7 Creative Ways to Make an Impact at Your Next Trade Show Display

Optimizing your trade show display to stand out from the crowd is important for your business. See our guide as we look at how to make a lasting impact today.

Nimlok Kentucky, Exhibit, Event & Trade Show Display Storage Warehouse

As much as 35% of a company’s annual advertising budget is allocated to trade show expenditures. Planning an eye-catching trade show display can help you stand out from competing brands. You can start generating brand awareness, customers, and professional partnerships to grow your business.

Use these seven trade show display tips to plan a wow-worthy display this year. Applying these tips will ensure you make the most of your trade show budget.

Read on to learn more!

1. Maintain Brand Consistency

It can take seven impressions for people to begin recognizing your brand. Gaining brand awareness and recognition will help you linger in someone’s mind. A distinct color could boost brand recognition by up to 80%.

When planning your custom trade show display, make sure to maintain brand consistency. Follow your company’s brand guidelines, which should include your:

  • Values
  • Mission statement
  • Vision statement
  • Voice
  • Tone
  • Personality
  • Logo styles
  • Imagery styles
  • Font styles

Follow your guidelines when developing all marketing materials, including your trade show display. Otherwise, consumers might confuse your brand for another. You’ll fail to make an impression if your branding is lackluster or outdated, too.

Presenting your brand consistently across all marketing platforms (on and offline) can boost revenue by up to 23%.

Try to use your brand’s brightest color when preparing for your trade show. Bright colors can help you catch any passerby’s eye. You can also use bright colors to accentuate certain elements or messages within your display.

Avoid using one or two colors, which can make your display appear bland. Too many colors, on the other hand, can feel overwhelming. Instead, try using your:

  • Primary color for 60% of the space
  • Secondary color for 30% of the space
  • An accent color for 10% of the space (important text, graphics, and elements)

When choosing colors for your trade show materials, consider your audience. Consider what each color signifies or what emotions they can trigger.

Tell Your Story

Your brand’s story can help you stand apart from competing businesses. It can also make your brand memorable. People will have an easier time associating your brand’s visual components (logo, colors, etc.) with a story.

Try to develop a story that encourages customers to take action. Consider:

  • Why the founder created the company in the first place
  • The problem they want to solve
  • Why customers should trust you
  • The experience/expertise you offer
  • Why the company does what it does
  • Why customers should choose your products/services

Find ways to conceptualize your brand’s reason for existing through an engaging visual story.

2. Focus on the Message

While applying these trade show display tips, try to keep one core theme in mind. Choosing a theme ahead of time can help ensure consistent messaging. Communicating too many messages at once, on the other hand, can overwhelm visitors.

Conflicting messages could affect your ability to generate leads and accomplish marketing goals.

Consider your unique selling proposition (USP) when communicating your message. Highlighting your USP can help your brand and booth stand out at a trade show. Make sure your USP distinguishes you from other brands.

Consider:

  • The problem your customers face
  • How you solve that problem better than competitors
  • What makes your product unique

Focus on that core message when developing graphics for your booth and other print marketing materials.

Use Negative Space

Maximize your display space without cluttering the area. Putting too many elements within a tight space can overwhelm visitors. Using negative space to your advantage can help you draw the visitor’s gaze to specific elements.

Negative space will give your exhibit balance while creating a more visually appealing display. When preparing your booth, consider the proportions.

To avoid clutter, reserve about 40% of the area for empty space.

If your exhibit includes multiple demonstration zones, add more space between them to distinguish each area. Consider using contrasting colors to signify separate zones.

3. Incorporate Products

Incorporate your products throughout the display in fun, engaging ways to draw customers. Choose two or three different ways to showcase your products.

For example, you can create a real-to-life environment. A company that sells kitchen hardware might create a mini kitchen within their booth. Then, customers can test out the products while imagining themselves in their own homes.

Finding creative ways to incorporate your product throughout the booth will help you engage customers. Your products and brand will become more memorable, too.

4. Light It Right

Use different lighting techniques to enhance the visibility of your marketing materials and products. For example:

  • Spotlights (for a dramatic effect)
  • Hanging lights (to illuminate the booth)
  • Accent lighting (to add texture to graphics)
  • Backlighting (to create atmospheres and give a different touch to the space)
  • Ambient lighting (to create depth or set a mood)
  • Strobe and gobo lights (for visual effects)

Lighting can be subtle or dramatic based on your goals.

5. Stimulate Conversation

Design a meeting area that stimulates conversation with guests.

Choose unique furniture, portable tables, and display cases. Consider using illuminated LED furniture to help develop an aesthetic.

If you want to match the mood of a meeting area, use options you’d find in a boardroom. For a cozy environment and casual conversation, use laid-back furnishings.

6. Plan Interactive Activities

Hosting interactive product demonstrations can help you draw and keep a visitor’s attention. As you draw more visitors, you’ll generate more leads.

Make sure your display booth shows and tells people about your product. Allow people to try out your product to spark interest.

For example, perhaps you sell a soda maker. Allow guests to create their own, customized drinks. Use branded disposable cups with your logo on them.

As your exhibit guests walk around, others will see your logo. They might decide to visit your exhibit as a result!

7. Hire Professionals

If you’re struggling to apply these trade show display tips on your own, hire a professional team. Working with an experienced agency can save you valuable time and money. You can leverage their experience and expertise to make more informed decisions regarding your display.

Look for a company that offers trade show and experiential design services to ensure you stand apart from competitors.

Create an Eye-Catching Trade Show Display Today

Creating a unique trade show display can help you accomplish your marketing goals with ease. You can make the most of your budget as you generate more leads. Customize your next display using these seven simple tips today!

Want to start working on your custom trade show display with an experienced team? We’re pumped to help!

Contact us today to get started.