There are a variety of choices for trade show booth flooring and some common questions that come along with choosing what works best for each individual design.

Trade Show Booth Flooring – Questions and Answers

1. What Types of Trade Show Booth Flooring Are Available?

Before you make any final decision on trade show booth flooring you will need to know what your options are and what types of flooring you have available to choose from in order to make the right choice. Examine all of your possibilities, look at all of the important aspects for each type of floor, and then decide which type to use.

2. What Flooring Types Will Work Best With My Exhibit Accessories?

Each booth area at a trade show will have different exhibit accessories, and you want the overall appearance of your area to be consistent and flow together. Look at the entire appearance and the accessories that you have chosen, and then evaluate how well each flooring type and the various options that you have will work in this setting.

3. Should I Rent or Buy Flooring?

Renting or buying is one of the most common questions asked about trade show booth flooring, and the answer depends on your specific situation and needs. Sometimes renting may be the best possible option because you only need the items for a short time and you do not exhibit often. In other cases, buying may be the most cost effective choice, especially if you use your exhibit several times a year.

4. How Important is Flooring Maintenance?

In addition to fitting in with your exhibit accessories the maintenance needed on the floors needs to be considered. You do not want to have to spend hours each night maintaining the floor in good condition so this needs to be part of the decision that you make. You will want something that is easy to maintain unless you have someone who can handle this task.

5. Which Type of Flooring is the Most Popular?

When it comes to trade show booth flooring carpeting is still the most popular option that you can choose, but that does not necessarily mean this should be the choice that you make. There are a many choices including:

• Carpet
• Tile
• Hardwood
• Bamboo
• Vinyl
• Foam mats
• Rubber
• Green flooring choices
• Printed floor products

Custom Carpets can have digital images of a company’s logo printed on them, or be of a modular style.

Source: Info.com

6. Do I Need Any Padding Under the Floor?

No matter what exhibit accessories you have, one area of uncertainty is padding. Your staff will have to stand in your booth for hours at a time so comfort is important. Padding can make any flooring type more comfortable, and any visitors will appreciate this factor. Padding does cost extra though so the comfort needs to be balanced with the budget amount available.

Carpet with thick padding is comforting for those on their feet all day…including staff and attendees. Read more here.

7. How Much Will Shipping the Flooring Cost?

Whether you buy or rent trade show booth flooring you may have additional costs that can include shipping. The actual cost that you will pay to have a floor shipped depends on a number of factors. The size of the floor, the weight of the materials involved, and the value of these items are all calculated into the shipping costs.

8. How Much Assembly Does the Flooring Require?

Some types of trade show booth flooring will require a great deal more assembly than others will. Interlocking flooring pieces can be tricky at times and need to be assembled. Carpeting does not require any assembly and this floor is simply installed in your booth area. If a floor has complex assembly requirements you may need to hire professional help.

9. Should I Choose Indoor or Outdoor Flooring?

You will find trade show booth flooring designed for indoor use and products in this category that are intended to be used outside. Think about where your booth will be located and the typical conditions that the flooring will have to stand up to. If you will be exhibiting in a location that where you anticipate tracking of debris, outdoor flooring inside may be a good choice.

10. How Difficult will it be to Keep the Floor Clean?

Cleaning is necessary during these events, from the exhibit accessories to the flooring that you use. How hard will it be to keep a flooring choice clean and how much time will this take each day?

11. What Colors and Patterns are Offered?

Some types of trade show booth flooring may be available in a much wider range of colors and patterns, and this can play a big part in your final decisions. If you want a certain look that blends with your overall design then you may decide on a floor that offers this effect.

What types of trade show booth flooring have you used before and what did you like or dislike about it?

Designing unique trade show booths can be a great way to get attention for your company and help your business and products really shine on the event floor. There are many ideas that can help you get creative and ensure that your displays are appealing and engaging on a personal level, so no one will mistake you for your competition.

A Dozen Ideas for Unique Trade Show Booths

1. One way to get unique trade show booths that really stand out is to offer something healthy and delicious. Many exhibitors may offer candy but few may offer bags of dried fruit, trail mix, or something else that provides energy and promotes good health at the same time. Get creative with the snacks that you provide and you may be surprised at how much traffic you get.

2. Add an unusual component to your exhibit booth that no one else has. This may be an unusual shape to your display items or overall exhibit. It can be the latest and most advanced technology that no one else has yet, or something else that is so unusual that it acts as a hook to engage the curiosity of the visitors and draws them to you.

3. Include innovative video panels and displays to create unique trade show booths that have never been seen before. These panels can be very thin and lightweight so they can be placed almost anywhere. A wall of video panels can give your products and company a larger than life appeal that visitors will gravitate towards.

Video monitors or televisions, tablets and smart phones to capture leads, LED lighting, and digital signage are popular types of technology to consider for your exhibit design.

Source: Marcus Garcia of the Design Factory

4. Your products are unique, and your exhibit booth should be too. Let visitors take advantage of a demo that allows them to use your products and see the benefits that you offer firsthand. This will help you show what your company can do for consumers and it will set your booth apart from everyone else on the event floor.

5. Some of the best and most unique trade show booths are also those which excel at simplicity. If you try to add too many messages and graphics all you may do is confuse the visitor about what you do and what your company offers them. It is better to choose between one and three messages that actually convey what you are trying to get across.

6. Add some unusual and unexpected things in your exhibit booth. Flowers, newspaper articles about your company or product that have been framed, and other little touches that are not expected at a typical trade show can help you stand out above the rest of the exhibitors and show why you are a company that should be considered.

7. Add some brightness for unique trade show booths that are irresistible. You can use balloons, posters and displays with colorful graphics, and other details to add color to your area. Have staff wear shirts with colorful company logos instead of the usual black and white uniform that most companies have for their booth staff.

8. Touch screen tabletop displays can be a great addition to any exhibit booth. Visitors can engage with these screens and the interactive features will amuse and entertain. Just make sure that you still have plenty of room for traffic flow and that the location of these screens does not cause a traffic back up at your exhibit.

Using interactive exhibit booths in order to show how your products can help consumers is much better than simply saying the benefits.

From our article, 7 Reasons to Use Interactive Exhibit Booths at Trade Shows. Click here to read more.

9. Unique trade show booths have something that no one else offers. Think about what your targeted population wants or needs and then find a way to address this that is original and highly creative. If the show is for the gaming industry then use poker chips or cards with your company information on them to hand out.

10. Stock your exhibit booth with giveaway items that are actually useful instead of small trinkets that will be quickly tossed away. A pen and notepad with your logo and website will be used, and the recipient will remember your company. Try giving away small picture frames and add a photo booth kiosk to your area for a souvenir that everyone will love.

11. One idea for unique trade show booths is to hold a trivia contest about your company history, with prizes that people will want to win. Have staff ask attendees specific questions, and when they answer correctly have them come to your booth to get a prize. If you include several levels then the top prize can be something that is fairly expensive and attention grabbing.

12. Some of the most unique trade show booths are highly interactive and entertaining. If you sell cosmetics then offer visitors a quick makeover. If your products are for the video game industry then have samples that can be handled and used. Think about an unusual aspect with your products or services, and then transform this into something fun and exciting.

What have you done in the past to get unique trade show booths and how did it work?

Having a remarkable trade show booth is one element that can help you reach your goals.

Source: Nathan Yerian at Hubspot.com

Exhibit booths will either help your company be more successful and help you generate leads and additional sales or they will flop and be a waste of your time and money instead. If your area is just thrown together or all of the components are not set up perfectly then you may not get the results that you are hoping for and you could leave the event disappointed.

Learning How to Set Up a Trade Show Booth

There are a number of ways that you can learn how to set up a trade show booth. There are videos online that may offer step-by-step instructions, and you will also find checklists, articles, and technical advice on this subject as well. If you do not know how to start this process, you can also hire a professional to do it for you instead.

The Location of Your Exhibit Booths

One consideration when setting up exhibit booths is the floor location that you have. Ideally, you will be easily accessible from everywhere, but you do not want to be next to a large organization that has many spaces together and that will be holding meetings, demonstrations, or other events during the show. You could find people from their booth crowding your area.

Make Sure You Keep an Eye on Your Budget

Understanding how to set up a trade show booth is not really helpful if you cannot stick within your budget because you could set up the best display but end up in the red anyway because you spent too much trying to impress visitors at the venue. Look at changes that are cost effective while also boosting the appeal of your display.

Professional Set up Assistance is Available

If you do not have a clue about how to set up a trade show booth then you may want to opt for professional help if you can afford this. There are professionals who can complete the set up process fairly quickly and ensure that everything is put together properly. This is an additional cost but if you are inexperienced with exhibit booths then this may be the right choice.

If you insist on doing your own exhibition booth design and trade show graphics then you are placing a bigger importance on the cost than you are on getting the best possible results at the event where you exhibit.

From our article, DIY Exhibition Booth Design: Money Saving or a Mistake? Click here to read the entire article.

Turnkey Booth Solutions can be a Terrific Option

Figuring out how to set up a trade show booth can be a time consuming and frustrating process, and turnkey solutions can eliminate these factors completely. All you have to do is show up and start your marketing and sales efforts, the turnkey specialist will handle everything else for you. This can be very convenient and it is a popular option for many companies.

Make Sure you Have the Needed Tools on Hand

If you do know how to set up a trade show booth then you realize that most exhibit booths require some tools for assembly. If you choose to go without professional help or turnkey solutions then you will need to have all of the tools necessary to put the components together safely and properly.

Need a checklist for exhibiting at trade shows? Click here to read our article, Exhibiting at Trade Shows is Easy with this Checklist.

Many experienced vendors and exhibitors keep a small tool box with them so that they have the basic hand tools that may be needed. A hammer, a straight and a Philips screwdriver, pliers, duct tape, and other basic necessities should be kept together so that you can set up your displays without having to hunt down tools that you are missing.

Look at What Your Competition is Doing

Whether you know how to set up a trade show booth or you are a newbie at this, it is a good idea to take a walk around the floor before you start. Check out what your competitors are doing so that you do not use the same things. You want your exhibits to stand out and be unique, and checking out the other booths can help you accomplish this.

Do you know how to set up a trade show booth or do you leave this to the professionals? Why?

Cool trade show booths always have crowds of people no matter what time of day it is. They have a variety of elements that visitors find appealing or irresistible. There are ways that you can design this type of exhibit and get the traffic that you hope to attract without having to spend a fortune. All you need is to do a little research before you start.

Navitek Trade Show Exhibit by the Design Factory

The booth graphics that you use in your displays are an important element, but they are just one part of the whole that will be considered. Your booth layout, the marketing collateral that you have on hand, and the items that you use to set your exhibit apart are all things that can make your area cool and make it a target for event visitors. This will help you maximize the investment that you make.

Some Cool Trade Show Booths have a Money Machine

If your goal is cool trade show booths then one way you can do this is to have a money machine in your exhibit. Very few people can resist the chance to win an opportunity to get cash, and people tend to be drawn to these machines like moths to a light. Visitors who fill out a card are entered into a drawing for a specific time in the money machine, so people will be happy to oblige.

Prizes can be actual money or customized vouchers redeemable for your business’s products or services.

Source: TradeShowMarketing.com

Use Booth Graphics in Unexpected Ways

Think about your booth graphics as one more tool in your marketing toolbox, and use them in unexpected ways that will amuse or entertain the people who stop by your exhibit. One way to do this is to have puzzles created with your company logo or brand image and give these out. Visitors will have fun putting the puzzle together and you will get exposure at the same time.

Customize a Prize Wheel for Your Targeted Populations

Some cool trade show booths use a prize wheel, and people always get excited at the thought of winning something. Think about what your targeted population wants and then have a customized prize wheel created. This offers visitors something unique, and it will attract a bigger crowd of interested visitors to you.

Visitors who provide contact information get a chance to spin the prize wheel and win a prize.

From our article: 7 Great Trade Show Game Ideas for Your Next Convention. You can find the whole article here.

Add Massage Chairs to Your Display

Sometimes what makes cool trade show booths is not the booth graphics that are used but the benefits and comforts that you offer the visitors at an event. The typical visitor is usually hot, tired, they have sore feet, and they are probably thirsty from talking so much. What can you do to make them feel better? Answer this and you will have a cool booth.

People will flock to your area to relieve a little stress, and they will learn more about your business and products while they relax.

From our blog post, 12 Great Exhibit Booth Design Ideas to Attract Crowds. Click here to read the complete article.

Offer Branded Snacks that are Healthy and Energizing

‘Many cool trade show booths are a hit because of the giveaways that are provided. Branded snacks are a great way to get visitors to advertise for you because they will be happy to munch and your brand will be on display. When you provide healthy snack options that offer energy your booth will be even more popular at any event type.

Guest Speakers Who are Popular in Your Industry can be a Big Hit

In addition to eye-catching booth graphics, some of the highest rated exhibits and cool trade show booths involve guest speakers who are very popular and sought out in your industry. For a PC trade show getting Bill Gates to speak is guaranteed to draw a crowd. Think about who is important in your industry and if they would be willing to put in an appearance at your booth periodically.

Hold a Book Signing with a Well-Known Author

Many cool trade show booths in the past have utilized a well-known author and a book signing to attract people. Some authors will appear for a personal book signing if you purchase a set number of books. Just make sure that the author and book are highly relevant for your company and your type of industry.

How do you create cool trade show booths that people want to visit, and what innovative ideas have you seen at past events?

Create Awesome Trade Show Booths with these Helpful Tips

1. If you want to create awesome trade show booths the signage you use is a top consideration. Lettering that is clear and large enough to be visible from a distance will help attract more traffic and draw people to your exhibit faster. If your signage is blurred or it is not visible then people will not know who or where you are on the floor.

Z3 Technology, LLC Trade Show Booth by the Design Factory

2. Use mirrors as part of your overall exhibit design. These items offer several benefits. Mirrors make an area seem bigger and brighter than it actually is, and who can resist stopping to check out how they look when they pass by one of these reflective surfaces? Mirrors can be powerful in many ways and they can add pizzazz to your exhibits.

3. When you create awesome trade show booths one of the things that can help you sell is getting outside of the booth. Have staff stand in the aisles and greet people with a smile as they walk by, handing out brochures and answering any questions that visitors may have about your company and products or services.

4. One way to make your exhibit design stand out is to display just a few well-chosen products instead of trying to cram your display cases full. Make sure that each item selected for display is considerably different from the others, and that you include your top sellers or latest and most innovative products in your exhibit.

5. Some of the most awesome trade show booths include a variety of elements and visuals. Use prop stands and displays to help flaunt your materials rather than just laying everything on the table in a flat format. This will help the materials be noticed right away and it can help add another dimension to your exhibit that is appealing.

6. One way to create awesome trade show booths is to use things that generate fun, excitement, and energy in your area. Hire a mascot that represents your company or the industry being highlighted by the show. Hire a clown, arrange for a popular guest speaker, or even use video games or other exciting activities to draw in large crowds.

According to TrewMarketing.com, VIA Embedded used a lime green dancing mascot for the Design West Conference in San Diego. Apparently this little mascot drew quite the crowd.

7. If you want to design awesome trade show booths then the colors that you use for the lettering on your displays and signage can be extremely important. Avoid using orange, yellow, or brown for letters because these can be difficult to see, especially from far away. Better choices for lettering and signage would be black, blue, or red instead.

Too many different colors look bad, no matter which colors are used. Lots of hues confuse the eye, so readers don’t know where to start first.

Source: SitePoint.com Tara Hornor

8. Include bright carpeting at the booth entrance for an exhibit design that stands out and is very welcoming to the attendees. When you have bright carpeting that contrasts with the rest of the floor it draws the eye and will attract more visitors to your displays.

9. If your goal is awesome trade show booths then clutter can be a big obstacle. You want to keep materials available, display your products, and keep necessary supplies on hand. If your area or table top becomes too cluttered then you may find it is difficult to locate things and visitors may view you as less professional.

Keep you booth and area clean and clutter free, otherwise you could lose out on potential customers.

From our article, Exhibition Design Mistakes to Avoid at all Costs. Click here to read the complete article.

10. Use videos as part of your overall exhibit design, making sure that you have space available for the necessary monitors and equipment. Videos are appealing to visitors at trade shows, and these can help explain or demonstrate your products and services.

Use graphics, video, and sound as much as possible.

Source: Timothy Carter at SmallBizTrends.com

11. Some of the most awesome trade show booths include large images of products. It will cost you a little to have images that are larger than life but this can be attractive to visitors and it adds another element to your marketing at the same time.

12. A unique exhibit design that is customized for your needs, preferences, and company image can be a showstopper if your budget can handle this expense. Two story exhibits are distinctive and tower over your competition.

13. Awesome trade show booths will include interactive components and modern technology. When these elements are added the results can be spectacular, and people will flock to your booth to see them and interact.

How have you created awesome trade show booths in the past and what other tips can you share?

10×10 trade show booth for 3Way Digital Video by the Design Factory

Using a 10×10 trade show booth can be the right answer for your exhibition needs or it could be the wrong choice instead. There are some questions that can help you decide which sizes, types of acquisition, floor locations, and trade show exhibits will give you the best possible results for your efforts and the resources that you spend.

10×10 Trade Show Booth Essential Questions to Ask

1. Should You Rent or Buy a 10×10 Trade Show Booth?

You can either rent or buy a 10×10 trade show booth, and each choice will have some benefits but also some possible disadvantages. Renting can help you keep costs down for each show, but if you will exhibit several times a year then buying the booth outright may make more sense from a financial standpoint.

The cost of renting versus buying trade show exhibits can be complex and there may be many added charges that need to be added in.

From our article, Buying Versus Renting Trade Show Exhibits: 5 Critical Questions. Find out more information about the differences between buying and renting exhibit booths here.

2. Will You Use Standard or Custom Trade Show Exhibits?

Trade show exhibits can be found in standard looks and sizes or you can personalize your booth with custom exhibits built specifically for your company and products. These can be unique and one of a kind so there are no worries that other exhibitors will have the same items on display. Your area will stand out no matter what size your booth and floor location may be.

3. Where Should Your Logo and Branding Go?

When you use a 10×10 trade show booth logo and branding placement are important. You want these items and images to be displayed at eye level so that visitors quickly see your branding and logo. If you place these components too high or too low then they may be missed completely and this could cost you exposure and customers as a result.

4. Should You go Two Stories High?

If you would like a two-story exhibit, a 10×10 booth is probably too small to accommodate a second level. It is more common to see this with 10×20 or 20×40 exhibit booths. A two-story display can be very impressive but there are structural and safety considerations that must be addressed if you want to build up and design a towering display that is incredibly impressive. A second story can be costly but it is worth it in some situations.

At the AAPM Innovation Trade Show in Austin, Texas, specific pricing guidelines were given for 2-story exhibits.

$15 per 1 square foot for second level to be added to total cost of first level space example

5. Do You Have the Ideal Graphics and Graphic Placement?

When you are choosing and designing trade show exhibits the choice of the graphics to be used and the placement of these images is a crucial consideration. If you are not experienced in this area then you may want to consult a professional for assistance. With the right placement and choice of graphics, a bland exhibit can be turned into something special.

Key to declaring the purpose of your presence at the convention is how you handle your trade show graphics.

From our article, Make Your Convention Booth a Show Stopper with Trade Show Graphics. Click here to read the complete article.

6. What is Your Budget Amount for This Project?

Using a 10×10 trade show booth can be a great way to impress show visitors, but you also have to stay within budget at the same time. Examine your budget and then decide what your options and possibilities are. Pipe and drape are used by many businesses with a small budget, but spending a bit more on a professional booth can improve your return on investment.

7. Will All of the Booth Components Blend Together Seamlessly?

It is very important that all of the trade show exhibits and booth components flow together perfectly, without any disruptions or areas of conflict. Every component is just as important as the others are, and they all need to flow together seamlessly for a professional look that is appealing and attractive to the people who attend the show.

8. Does Your Final Design Include Room for Traffic Flow?

The final design for your 10×10 trade show booth needs to take traffic flow into consideration. Will the visitors be able to access materials and staff quickly or will there be a jam of people causing delays and long lines? This will help you choose a design that promotes good traffic flow and helps people access your area quickly and efficiently.

9. Do You Have Enough Furnishings for the Space?

No matter what booth size you decide on the last thing you want is an exhibit that looks sparse or half-empty. Consider the furnishings that you have and what else you may need to make sure your budget will cover everything.

10. What Type of Color Scheme do You Want?

Just using a 10×10 trade show booth is not enough to impress, you also need a color scheme that works well, with all of the colors complementing each other and drawing attention to your display and floor location.

What other questions need to be considered before deciding to use a 10×10 trade show booth?

Through history, top booths and displays have helped to promote companies very effectively and make them well-known names in their industries.

Interesting Fact: When the Las Vegas Convention Center opened in 1959, its inaugural show was the World Congress of Flight, the first international air expo in U.S. history.

Source: ExhibitorOnline.com

Before you can create booths and displays that are incredibly successful, you need to understand what is needed for the best booth design, and the common mistakes that you should try to avoid. Some elements can have a bigger impact for the same cost so you also need to know how to compare different features and costs so that you stay in the budget you have set.

The Best Trade Show Booths Get Noticed Immediately

Conventions and trade shows are all about exposure for products and services. Dull and insignificant exhibits blend into the sea of booths. However, the best trade show booths, that are unique and appealing, make an impressive display that is quickly noticed. They stand out on the event floor and never blend into the background along with their competitors.

BASIS trade show booth by the Design Factory

The Five Elements Involved with Booth Design

The booth design for the best trade show booths all include five carefully thought out and planned elements. These include:

• Logo and branding
• Lighting
• Graphics
• Interactivity and advanced technology
• Promotional materials and collateral

When each of these five elements is combined seamlessly and chosen carefully the end result can be spectacular. If you neglect even one of the important elements, you could end up with a display that is ho hum and does not attract the traffic that you need for your exhibit to be a success. Planning the right design is essential so that you do not waste your time and effort.

Colors Can Have a Dramatic Impact on Booth Appeal

Color helps the best trade show booths really stand out and grab the eye, attracting people immediately and drawing bigger crowds to your display. The colors used should be very carefully selected so that they each complement the others. Just throwing bright colors all over the place will not be effective; the shades used must all blend perfectly.

Interact With Your Visitors for More Traffic

Some of the best trade show booths are those that interact with the visitors in some way. Take advantage of interactive displays that use the latest in technology and engage people who stop by. This can be videos, demonstrations, and other methods of interactive marketing that visitors find useful and informative.

Using interactive exhibit booths in order to show how your products can help consumers is much better than simply saying the benefits.

From the Design Factory article: 7 Reasons to Use Interactive Exhibit Booths at Trade Shows. Click here to read the complete article.

Consider Traffic Flow in Your Final Design

When you think about the best trade show booths, it is apparent that a lot of thought and consideration for traffic flow was used with the booth design. If you do not think about how to direct the flow of people around your displays then you could end up with long lines, large crowds, and people who avoid your area because of this.

Keeping the flow of traffic effective and orderly is critical. Think about how you can make it easy for visitors to reach your materials and staff quickly, find out what they need to know, and then move on. This will help you reach more consumers and get the word out about your company much better.

Make an Incredible First Impression on Visitors

The best trade show booths use displays and an incredible booth design to make a fantastic first impression immediately. When you exhibit at one of these events then you only have a few seconds to be noticed before visitors will move past and visit a competitor instead. Once you have thought about the entire design process and the finished results take a second look to be sure.

You need to create an exhibit that wows and astonishes. It may be possible to get decent results from your marketing efforts even if you do not have a bigger budget. Just don’t expect to compete with a company spending $10,000 or more if your design budget tops out at $1,000.

What features and components have you found appealing with the best trade show booths?

13 Mistakes to avoid when you plan and set up Exhibit Booths

1. Before you prepare to set up exhibit booths you need to think about who will be doing the work. If you are not experienced with the set up process then you may want to hire someone to do this for you. Professionals who handle this type of work can usually do the job much faster because it is what they do all of the time. You may save time and money by paying a professional.

2. Remember that the cost of your trade show design is only part of the price that you will pay. It is common to find that a $900 display ends up costing three or four times this much if you are not careful. Calculate any add on costs into your budget before you hit the show floor and start to set up so that you do not end up spending too much or going over budget.

3. Find out whether other show vendors can pass out materials outside of their display area before you set up exhibit booths, or even plan on attending an event. Some shows allow vendors to pass out materials anywhere on the floor, and competitors may use this to try and pass their materials out right in front of your booths.

4. Keep your exhibit neat and tidy and avoid clutter. Having too many displays and not enough room to maneuver through your booth should always be considered when you set up exhibit booths. If necessary, cut down on the amount of products you display. Choose the most important and really show them off.

Having a cluttered booth or placing restrictions on customers and how they handle your product is a sure way to push them away.

Source: Adpulp.com

5. Always review the show floor layout before you plan to set up exhibit booths. You should do this before you even reserve the floor location that will be used. This will help you determine whether you are on the end of the aisle along a main walkway or off in the corner where you could be hidden from view.

6. Look at the floor plan carefully to decide where the main areas of traffic will be, and then try to get space along this route to set up exhibit booths. If seminars or panels will be held during the show, see if your booth location will be along the route used to attend these events. You could get a boost in traffic as a result.

Space selection is an important part of trade show planning, because the right space and floor location can make a big difference on the outcome. At some events, space can fill up quickly so reserve the ideal space as soon as you can.

Source: The Design Factory article, 15 Things you need to know about Trade Show Planning. Click here to read the complete article.

7. Have your trade show design ready well before the event is supposed to start. If you already have all of the components and displays needed and they are still in great shape then you do not need as much time to prepare. However, if you want a display built or you need printing, you should start planning months in advance and not wait until a few weeks before the event to start.

8. Try to avoid reserving a space to set up exhibit booths next to a large organization that has a block of spaces all together. This usually means that all of the spaces will be used for one exhibit, and you could find crowds for your neighbor blocking your traffic and making it hard to get to your booth.

9. Make sure to include some interactive elements in your trade show design. This will give you an edge over booths that are static and do not contain components that interact with your visitors.

Using interactive exhibit booths in order to show how your products can help consumers is much better than simply saying the benefits.

Read our complete article here about interactive exhibit booths.

10. Try to avoid any areas with a PA system that will be used by vendors when you set up exhibit booths. This can make it hard to talk to your visitors if the PA is in use.

11. Once you choose the best trade show design it can be a good idea to try to get a location along the outside edge of the floor if you have a smaller budget. These spaces tend to be less expensive, and most of the biggest companies will be in the middle of things.

12. When you get ready to set up exhibit booths always make sure that there are one or two people in the booth at all times during the hours that the show is open. Theft has become a big problem, even at the most influential trade shows, and keeping people in your booth can prevent this.

13. Always have a box with all the tools and items needed to set up exhibit booth components and displays. The tools and other assorted items that you need will depend on your trade show design, but this kit will come in handy during the process of setting up if you do this without professional help.

What mistakes have you made when you attempted to set up exhibit booths in the past and how could these be avoided?

Using interactive exhibit booths can be a great way to attract attention to your floor area and get people to stop by your displays. There are many reasons to include one or more interactive components to your trade show exhibits. These elements will give traffic a more favorable impression of your company and your products in a number of ways.

Interactive Exhibit Booth created by the Design Factory for Video Gaming Technologies

1. Interactive Exhibit Booths Show Your Company is Cutting Edge

When you choose to use interactive exhibit booths this shows that your company is cutting edge and stays on top of the latest technology and innovations in the industry. You want to give a modern image to potential customers and this type of technology can help you do this quickly and effectively.

Without the use of modern technology and interactive features, your booth and displays may seem old fashioned or outdated and these are not usually things you want associated with your brand or your products.

2. Interactive Trade Show Exhibits have more Appeal

When you use trade show exhibits that are interactive, your area will be more appealing to visitors. These elements can add a sense of excitement and adventure that is often missing on the trade show floor. When you appeal to visitors and provide interactive entertainment you make them want to stop by your display and find out what you are offering.

3. Engage the Senses of Your Visitors

Engagement is the key to success at trade shows, and interactive exhibit booths will engage those in attendance much more effectively than a boring display that is static and does not interact with the individual in any way. You should try to engage as many senses as you can so that people remember you and know who to call when they need your products and services.

4. Don’t Just Say it, Show How Your Products can Help Consumers

Using interactive exhibit booths in order to show how your products can help consumers is much better than simply saying the benefits. Providing demos of your products at your trade show exhibits will help customers see and feel what they will get from your company. When visitors see what your products can do, they will be impressed and more likely to make a purchase.

The Nightclub and Bar Convention and Trade Show, in Las Vegas, includes many product demonstrations. Trade Show News Network named this event one of the “Top 25 Fastest-Growing Trade Shows.”

5. Use Personal Stories to Connect with People Attending the Event

6. Make Your Booth Stand Out on the Floor

Some of the best displays and trade show exhibits on the floor will be interactive exhibit booths, and you can make your area really stand out from your competitors. This type of display is usually a little more expensive to use but the additional cost may be more than recovered with higher product sales and better brand exposure.

One of the most exciting and appealing exhibit ideas for automotive trade shows is to .add interactive games with auto themes. Racing games, driving simulators, and other vehicle-based games that are interactive can make your booth an instant hot spot for visitors.

Read more from our article 7 Terrific Exhibit Ideas for Automotive Trade Shows here.

The last thing that you want is for your booth to be ignored, or to have it fade into the background among all the other displays. Adding one or more interactive components can boost the attention that your company gets during the event, and your visitors are more likely to spend longer at your display before moving on to others.

7. Use Interesting Activities to Draw Crowds

When you have interactive exhibit booths you can use interesting activities to draw larger crowds, and in some cases your display area will be the highlight of the show floor. When you attract a larger crowd this can multiply exponentially. As people see the crowd at your booth grow, they will want to stop by to see what is going on.

What type of interactive exhibit booths have you used? Did you get great results from this type of display or spend money without getting a good return instead?

The Design Factory is the trade show exhibit builder for this custom, modern exhibit for Holsag Canada.

1. Which trade show exhibit builder has considerable experience in this industry?

You want a person or company that has a considerable amount of experience in this area so that you get exceptional results and exhibits that are attractive and highly appealing. Ask how long they have been in business, how many displays and booths they handle each year, and how many repeat customers they have so you get an idea of whether the business is well qualified.

2. Will the builder help with booth design aspects?

Some companies that specialize in building exhibits do not handle any aspect of design; they simply take your specifications and then create what you have imagined. Others will offer a complete range of services to cover every aspect of the design and creation of your displays and exhibit components so everything is handled for you.

3. Who will actually build your display?

A common misconception is that the trade show exhibit builder you hire will always be the one who builds your displays, but this is not always true. Some of the businesses in this industry may contract the work out to subcontractors, and you could end up with someone you have never interviewed or compared working on your project.

4. Can the company provide references?

Any trade show exhibit builder who cannot provide references for the services that you want should be eliminated from consideration. If you want booth design, then make sure that you get references for this service, not ones that talk about building skills or unrelated aspects of the project. Verify the references before you finally hire the company.

5. Does the company have a website?

Any reputable trade show exhibit builder will have a website that you can visit and check out. If this is not the case then the company is probably not the best choice. Creating a website shows that the builder is not just in the business for a short time, they plan to stick around enough to invest in a website for potential customers to view.

6. Does the trade show exhibit builder have a portfolio?

If you are interested in booth design services then pay close attention to the portfolio that the business provides. This will help you see what the company has done in the past and will give you an idea of whether they can deliver on the exhibits that you want created.

Take a look at a few of the trade show exhibits created and built by the Design Factory here.

7. What time line is involved for your displays?

Even the best trade show exhibit builder may be the wrong choice if they cannot deliver by the deadline that you have. You should start talking to builders as soon as you realize that you will be exhibiting at an event, usually six months to a year minimum before the event will be held. This will ensure that you have plenty of time and your exhibits will be completed when you need them.

8. Is the price within your budget and includes shipping and other costs?

Look at the cost for the booth design or other services and determine whether the price will fit in your budget or if it is too much. Avoid going with the lowest cost without looking at all of the other important factors as well. Going cheap could cost you dearly in the end if you end up with a poor quality booth or little appeal to the visitors.

Don’t forget shipping and transportation to the trade show venue…and who will set up the exhibit? These are important things to know and can add on considerably to your final cost.

Oversized or heavy displays can be very expensive to ship to the trade show, and may also require that you hire expo personnel to bring them into the exhibit hall and help you set them up.

Source: StreetDirectory.com

9.  How much time will the builder spend going over everything?

When you hire a trade show exhibit builder they will need to take some time with you to understand what you are looking for and get a basic idea of your company and product goals. If a potential business is only willing to spend a few minutes on this then you will not usually get the best possible results.

10. Does the trade show exhibit builder have a brick and mortar location?

As mentioned in #3 here, some companies merely sub-contract out the work to build exhibits. Some of these businesses do not even have a brick and mortar location. Don’t assume just because a trade show exhibit company has a pretty website and looks official that they are a full-fledged business.

Be sure you are working with the actual trade show exhibit builder that will design and construct your exhibit. If possible, ask to schedule an on-site meeting to find out just what sort of business you will be dealing with.

What do you evaluate before you choose a trade show exhibit builder and why?