A display stand is the workhorse of modern trade show exhibits. It allows exhibitors to showcase their products on shelves and counters while enticing attendees to visit their booth with colorful large format graphics. For many attendees and exhibitors, there’s no substitute for touching, tasting, and smelling a product, whether it’s the latest laptop or the newest energy bar.
When it comes to custom display stands, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Some exhibitors want counters, tables, and shelves on the trade show aisle, while others encourage attendees to enter the booth space by offering comfortable seating and demo stations.
The key is a design that facilitates engagement, conversation, and a memorable experience. Working with a professional trade show designer will make that process easier. Designers understand how to create a space that showcases a client’s products while maximizing the traffic flow within the booth space. In addition, they’ll ensure that you have the right type and amount of storage for your products throughout the trade show.
How to Choose the Right Display Stand
Choosing the right trade show display stand is crucial for any business looking to boost its market presence, launch new products, and build important industry relationships. The choices can feel overwhelming, but once you determine your goals, budget, and booth size, the process is very manageable and quite enjoyable. Even small decisions, like how many products you want to bring, will go a long way toward dictating the overall exhibit design.
Here are seven factors to consider:
1. Budget:
- Determine your overall budget: This will help narrow down your options and avoid overspending.
- Consider long-term value: While initial costs may be higher for some stands, they may be more durable and reusable, saving you money in the long run.
2. Display Stand Type:
- Portable Displays: Affordable, easy to assemble, and suitable for smaller businesses.
- Custom Exhibits: Unique and memorable, but can be more expensive and time-consuming to design and build.
- Modular Exhibits: Versatile and customizable, offering a balance between cost and customization.
3. Size:
- Consider your products and services: The stand should be big enough to showcase your offerings effectively.
- Think about your target audience: A larger stand can attract more attention, but it may also be more expensive.
- Take into account traffic flow. A booth packed with attendees may seem like a “win-win” but not if the experience prevents you from fully engaging with potential clients.
4. Design:
- Align with your brand identity: The stand should reflect your company’s image and values.
- Prioritize functionality: Ensure the design allows for easy navigation and interaction.
- Consider the venue: The stand should complement the overall aesthetic of the trade show.
5. Features:
- Interactive elements: Incorporate features like touch screens, demos, or giveaways to engage attendees.
- Storage space: Ensure the stand has enough room to store products, brochures, and other materials.
- Lighting: Proper lighting can highlight your products and create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Modularity: Do you need the design to reconfigure to a different size at other shows?
6. Shipping and Logistics:
- Consider the transportation costs: Factor in the cost of shipping the stand to and from the event.
- Plan for setup and breakdown: Ensure you have the necessary tools and personnel to assemble and disassemble the stand efficiently.
7. Sustainability:
- Environmentally friendly materials, like FSC wood, aluminum, and sustainable sourced corrugated and plastic materials, go a long way toward reducing the waste and carbon footprint associated with trade shows. And in most cases, the costs are comparable to non-sustainable materials.
- Rental exhibits are the ultimate eco-friendly choice, especially for exhibitors with a limited budget or an uncertain trade show schedule. Modern rentals are both affordable and indistinguishable from a purchase exhibit in most cases.
8 Types of Display Stands to Consider
Below are 8 types of display stands to consider. It’s not a comprehensive list. Not only are there far more types available, but there are also thousands of designs within each type. Instead of focusing on each stand as “the ideal solution,” look for elements that fit your marketing requirements. Those elements can then be combined into an inline or island exhibit that matches your exhibition needs. Think of them as idea generators. Trade show exhibit designers love clients who come to their first meeting with a collage of ideas and examples.
Product Display Stands
Modular Display Stands
ECO-2055 | Backlit Sustainable w/ Shelves:
GK-1013 | Gravitee Inline Exhibit:
Island Display Stands
ECO-4055 | ecoSmart Island with Shelves:
VK-5160 | Custom Island w/ Shelves & Storage
Sustainable Display Stands
ECO-13K-A | Sustainable Kiosk:
Portable Display Stands
VK-1961| Inline Lightbox w/ Shelves:
SYK-1045 | Symphony w/ Shelves:
Backlit Displays Stands
MOD-1618D | Lightbox w/ Shelves:
Rental Display Stands
RE-2121- LED Lightbox w/ Shelves:
RE-2094 | Gravitee Inline Lightbox:
Custom Display Stands
VK-1367 | Custom Lightbox w/ Shelves:
VK-2923 | Custom Hybrid Showcase:
Popular Brands for Trade Show Display Stands
Below are four popular trade show display brands from Classic Exhibits. These each have unique features and benefits which can be mixed and matched with the other lines depending on your trade show needs. For example, SuperNova LED lightboxes can be incorporated into the Gravitee, Visionary Designs, and ecoSmart Sustainable lines. And eco-friendly materials from ecoSmart easily integrate into Gravitee (and the other lines).
Gravitee Modular combines custom design with simple assembly. The fully-assembled panels connect without loose parts or tools and accept both SEG fabric and direct print graphics. The panels are stackable (again without tools), and every panel is designed to be single or double-sided for seamless versatility.
Curved and flat panels combine for limitless design possibilities. Create inlines or islands where graphics wrap across multiple panels, side-to-side or top to bottom. Then reconfigure the panels for an alternative look.
LED Lightbox Designs have become the star attraction for most trade shows. They include vibrant Silicone Edge Fabric Graphics (SEG), lightweight aluminum extrusion, and long-lasting LED lights. SEG fabric graphics are easy to install, durable, and colorful. LED light modules come installed on the frames, making set-up quick and trouble-free. Many designs are assembled with minimal or no tools.
Custom sizes and shapes are available, including wall-mounted options.
With Visionary Designs Hybrid Exhibits, you’re in charge. Our skilled designers personalize the display to your specific trade show requirements, whether you start from an existing kit or from pencil scratches on a napkin. We make it that easy.
All Visionary Designs Hybrid Exhibits combine vibrant tension fabric graphics, durable aluminum extrusions, and elegant laminates into an unmistakable island or inline trade show exhibit.
ecoSmart Sustainable Displays are designed and constructed with the most environmentally-friendly materials available. ecoSmart displays prove that you don’t need to look green to be green, and you don’t need to spend more either. From concept to completion, your inline or island design will be focused around your company’s unique needs.
Customizing Your Exhibition Display Stands
A well-designed trade show display can make a significant impact on your brand’s visibility and engagement. Here are some tips to help you customize your display and stand out from the crowd:
Align with Your Brand Identity
- Colors and Branding: Ensure your display’s colors, fonts, and overall aesthetic align with your brand’s visual identity.
- Messaging: Keep your messaging consistent with your brand’s values and target audience.
Create a Strong Focal Point
- Central Exhibit: Have a prominent display piece that immediately draws attention.
- Interactive: Consider incorporating interactive elements like touchscreens or product demos.
Optimize for Foot Traffic
- Visibility: Place your most important information at eye level and from a distance.
- Clear Traffic Paths: Ensure there are clear paths for attendees to navigate your booth.
Utilize Effective Signage
- Clear and Concise: Use clear and concise language on your signage.
- Hierarchy: Prioritize information based on importance.
- Solutions: What problems does your product or service solve?
Incorporate Interactive Elements
- Product Demonstrations: Showcase your products in action.
- Promotional Products: Offer incentives to attract attendees.
- V/R Experiences: Provide immersive experiences related to your products or services.
Consider the Environment
- Lighting: Use lighting to highlight your products and create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Sound: Control noise levels to avoid distractions and create a pleasant experience.
Prioritize Functionality
- Storage: Ensure you have adequate storage for your products and promotional materials.
- Accessibility: Make sure your booth is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.
Measure and Analyze
- Track Metrics: Monitor booth traffic, leads generated, and other relevant metrics.
- Gather Feedback: Collect feedback from attendees to identify areas for improvement.
By following these tips, you can create a customized trade show display that effectively showcases your brand, engages your target audience, and drives results.
Discover the Perfect Display Stand for Your Next Event
Don’t settle. You deserve a display stand designed for your specific product. Fortunately, there are display stands for every budget and every requirement.
For over 30 years, Classic Exhibits has been designing and building creative custom solutions for our Distributor Partners and their clients. As North America’s largest private-label exhibit manufacturer, we have the unmatched capability, capacity, and creativity to create 3D projects ranging from 10 x 10 inline displays to 60 x 80 double-deck islands.
Find success on the trade show floor with an exhibit that reflects your marketing message. For more information, see www.classicexhibits.com and explore Exhibit Design Search or request a meeting with a Classic Distributor Partner.
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