How to Set up a Trade Show Display

 

Illustration depicting an illuminated neon sign with a trade show concept.

Whether you’re new to displaying products at tradeshows or are a seasoned exhibitor, here are five things you may or may not know about what to do to ensure trade show success:

  1. You may expect to plop down your deposit, ready your display space and prep materials to showcase your wares in order to reap the rewards. However, while these tasks are necessary, they won’t amount to a hill of beans unless you show up on game day…with bells on. Okay, you may want to forego the bells (unless you sell them); but what is important is that you show up to every trade show prepared.  Research the area as well as the exhibition hall and prospective clients, so you will be ready to answer any and all questions.
  2. Cough up some cash. Have you ever spent exactly how much you budgeted on vacation?  Planning for a tradeshow is similar. So, while you will be able to anticipate some hard costs, you likely won’t be able to foresee everything that may happen. So, when you set your trade show budget, add a buffer to allow for surprises. The more trade shows you do, the better you will get at guesstimating. But, early on, remember that you will have to pay the show contractor to move your exhibit from the shipping dock to your booth space anticipating straight time labor charges but actual move-in time was weekend overtime. Since these types of costs have recently skyrocketed, many exhibitors are using lightweight trade show display materials such as the ones made from Xylea-wood, which is substantially lighter to transport but significantly stronger than most other options. Strategies like using alternative materials (such as Xylea-wood) instead of traditional MDF or metal framing will save you in the long run.
  3. Go with the flow. Rehearse what you want to cover, but don’t over-practice your spiel. Trade show attendees are people, too. While at your booth, they will want to talk to a person instead of an infomercial. During your preparation time, review talking points and consider potential questions. But don’t robotic-ally recite statistics.
  4. Maximize your presence. You’ve heard the expression, “Go big or go home.” This definitely applies to displaying at a trade show, though maybe not in the way you might think. You don’t have to rent or buy a huge booth to make a grand impression. It’s all about how you set up your display. You may sell items out of your garage. But, at a tradeshow, your company is on the same footing as corporations located in large high rise facilities. As long as your presentation is professional, you will be able to more than hold your own next to the big guys.Trade Show Display - mannequins in a clothing store
  5. Creativity counts. Even if you didn’t major in art in college or even get gold stars on your drawings in elementary school, you have what it takes to build a great display—your product! When it comes to arranging products at trade shows, the first rule of thumb is how to display our actual 3D products along with our brochures, business cards or graphics. Your merchandise needs a way to neatly, yet attractively be arranged on strong material yet have the flexibility to arrange your products using slatwall fixturing such as hooks, hang bars, shelving etc. preferably using a strong lightweight slatwall material. If you do an effective job creating your space, your booth will grab the attention of anyone who walks down the trade show aisles.

If you are considering taking part in an industry trade show, check out the attractive, lightweight, affordable trade show display and kiosk solutions available by Xylea-Wood. Our patented technology is an eco-friendly answer to your trade show, kiosk and display needs—twice as strong as conventional materials. Call (909) 860-2695 or click here to email us today for details about our display solutions.