After a very tough year and a half, the business world is slowly getting back to a normal and companies are making plans to attend trade shows in the second half of 2021. Trade show graphics are like a calling card for your business and professionally designed graphics can draw crowds to your exhibits. There are both aesthetic and practical reasons for refreshing your graphics after a year of collecting dust.
Because the COVID-19 shutdown happened so quickly, many businesses did not have enough time to plan proper storage of their displays. If they have not been stored for maximum protection they could be damaged, faded, or have a worn or distressed look. Your branding or marketing messages have likely changed in the last 12+ months to reflect this new normal. Refreshing graphics or designing a new booth will help engagement and can even kick-start a new, cohesive marketing campaign!
TRADE SHOW EXHIBITS ARE COMING UP - ARE YOU READY?
- Find Your Purpose: Is this your first tradeshow since businesses started opening back up? Or is this your first tradeshow in general? Either way, you need to narrow down the purpose of your trade show exhibit before you attend your first event. Are you simply promoting your brand or pushing a certain product to the public? The purpose of your exhibit sets the tone of your booth and guides the design process.
- Less Is More: When it comes to the placement and layout of your trade show displays, be sure and use the available space responsibly and effectively. It is important to strike the delicate balance between having an open and inviting space but not so open or cluttered that it can seem overwhelming to anyone entering the display area.
- Be disruptive: You want to stop and ultimately engage customers while at a show. Try to stand apart by setting up a unique and impactful booth within your space. And while we make standard trade show graphics all the time, everyone has seen pop-up graphic backdrops, table wraps and banner stands at trade shows. How can you set yourself and your brand apart? Consider lightboxes, interactive displays, or unique materials to distinguish yourself from neighbors at a trade show. Your booth should be an extension of your brand, so use colors and graphic elements that make everything cohesive and recognizable. Keeping your messaging simple and impactful will draw attention yet avoid viewers being overwhelmed with information.
WHEN DO I NEED TO START PLANNING FOR MY TRADE SHOW BOOTH?
The answer depends on if you are looking to modify a pre-designed booth or are starting from scratch. Depending on your needs and the scope of the project, we can turn around a booth design from start to finish in a matter of weeks.
At Forge, the consultation and design process starts with discussing the details of your space, who your target audience is, and the message you want to deliver about your business or product. We’ll tackle those questions together and get a design going that solves those issues. Once the final approval is given, allow time for fabrication, graphic production and shipping of all booth elements – and don’t forget to plan for packing and storage after the show if you plan to re-use the booth!
Whether you are a first-timer or a trade show veteran, Forge can help. Let’s make something great together!
