Trade shows have been around for decades. Big ones, small ones, and even ones that hardly anyone has ever heard of, plus international, national and local shows can be found in almost every city for every reason. If you are planning on attending a trade show, you need to understand that your trade show display means everything. It helps determine your success or your failure. Are you going home with new customers? Or did you waste your entire advertising budget?
Some companies just opt for a table, a simple sign, and some brochures. This is fine for small local companies at a local exhibition of perhaps accountants. But to make a real impact you’ll need more. It’s a good idea to own your display rather than renting pieces for each show, especially if you attend multiple shows during the year. If you can’t afford anything of this magnitude, there are many companies to rent all your display needs from. Most companies are familiar with your particular show and can help you choose what works well with the crowds expected.
Most large firms employ professionals who do nothing more than manage their annual trade show circuit. The larger the company, the more shows they usually attend. Their on staff managers will make certain that all display materials are shipped to the proper location, they arrange for set up and frequently go to do it themselves, and then they arrange for break down and shipping the display to the next location, or back to storage.
It is vital to secure what is considered prime floor space. Newcomers to a particular trade show find themselves at a disadvantage because the companies who come year after year usually are given the privilege of all prime space if they secure it early enough. Prime space is considered any booth that is located directly inside the front entrance or visible from the front entrance. This is why your trade show display must be top notch.
A typical booth is 10 x 10 feet or 10 x 5 feet depending on the location. It’s basically enough for one table, an overhead sign, your banner with company name, and maybe two chairs. If you have your own display set up, fine. Otherwise you can either rent what you need from the trade center, or in some cases, these items are provided as part of your show fee. Display booth rental fees depends on your location.
Small companies will usually reserve a small 10 x 10 booth. Their displays are usually simple, whether they own them or whether they rent them for each show. Even though rented displays can be customized, many companies just don’t have the funds to make their displays turn heads and impress customers.
Most large firms stick with the 100 x 100 size – ten booths. They also aim for prime space on the floor. Most places have a limited number of what they consider to be these oversized display areas. A regional hotel might have none; a large international trade show center might have many, depending on who is registering for the show.
To guarantee one of these large booths, you need to have a professionally designed display, and a product that is sure to draw large crowds. Even if you have a small office with a large income, management may determine that you won’t be able to draw the crowds they want because maybe you can’t handle interstate or international customers. So, cash isn’t always a deciding factor when determining where your display can be shown.
Designing your display is extremely important for your trade shows. We offer design services and well balanced displays, ranging from roll up stand, banner stand, and of course, trade show displays. Check us out!
