What type of stand should I choose for my next trade show?

With the range of products available in the market, choosing your trade show booth can seem like a puzzle! Different types of booths offer numerous possibilities, both in appearance and functionality.

To help you make an informed choice, we thought we’d offer some advice from our field experience. And we’ve seen a lot of booths!

Reputation and brand image

The first thing to keep in mind when choosing your exhibit stand concerns your brand image. A cheap stand will quickly show signs of wear (damaged finish, broken corners, etc.). Of course, this does not affect the quality of your presence and your products. However, it could slightly tarnish your company’s image. ‘Medium is the message’ as the saying goes! A quality booth projects a quality image.

Another important element to consider is your goal: why are you at this event? To meet clients? To demonstrate products? To penetrate a new market? Your goal will greatly influence the type of booth and its configuration.

5 questions to better choose your stand

How many shows do you attend per year?

The frequency of your events is one of the most important elements to consider. If you do many, you’ll appreciate products that are easy to set up, take down, and transport. The durability of the product will become a vital factor. On the other hand, companies that do only a few shows per year can easily operate with stands that require more handling. The same logic applies to banner stands. If you transport it regularly, you’ll opt for a robust product.

What space do you occupy?

The available area will help select the type of stand. And when we talk about space, it’s not just about square feet! The height is also to be considered, as it offers many possibilities. Elements arranged at height give a lot of visibility to your booth, especially to be spotted from afar.

What are your functional needs?

When you spend several days at an event, you must consider the functional aspect of your booth to meet different needs:

• Storage
• Document display
• Discussion space
• Number of people to accommodate simultaneously
• Working or demonstration surface
• Thinking about these different needs will allow you to better define the booth that will be truly useful to you. It will provide a quality experience both to your staff and to potential clients.

What is the standard among your competitors?

Your presence at the trade show is also an opportunity to position yourself relative to your competitors. By analyzing their presence and their type of booth, you can make a more informed choice. Our two tips to get there:

• Visit the show the year before your presence. Take notes on the standard in your field.
• Check the trade show map to see the location and space occupied by your competitors.

Where are the shows located?

The location of the events you participate in will influence your booth choice. To consider:

• Handling: foldable, lightweight, and modular booths will save you costs.

• Staff and labor: when several people from the company attend the event, everyone can carry a bit of material, which is advantageous. However, if your booth requires assembly by a specific team, this will incur costs. Each trade show has its own ways of operating concerning booth setup. It’s essential to get informed to avoid surprises.

From your company’s objectives to client expectations, several aspects need to be considered to choose the booth most suited to your needs. Come see our advisors to discuss your projects!