Explore 26 exhibition stand ideas that visitors will notice

How you are able to present that can make all the difference in how event goers, possible clients or even future employees can influence their decision to do business with or join your company. We’d like to share a few exhibition stand ideas, tips, and tricks that could make all the difference in how your company’s first impression is received.

1. Keep it Simple

Clutter is your enemy here. Make sure you have plenty of room for your products to shine and the services you offer are clearly defined. Overly complex booths with too much going on will steer potential visitors away, so make sure your message is clear, bold and eye-catching while still being simple in design

2. Make it Interactive

Why not find a way to keep users engaged? Not only would it add a bit of fun to your exhibition stand, it would keep visitors there longer. Think of things like games or puzzles that could catch a visitor’s eye. We have plenty of options that could play into this idea quite well. 

3. Competitions & Raffles

Raffles are also fantastic for product giveaways and brand promotion. We have a special list of unique promotional items that could intrigue visitors enough to participate in a raffle that rewards unique branded prizes.

4. Digital Visuals

Another idea is to consider setting up television monitors around your stand that either showcase your product or service. It keeps people engaged, if not for at least a few seconds or minutes while they watch what you put together with a continuously looping video. 

5. Offer Refreshments

Event attendees will jump at the sight of a candy, chocolate or treat being given away by trade show stands. A mint tin or energy snack would be a site for sore eyes after walking all day! It’s always a sure thing to keep people coming by if you have something for them to eat. This is a chance to start a dialogue, explain your business or just get visitors to look at your booth.

6. Brand Boldly

If you are able to, consider having your brand signage stand tall compared to others. It’s a simple yet effective tool to increase your visibility as your booth could be seen or noticed from farther away. Use bright colours as well, be sure to go for something vibrant!

7. Light Up Your Booth 

You’d be surprised how effective lighting can be. Led lamps are not only for an office or home desk, but can be used for decoration in the right conditions. Consider using lamps to make your booth pop a bit more than those that surround you. We have some nice branded lamp options for you to consider if this could work for your branding initiatives. 

8. Giveaways 

This goes without saying; you need to give something to your visitors so they can have something to remember you by. Whether it is pens, tote bags, water bottles or anything else, make sure you have something that is easy to produce in large quantities, easy to carry around and add to a bag and simple to hand out. Budget friendly can’t hurt either. We have plenty of products from our trade fair category for you to choose from.

9. Get Inspired

Visit other stands and go to other trade shows to get inspired for your next exhibition stand idea or design. We have a guide on some of the top UK trade shows in several industries that you might find interesting, read more about that here. 

10. Make it Intimate

Make the atmosphere inviting and cosy. If you are able to invoke a feeling of comfort for your visitors, they will likely want to stay longer and explore more of what your stand has to offer. Consider making the booth walkthrough instead of just a walkup!

11. Host a Q&A

Host a timed Q&A session. Make sure you advertise a time for this and keep reminding those who visit the stand to attend. If done right you’d be surprised how many people show up. Curiosity is infectious!

12. Multiple Locations

If you can afford the space, why not have multiple booths? This way, you can spread your influence with, for example, two smaller booths in different locations instead of one large one. The possibility of doubling traffic is something to always consider.

13. Eye Catching Structure 

Put something at your booth that people will not be able to stop talking about. Make an elaborate art piece that stands in front of your booth and attracts attention. Think outside of the box, anything is possible!

14. Comfortable Seating

Depending on size, good seating allows people to get comfy while speaking with company representatives, learning about the service or product, or just to hang out. Make sure you use every square centimetre with visitor comfort and enjoyment in mind. 

15. Live Entertainment

It sounds gimmicky, but if you have a performing artist, be it music, caricature artist, or even a magician, it can garner a crowd.

16. Augmented or Virtual Reality

On top of games or visual demos, try your hand at virtual or augmented reality. Use it to entertain your clients, show off your product, or visualise whatever you’d want them to see.

17. Your Staff Makes All the Difference

Make sure you choose staff that not only understands the product both inside and out, but are personable and talkative. If not, train them. People love a good interaction, show them everyone in the company is as enthused as you are.

18. Announce or Launch Something New

Are you planning to release a new product? Shroud this in mystery and make people go to the exhibition or trade show you will attend to find out what it is! Reward their presence with something that they can only get at this event, they will be sure to remember it if done right!

19. Make Sign Up Easy

People love it when the sign-up process is quick and easy. Make sure you have all the provisions necessary to make sign ups fast and painless. Or incentivise them to leave their contact information if time is short. Why not leave a fishbowl for people to put their business cards into? Or, even more high tech, find an app that can effortlessly gather information via bluetooth, Airdrop or a similar process. 

20. Offer a Mobile Charging Station

Every digital device will seemingly need to be charged for the foreseeable future, so charging stations will be everyone’s friend. This is a multifaceted feature for you to have at your booth. Event goers, while charging their device, will be able to see your booth, check your product and you can even strike up a chat with them.

Make sure you have as many possible device adapters as possible. It’s not only phones that need to be charged, think of tablets, cameras, power banks, or even speakers!

21. Include a Photo Booth

Build a large scale photo booth for visitors to take pictures. Provide incentive for visitors to upload their picture to social media for follows, likes, reposts, etc. Incentivise them to share overall media related to your booth and company to boost online engagement. 

22. Host an After Show Party

If possible, consider having a party after the main show. This of course depends on the event organiser, but maybe you could host a party with an atmosphere that is more relaxed, less foot traffic and is open to anyone who registers or signs up. As an even bigger incentive, offer the snacks and (more importantly) beverages that you don’t - or can't - provide during the show.

23. Make use of Technology

Try something out of the ordinary with technology that will catch attention. Robots are definitely hot right now, so try using an automated robot to roam around the booth to offer refreshments, branded gifts, or company demo packets.

24. On-Site Customisation

If you are selling a product, think of allowing visitors to customise a product of their choosing on site. Let them see what the experience is like with your guidance. If they can brand something with maybe their own company name or logo, that could be a level of participation many people are not used to and can really appreciate.

25. Try Using Scents

Appeal to the senses by incorporating pleasant scents in and around your booth. Think of the smell of fresh coffee, flowers, or a signature scent; using scent to draw a crowd can create a memorable and inviting atmosphere.

26. Choose a Theme

Pick an overall theme that aligns with your brand to create an exciting and memorable experience. For example, if your company sells surfboards, then lean on a beach theme for your exhibition stand. Whether it's futuristic, eco-friendly, or inspired by a popular movie or trend, a unique theme can attract visitors and create buzz. 

We hope we were able to give you some good guidance on some great exhibition stand ideas. A good stand or trade show booth is a great tool to attract more visitors and generate more buzz around your company, product or service. Browse our line of trade show giveaways and products specifically curated for the occasion. Let us know how we can further help you with your branding and merchandising initiatives!