Remarkably filterable collection of the industry’s best trade show booths
Carole Lotito
Jul 21, 2016
5 min read

Engaging Design Ideas That Don’t Look Like Trade Show Booths

You’re already aware that trade shows are lucrative components of many companies’ marketing strategies. What you might not know is that your trade show booth doesn’t necessarily have to look like a trade show booth! There are countless innovative design ideas that will help your exhibit stand apart from the crowd by looking like a completely different structure, and that can stand alone when taken out of the context of the show floor. These trade show exhibits will help you make a great impact on show attendees, surrounding exhibitors, and your trade show ROI.

Why You Should Try Out Trade Show Booths That Don’t Look Like Trade Show Booths

As a trade show professional, you’ve likely worked in your fair share of convention centers and seen plenty of cool displays, from fun 10×10 booth ideas all the way up to awestriking double-decker exhibits. Although a well-crafted structure covered in signage created by a talented graphic designer can look great, seeing similar trade show booths day after day and show after show might get a little boring and monotonous for attendees who frequent conventions to learn about and purchase new products and services.

That’s your opening to do something innovative and creative. You can think outside of the box and come up with some awesome design ideas that show off your company’s products, vibe, and culture while at the same time standing out from the sea of other exhibits. And since it’s estimated that 82% of trade show attendees have purchasing power for their organizations, you really need to make a positive impression to earn show site sales.

 

How to Innovate Design Ideas that Spice Up Your Booth Space

There’s an almost infinite list of possibilities of creative design ideas that can make your display stand out. So how do you narrow down which design ideas are right for your company’s trade show booths?

It’s often best practice to start by identifying your exhibit’s needs and how the structure and graphics can communicate the right messaging to your target audience. Here are a few questions to get your creative juices flowing:

  • What size is your booth space? Depending on how busy your trade show calendar is, this question might have multiple answers.
  • Can you incorporate the shape of your logo—or a word or term from your company’s name—into your booth designs?
  • What type of structures might mimic or convey the product you’re selling?
  • Is your office or facility a well-designed showcase of your company culture and products? If so, pick your favorite aspects and incorporate them into your booth designs.
  • Are there any objects that relate to your company or products you could bring into your trade show exhibit design that would draw people in?

The sky’s the limit here. So have some fun, get creative, and look around at what other innovative trade show booths have showcased!

A trade show booth for Modern Animals that looks like a storefront

Design Ideas for Innovative Structures

Although you can certainly design and build innovative trade show booths in inline or peninsula spaces, it’s probably easiest to do in island exhibits since they offer the most freedom when it comes to a show’s rules and regulations. Here are a few ways you can break the mold of traditional trade show booth design by using a structure that doesn’t necessarily look like a trade show exhibit:

  • Incorporate a pergola for an outdoor, open-air feel
  • Cover your entire exhibit with a canopy and set up a full store that makes attendees feel like they’re at a boutique instead a convention center
  • Build full walls and create an immersive retail experience
  • Design an enclosed area with multiple rooms complete with pedestals and wall hangings for a gallery or museum atmosphere
  • Reduce the opaque hardware and use sheer graphics for an airy—yet still enclosed—exhibit

Keep in mind that these are just a few ideas. When you work with talented trade show booth design experts, pretty much any of your exhibit dreams can become a reality.

Interesting Objects to Enhance Your Trade Show Exhibit Design

Not all creative trade show booth ideas involve custom structures. In fact, some utilize basic or even minimal hardware and graphics, and instead showcase a large object that draws people in. For example, you might want to bring something in like a camper if your company, products, or logo relate to the outdoors. If your organization is selling high-end furniture, create a living room or dining room environment, maybe with a hanging structure that mimics a house’s ceiling.

Whatever objects or items you choose to bring into your trade show booths, make sure you’re following the rules and regulations published by the show. Different event organizers and convention centers sometimes have unique rules, and your design ideas need to abide by these guidelines.

If you have any concerns about the show’s rules and regs, just pass them over to your expert exhibit designers. They’ll create an astounding trade show exhibit design that meets the show’s requirements and exceeds your expectations.

Let Our Experts Create Innovative Design Ideas for Your Trade Show Booths

There’s certainly nothing wrong with traditional trade show exhibit design. After all, it’s proven to be effective for many companies over many years. However, some traditions are worth breaking sometimes! It’s fun to escape the exhibit hall monotony and create a trade show booth design that doesn’t necessarily look like a show floor display. Our talented designers love flexing their creative muscles and can innovate custom design ideas that you’ll be excited to show off at your next convention.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you have a successful trade show with an inventive exhibit!