The magic of events like expos or trade shows is in relationship building, client retention, and lead generation. To achieve these business goals, your exhibition stand must create a strong impression and be instantly recognizable. Space restrictions and competition among hundreds of other exhibitors demand a strategic approach to designing an exhibition stand that would make your business stand out.
Follow these 10 tips to have a well-designed exhibition stand.
1. Factor in your goals for the exhibition.
The best exhibition stand design is one that reflects your goals for the event. What is the purpose of your participation in the expo or trade show? What outcomes do you want to target: generate qualified leads, facilitate sales, or establish your brand? Are you promoting a new product or service?
When you base your exhibition stand design on set goals, you’ll have a stand that’s appealing and one-of-a-kind. Both features are likely to attract attention and invite visits that could result in valuable transactions.
2. Work with an experienced exhibition stand contractor.
Once your goals have been set, look to an exhibition stand contractor to design your exhibit. Choose an experienced contractor with a portfolio that shows capabilities in meeting your requirements. In the Emirates, where expos are massive and extraordinary, exhibition stands must be outstanding. So exhibition stand contractors in the UAE must be able to deliver a project from inception to fabrication.
Choose a contractor that has worked in international shows across the UAE and the Middle East with major companies, and more importantly, one that has the production facilities to handle your exhibition stands, ensuring fast and high-quality designs.
3. Consider a custom design.
Visibility, uniqueness, and creativity are characteristics of custom exhibition stands. Customization lets you tell your brand’s story through the exhibition stand, and this helps to enhance your brand image. From the visuals down to the colors, every element of your stand will reflect your brand.
A customized exhibition stand is especially important when your business is still new to the market, and your goal is to establish presence. Recognition is the first step toward attracting clients and potential partners.
4. Choose sustainable materials.
When you want to know how to build an exhibition stand that leaves lasting impact, consider the materials. The materials you choose for your exhibition stand matter at a time when eco-conscious consumers are choosing businesses that apply sustainable efforts.
If your campaign focuses on the environment or integrates eco-friendly aspects, ask your stand contractor about using sustainable materials. Even if your brand image is not specific to the environment but has a community component, an eco-friendly standdesign still conveys your brand’s beliefs.
5. Go for attention-grabbing graphics and messaging.
The right graphics and printing provide visual cues that invite event visitors to learn more about your business. Use your brand colors and brand logo to highlight your visual identity for instant recognition. Include attractive imagery of your products and services to build credibility and promote decision making.
Images, of course, are not the only way to communicate your message. Your message is critical to the outcome of your time in the event. It tells event visitors what they need to know about your company. It inspires them to act according to your exhibit goal. How do you convey your message?
Keep it simple – less text is better. A powerful tagline or phrase will have more impact than lengthy copy because people have short attention spans. They’ll be able to remember your message or be captivated by it from afar if it’s catchy and snappy enough.
A clean, simple but impactful design will ensure that your guests are not overwhelmed by a cluttered space or confused messaging.
6. Use lighting design.
Effective lighting design not only achieves visibility for your stand, but it also sets the right ambiance. Do you want your stand to have a lively energy or an intimate setting? The right kind of lighting and their placement will help you achieve the mood you’re targeting.
Lighting also creates focal points, letting you highlight key aspects of your exhibition stand, from a new product to a branding campaign. Remember, your stand is competing with hundreds of other stands. Lighting lets it pop, drawing visitors’ attention.
When going over your lighting design with the exhibition contractor, factor in your target market. Multi-color lighting could be attractive, but they may be distracting to certain visitors. If you’re targeting CEOs, other businesses, or a much more mature market, your lighting design may need to be subdued with warm tones.
7. Use technology to deliver an exceptional exhibition experience.
Another key element that allows your exhibition stand design to pop is technology. Touchscreen displays and interactive walls attract visitors, enticing them to learn more about your business and the focus of your stand. Virtual reality tools, meanwhile, provide an engaging and multi-sensory way to demonstrate your products.
Technology allows clients and exhibit visitors to interact with your brand in an innovative way. It also helps you secure favorable actions on-site, facilitating transactions and turning a potential lead into a client. You can use tablets or smartphones at kiosks around your stand to allow visitors to sign up for a newsletter or opt in for a service.
8. Think about the flow of traffic in your exhibition stand.
Expos and trade shows get crowded. When you have a popular exhibition stand, you’ll want every visitor to have a good experience. Layout is crucial when you want to learn how to design an exhibition stand that translates to new business deals or increased leads.
Consider how your visitors will enter and exit your space. Think about how they’re going to move through it. Will you be adding a lounge or meeting area where your staff can talk about products and services in detail?
The goal is to move traffic through your designated area with little distraction and no chaos. One easy way to achieve this is booth structure, but graphics can also lead visitors from one area to the next in your exhibit.
9. Maximize the space.
Booth sizes vary in every event. Although it’s ideal to take up more floor space than the competition, bigger does not always translate to better results. Even a small booth can attract the right visitors.
An experienced exhibition contractor can help you make the most of your booth without compromising on the overall design you envision.
10. Keep your target market in mind.
Finally, focus on your target market. The best exhibition stand design reflects your brand and “talks” to the right prospects. Yes, the exhibition design must be appealing, from the lighting and graphics to the technology and other elements, but it still must appeal to the right clients.
Turn to Exhibition Stand Contractors You Can Trust
ArabExpo brings your vision and brand story to life. With more than 30 years of experience in Europe and over 10 years in the UAE and the Middle East, we have the expertise and resources to help you create the best exhibition stand. Through our end-to-end service, we also help you minimize costs while maintaining quality.
Fill out a short form today for inquiries about our custom-made exhibition stands.
