Trade Show Booth Lights and Banners | Tips to get it right the First Time

The following tips and suggestions cover different ways to make your business, products, and services stand out at trade shows. When the competition is fierce, you need to have all your bases covered.

1. The right trade show booth lights will help you meet your exhibit objectives. There is not a single lighting type that is perfect in every situation, a customized lighting plan is necessary so that you get the atmosphere and the effects that you need in order to meet the objectives that you have set for the event. This may be fluorescent, track, or another lighting type instead.

The right lighting choice can make even the smallest booth seem large, and may compliment your products and materials instead of detracting from them.

From our article, 20 Trade Show Exhibit Design Tips and Secrets. Read the complete article here.

2. When you design exhibit banners remember that these are viewed as an extension of your company and brand, and they will reflect on you. Consistency between these materials and the printed literature that you offer is important. Use the same colors, fonts, and messages across all of your marketing items for the best results.

Start by creating a clear identity of what your brand stands for that you will apply across all your products, even if the products are vastly different.

Source: Tim Donnelly for Inc.com

3. Most booths will benefit from trade show booth lights that are bright while offering a sense of warmth to your area at the same time. You don’t want visitors to feel like they are in a police interrogation room but you want plenty of lighting so that they can see your products and materials clearly and there are no dark areas that pose a safety hazard.

Pay close attention to where shadows fall and make sure those areas are effectively lit. Once your exhibit is set up, you need to carefully analyze the lighting and make any necessary adjustments.

4. It is essential that you carefully consider the size of the exhibit banners that you use. These will have a bigger impact if they are larger in size, but your display also needs to be tasteful and to pair well with the size of your other display items and exhibits. These marketing items can help create excitement about your display and attract crowds when they are properly sized.

5. You may want to use trade show booth lights that offer a spotlight feature in order to highlight certain products or booth areas. This technique can help you set bestselling products or your newest offerings apart from the rest of your display. This type of lighting can place the focus where you want it and attract the eye quickly. Spotlights come in several different styles and sizes that include: overhead, freestanding, pole-mounted, and post-mounted.

6. When it comes to your exhibit banners in many cases less is more. Too often companies try to fill in every inch of the banner with text and images, and this gives a crowded appearance that is not attractive or reassuring. Try to use few words and a few carefully chosen graphics instead of adding everything that will fit. Your banner will be cleaner as a result.

7. Try to choose trade show booth lights that flatter people as well as your products and marketing items. You do not want lighting choices that could give your staff a washed out or tired appearance. There are light options that can help flatter your staff and still keep the priority on your products or services at the same time.

Soft lighting is flattering to people; hard light is good for objects and architecture, for telling the drama of a space.

From Alexandria Abramian Mott’s article in the Los Angeles Times.

8. Be sure to include colorful graphics in your exhibit banners. Limiting yourself to text could cause your display to lose appeal. Color draws the eye and will be noticed much faster, and colorful images can be very compelling for visitors. You want to create interest in your exhibit and this is not usually possible with text only or black and white banners.

9. Add some trade show booth lights in unexpected areas. If you have kiosks in your display then adding a few clamp on lights or LED lighting strips can provide much needed illumination. This is not limited to kiosks either, you can add all the light that you want or need in any area of your booth. This can add accents and appealing effects where you want them.

10. It is usually a good idea to avoid trade show booth lights that have color but this is not always the case. Sometimes a splash of colored lighting can draw attention to an item in a favorable way, and if your goal is attracting young adults then sometimes flashing colored lights may help you reach this objective better.

11. Think about any special needs that your targeted demographics have when you are choosing trade show booth lights. Older visitors may need more lights due to their age and eyesight, while younger visitors may find flashing lights and colorful versions appealing and engaging. When you take the needs and preferences of your targeted groups into consideration you will do better.

Because contrast sensitivity often declines with age, enhancing the contrast on relevant objects allows a person to recognize and distinguish edges.

Source: Linda Sanford for Lighthouse International

12. Use both upper and lower case text in your exhibit banners, and include different types of trade show booth lights. These combinations will help ensure that you get the best possible results.

What types of trade show booth lights have you used in your exhibits and why?

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?

A Dozen Ideas to make your Exhibit Booth Design the Best it can Be

1. If you want an exhibit booth design that attracts crowds and appeals to people then why not add an interactive gaming area? Many visitors will want to take a break for a minute, and a game that is relevant to your business and products can continue the theme of your booth while drawing people in and giving them a positive image of your company.

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.

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

2. Use information as well as trade show banners to appeal to those who attend trade shows. Since the people at these events are already interested in the industry, you can offer resources and information that is useful or helpful in some way. This may be a report, a white paper, or even a compilation of facts and statistics that are relevant.

3. Include a second story in your exhibit booth design if this is an option. This may seem like a costly move but it can help your exhibit tower over your competition and help you stand out nicely on the event floor. This is an impressive way to draw larger crowds if your budget allows it and the trade show you are exhibiting at has the required space available.

2 Story Exhibit Booth Design by the Design Factory

4. Use trade show banners in creative and innovative ways. Instead of using an arrow why not use a banner with your company logo and your booth location to help visitors navigate to your company area? This is just one of many ways that you can use these items to help set your exhibit area apart.

5. Use taste, smells and aromas as part of your exhibit booth design and you will find that more people visit your booth. You may decide to offer popcorn, coffee, freshly baked cookies, or another item instead. The tempting smells will cause people to automatically head in your direction, often without even thinking about it.

There’s nothing like a personal taste to leave a lasting impression.

Source: NBCChicago.com Why You Shouldn’t Overdo It at Trade Shows

6. Order a variety of trade show banners with different designs, sizes, and shapes. This will allow you to put these items up in more places and ensure that you get maximum exposure for your brand and your products.

7. A consistent exhibit booth design is important but this does not mean your area has to be boring or look monotonous. Add plenty of colors that complement each other for eye catching visual appeal. This will ensure that your booth is noticed.

8. Add a photo booth to your exhibit booth design and let the fun begin. This addition allows visitors to take their own customized photos, and you can add your company logo or other details as well. The visitor will want to keep the photo and they will remember you every time they look at it. Photo booths are very popular at these events.

9. In addition to trade show banners, why not put a massage chair or other stress reducing activity at your 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.

11. Leave area for a computer and small workplace under at least one of your trade show banners if you want to draw people in with your exhibit booth design. It is possible to rent a system for this purpose but you may be better off providing your own computer so that you know it is virus free and that it contains all the software that you want and need.

12. Before you decide on a final exhibit booth design, make sure that you have considered the traffic flow. If your design does not help direct an ideal flow of traffic then your booth and area may become congested, and this can prevent people from stopping by to see you.

What other exhibit booth design ideas can you offer that can help draw in more traffic?

Dashing Diva Trade Show Exhibit with display cases. This modern and inviting exhibit was designed and built by the Design Factory.

Selecting the Best Trade Show Display Cases

Choosing the right trade show display cases for your exhibit booth and product placement is crucial so that you can show off your products in the best possible light. There are many different considerations and each situation is different and unique. You may have to do some comparisons in order to come to the best decision for these display items.

You could simply order the first cases that you see, and reason that your products will be displayed so it does not make a difference. You will go to a lot of time and expense to exhibit at an event though, and you want to get the most out of this investment. That means understanding all of your options for each aspect and then making informed choices.

Do the Trade Show Display Cases Provide Enough Room for Your Products?

You will find trade show display cases in all possible sizes and configurations, and some may hold a lot more than others may. Shelving needs to be wide enough and tall enough to allow your products to be seen in full view. If there is not enough room for the products that you want to display, your cases could look crowded and unprofessional as a result.

Limiting the amount of products displayed can work to your advantage. Giving too many choices can confuse potential buyers and result in indecision.

The easier a brand makes the purchase-decision journey, the higher its decision-simplicity score.

Source: Harvard Business Review

Eye Level Product Placement is a Wise Choice

When it comes to product placement, eye level is ideal in most situations although this is not always true. Look at where your products will be when you choose the desired trade show display cases, and take a step back to view the overall effect with a critical eye. If your products are low to the ground visitors may not even notice them.

Will the Cases Allow Display Signs?

Do you Want Open or Closed Case Style?

When it comes to trade show display cases there are styles that are open and models that are closed. If you are concerned about theft but you do not want to remove your products each night then a case with a clear glass front and sliding panels which lock may be ideal for your booth area.

An open booth is more accessible, and there are no panels to interfere with the view of your products. This can be as simple as a case that offers open shelves that are standard in size or appearance. You can also go all out and have cases designed that meet your exact specifications and preferences.

How well do the Items Fit With Your Overall Booth Appearance?

Consider how well the trade show display cases that you are considering will fit with the overall appearance of your exhibit booth and other display items. As well as being functional and giving you a space for product placement these items should be an extension of your exhibit, and their overall appearance needs to complement your booth.

The overall design needs to be one that complements your company and that allows you to showcase your products in a very positive light, otherwise your time and effort will be wasted.

From our article, 5 Things You Should Look For With Conference Booth Displays. Read the complete article here.

Are the Cases Too Large or Too Small for Your Floor Area?

Think about the floor size that you have available, and then evaluate the size of the trade show display cases that you want to use. You may find that these items take up too much room, or you could decide that they are not large enough for the space that you need to fill. You want a display that is impressive and looks complete without being crowded.

These are just some of the factors that can influence your decision on how to display your products and make them stand out, there are others as well. What trade show display cases do you use when you exhibit and why did you make this choice?

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?

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?