Blog 10 Things That Make a Great Trade Show Booth

Trade show booth design is crucial to maximising your business's impact at an industry event. An attractive, well-planned booth draws in attendees, communicates your brand effectively, and facilitates engaging interactions, all of which generate profitable leads.

Investing thought and creativity into your trade show booth design sets you apart from competitors and creates lasting impressions. But what turns a good trade show booth into a great trade show booth? Here are 10 things that make a great trade show booth.

Our top 10 tips for a great trade show booth at a glance…

1. Strong branding with promotional materials
2. Generating engagement with photo booths
3. Make use of empty space in your booth
4. Pick one theme and stick with it
5. Incorporate your product into your stand-build
6. Draw attention with interactive activities
7. Make your booth approachable
8. Pick your booth hosts carefully
9. Don’t be afraid to tell your story
10. Don’t forget the power of social media

Our Top 10 Tips to Make a Great Trade Show Booth

Using our years of experience at trade shows and creating unique promotional materials for other businesses in all industries, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 tips and tricks to help you stand out from the crowd at your next trade show or event.

1. Strong Branding With Promotional Materials



Getting people to engage with your booth and learn about your business is the main aim of any trade show appearance. However, with so many other booths competing for attention in the same industry as you, you need to make sure potential leads above everyone else.

Nothing does this better than having strong branding with promotional materials! Okay, so we might be a bit biased, but handing prospective clients a water bottle, coaster, keyring, or pen with your brand on it gives them a physical reminder of your brand.

In our experience, promotional materials that are practical, like a pen or notebook, or fun and silly, like a fidget spinner or toy, are the most effective at keeping your business in a client's mind as they're more likely to use it than a basic business card or badge.

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2. Generate Engagement With Photo Booths

Interactive photo booths at trade shows are excellent for generating engagement. They not only draw attendees to your booth but also provide a memorable and shareable experience. Although getting a photo booth set up might be a little more expensive, it's often worth the extra investment for the engagement and lead payoff.

You can even incorporate promotional materials and branded freebies as props to enhance the experience and extend your brand's reach. This creative approach encourages visitors to interact with your brand and take home a tangible reminder of their positive interaction.

3. Make Use of Empty Space

Although it can be tempting to fill every inch of space in your booth, especially if it's small, leaving some empty space in your trade show booth can encourage more people to check it out by creating a welcoming and navigable environment.

A well-structured layout with clear paths allows visitors to move freely and comfortably, making the booth appear less cluttered and more inviting.

This openness also helps to highlight key products and promotional materials, drawing attention to what truly matters. Drawing prospective leads to your product or service like this is the perfect way to strike up a conversation about what you can offer their business.

4. Pick a Theme and Stick with It

Consistency is crucial for designing an attractive trade show booth. A cohesive theme brings all elements together, making your space more visually appealing. This unified design helps attendees quickly grasp your brand's message and offerings.

The easiest way to do this is to pick a key element of your business to showcase throughout your booth or lock onto your brand's main colours and stick with them for your promotional materials and booth design.

It also creates a professional look, encouraging more engagement from visitors attracted to a clear and well-executed theme.

5. Incorporate Your Product Into Your Trade Show Booth Design

Incorporating your product into your trade show booth is highly effective. It allows attendees to interact with and experience what you offer firsthand. This direct engagement can demonstrate product value more convincingly than brochures or verbal explanations.

Using your product to create your booth creates a tangible connection, making your offerings more memorable and increasing the likelihood of converting interest into sales.

6. Draw Attention With Interactive Activities

Interactive activities and games can significantly enhance your booth's success by attracting and keeping visitors' attention long enough to connect. They create memorable experiences, generate buzz, and encourage social sharing.

For instance, hosting a spin-to-win game or a virtual reality experience can engage attendees, making them more likely to engage with your brand and explore what you have to offer their business.

7. Make Your Booth Approachable

An approachable booth builds instant rapport with attendees, making them feel welcome to explore your offerings.

For instance, having a friendly booth host greeting visitors or an open booth design can lower barriers, encouraging more foot traffic.

Simple features like comfortable seating, inviting signage, and lighting can make a significant difference. They can help generate leads by fostering initial positive interactions that can develop into fruitful business relationships.

8. Pick Your Booth Hosts Carefully

Booth hosts are the face of your brand at trade shows, so selecting the right staff is crucial. Friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable hosts can effectively engage visitors, answer queries, and drive interest in your offerings.

Their ability to create positive first impressions and build rapport can significantly influence attendees' perception of your company, ultimately leading to more meaningful connections and potential business opportunities, so choose your hosts wisely!

9. Don't Be Afraid to Tell Your Story

Sharing your business's origin story can be a compelling trade show tactic. It helps attendees relate to your brand on a personal level and builds a deeper connection. This is particularly effective in industries that don't often share the human side of their businesses.

By sharing the story of how your business started and highlighting key milestones and difficulties, you make your brand more relatable and memorable, encouraging visitors to engage and invest in what you have to offer.

10. Don't Forget the Power of Social Media

You can also enhance your trade show booth customer engagement by leveraging your social media platforms. Encourage attendees to visit your booth by offering prizes for winners of quizzes in your stories, or post scavenger hunts or riddles about business on your feed and invite people to come to you with the answer.

This approach not only widens your reach but also creates a buzz, attracting more visitors.

Also, simple actions like tagging your brand or using a specific hashtag relevant to the trade show can turn social media activity into a powerful promotional tool.

Key Takeaways: Generating Footfall at Your Next Trade Show Event

Generating footfall at a trade show is crucial for your business. It boosts brand exposure and creates opportunities to connect with potential clients. More booth traffic increases the chances of converting leads and building valuable business relationships.

Enhancing your presence at your next trade show is easier than ever with our range of promotional materials.



Whether you're looking for water bottles, fidget spinners, or any other merchandise to effectively represent your brand at trade shows, we've got you covered.

Shop our full range today

FAQs

What Should I Have at My Trade Show Booth?

Ensure your trade show booth has strong branding, interactive activities, promotional materials, comfortable seating, and knowledgeable hosts. Incorporate your product into the booth design and utilise social media for engagement. A cohesive theme and ample empty space can also enhance the visitor experience.

How to Make a Trade Show Booth Attractive?

An attractive trade show booth should feature eye-catching visuals, a clear theme, interactive elements, and engaging promotional materials. Smart lighting and approachable hosts create a welcoming environment.

How Do You Get People to Come to Your Trade Show Booth?

Use strong visuals, interactive activities, and eye-catching features. Make your booth easy to navigate with clear pathways. Play upbeat music to attract attention and create a lively atmosphere. Promote your presence on social media and engage attendees with memorable experiences and themed designs to maximise foot traffic.

What is the Lead Time for Your Branded Promotional Materials?

The lead time for our branded promotional materials is generally within 5 working days unless otherwise stated for particularly large or complex orders.