Most times, the trade show exhibit space takes up the biggest portion of a trade show budget. Therefore, the space should be chosen strategically. All booth spaces are not the same. Your trade show display’s location will determine how much foot traffic you’ll get, which in turn affects your return on investment.
When choosing your exhibit spot, consider the following tips for picking the best space.
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Table of Contents
Book Your Space Early
Booking early usually means up to 12 months in advance. Many show organizers open the pot selection process for the following year on the first day of the current year’s show. Additionally, exhibit spaces are usually assigned according to an exhibitor’s past attendance at the event. Sometimes, spots are issued on a first come, first serve basis.
Nevertheless, you should plan early and identify which booth spaces are open before you proceed with other preparations. If the spot you want is already booked, notify the organizers about your interest in case of a cancellation.
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Study Previous Performance
Ask the organizers of the event for copies of the venue’s floor layout from past years. Typically, they’ll be similar from one year to the next. Compare the spot allocations to the buzz gotten by the exhibitors in those spaces. It’s highly likely that you’ll notice patterns between the allocated spot and the attention generated.
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Aisles Versus Island Spots
Most trade shows provide four main types of booth spaces: inline aisle, peninsula, end-cap and island. Based on the layout of the trade show hall, every type of exhibit spot offers its own benefits.
Island exhibits are usually the largest on the exhibit floor with four sides open to the aisles. Such exhibits can bring significant impact when deployed strategically. But, bigger displays aren’t always the best. Inline 10′ by 10′ exhibits can make a huge impression when they’re combined with the correct promotional campaign.
Outlining exhibition objectives, considering traffic flow, booth needs and budget will give you a better idea on the appropriate square footage. Given that your budget allows, and your merchandise or services warrant a huge space, an island booth is worth considering. That’s because they command the best placement on the exhibit floor.
When picking an inline exhibit location, peninsulas and end-caps are superb, because visitors stop and look down aisles before moving on.
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Be Careful of How Close You Get to the Main Entrance
Entrances are high-traffic areas. However, they can become notoriously crowded and chaotic as attendees pause to gain a bearing of the venue. Full-on congestion will make it difficult to have meaningful conversations with visitors and potentially dampen your return on investment.
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Study Your Surroundings
If you can, try to pick a space between booths with smaller displays. That will make your booth more noticeable even from a distance. Moreover, be aware of any columns that might hinder visibility. You should also inspect any variations in the height of ceiling. Note that height restrictions vary according to the show, country and facility.
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Ask About the Competition
Do not fear about asking event management about the firms that have reserved spots near your preferred space. It’s probably best to avoid a location that’s adjacent to major competitors or businesses that’ll spot larger, more dynamic displays. However, being close to your competitors may guarantee more traffic because visitors will be nearby.
If you have a dynamic display that’s been marketed pre-show, never fear being near your competition.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the above points will help you choose the right location at your upcoming trade show. If you’re seeking custom trade exhibits, look no further than ExpoMarketing. They are a reputable trade show display provider offering creative, unique and effective exhibits for trade shows.