webs.com

4. Appeal to your Target Market

Every aspect of your display, from your hanging banners and portable display signs to the placement of your marketing materials and traffic flow designation, needs to be as appealing as possible. Look at how appealing the booth will be to the populations that you are targeting, and make sure to be objective during this evaluation.

5. The Layout and Configuration

6. Easy Access for Visitors

Consider visitor access when you are looking at rental trade show booths. You want to make sure that visitors can get to your materials and products without having to stand in line, and this is also true for any lead generation efforts or materials that you use. If people have to wait to get information or sign up they will move to another booth instead.

7. Make it Easy on Yourself and Staff

Look at how easy it will be to use each of the rental trade show booths that you are thinking about. Is there enough space for storing your products and materials? Will your staff have room to move around or write down orders? These are just a few of the ease of use questions that you need to consider.

8. Amount of Display Space Offered

No matter how many hanging banners you use this will not help you be successful at trade shows if you do not have enough display space available to show off your top products and marketing materials. Think about this factor as you examine each possible rental, and make sure your final choices shows your products and services in the best light.

9. Trade Show Floor Location

Before you can go order rental trade show booths you should know where the floor location of your exhibit will be. This can have a big impact on the type of booth and display that you choose. If you have an end location or island spot then you can take advantage of higher traffic flows, but only if you plan for this ahead of time.

10. Floor Space Reserved

The right choice of rental trade show booths, hanging banners, and other exhibit items needs to take the amount of floor space that you have available into consideration. You do not want to rent a booth that is larger or smaller than the actual floor space that you have reserved for the event.

Consider all of these tips for your next trade show or convention and remember that the Design Factory is just a phone call away at 702.656.0555.

What else do you think is important when you are trying to find the right rental trade show booths?

When you rent a trade show booth there are a number of benefits that you can get, whether you choose 10 by 10 exhibit booths or something larger. When you rent instead of buying, you can save considerably on the initial costs that you pay. You could use that money for something else instead.

Smaller exhibits can work well in almost any spot on the trade show floor, so you are not limited as far as space and location are concerned so you can get better exposure by being near an entrance or exit. Renting also means that you do not have to pay for storage or transportation, and you do not have to be concerned with older or outdated components.

When you rent you can use a different display, graphics, and design configuration for each show if you want, or you can try out a specific design before you spend a considerable sum on a purchase. If you own your booths and displays then you are responsible for putting them up and taking them down. But most exhibit rental companies will handle this for you.

Rent a Trade Show Booth to Lower Your Costs

In many cases, you can rent a trade show booth for just a fraction of what you would end up paying to buy these elements. If you are on a smaller budget or you only plan on attending a few shows each year then paying a lot for something you may not use much or cannot really afford is not necessary because you can save by renting instead.

10 by 10 Exhibit Booths can fit in Almost any Floor Space

Choosing 10 by 10 exhibit booths to rent can help you ensure that you get a floor location that is ideal in both price and access. Some larger booths may not fit in certain areas of the trade show floor, and some locations may be out of the way and more difficult for visitors to reach or even see. If you choose a smaller option when you rent a trade show booth you may be able to avoid these problems.

Eliminate any Storage and Transportation Costs and Concerns

Instead of buying outright, you can rent a trade show booth and eliminate any storage and transportation costs and concerns. These costs can add up over time, and there may also be concerns about any damage that could occur while you are moving or storing the individual components. Renting gets rid of all these hassles.

Use a Different and Modern Exhibit for Each Show

If you rent a trade show booth, whether it is one of the 10 by 10 exhibit booths or a two-story structure, you can use a new and different design for each show where you exhibit. This may give you an edge because you will always have modern displays that are effective and attractive, without having to pay to replace each component as it wears out.

Don’t let anyone ever tell you that a trade show exhibit rental isn’t customizable–it is!

Quote from the Design Factory Website

Display Set up and Tear Down Can be a Snap

Why not rent a trade show booth and make your life easier and less stressful? 10 by 10 exhibit booths and other rental options may be set up and taken down by the rental company, eliminating these from your to do list. Since experienced professionals handle these tasks, they are done right, and in less time than you would typically spend doing it.

What other benefits do you enjoy when you rent a trade show booth?

Small business trade shows can be great resources if they are marketed properly.

You should always compare a trade show booth rental against purchasing the exact same design and items, because renting can help you get more WOW for less money at times. Always put out at least one press release about the show and your company’s participation in order to advertise and generate income.

Visitor handouts are not just recommended they are expected. If you do not have these marketing materials and collateral then you could look unprepared or unprofessional. You can take advantage of the many portable and lightweight displays that are offered today. Careful design of your signage can really boost the event results that you see.

Small Business Trade Shows Require Advance Planning

Advance planning is very important with small business trade shows.Waiting until a few days before the event is a big mistake that could be extremely costly in terms of traffic, lead generation, and visitor conversions. Plan as far in advance as you possibly can to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Compare Trade Show Booth Rental versus Purchase for the WOW Factor

A trade show booth rental will usually cost less than purchasing the same items. This means you can stay within your marketing and exhibit budget while still getting the most WOW that you can. The impact that your displays get at small business trade shows can be more effective while you save money when you rent, especially if you only attend one or two shows a year.

Put out a Press Release

A press release can be a big boost when you plan to exhibit at small business trade shows, and anyone can create and release one of these pieces. If writing is not a strong point, you can always find an affordable writer experienced with press releases to create this for you. This press release will give recipients the important facts about your company and exhibits.

Don’t Neglect Handouts for Visitors

Handouts from each exhibitor are crucial for small business trade shows. This can help you market your products and services more effectively. Make sure that you order plenty of these materials so that you do not come up short. It’s better to have more than enough…than not enough.

Take Advantage of Lightweight and Portable Displays

Displays that are portable and lightweight may be the best bet for small business trade shows, helping you stay within a small budget while still impressing visitors and appearing professional and competent in the industry. These displays are affordable, easy to set up and take down. They can be found in many sizes and types.

Design your Signage Carefully

Whether you decide to use a trade show booth rental or you buy the items needed it is important that you use special care on the signage that you design and use. These materials will say a lot about your company, get your product or service benefits across, and help visitors find your booth and take advantage of any offers or drawings that you have.

What other marketing tips are you aware of for small business trade shows?

Trade Show Booth Rental by the Design Factory

Starting small makes sense because you can always add design or display components later on, if you want to expand. You should always examine the various exhibit design features and know what each of these features will cost in order to get maximum impact for minimum cost. Some features may be more cost effective than others may.

Evaluate how all of the components of your entire display will work together, and determine just how appealing the finished booth will be to the targeted visitors that you want to attract. Before you start evaluating rentals, you also need to set a budget and then stick to it in order to reserve your financial resources and really make each dollar-spent count in a big way.

1. Know how much Trade Show Booth Rental Space is Available

Each trade show booth rental will require a certain amount of floor space at the show. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to choose a booth and display components without understanding exactly how much floor space you will have at an event. If you rent a model or choose a design that is larger than your space this could create big problems.

 2. Start Small and then Expand Later On

If you are new at being a vendor at this type of an event then the best advice is to start small. Choose a highly effective exhibit design and keep your trade show booth rental smaller in size for the first few events, so you can get an idea of how effective your overall display is. If you decide you need a bigger booth or more room you can always expand later on.

3. Compare Various Exhibit Design Features and Costs

When it comes to a trade show booth rental there are many different exhibit design features and costs that you can choose from. Look at each of the features that you want to include and then decide if the cost is reasonable for this or not. This step will allow you flexibility and help you get the features that you are looking for without spending more than necessary.

4. Consider the Overall Display Appeal

The final display appeal is just as important as the cost of the trade show booth rental, if not more so. Try to visualize the complete display with all of the added components and items so you can determine whether it will be attractive to your targeted demographics. If you have an impressive vendor area but it does not appeal to the consumers you want to reach then you may not do as well.

5. Set a Budget and Stick to It

A budget should be set before you even start looking at any trade show booth rental option. You will then know, and feel comfortable with, how much you can spend without using financial resources needed elsewhere in your business. It is possible to get a fantastic exhibit design without going over budget when you know what to look for and how to save in this area.

What trade show booth rental tips do you have that others might find useful and how can you help new vendors be more successful in this area?

A trade show exhibit rental can be extremely cost effective.

A trade show exhibit rental can be extremely cost effective, especially when the company has a smaller budget to work with in the beginning. The individual circumstances are also relevant and the expected frequency of the shows and conventions attended should be considered as well. If you will be attending several shows a month then rental fees could become less cost effective than simply purchasing the displays outright.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Trade Show Exhibit Rental

If you choose a trade show exhibit rental there are some benefits and drawbacks that you should be aware of. The benefits that you may see with this method include:

• Fewer service fees
• A lower initial charge
• No set up or tear down responsibilities
• Flexibility with features and display capabilities
• Ideal for newcomers and experienced show participants
• Less spent in labor costs
• No shipping expense
• No need to store the convention booth when it is not in use

The possible drawbacks that may be experienced with this method can include:

• Limited customization options in some cases
• Rental fees can add up if the display is used frequently
• Booking availability for some displays may be limited
• You do not own the booth and display items
• You may be financially responsible for any damage

Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Convention Booth

Purchasing a convention booth instead of using a trade show exhibit rental also has some pros and cons. The advantages that this choice can offer include:

• May be more cost effective and less expensive than renting if many shows are attended each year
• Complete customization is possible so you can design your display from the ground up if desired
• May be tax deductible as business equipment or property in some cases

Disadvantages of this pick may include:

• Shipping costs
• Labor charges for set up, delivery, and supervision of these processes
• The materials will need to be stored safely when not in use
• A higher initial cost
• Service fees may be charged
• Not ideal for beginners in most cases

Consider your Needs and Budget Both

When you are evaluating a trade show exhibit rental and comparing this with buying the booth instead you should look at your specific needs and unique budget. Both of these are important. If you have a display that is affordable but that does not draw in the crowds then you will still waste financial resources. If the perfect booth is beyond your budget then it is not an option regardless of how perfect it may be.

Which Method is more Cost Effective in your Case?

Only you can determine whether a trade show exhibit rental or convention booth purchase is the most cost effective choice in your individual situation. Consider how many times you will use the display each year and then compare this with the yearly cost of each method. Often renting can be a very affordable alternative but this is not always true.

Did you choose a trade show exhibit rental for your last show or do you own your displays?

2 Mistakes You Can Avoid:

1. Ineffective displays
2. Poor staffing

Trade Show Exhibit Rental by the Design Factory

Failing to provide interactive components in your design can be a costly oversight in many sectors and industries. Also, trying to take the most inexpensive route and spend as little as possible can cost you lost opportunities. Graphics that do not stand out, a poor location due to waiting until the last minute to reserve a spot, and other problems are also seen on a regular basis and may cost you considerably.

Poor staffing of your convention booth with inexperienced staff or people without the charisma and networking skills that it takes to draw in visitors and create informative dialog while making connections and cultivating leads that convert to sales. This is what the purpose of attending a trade show is all about, so effective displays and quality staff is essential to your convention success.

Trade Show Exhibit Rental Displays that are Ineffective

You want your trade show exhibit rental to draw attention and grab targeted consumers quickly. If you have a convention booth that is plain or boring then you will normally find that few people stop by to find out what you are offering. Your expenses could be a waste of hard earned money and other resources if you do not meet the goals and objectives that you have set for the event.

Adding too much with a trade show exhibit rental is also the wrong move. Simple graphics that are powerful and appeal to your targeted audience can be much more effective than hundreds of images that may be overwhelming and confusing. The display should get your message across clearly in a way that pops and stands out in the crowd.

Poor Convention Booth Staffing could Cost You

Staffing is often one of the last considerations when it comes to a convention booth or trade show exhibit rental but this should be a top priority. Not having the right number of and appropriate staff could mean potential clients may go somewhere else instead to meet their needs. For example, a trade show that involves automobiles should not be staffed by those who have no knowledge of this subject.

Make sure that the staff you use for your exhibit are knowledgeable in all aspects of your products or services. They should be able to answer any questions that are asked, and they should be charming and engaging. Remember to schedule enough staff so that any breaks and responsibilities are covered without being short of people at any time. Busier times will call for more people.

Interaction is Essential when Marketing any Business Today

Interactive components are extremely popular today, and if your trade show exhibit rental does not have these new trending features, then your business may not be seen as current and up to date. Whether it is a simple promotion or the use of touch screens and other advanced interactive technologies you need to interact with potential customers in order to make a good first impression and help them to remember you.

Going Low-Cost could end up being more Expensive in the Long Run

One of the biggest mistakes to avoid with your convention booth is to try and cut corners. This could end up being much more expensive than spending the money needed for the best results in the first place. If you are going to take this step then you should do it right. Otherwise you will not get the results that you are hoping for. What other trade show exhibit rental mistakes have you experienced?

Set Clear and Precise Objectives for your Trade Show Rental

Before you even decide to attend an expo, you will want to clearly define your goals.  This will be a huge factor in the design of your exhibit and selection of your trade show rental.  The wrong choice in display booth may even have negative effects on your business reputation.

Your goals and objectives will need to be clearly measurable, perhaps regarding sales or traffic, so that you can better determine the success rate of your presence at the event.  If you have a predetermined target to talk to 100 potential new customers per hour, your trade show rental will play an important role.

Keep your Company Message in Mind

It is not enough to simply select a trade show rental that you find visually appealing. Your display booth must communicate the message of your company to its optimum effect.  If your company has a reputation for advancements in technology, for example, a more elaborately lit display booth might be the way to go.

If your message is one of trust and reliability, a more modest tone might be the most effective choice.  There are as many different styles of trade show rental as there are the people who man them.  Keep the focus on the needs of your target demographic rather than on personal self preferences.

Consider your Sales Staff

If you are planning to attend an expo as a new and creative marketing strategy, you will probably want to bring you star sales team.  The number of these individuals and their unique sales styles may come into play when selecting the perfect trade show rental that will allow them to perform at their highest levels of professionalism.

Some sales representatives perform best if they are upright and active, walking the room, working the crowd.  While others prefer a more relaxed approach once the prospect comes in for a landing for a discussion about your individual products and services.

Do you need a “standing room only” display booth?  Do you need extra storage space for out-of-sight marketing materials?  Do you need tables and chairs for longer conversations?  Or do you want the consumers to be in and out quickly?  All of these techniques and marketing strategies will come into play in the selection of a trade show rental that works best for your team.

What items are investment pieces, and which ones can be rentals? Let’s examine this question further:

Trade Show: Rental or Purchase Items?

Let’s begin by discussing which items should be purchased as long-term investments for your trade show booth. You want to invest your money in graphic design elements that will be customized specifically to your company and its products, and that will travel with you to help advertise everything you do. So, for instance, you should purchase:

• Large format printing items, such as backdrops;
• Posters and other elements that help advertise your booth on the convention center floor;
• Brochures, flyers, and other collateral advertising items;
• Swag that you use for giveaways; and
• Anything that requires your logo and/or contact information to be printed professionally on it.

You want to save your money and have the highest-possible printing done for these types of items as your budget can afford. These collateral marketing items are, in a sense, your ambassadors. These items speak for your company when you cannot be there to advertise. And as such, you need to spend as much money on them as it takes to make them look professional.

Trade Show Rentals: When Renting Is Best

On the other hand, you want to rent the items for your booth that are cumbersome, heavy, difficult to store, and expensive to ship. It’s much cheaper to rent a display in your convention town than it is to lug your own display cross-country. You should also rent a display when you are testing out designs and want to make sure you’ve got the right setup before you make a purchase. Following are the items that you should consider renting before you buy:

• Carpeting for your trade show booth;
• Furniture for your trade show booth;
• Pipe and drape;
• Backdrops and modular fittings;
• Shelves and display cases;
• Pedestals and display stands; and
• Tables of any size.

By renting these items, you save a great deal of money, have the flexibility of choosing what you want and playing with your display before you make a long-term commitment.

Trade Show Rentals: Talk to a Consultant

If you are unsure whether you should rent or buy for your trade show booth, it is a good idea to discuss your dilemma with a consultant in the industry. Many trade show exhibit showrooms have consultants who can assist with making the best decision–one that suits both your needs and your budget.