The busy trade show season will be starting soon in early 2023, and exhibitors interested in getting their merchandise in front of thousands of retailers need to be fully prepared with eye-catching booth designs that will make them stand out from the competition. Creatively-designed booths can give businesses a variety of leads and even have a big impact on social media.
Between utilizing technology, signage, and vibrant colors, there are so many different ways to make your booth stand out. Here are some tried and true design tips that are sure to catch the eyes of passers-by:
- Make it Interactive
- Utilize Graphics
- Invite Guests Into Your Booth
- Focus On Your Meeting Area
- Offer Complimentary Promotional Products
- Welcome Empty Space
- Include Informational Signage Around Your Products
1. Make it Interactive
According to GES, attendees love to participate in different activities. Whether that be through a video screen demonstration of your products, laying out samples on your tables, or even offering guests a chance to win a prize, getting potential buyers to spend longer amounts of time at your booth means they have a better chance of getting to know you, your brand, and your products. The longer they spend at your booth, the better chance you have of making a connection and getting a sale.
A great interactive piece to add to your booth is a designated area where guests can take photos or selfies and post them to social media. You can add a bright and colorful backdrop with your brand name on it, along with some funny props that will encourage retailers to post about your brand on their social media platforms and increase awareness.
2. Utilize Graphics
Graphics are arguably the most important element of a trade show booth design. High-impact graphics are the key differentiator between capturing the attention of attendees and drawing a high volume of booth traffic versus having your booth relegated to being just another exhibit on the crowded show floor, according to Nimlok.
Here are some different graphics that you can use to help make your booth stand out:
• Use Noticeable Colors
While your coloring scheme should be consistent with your overall marketing design, it should also be bright enough to stand out. Colors that are too drab or neutral tend to cause your exhibit to fade into the background. If your color dynamic does not include brighter colors, consider incorporating metallic surfaces or interesting textures, instead.
• Lighting is Important
While a smartly-lit home can accentuate design features and minimize trouble-areas, the same can be said for a trade show exhibit that utilizes lighting in creative and unique ways. A well-lit display is essential, allowing visitors to easily view the important details of your graphics, as well as brightening other key areas of your exhibit, such as product displays and promotional material.
3. Invite Guests Into Your Booth
Instead of using tables in your booth that blocks attendees off from your team members, Color Reflections suggests that exhibitors use an open design to bring potential buyers into your area. When your guests feel welcomed, they can relax and better engage with your brand. It can also create a more memorable experience for them, helping you to get more out of your booth.
4. Focus On Your Meeting Area
This is where the magic happens. While you can always discuss orders with clients in the middle of your booth, it may be better to pick a corner with less distractions and noise so the retailer can hear you better. This will also help to create a personalized experience since they have your complete attention and you can go into more detail about your brand story.
5. Offer Complimentary Promotional Products
Have your company name and contact information printed out on pens, pencils, reusable water bottles, bags, or other paraphernalia and give them out to any guests that enter or stop at your booth. This will not only get the retailer excited about receiving free goodies, but with your name and contact information on the item, they are sure to remember your booth and are more likely to purchase from you in the future.
6. Welcome Empty Space
While you do not want your booth to be sparse, realize the benefits of leaving some empty space in your area. Packing empty corners or shelving space with furniture and bulky items can make your guests feel claustrophobic and unwelcome, so it is best practice to be sure your booth is clean and inviting. According to GES, the overall rule of thumb for booth graphics is that they should contain 40 percent of empty space. This helps ensure that you are not overpowering your message or burying your brand in too many visuals.
7. Include Informational Signage Around Your Products
This can be really helpful, especially if you and your team members are busy assisting other attendees, to ensure all of the guests that enter your booth get all of the information they need about your products. Whether it is to learn more about the ingredients or how sustainable they are, signage and pamphlets placed near your merchandise on display can give retailers a better idea of who you are and what you sell.
While in-person trade shows are a great way to get your brand name out there, they can be very expensive and time consuming, especially for small businesses who do not have a big budget. Wholesale Central is the perfect platform to promote your business on a tight budget and get in front of hundreds of thousands of retailers. As you get ready for 2023 and start to make marketing plans, let Wholesale Central be your go-to directory to help build your brand.