5 essential questions to ask before buying a trade show booth

Buying a trade show booth is a significant investment for a company. There are several factors to consider to guide your final decision. Portable exhibit stand or modular booth? Custom or standard design? There are many exhibit systems. Your booth needs to be tailored to the nature of your activity. We help you make an informed choice by giving you these 5 essential questions to ask before acquiring a trade show booth!

1. What is the nature of my business: what does this imply in terms of occupying exhibition space?

A good salesperson will tell you that selling soap or cars is the same thing. Yes, but… You need to plan the size of your booth according to your activity!

• Do you have demonstration products?
• What is the nature and size of your products?
• Do you sell on-site?
• Do you use multimedia supports?

All these questions will help you to define your space needs. The answers will guide you to the ideal size of your trade show booth. A mobile phone company, for example, needs fewer square feet than an auto dealer demonstrating their latest car models.

Beyond the square footage that will define your booth’s floor space, you also need to consider the available height. There are elevated communication solutions designed to make your booth visible from afar.

2. What is the goal of our participation in the trade show?

 The nature of your activity also determines your goals:

• Are you a product or service company?
• Do you offer B2B or B2C products or services?
• Do you attend trade shows for direct sales? Meeting prospects? Strengthening your reputation?
• Do you have scheduled meetings during the show?

All these questions are important as they determine the division of spaces and the physical organization of your booth. Based on the answers, our booth designers can anticipate:

• Circulation areas
• Presentation supports
• Storage spaces
• Work surfaces
• Counters for meetings
• Specific installations (refrigerators, rotating demo surface, etc.) 

3. What is our total budget for participating in this show?

 Your budget will determine the choice of your booth. For the same practical needs, there is a wide range of systems and prices for trade show booths. Depending on the floor area rented and your location (corner stand, isolated, adjoining walls…), you will have different possibilities:

• Investing in a trade show booth should not be thought of in the short term. Depending on the frequency of shows, it may be more beneficial to own your stand rather than renting a booth. In the long run, it’s the most cost-effective option.
• Having a custom stand made, for example, can be interesting for a company that wants to make an impression at a show.  

4. How often do we attend trade fairs?

If your company’s activity involves repeated participation in trade shows or fairs, your booth choice will need to be adjusted accordingly.

In this case, you would appreciate smart exhibition systems:

• Quick to set up and dismantle
• Lightweight and sturdy
• Easy to transport

Then opt for portable stands and durable products, which withstand frequent handling.

On the other hand, if your company only exhibits sporadically, you might choose more original modular booths. Assembly will take longer, but your brand image will benefit from a unique design. Let’s not forget that competition at trade shows is omnipresent and having a personalized stand allows you to stand out from the crowd.

5. Will our trade show booth travel extensively abroad?  

The cost of a trade show booth goes beyond its design and manufacturing. Moving your stand, whether within the country or abroad, incurs labour, handling, and storage costs…

If your company participates in international trade shows, keep this in mind when shopping for your booth. Mention it to designers so they can find solutions to ease assembly and transport. Some booths require specialized personnel for assembly.

You will need to adapt your desires to the realities of your activity and make the right choice accordingly. 

After asking yourself the right questions, the choice of your trade show booth should naturally become clearer. Think it over carefully and don’t hesitate to consult with professionals. They will help you find the trade show booth suited to your needs!