Blog > Marketing > Trade Show > Trade Show Pop-Up Displays Do's and Don'ts

How to Create Effective Trade Show Booth Design

November 23, 2022
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5
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Imagine walking in a mall. People are milling around, different sights, scents, and sounds snatch your attention span. You’re not looking for anything in particular, but before you know it, you’re drawn into a store because of that awesome window display showing the exact pair of shoes you didn’t know you wanted. 

This is what your pop-up display can do for you at a conference. 

That cleverly designed display is the very first thing that your prospects will see. The question is, is it attractive enough to keep them there?

In this blog, we’re going to cover trade show pop-up displays and the essential do’s and don’ts that you need to know before conference season begins. 

What is a pop-up display?

In simple terms, a pop-up trade show display is the backdrop of your booth (if you’re in a smaller booth). Sometimes, companies utilize several pop-up displays, especially when their sections are larger. 

They are more cost effective and portable than using walls.

These are typically used to amplify the message that your brand wants prospective customers to know right away. For example, a wearables company at HIMSS might use their pop-up displays to show the wearable’s features. Or they might use it to catch passersby with interesting language.

In short, your pop-up display acts as the window display for your trade show booth. 

Different types of pop-up displays.

Different types of pop-up displays.

Pop-up displays come in many shapes and sizes. They are anything but one size fits all. Let’s cover the most popular types of displays and how they work.

Tension-fabric displays: These displays utilize aluminum frames and high quality fabric to imitate the look of a wall. They are extremely cost efficient, portable, and easy to assemble. They can be used as a screen for a projector, or you can print your designs directly on them.

These are also offered for table tops and act as a stable tablecloth.

Laminated curved displays: These aren’t as portable or easy as tension fabric displays but they do look sturdier and more high quality. 

Backlit displays: Back in the day, these displays were expensive and rare. But, walk the HIMSS floor in 2023 and you’re likely to find that most booths utilize backlit displays for their booths. These are great for catching the attention of passersby quickly and efficiently.

Retractable banners: Some people would argue that these don’t fit the pop-up display criteria, but we would have to disagree. These days, retractable banners are used just as much as tension fabric displays as the primary display. 

All you need are banner stands and your cleverly designed banners.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into our do’s and don’ts.

DO embrace color.

Nothing catches the human eye quite as fast as beautiful colors. Companies are sometimes afraid of getting creative with their displays, instead opting to splash their logo all over the place, keeping the white background. 

Instead, try playing with a color palette. Add full color displays with awesome graphics, pictures and copy. Give your prospects something they want to stop for by telling the trade show industry that you are not like the others. 

DON’T clutter your display.

Cluttered pop-up display.

This piece of advice might feel like the complete opposite of the above, but you can be colorful without being cluttered. It can be hard to get all of the wonderful things you want to say about your products and services onto one display, but condensing your messaging is crucial.

Amplify the strongest pain point that you address and avoid the repetitive imagery and logos. 

DO hire a designer. 

You’ve likely got a busy trade show calendar for 2023 and you don’t have time to pour over display kits, monitor mounts, or fabric graphics. This is where a great designer can help you amplify your booth.

Designers are able to plan your displays in the perfect and most aesthetically pleasing way. If you don’t want to hire an in-house designer or sift through the freelance pool, try a design service. 

You’ll be the coolest booth at all of your planned trade show exhibits next year. 

DON’T save it for the last minute.

The convention centers are calling your name and you’re ready to get networking. You’ve planned everything from who you are going to meet with down to the speakers you can’t miss, but one thing that you’ve been avoiding is your home base. 

Maybe you plan to use the same designs that you used three years ago. A lot may have changed since then. Are you sure you don’t want to revisit the messaging on that tension fabric display?

Before you get to the point where you’re only two weeks away from the event, take the bull by the horns and tackle your pop-up display as soon as possible.

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DO try something new.

Times are changing and the last time you ventured into the trade show circuit probably looked very different to what we’re seeing on the exhibit floor today. 

Go ahead and try that cool backlit display if your budget allows, add a fun accent color, explore new tag lines and copy. Try something new so that you can put your best foot forward. 

Creativity is just a click away.

Designing your trade show booth doesn’t have to feel daunting. Instead of stressing the small design details, let us carry the weight for you. Get HIMSS ready with your new favorite design partner! 

Are you ready for trade show season?

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