http://www.addexhibits.com/Table-Top-Display-Boards-voyager.html

trade show display layout

In 30 seconds

Elimiate confusion on the show floor. Layout your trade show display booth
before your event. Remember LESS IS MORE!

Weather you choose a tabletop display board or a full height trade show exhibit avoid common mistakes when working on your portable display layout. Don’t try to pack too much into a small space. Since we are discussing portable display options we will concentrate on 10′ x 10′ or smaller convention  booth spaces. A common mistake is to try to show too much. While that 18″ wide aisle may look good on paper it will shrink in real life. A good starting point is to layout your booth on paper, with a scale drawing. Even more important, set up a representative, full size booth space in real life. If you
can’t use the actual items you will be showing use chairs or empty boxes to
represent items that will be displayed in your display booth. Live with the
layout and remove clutter. Not only will this create a more inviting experience
for your customers, it will also keep shipping costs down. Why send too much
when extra items will just be packed up, sent to storage and then shipped back
adding additional expense to your show costs.

Keep the center of the booth space open. This may seem the logical spot for a
featured product but adding this barricade to the center of your booth space
will intimidate and scare off potential customers.

Remember the reason you are exhibiting in the first place is to meet
potential customers face to face. Show just enough product and information to
peak curiosity and promote questions  and conversation from convention
visitors.

Leave the chairs home. They are an unnecessary waste of space and will give
customers the impression they are bothering you. If you need to sit down go to
the snack bar.

About The Author

Gary Carone has been involved in the trade show exhibit industry since 1991.
He has worked as an on site installation/ dismantling supervisor, in display and
exhibit sales and is currently the owner of Additions Exhibits Inc.
Additions Exhibits manufactures portable display systems including The
Additions Exhibit System, Additions
Lite Economy displays and Voyager
Self Casing Tabletop Displays. All products are MADE IN USA. Buy Factory
Direct and Save!

This is the first in a series of articles addressing decisions to be made prior to and planning necessary for a successful event. These articles explore the use of and options available when using portable exhibit systems.  

You have decided to exhibit in a trade show, convention, chamber of commerce show, recruiting or college event. Your first and one of the most important decisions to be made is the type and size of display you will use. Since we are discussing portable convention display systems we will concentrate on 10′ back wall exhibits and table top display boards, the two most popular options.

4 factors to consider when making a decision are:

Type and size of show or event, Budget, Staff, and booth requirements.

10' Display Options

Type and size of show,

Most trade shows held in convention centers are large shows with many exhibitors.  10′ x 10′ booth spaces are generally the smallest size available at these shows. These shows may last for 1- 4 days. If this is the type of show you will generally participate in you should consider a free standing back wall type display. Most of your competition will at least have a 10′ wide self supporting back wall and many will have larger displays. If your budget allows for only a tabletop display this can be adequate if done effectively.

Table Top Display Options

Other trade shows like  Chamber of Commerce events are generally smaller and held in hotel ballrooms, school gyms or municiple  buildings. These last from a few hours to 1 day. In most cases booth staff is limited and the same person will set up and staff the booth for the event. A table top display is generally the best choice for these events. There are several types of self contained, briefcase, portfolio and self casing displays available. These would be the  quickest and easiest option for these smaller events. If you will exhibit in several types of events and will need both 10′  free standing back wall displays and table top displays there are some modular systems that will allow you to use components from a 10′ back wall display for smaller or tabletop applications.

Self Casing Tabletop Display

Recruiting, College/ School and government events.

These can be small events held in lobbies, hallways or common areas. You will generally only receive a portion of a table 4-6′ wide. Tables will be arranged in a rectangle or other shape. Displays are placed on the table with exhibit staff behind looking over the display. Of course table top displays are the option for these shows. Smaller displays are the best. Some of the larger tabletop displays can be in the 4′ tall range. When placed on a 30″ tall table the 6 1/2′ height can block you from your audience.

BUDGET is of course a big consideration. You may want to start with a table top display to test the market and expand to a larger display. Many modular display systems allow you to add components to expand as you go.

STAFF is another consideration. Will there be separate staff to set up and dismantle the display or will same staff set-up and staff the booth for the show? There are many display systems that are easy to set up allowing the same staff to set-up and staff the booth for the show. Check into the events you plan to attend. will there be sufficient time for your staff to set up a large display or would a table top or self casing tabletop display be the best option?

BOOTH REQUIREMENTS Are you looking for a display that sets up quickly and easily? Would you prefer additional features, lighting, back lit graphics, Counters or pedestals for product displays, storage for literature and giveaways? all things to be considered.  

These topics will be discussed in additional detail in future articles. Until then here are some links to interesting display options.

Panel Displays, Pop-Up Exhibits

About The Author

Gary Carone has been involved in the trade show exhibit industry since 1991. He has worked as an on site installation/ dismantling supervisor, in display and exhibit sales and is currently the owner of Additions Exhibits Inc. Additions Exhibits manufactures portable display systems including The Additions Exhibit System, Additions Lite Economy displays and Voyager Self Casing Tabletop Displays. All products are MADE IN USA. Buy Factory Direct and Save!

10′ Display Options Panel or Pop-up

Start with a standard 10′ display, Adapt to 8′ or 6′ wide exhibit spaces by simply not using all of the panels. Leave 2 out for an 8′ and 4 for a 6′ wide displays. Changing to a 20′ or larger exhibit space? Just add additional panels and componets to your 10′ display. There are many componants and accessories available with these panel displays not available in most pop-up display systems. You can add counters, backwall counters back lit headers lighting and other accessories. This allows you to change the design of your booth from show to show by adding componants to your exsisting display eliminating the expense of replacing your entire booth from show to show.  www.additionsexhibits.com/6-Trade-Show-Displays.html

These displays have a Velcro loop fabric finish on the front and back of the panels. You can get the same of a different color each side. Panels are reversible so you can show one color or a combination of the 2. Signs and graphics are easily attached to the fabric using Velcro.

Parts of full size displays can be used for table top applications or split into several table top displays to cover overlapping shows. These panel displays are assembled panel by panel so they are easily set up by one person. Standard panels weigh less then 5 lbs. each. Additional options? go to www.additionsexhibits.com/TT-Table-Top-Displays.html
Pop-up Displays

10' Pop-Up

A popular option
Pop-up displays are a popular option. These have been available for over 20 years and remain popular today.Displays shown are from discountbanners.com. Most pop-up displays are available with Velcro fabric so graphics can be easily changed. Photo murals are available with large photos that attach to the frame. Lighting and counters are also available. For additional options go to www.discountbanners.com
Panel Displays

Panel Table Top Display Options

Table top Options
Panel display systems offer many table top options. Displays shown are available at  www.addexhibits.com/Table-Top-Displays.html.

Options include budget tri-fold displays. these are very inexpensive and are available in a variety of sizes. Heavy duty panel displays have Velcro loop fabric front and back. You can get the same or a different color front and back. Panels are reversible so you can show one color or a combination of the two. Displays with rounded end caps are available for a pop-up type appearence. Other options include backlit headers rounded side columns and custom graphics. Go to  www.addexhibits.com/Display-Boards-Economy-Table-Top.html to see other options
Pop-up

Table top Pop-up Display

Table top options
Table top pop-up displays are generally available in 6 and 8′ versions. Options available are similar to those in the 10′ versions. Velcro fabric so graphics can be easily changed. Photo murals are available with large photos that attach to the frame. Lighting is also available. For additional options go to www.postergarden.com