One of the major advantages to the wide array of trade show displays available on the market these days is the opportunity for exhibitors to pick and choose the materials, features and designs to perfectly match their needs.
However, this abundance of options can also be overwhelming when designing a display and without a set direction and careful planning the resulting exhibit may not net the desired return on investment.
Designing successful trade show displays isn't a cut and dry process, and every business will have different needs from their marketing exhibit, but there are a few basic concepts that can help any company looking to put together their own display get the most out of the process.
Represent Your Business While Engaging Client Interest The first question to consider when developing trade show displays is their intended purpose.
Obviously the intent for most booths is to engage potential clients and turn that interest into leads.
The secret to a successful booth rests on finding a dramatic and powerful way to connect to event attendees.
If you're customizing your display to suit a particular exhibition consider the following: • Are there ongoing events you could tie in to your design? If an expo falls on the same weekend as a major national or local sporting event, for instance, consider making that part of your marketing plan and designing the layout of your booth accordingly.
• Are there any regional themes you could play off of? Using your surroundings to your advantage is an easy way to draw attention from guests.
Is the town or region of the show you're attending known for a landmark or historical event? Utilizing images and themes your guests are already familiar with will give you a leg up on the competition.
• Don't ignore any seasonal events.
It may seem natural to incorporate seasonal themes into trade show displays, but it's one of the easiest ways to keep your booth current without undergoing a complete redesign.
With Trade Show Displays Size Matters Both Ways From an outside perspective, there's an assumption that when it comes to marketing bigger is always better.
While there are certainly some situations that may merit the construction of a sizable exhibit, the decision of what size of display is right for your business shouldn't be a knee jerk reaction.
Here are just a few things to consider when choosing the size of your display: • Space limitations • Portability • Shipping costs • Staffing needs • Crowd flow Because of the many factors that dictate the ideal size of trade show displays, many businesses are investing in modular designs that can be reconfigured to suit multiple situations.
The key is assessing the particular needs of each event and making an informed decision.
Don't Forget The Floor One final, often overlooked design element of high quality trade show displays is the floor.
Incorporating custom flooring into your booth design lends a polished touch that can make your display feel unified and complete.
And don't be afraid to get creative with the floor of your trade show displays.
There's often a fair amount of square footage beneath the feet of your guests which can be used to complete key design elements, used for eye-catching lighting design or even emblazoned with marketing materials like logos or product details.
It's an under-utilized feature that can set your booth apart and make a valuable impression.