Blog

When planning for that big show where presence is key, the first thing to figure out is ‘what size of booth space do I need to get noticed?’ Of course having a 10,000 square foot mega-booth will definitely get you noticed, but can you have the same amount of impact in a smaller booth space and maximize your display requirements to better utilize your budget?

The answer is, yes you can. Planning your goals for your show is the most important starting point. It is important not to get too wrapped up in the small details before looking at the big-picture.  We have compiled four important stages that need to happen for you get to the fun design stuff.

1. What Products Are We Trying To Push?
The most important question to ask is what kind of sales are you looking to make at the show? Is there a product that you are promoting that will give you the best results? Showcasing your product at the show, whether you would like a physical demonstration model or using photo representation of your product is key. Answering this question will help you determine the best use of your space.

2. How Many People Will We Need to Work the Show?
You don’t want your space to be overcrowded for your sales team.  The typical rule of thumb is to allow 50 square foot per sales rep on the floor. Discuss with them what display components will help them better sell at the show.  Literature holders, counters, monitor presentations, meeting areas and storage are all items to consider when planning the design for your custom display.

3. Creating your Wish List.
After discussing your sales requirements with your team, it is important to generate a list of must-haves and other items that might be on your ‘wish-list’. For example, how many kiosks, counters and accessories will be needed.  Then comes your ‘wish-list’. Research examples of display configurations that you think would best represent your company; taking note of the elements that you thought made that display a success.  It could be the use of backlighting, the height of the tower, a double-decker to a larger meeting area. This preliminary work needs to be addressed before the designer is able to create renderings for your approval.

4. Choosing a Style that fits with your Company Profile.
When designing the structure, it is important to capture the essence of your company. I’m sure Apple would design a display much different than Coca-Cola would. It’s important to communicate your branding guidelines and corporate culture to the designer in order to create a structure that effectively communicates who you are.  With that being said, there are standard configurations that need to be addressed before beginning the design process. 

Conclusion:
When planning your budget for the show, consult with the sales team to see what type of involvement is feasible for them at a show.  When using a custom display, you might want to source the set-up and dismantle to an exhibit company or show services. Typically it is best to use a company that will care for your display as if it their own. Sending a supervisor from your exhibit house to direct the install for show services or having the exhibit house allocated a qualified team of people to take care of the I&D will not only save you money in repairs, but will also increase the longevity of your graphics and hardware.

Looking for a free way to increase your company’s #tradeshow presence? This Spring, Display Dynamics is giving away an 8′ Magnum Display Kit to one lucky company. Enter here!