Trade show exhibits and graphics are pricey! Over the last ten years the industry has experienced a downward shift in overall price and an upward shift in portability, which is great, but it does not mean that those entering into the arena over recent years don’t find things expensive. There are a number of ways to address this issue, but one that is less commonly used is making sure the items purchased have the ability to be used in various settings. Let’s look at some of these ways:
Modular Exhibits
Most of our client base lands in the 10×10-20×20 space size category. Usually, they have a 10×10 setup that they’ll use most frequently, and then go up to a 10×20 or 20×20 for their larger show(s) where they need to make a statement. Because of this commonality, exhibit designers are creating modular exhibits that can display across the various space sizes by adding or subtracting components. While this type of design isn’t necessarily new, the designs and components allow the look and feel to not make the modular nature nearly as obvious. There are also many options in which purchased elements can be married with rental elements to create larger booth options.
To help illustrate, here are a some popular examples:
This system uses pre-assembled rectangular aluminum structures that can be setup vertically and/or horizontally to create scaleable linear and island options.
This system allows for tool-less backlit displays to link together to form larger exhibit options. Shown here converting from 10×20 to (2)10×10 options.
Flexible Graphics
The most popular displays we sell are the ones in which the hardware can be easily utilized with multiple graphics. Whether that is a double-sided options like the Featherlite Medallion that can simply be turned around to have an entirely different graphic, or the Xpressions product line that you can quickly swap out small fabric graphics. These types of displays allow the client to maintain the hardware and certain graphics (Panel A is always the logo and tagline), while changing other graphics where needed (swapping in Product A graphic for Product B). Similar to our last category too, with the additional graphics already owned, the client can potentially rent additional hardware to extend into a larger booth space.
In the Office
I am always pleased when I go into a client’s office and see where some portion of their trade show display is being utilized in their space. Of course, you aren’t going to have a 20×20 setup in youroffice, but for instance I’ve seen old graphics used on the wall and floorstanding displays offering information in the lobby. Why not utilize a custom product display in a photo shoot? Or brochure holder in the lobby? I have seen many creative and tasteful ways that items are re-purposed. We have even had clients use fabric proofs for pillows and quilts as internal gifts and mementos.
Planning
When purchasing a trade show display, do not just consider the immediate need but plan for the life of that display. If you are only doing 10×10 shows now, but may do a 10×20 or 20×20 in the next couple of years, get into an exhibit now that can be used in a larger space later. If you’re building a custom product display for your trade show booth, consider building something that could be used in a local showroom or on the road with sales reps as well. The return on investment becomes much more clear when the item has life outside of the first event it is used for.