The process of purchasing any customized marketing product is time consuming and overwhelming. Matching colors, finding quality products, and adequate turnaround times are all roadblocks in finding the right product for marketing your business. If you think this is a challenge for business cards or banner stands, wait until you step into full scale custom exhibits! The good new is, Creative Imaging Displays is here to make things as easy as possible. The Fall 2024 Custom Display Buyers Guide is a free resource available to help anyone navigate the purchase of a new custom booth. Regardless if you buy anything from us, we put this together to help guide you in the right direction so your trade show is successful. Let’s dive into it and find out more!
What is a Custom Exhibit?
The first step is to define a custom exhibit, or at least define it in the content of the trade show industry. Technically, almost every trade show product is custom. Each product is customized with graphics, colors, or unique branding. However, when we refer to something as custom, it usually means “fully customizable”. Custom Exhibits are just that, a custom produced exhibit from beginning to end. We can also take a sketch from a napkin and turn it into a double decker island booth. For some companies, this is the exact process that is followed. However, in recent years our industry has made many advancements to make this process easier, more affordable, and less time consuming. In 2024 it is possible to get a booth that looks fully customized without going through the entire process from scratch.
Who should build my Custom Display?
This section is not a plug to try and convince you to buy from us. However, we are going to recommend you buy from a distributor and builder that meets certain standards to ensure the final product does its job. Creative Imaging Displays also follows these guidelines with every job. A few things that are very important in a custom booth builder include:
- US Manufacturing.
- North American made components.
- One on one customer service.
- Access to booth during and after construction via in person or virtual meetings.
- Experienced team to handle logistics, timelines, and show restrictions.
Some of the bigger names in the industry include Classic Exhibits, Nimlok, Skyline, and B4 Matrix. Keep in mind you can not and should not work directly with the manufacturer when building a custom exhibit. The trade show industry adopted the distributor model long ago to ensure the exhibitors needs are met. The builders job is to ensure stock, labor, and specifications are perfect so the end product is perfect for the show. The distributors job is to take care of the exhibitor in every aspect. We do not spend our time cutting extrusion and stocking shelves, we spend our time meeting your timelines, budgets, and designing your booth to your exact specifications. This model ensures manufacturing is focused on the product and the distributor is focused on the execution of the event as a whole.
Shopping Online with Exhibit Design Search
Exhibit Design Search is one of the best tools available to shop online for custom exhibits. Classic Exhibits developed this distributor tool to make shopping online easy and simple. Browse thousands of designs broken down into many different categories like price, size, and type. Finished exhibit photos are updated regularly and the Past 5 Days tab lets you see what is being built in real time! Each design is available as is for the listed price shown. However, each design offers customization options if the design is close, but needs adjustment.
This useful tool helps exhibitors get an idea of price ranges and available options in a matter of minutes without the need to talk to someone. For some exhibitors, this is a springboard for creativity. Work with our team to customize any booth design, or ask us to come up with something from scratch! Check out our most recent blog post for our selection of the best custom displays for 2024! Also available in EDS are hundreds of articles from industry experts and a large archive of finished booth photos.
The Process of Building a Custom Exhibit in 2024
Now that we know what a custom exhibit is, who should build it, and how to shop for them online, we can explore the process. The process includes:
- Design
- Quotation
- Manufacturing
- Printing
- Quality Control
- Show site logistics
As you can see it is quite the process to develop a custom booth or modular space. The process can be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be if you choose the right distributor. Just like choosing a contractor for building a home, you want to make sure your trade show “contractor” is someone you get a long with, someone who can get the job done, and someone who keeps you in the loop to ensure the project turns out exactly the way you want. Creative Imaging Displays and other reputable distributors know the process and know how to navigate the trade show world. Additionally, we have strategic partners that open up opportunities for our customers. Check out this post on “Trade Show Install and Dismantle with On Location” to find out about this great exhibit installer!
At each stage of the process we work with you and our partners to ensure a perfectly executed show. Most importantly, you will work directly with the same team throughout the entire process to ensure you have an advocate on your side. As a distributor, our job is to execute your show correctly and effectively. We only care about the end result and if your needs are met. That means we will hold everyone accountable in the process to ensure your job goes off without a hitch. We don’t care if the printer looses money because they have to reprint the graphics 3 times, we only care if the graphics are correct and you are happy with them. Just like a home contractor, we may not drive in every nail, but we make sure the job is done correctly and on time!
The Simple Checklist to Get Started on Your Project
The process of a custom booth design and install is a complicated processes with many steps and many people involved in the process. However, it can be simple if you work with the right team. For you, as the exhibitor, here is a simple checklist on what you need to do to get the process started.
- Find a booth design that is exactly what you want or at least close using Exhibit Design Search.
- Find an experienced distributor like Creative Imaging Displays.
- Work with your distributor to determine who will build your booth based on capabilities, location, and also availability.
- Book your show and send your show packet to your distributor.
Additionally, tour a couple shows in your area. If you like any of the booths you see take a photo and ask the staff who built their booth. Following this checklist will steer you in the right direction. Additionally, it will eliminate many of the headaches associated with starting the custom build process for your trade show booth.
Finally, what do you think about the Fall 2024 Custom Display Buyers Guide? If you have any more questions or would like to get started, contact us today! What is your experience with custom displays? Let us know in the comments section below!