Advice for your First Trade Show Display

If this is your first time at a trade show, you are possibly a little bit nervous about how the event will unfold, and if you’ve forgotten anything in organizing your display.

This is one of the advantages of dealing with ESP - a company that can help you every step of the way. We’ve seen all kinds of trade shows and displays and there is little for which we can’t provide either some advice or a definitive answer.

But let’s go back to the beginning for a moment and speak to those who are just beginning to think about their first display.

What are the criteria for your first trade show display?

#1 Price

Either you’ ve put together a budget yourself, or you’ ve been given one by your company. In any case, the total cost of your trade show display is a determining factor in what you should be looking at.

If your budget is under $5000.00, you should consider portable tabletop
displays, freestanding popup displays such as XpressionsWOW or
XpressionsSNAP popup displays, economy panel display packages, or banner
stands.
More elaborate portable displays and simple modular display systems or possibly a combination of these display types usually fall within the budget range of $5,000.00 to $10,000.00.
If you have more to play with, say between $10,000.00 and $30,000.00, you should be looking at simple to slightly customized modular display systems and full custom displays depending on the size of your display booth and the image you want to portray.
And if price is no object, then you should consider custom modular display systems and full custom exhibits. Note that custom exhibits can be modular to a degree although they usually don’t have the same flexibility as modular display systems and are often heavier and bulkier resulting in higher shipping and show site drayage costs.

Combining display types is an option to help you meet budget objectives.

For example, you can combine a tabletop display or a freestanding portable popup display with a banner stand.

Also, popup displays can be combined with modular display systems to help meet budget restrictions.

#2 Space

If your trade show booth space is linear (in a line with several other booths), your display is usually restricted to a height of 8’.

While any display type can be used in a linear space, the most common are freestanding popup displays, XpressionsWOW or XpressionsSNAP popup displays, panel display systems and tabletop displays. Multiple banner stands are also frequently used to create a linear booth space backwall.
For island and peninsula (also known as end cap) booth spaces, the typical display is either a modular panel system or a custom exhibit. Although less common, portable popup displays are also used in island and peninsula spaces such as in these examples:

Multiple story displays are almost always custom exhibits or a combination of custom and modular display systems.

#3 Portability

If you’re looking for the best in portability and convenience; if your ideal trade show display is something you can transport and set up yourself or ship inexpensively, you should be looking at the various types of tabletop displays, popup displays and banner stands.

These portable displays are lightweight and usually can be transported by car, plane, or via express shippers.

If you want an idea of how the preparation for a trade show should look, take the time to read our Trade Show 101 page.

And don’t forget, if you’re confused at all or feel overwhelmed while planning your first trade show display, please feel free to contact us anytime for advice.