List of 50 Trade Show FAQs
How many kinds of trade show booths are there?
There are custom, modular, rental, double-decker, hybrid, experiential, and portable trade show booths.
Which trade show booth is better suited to my brand?
It will depend upon your brand objectives and your total budget. If you want a distinct presence, you must opt for the custom. If you are looking for flexible options, a modular booth is the right choice.
What is a turnkey exhibit rental?
A turnkey exhibit rental is a booth package that handles everything for you—design, graphics, setup, takedown, and sometimes shipping.
Should I rent or buy a trade show booth?
Rent if you exhibit only once or twice a year; buy if you exhibit at several shows each year.
How to select the right trade show booth builder for my brand?
Check out their work portfolios and testimonials. It is essential to check whether the booth builder provides all services under one roof, as we do at Connect Exhibit.
How early should I start preparing for a trade show?
Begin planning 3–6 months in advance to secure the best booth spot, finalize your booth design, and take advantage of early-bird discounts.
How do I reserve trade show booth space?
Apply for booth space early on the show organizer's website to get a better spot.
What do I get with trade show booth rental space?
Normally, only the floor space is included. Anything else—like walls, carpet, electricity, or furniture—costs extra unless stated otherwise.
How do I plan my budget for the trade show exhibit?
Plan for costs like booth design, shipping, services, travel, marketing, and follow-up after the show. Add an extra 10–20% as a safety buffer.
What hidden costs should I expect?
Watch out for extra costs like shipping, setup, labor, last-minute fees, cleaning, and handling materials.
What does "drayage" refer to?
Drayage is the movement of your shipment from the dock to your booth, and you pay by weight.
How much booth space do I need?
Choose a larger booth for product launches or demos. For basic brand presence, a 10x10 or 10x20 booth is enough.
How to pick the best booth location?
Pick spots near entrances, food courts, main aisles, or popular brands for more traffic.
How to understand the show floor map?
Check the exhibitor manual and discuss with your sales rep to learn about where people usually walk at the show.
Explain the difference between an inline, corner, peninsula, and island booth.
Inline refers to -1 side open, Corner means -2 sides open, Peninsula is -3 sides open, and Island refers to 4 sides open.
When should I think of ordering electricity, carpet, and furniture?
You must place an order for these at least 4–6 weeks before the show to avoid high late fees.
Should I hire an exhibit house or booth builder?
Yes, if you want custom designs, expert help, or easy setup at your show
What does a General Contractor (GC) do at a trade show?
The GC is the company the show hires to handle all labor and services.
What is an EAC (Exhibitor Appointed Contractor)?
The company you choose (such as your booth builder) to work for you instead of the show's official contractor.
How do I set my goals straight for the trade show?
You must focus on measurable goals—such as the number of leads, demos scheduled, meetings booked, or sales generated.
What are the booth height limits?
Normally, most shows allow 8’ for inline booths and up to 16’–20’ for island booths—but always check the exhibitor manual.
What kind of signage is required?
Normally, you require high-level branding, product highlights, directional signage, and engaging calls to action.
What’s the best flooring for booths?
Carpet, vinyl, hardwood, and foam tiles are popular options. Choose a comfortable floor if you'll be standing a lot.
What furniture should be included?
There should be a welcome counter, demo counters, casual seating, and meeting tables, which are booth essentials.
What role does booth lighting play?
Good booth lighting is genuinely important. Proper lighting grabs attention, sets the mood, and highlights your product.
How can a trade show booth be designed to attract more traffic?
Make your booth open and welcoming with eye-catching visuals, hands-on displays, and simple, clear messages about what you offer.
Which lights should I use: LED walls or printed graphics?
Both the lights have their own perks. Like, LED lights are quite dynamic and impactful, whereas the printed graphics are way more cost-effective and reliable. From choosing between these, your budget also matters.
What refers to an overhead hanging sign?
A large banner that hangs from the ceiling and helps people spot your booth from far away. It is essential for island booths.
How should I plan for product displays?
Well, you can make them easy to see, touch, and understand. You can place your best products at eye level.
What kind of storage should my trade show booth have?
You can utilize hidden cabinets, lockable counters, or a small back room to store giveaways, brochures, and personal items safely.
What are the best interactive experiences I can offer to the audience?
You can make the best use of Live demos, VR/AR experiences, touchscreens, games, and contests.
How can I add technology to my trade show booth?
To make it technology-driven, you can make use of iPad kiosks, interactive displays, touchscreen demos, or VR experiences to engage visitors.
How can I add a private meeting area in my trade show booth?
You can use half walls, soft seating, small conference tables, or even curtains to create semi-private zones.
Can I utilize videos in my booth?
Yes. Short, looping videos that show your story or product demo are very effective.
How long can a trade show booth last?
A trade show booth's lifespan varies by type: portable displays last 2-5 years, modular systems last 5-10 years, and custom builds last 10+ years.
Which location on the trade show floor will maximize our booth’s visibility and traffic?
Aisle crossings, corners, entrances (but not directly at them), and high-traffic amenities like cafes, restrooms, or stages/demo areas are common locations for trade show booths that strike a mix between high traffic and strategic visibility.
How to be in the mind of visitors even after the show comes to an end?
You need to go the extra mile by distributing pamphlets, carrying bags with your branding, and sending ‘thanks for visiting’ notes or emails to your audience.
How to handle the difficult questions at the booth?
You should stay calm and always respond respectfully. Later, thank them for their inquiry and focus on positive solutions and benefits.
When should I ship my trade show booth?
Ship your booth to the advance warehouse 2–4 weeks before move-in to make setup easy.
What does Material Handling mean?
This means moving your shipment from the dock to your booth. It's not the same as drayage, though people often confuse the two.
How do I track my trade show booth shipment?
You can use your carrier’s tracking system and confirm receipt at the warehouse or show the dock.
What will happen if my shipment gets delayed or lost?
You can reach out to a reputable booth builder, such as Connect Exhibit, to rent a temporary backup booth.
Who properly sets up the trade show booth?
To properly set up your trade show booth, you need to collaborate with an experienced trade show booth contractor like Connect Exhibit, who can handle everything from design to installation on the show floor.
Do I need union labor to set up?
Numerous U.S. venues (such as San Francisco, Chicago, and New York) normally require union labor for installation.
How can I reduce shipping and labor costs?
By consolidating shipments, packing smartly, and pre-ordering everything, you can easily reduce your shipping costs.
Should I hire a supervisor for setup and dismantle (I&D)?
Yes, if you can't be on-site. Supervisors ensure your booth is set up correctly even when you're not there.
How to measure the trade show success?
After the show, you must analyse lead quality, revenue generated, meetings booked, brand exposure, and return on investment.
How do I utilize trade show feedback to improve next time?
After the show, meet with your team to discuss what went well and what didn’t. Use what you learn to improve your strategy for the next show.