How to Reduce the Cost of Trade Show Displays

Clients often ask how to control costs associated with their trade show displays without diluting their exhibit impact. Here are several suggestions to help keep trade show display expenditures in line:

Consider Trade Show Display Rental Rather Than Buying

It does not make economic sense to rent trade show displays if you plan to exhibit more than three times in a given year.

Renting trade show booths is a good option if you are planning a one-time trade show exhibit or only an occasional appearance at trade shows, testing trade show fit as a channel for your company, or if you have simultaneous trade shows in different geographic areas.

Be sure to rent a booth that will fit into the size of your specific trade show exhibit space. Renting will save on construction costs as well as the expense and hassle of trade show exhibits storage after the trade show is over.

Upgrade Your Current Trade Show Booth

If you choose not to rent, you can upgrade older trade show displays by changing your exhibit graphics, re-laminating color panels, and redesigning structural elements. This is a much more cost-effective way than starting from scratch.

Invest In a Pre-owned Trade Show Display

If you do not already have existing trade show displays to upgrade, you can find used trade show exhibits that are greatly reduced from their original cost.

Many trade show exhibit houses offer top quality pre-owned exhibits that are well maintained and easily adaptable to new signage, often affording reductions in exhibit design time and construction costs by more than half.

You also have options on size, design, scope and price similar to trade show booth rentals with a variety of style and dimension options. Perhaps with little more than a customized graphics upgrade your trade show exhibit can be "out the door and on the floor" in a matter of weeks.

Go Lightweight

Lightweight trade show displays reduce operating costs such as freight, drayage, and trade show exhibits storage.

Select a trade show display that packs easily and is uncomplicated to install and dismantle. A custom modular or custom portable trade show exhibit can have the look of a custom exhibit, while reducing operating costs by 50 to 90 percent.

Pack Extra Supplies

When your installation and dismantle company installs your exhibit at your trade show, you’ll find that emergency repairs and materials replacements often are costly. So keep a backup supply box filled with items that may need to be replenished at the trade show.

What to include in your Trade Show Toolbox? Include items like power cords, tools, light bulbs, Velcro, scissors and duct tape.

Experience is the best teacher in keeping trade show exhibit costs under control. If your team has limited know-how, tap into the wealth of knowledge available from the staff of a reputable trade show exhibit company. Also, do your research on trade show display company websites for industry insider tips.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics. Find more useful tips on Trade Show Displays in the news section on this site.