Creating a true custom trade show booth is fun, rewarding, and exciting for all stakeholders involved. It gives your company the opportunity to create the environment in which you will meet potential new clients. Custom booths are the perfect place to tell your company’s story, show your unique ties to the community, and meet your team face to face. First impressions can make or break a business deal. Trade shows are the perfect place to elevate your company. A well designed custom booth can make all the difference at an event. Check out these custom booth design tips to get a head start on your project! When you are ready to get started contact Creative Imaging Displays to design your custom booth!
Make the Booth Unique to YOU
Where was your company founded? Do you have a unique story? Are you tied to a specific area or culture that is unique and interesting? A custom booth is makes it easy to make your space unique to you! Unique accents and elements in your booth space not only sets you apart, it creates an experience that is memorable for exhibitors. Is your business uniquely tied to the Seattle area? Consider a Seattle skyline background or a fish toss in your booth to add some unique flair. Do you have the original prototype for a highly successful product? Display it in a custom display case or print a large graphic with images of the product. Check out the recent post “Need a Custom Booth Fast? Rent It!” where we discuss how to achieve success with rental displays if you are on a budget and tight timeline!
Additionally, it is a great idea to incorporate your business theme into the booth. Do you offer food products? Create a built in kitchen in your booth! Do you work in the automotive industry? Create a garage workspace inside your booth to make the exhibitors feel at home! The goal here is to create something in your booth space that no other exhibitors will offer because it is unique to you alone. Work with Creative Imaging Displays to develop a booth that no other exhibitor can replicate!
Incorporate Familiar Design Elements
With a custom booth, it is possible to use all kinds of laminates, graphics, carpet, and other unique finishes. In custom booth design, it is important to use design elements that reflect your company and brand guidelines. However, it is easy to overlook this crucial step when designing a unique booth. If you typically use a light bamboo woodgrain in your retail locations, on your website, or in your brochures, make sure to follow that them into the booth space! There are plenty of ways to make your booth different, while using your current brand elements.
Incorporating familiar design elements establishes your brand while creating cohesion throughout your business. Your website, marketing materials, merch, and trade show booths should use the same design elements, color scheme, and overall look to establish your brand. When a customer goes to your website after the trade show and sees the same colors, logos, photos, and textures, these creates a subconscious feeling of comfort and cohesion which translates into your overall brand experience.
Add Digital and/or Interactive Displays
In 2024 the addition of a digital and/or interactive display is a must in a custom trade show booth. Even if it is a tablet on a stand, there needs to be an element of technology in your space. Technology is very helpful to maximize your lead captures, while simultaneously maximizing visual elements in your space. A monitor with a simple video loop can show dozens of photos in a matter of minutes so exhibitors are exposed to many elements of your products or services.
For many exhibitors, something like the Popshap interactive kiosk works great if your booth staff is constantly busy. Another solution is the interactive charging locker. This allows exhibitors to charge their devices and gives them a reason to visit your booth multiple times during the show!
Incorporate Booth Functionality into the Design
Sometimes in custom booth design, the look of the booth overrides the overall functionality of the space. The functionality of the booth space is the most important aspect of your space. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when determining the functional aspects of your booth:
- What are you trying to accomplish with the booth? (Leads, brand recognition, signing new clients, informing exhibitors, etc.)
- How many booth staff will be in the booth?
- How many attendees do you anticipate?
- How much time do you need with each attendee?
- How will traffic flow through your booth space?
Answering these questions will provide your booth designer with great insight into the layout of the space. Things like a sit down area, standing area, storage space, and kiosks are all critical components in your booth design. If you have a high traffic booth you many refrain from a sit down area in lieu of multiple café tables. If you plan to meet with your biggest clients and sign new contracts, you may opt for an isolated meeting area that is private from the rest of the space. For an island booth, traffic flow is very important! Make sure to consider where attendees will enter the space and how they will navigate it. For more resources from other industry experts, check out Mel White’s blog with Classic Exhibits!
Working with a Great Booth Designer
Working with an experienced booth designer like Creative Imaging Displays is essential for an effective custom booth design. Decades of experience combined with our client’s input allows us to create unique trade show booths that function, while grabbing the attention of every attendee. A quality booth designer will ask you many of these questions and go in depth into your company’s marketing strategy to ensure we maximize your exposure an your next event. With options like our Exhibit Design Search feature, its easy to browse thousands of booth designs so you can get some inspiration and see how others have accomplished their trade show marketing goals! What do you think of these custom booth design tips? If you have anything to add, leave your thoughts in the comments section!