A good trade show equipment vendor will act like a consultant - look for a dealer who asks questions.
They'll consider your goals, your travel and setup requirements, and the type of product you
are promoting. From that conversation, they should be able to recommend a specific type of display.
Then they'll work with you on the design - colors, fabrics, and extras, along with any signs
and graphics you need. If you need help with this step, be sure to ask the vendor if they can
provide graphic design services. Not all do - but most will be able to recommend a graphic designer
if they can't do it in-house.
One nice extra to look for in a trade show equipment vendor is the ability to create a 3-D computer
model of your booth. That way, you can see how the colors and graphics you chose work together
before they are actually printed.
There are two types of vendors you should be aware of. Most take pre-built display systems -
pop-up, panel, and all the other types discussed here - and customize them with graphics and
other accessories. However, for companies with more specific trade show display requirements,
there are custom exhibit booth builders who will design a display system with you and build
it from scratch. These types of booths are much more expensive and are usually only purchased
by larger companies who attend trade shows regularly.
Trade show equipment is sold by vendors and directly from manufacturers. Working with dealers
lets you make direct comparisons, because they typically carry models from multiple manufacturers.
Manufacturers and custom booth builders are more likely to be able to make any repairs you need.
Resellers of pre-built systems may be able to do simple repairs on-site, but may have to ship
your booth to the manufacturer or other repair facility for more significant work. Be sure to
ask how the vendor handles repairs, especially in emergency situations.
Trade show booth prices: A sampling of actual prices paid by trade show booth purchasers who have used BuyerZone's service.
Trade shows on a budget: Whether you're tackling a major trade show or a smaller industry-specific show, it can be quite an expensive endeavor. Learn a few tricks along the way to keep your budget in line.
Trade show planning: Now, more than ever, trade show marketing dollars need to be justified. Planning your trip out ahead can help you spend your dollars wisely.
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Trade Show Display Buyer's Guide
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