Trade shows present an opportunity small business owners will rarely find. What is a trade show? A trade show is a place — perhaps an expo, or even a convention — in which business owners, entrepreneurs, and inventors can show off their wares. Trade shows are the perfect places to not only explain your product or service, but explain how it works, how it solves a problem, or more. Most importantly, they are places where people can find clients or customers, or even investors. Sometimes, even big box stores come to trade shows looking for new products to give a chance to. With that being said, we have to acknowledge the major issue that comes with trade shows: competition. At a typical trade show, there will be dozens of competitors looking at the same investors or clients you’re targeting. It can be difficult to set yourself apart from the other presenters. The best way to do so can be through great trade show booth designs. A custom exhibit design is both creative and communicative, getting the message across through great script, exciting demonstrations, or both. With that being said, some trade show booth designs are better than others. Certainly, there are some thinks to keep in mind before choosing a trade show exhibit design. Let’s look into a few of the details to consider when designing custom exhibits.
1. Font
Font may seem to be a strange thing to consider when choosing between trade show booth designs; but it’s more important than you might imagine, even if it sounds a little boring at first. Think of font as your main communication device. It can easily catch a potential investor’s eye before you get the chance to speak to them. In order to convey a message effectively, font needs to be both expressive of your company’s personality and easy to read. When it comes to font size, there is a quick rule of thumb to remember. For every foot away you expect viewers to stand away from your exhibit, you should add an inch to your foot. If people are going to stand 10 feet away, add 10 inches to the font. Some types of fonts also communicate more effectively than others. Sans-serif fonts like Helvetica usually do the job first. Prioritize your brand’s personality, but keep things neat by sticking to no more than two to three different fonts on the exhibit.
2. Creativity
You need to be attention-grabbing. Luckily, there are many ways you can do this through trade show booth designs. Interactive exhibit designs are always big hits. It’s great to really interact with potential investors, and demonstrations can prove, if you’re selling a product, that it solves a problem and does so effectively. Of course, there’s much more to a good trade show exhibit design than just that. Graphics can also make a big difference in the success or failure of your trade show exhibit. Depending on where your viewers will stand in relation to your booth, you may need to employ three different types of graphics: long-range, medium-range, and short-range. Use your discretion; you want your exhibit to be interesting, but at the same time professional.
3. Cost
The truth is that while exhibits are certainly worth the money, they can only be used for a brief period of time. You’ll need to keep changing up exhibit designs, and you can never be sure about how many times you’ll use an exhibit at different trade shows. With that being said, many people find that exhibit rentals provide better values than exhibits bought outright. No small business owner should overspend. With that being said, it might be a good idea to rent first, and perhaps buy later if you feel the need. Exhibit rental companies will work with you, and make sure that you get the exhibit you need, with a respectable rate.
Remember: these booths could be your first impression to an investor. Don’t waste the opportunity!
