Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of a great trade show display, it’s time to get your booth ready for the trade show floor. Take some time to consider what type of display will best promote your goal, appeal to your audience, and convey your message.

There are so many great trade show display brands and configurations out there that choosing just one can be a challenge. Consider these important factors before deciding on the display that’s right for you.

Booth Space

The first factor you should consider is the size of the booth space at the trade shows you’ll be attending. Certain display types, like back wall displays, are best suited to large trade shows, while tabletop and counter displays often make the most use of small spaces. When you’re researching the trade shows you plan to attend, don’t forget to make note of how much space is available at each show.

If you’re like many of our partners, you’ll likely be attending multiple trade shows with different space demands. GLM Displays recently partnered with Atomic Learning, a trusted provider of online education solutions that participates in over one hundred trade shows a year. Recognizing that their needs vary depending on the size of the show, they tailored their display choice to the specific demands of the events they’ll be attending. In fact, they found two solutions that met their needs so well that they opted for both displays, instead of choosing just one.

For small shows, Atomic Learning chose a Formulate Fabric Display with a Hop Up Counter that comes with an easy-to-assemble aluminum frame, which can be set up in just five minutes. This display’s easy assembly make great use of the limited resources they’ll bring to smaller trade shows.

For large exhibiting events, they decided on the larger and more complex Formulate Fabric Display. This eye-catching display makes a memorable impression on audiences at crowded trade shows. For Atomic Learning, the benefit of attracting more attention at a crowded trade show makes the extra set-up time worthwhile.

Transport and Assembly Needs

Before you purchase a display, consider the logistics of transporting your display to the events, as well as the time and manpower you’ll need for assembly. If your trade show schedule includes a wide range of conventions scattered across the country—or even across the globe—you’ll want to look for a display that’s lightweight and easy to transport. Some displays can even be folded to fit a case that meets most airlines’ guidelines for carry-on luggage—a big bonus for frequent trade show travelers.

But depending on your transportation needs, a lightweight trade show display may not be the best choice for you. As Atomic Learning knows, sometimes the extra effort of transporting and assembling a complex display can be worth the investment.

Large back wall displays and displays with eye-catching accessories may not fit into your carry-on luggage, but the big impression they make might give you a competitive edge on a crowded trade show floor. If you have the resources—like space and personnel—to create an elaborate display, a complex booth may make the best use of your budget.

Conveying Your Company’s Vision

With so many shapes, configurations, and accessories to choose from, the sky is the limit when it comes to personalizing your display. Your display should not only attract attention from potential customers; it should also convey your message and your company’s unique vision.

If your company’s logo embodies a sleek and modern display, you’ll want a display that’s equally chic. Such a company might choose a curved back wall display that adds a unique 3-D element to their trade show booth. Similarly, a company that thrives on continually surprising their customers might opt for a modular display that can be reconfigured with ease, delighting their audience with a new set up for each day of the trade show.

Accessories like lighting, literature racks, and monitor mounts can also be a great way to show off your style. Multi-media displays featuring product demonstrations or looped promotional videos can add an extra element of professionalism that will set your booth apart.

Consult with the Experts

The wide range of trade show display brands, configurations, and accessories means you have an abundance of choices—but sometimes too many choices can be just as challenging as too few.

When it comes to finding the best display that will meet all of your needs and fit your budget, a little help from the experts can go a long way. Partnering with a trade show display expert like GLM Displays can optimize your trade show display for your unique situation. Building such a relationship can have a multiplicity of benefits that you may not have even considered, like design ideas, logistical advice, and strategies for staying well within your budget.

No matter what your space, aesthetic, and budgetary needs are, there’s a perfect trade show display out there for you; consulting with experts like GLM Displays can make it that much easier to find it!

Did you find this blog post helpful? Check out the complete guide, “10 Steps for a Successful Trade Show.” It's absolutely free and full of practical advice to help you achieve your goals.