7 Tips to Decorate a Trade Show Booth

Design Tips for Trade Show Booths

If you’ve seen one trade show booth, you’ve seen them all, right? For attendees, it’s easy to get that glazed-eye look after walking down a few aisles. That’s why it’s so important to make your booth stand out from the crowd with top-notch exhibition booth design ideas. After all, you have just a few seconds to attract visitors as they walk by; once they've passed your booth, they probably won't be circling back. It’s your job to remind visitors why they’re there – to have fun and get excited about brands they already love or haven’t heard of yet!

Tip #1: Make It Interactive

Interactive elements catch the attention of passersby, draw them to your booth and keep them there for a while. The longer a visitor spends with you, the more likely it is they’ll sign up for your mailing list or buy a product. And what’s most enticing to trade show goers? Prizes!

Let visitors demo your product, and then give them high-quality swag as a “thank you.” Ask trivia questions and give out prizes for correct answers. Set up a photo booth area where people can snap a shot of themselves, post it to social media and get a gift in return.

P.S. Merchology has the best apparel, gifts and novelties that will help your trade show booth stand out.

Tip #2: Bring Nature Indoors

Trade shows are an indoor activity, so why not enhance your booth with outdoor elements? Bright greens are eye-catching, and the outdoorsy nature of your booth will contrast with whatever room you’re in. Trade show halls tend to be large, industrial, gray places, and natural elements draw attention while beautifying modern trade show booths.

Hang baskets, arrange planters or set up trellises with leafy plants or blooming flowers. For a tropical vibe, add bright-colored elements, like chairs and signage in bright pinks, yellows and oranges. And make sure to use real plants instead of fake ones – they’re low-cost and prettier than their faux alternatives.

Tip #3: Create a Space to Rest and Relax

Use chairs, hammocks or swings to create a much-needed relaxation space. While attendees take a break, they’ll chat about the booths they’ve visited – most importantly, yours! You’re not going to convert every person in your lounge area, but stay-a-while trade show booth ideas will do wonders for brand awareness. 

This is a particularly savvy tactic if you’re promoting a certain type of space with your trade show booth. For example, if you’re representing a hotel, add luxury amenities to the seating area. If you’re promoting a cafe, decorate the seating area the way the coffee shop is designed.

Tip #4: Use Color Psychology in Your Favor

People are drawn to different colors for a variety of reasons. For example, red is associated with energy and passion, while green symbolizes nature and has a calming effect. Blue is compassionate and spiritual, while orange represents enthusiasm and success.

Cool colors like white, blue and green are professional, but they’re not particularly striking. Warm colors like orange, red and yellow are eye-catching but can be overwhelming if you use too much. When it comes to trade show booth design ideas, sticking to an on-brand color scheme that conveys the right message and that’s noticeable without being overbearing is a happy medium.

Tip #5: Offer a Special Deal on Show Days

The best exhibition booth design ideas reward attendees for simply showing up. Offer something special for being there, like a tradeshow-only discount or buy-one-get-one deal. A limited-time deal also means more people will buy rather than wait. Make sure that visitors know they’re getting special treatment – and that it will only last until the trade show ends. 

Pro Tip: Pack up purchases in large, reusable bags featuring your logo. Trade show attendees collect small items and stuff them into the largest bag they have. If you give out large, branded bags, those visitors will become walking ads for you! 

Tip #6: Let Visitors Create Part of Your Booth

One of the most creative trade show booth ideas is to keep one wall free for a visitor-created installation. Think of a collaborative art project, like having everyone fill in a small section of a paint-by-numbers mural. You could also have a huge whiteboard and a writing prompt that ties into your company’s goals, or ask for themed sketches to showcase what your creative process is like.

Tip #7: Offer Something Everyone Needs

Help your trade show booth stand out by offering what passersby are in need of, like bottled water, snacks and a phone charging station. Trade shows are usually held in large spaces, and it’s not always easy to find the necessities. Offering these items for free will get people to pause as they pass, and if you can further draw them in with creative trade show booth ideas, you'll turn some of them into customers. Make sure to place branded, interesting items in the same area where you're offering the amenities so they don't just grab what they want and continue on their way.

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