Events and exhibitions are a great way to promote your business. They offer you an opportunity to take your products or services directly to potential customers. Making a bold statement at business expos can cement your business in the memory of future clients. The best way to make such a statement is with professionally designed exhibition stands. Exhibition stand contractors will help you design, build, and install a stand that will be sure to bring traffic and future customers to you.

It is easy to get lost in the crowd at large business exhibitions. Sometimes, there are a dozen or more businesses offering products or services that are similar to if not the same as yours. To make the most of these events, you will need professionally designed exhibition stands. Stand contractors have design teams that specialize in determining what kind of a display will best meet your needs and fit the space that you have been assigned. They will even show up at these events to assemble and disassemble the stand for you so you can concentrate your attention on building your client base.

Types of Exhibition Stands

There are several types of exhibition stands.  The most popular ones are modular stands.  These display stands have easily moveable and portable pieces for customizing your display to the amount of space you have.  They are easily storable and reusable as well, making them a very economical choice. If you do not have space for storage, exhibition stand contractors provide storage services to keep your display stand safe and ready for the next event.

Double decker exhibition stands make a statement that can’t be ignored.  A two story display stand will allow you to tower over your competitors. Besides being visually overwhelming, they can be very functional.  Two-tiered stands provide enough space for attracting new clients as well as some quiet areas for actually conducting business.  They are a great solution for businesses who want to not only market but also close deals at their business expos.

Outdoor exhibition stands are designed with several factors in mind.  They of course need to be weather resistant.  It also helps if they have enough covered space to serve as shelter for exhibition visitors in case of a weather event.  They often need a power source, and a large marquee out front with your logo.

Hiring the right exhibition stand contractors can make or break your appearance at business expositions. Shelling out a boatload of money for exhibition stands that do not draw attention does your business no good. Consider your exhibition stand as an investment in the future of your business, as it can be as important to your organization as a store front.

Exhibition stand contractors have a wide array of solutions for you display stand needs.  Their design teams can build you a small scale replica or produce a 3D computer image of your exhibition stands to allow you to walk through and experience your new stand before making a decision.  An exhibition stand that pops and garners attention can give you an advantage over your competition.

For your next off premises business event, you will need a display that will draw attention. Exhibition stands that do not generate customer traffic are worthless.  But if they draw a lot of attention to your business, then they can actually be a good business investment.  Smart businesses that understand the value of their appearances at expos and trade shows hire exhibition stand contractors instead of attempting to build their own.
Exhibition stand contractors use their team of designers to put together exhibition stands that suit the needs of their customers.  All businesses are different, and trade shows are different as well.  Building a unique display will set your business apart from the competition.  But that display can be rendered ineffective if it does not account for the particular conditions at each particular trade show.
Outdoor expositions require special consideration. Exhibition stands that are used outdoors need first to be weatherproof.  They must also sometimes be able to generate their own power if your display relies on electronic audio and visual effects at an event with no access to electricity. They need to be big enough to be functional not only as a display but also as shelter. Consider the goodwill your business can earn by being the one place at the outdoor trade show where people can get in from out of the elements. Exhibition stand contractors can take all of this into account when designing your display area.

Among the most popular exhibition stands are the modular display systems.  These stands are constructed in movable and interchangeable pieces.  They are easy to transport and store, and are reusable. They offer a lot in terms of flexibility as well. Depending on the amount of space you have, you can bring all or part of your exhibition stand to your events without losing their effectiveness or utility.

Exhibition stand contractors have been building multi-deck systems for their clients who want to make a big statement.  These two-story behemoths can make your business look much more professional than your competition.  They also offer practical flexibility.  While you are speaking to prospective clients and introducing them to your business downstairs, you can use the second level as a way to get above the fray of the expo floor and conduct important business.  The lower level can be where you find new customers, and the upper level can be where you close the deal.

Exhibition stand contractors do more than just build exhibition stands.  Their designers will create a business solution for your organization.  They can deliver it to your events and assemble and disassemble it for you.  They can also store your exhibition stand for future use if you do not have the space to do so yourself.

Exhibition stands should be considered a branch of your business.  As such, they should be treated as an important investment.  Because they can make or break your appearances at trade shows, it is vital that they look professional.  That is why more businesses are turning to exhibition stand contractors to design their offsite displays.

Helping Businesses Stand Out

If your business is attending an upcoming event or trade show then believe us when we say putting down the money and hiring a team of exhibition stand contractors will be a worthwhile investment, rather than say purchasing a “pop up” or “banner” stand on a budget. You want and need your business to stand out, you need to draw in and grab those leads and you certainly don’t want to fade into the background among a pile of companies offering a similar if not the same service.

If you’re on the fence about the potential expenditure, look at it in a sense of expansion; you are expanding your business to a wider audience and benefiting from fantastic exposure with the opportunities to secure new clients, new joint ventures and much more. Not to mention any experienced contractor should be able to implement your budget, ideas and goals effortlessly.

A properly designed exhibition stand will make a bold statement about your organization and invite people to see what you and your business are all about. It is very easy to be lost adrift in a sea of sameness and to get noticed at a large event; you need a display that is unique, eye catching, and will generate traffic. As you begin planning for your next expo, get in touch with a contractor and let them introduce you to what a custom built stand can do for your organization.

Many large companies and organizations are turning to custom exhibition stand contractors to make their displays pop. By hiring your own contractor, you can align you group with the major players in your market, garnering more attention and respect. 

Modular exhibition stands are the perfect choice for those who need maximum flexibility and may not be able to afford a truly custom stand. They can be easily reconfigured and designed to fit into whichever space you have, are adaptable, and can be made to fit a wide range of budgets whiles still looking fantastic, of which has made them very popular amongst exhibiters.

These modular systems are easy to assemble, disassemble, and move with set costs lower than that of traditional/custom systems, making modular stands a more economical choice. Stand contractors will have a wide variety of styles from which to choose, or they can customize a modular system to fit the needs of your organization so have some confidence in that they will deliver. 

If portability is important to you, emphasize this, and request that your exhibition stand contractors design a display that is at the same time striking and easy to transport. Organizations that must quickly move from one expo to the other will find this kind of stand system most beneficial, although most contractors these days will have the logistical capabilities to transport and erect anything, and of any size and complexity. 

More traditional and truly custom exhibition stands are very sturdy, but generally built to be used for a one off/specific event. They can be the more expensive (and impressive) option. However, your stand contractors will have the ability to store for later use and if you really want a unique and custom exhibit even on a budget, it is worth requesting. Any experienced contractor will have the ability to design and build something unique to your budget (and many provide a free design and quotation). These large custom built exhibition stands are consistently impressive, but not usually very portable.

In this age of recycling, throwing out a large exhibition stand after one use can seem wasteful and irresponsible, not to mention you would be throwing away money. Having yours stored for later use can make them a more economically viable and ecologically friendly option. To help with portability and reuse, contractors should and will offer transportation between venues as part of their service.   

Should you have the budget, ambition and need for a large multi-purpose space that can incorporate private meeting areas, storage rooms, reception areas, a mezzanine and more that are insulated from the noise and excitement of the exhibition floor, then you should consider a two-story exhibition stand. These double decker behemoths will always make a very large, bold and impressive statement about your organization. Not all exhibition stand contractors will have the experience or capability behind them to provide such a service, some won’t even offer it, but there are contractors out there that can, and produce you something spectacular so have a look around.

They will gladly design a two or even three-tiered system that will be functional as well as exceptional, making an awe-inspiring visual impact while offering practical working space during the exhibition. 

Outdoor events and exhibition stands present their own set of challenges, but nothing that any group of exhibition contractors shouldn’t be well aware of. Such as having the knowledge to produce an exhibition stand able to withstand the effects of all types of weather.

Outdoor stands generally consist of a large marquee featuring the relevant logos, graphics and materials to your company. The internal walls can be printed with logos, product information, or anything else you might need, and they can also be designed with a locked internal storage area for personal belongings, samples or business literature. Contractors will also typically favor and implement a silent electric generator to be used to power audio/visual effects, lighting or temperature control. 

Exhibition stands can be purchased or hired on an event by event basis, and custom built exhibition stands are generally offered for sale rather than for hire. Stands that are rented rather than purchased are generally portable or popup systems that are easy for the average person to assemble and disassemble. 

Exhibition stand contractors offer a vast array of services for their clients with service typically beginning at the design stage. A designer or design team will assess your needs and come up with a unique and tailor maid concept specifically to you, of which can be adjusted and edited to your requirements. The stand can then be created and prepared for the required logistics and installation.  Some event contractors can even provide additional services such as extra staff to help man your exhibit and for clients that are short on space, most will have a form of in house storage (if they don’t already insist on it).

Whether you need a custom, modular, portable or outdoor exhibition stand, or even a large two-tiered system, attending an event and investing in a team of exhibition stand contractors could be one of the best and biggest moves you make for you and your business.

Could You Benefit From Pop Up Modular Exhibition Stands?

Pop up modular exhibition stands are the answer to a traveling businessman’s dream.

Imagine this: you arrive at the convention center and your table, because you’re a brand new business, is at the back of the hall.  A number of other exhibiters are there before you, hauling, winching or fork-lifting their exhibition stands into place; you stroll past all those with your canvas carrying bag (it’s a bit larger than a golf bag) across your back (or maybe on a tiny cart, if you want to pamper yourself).

You arrive at your booth and proceed to pull out one of any number of modular exhibits that you keep in your car trunk.  Its exoskeleton, a metal frame that can extend up to seven feet tall, unfolds and expands quickly, and you lay the click-in-place panels across the front.  You can carry several of these stands with you, and, once constructed, they all snap together to present a united front.

Surrounded by your competitors and their exhibition display stands, you can make your modular model stand out because of its spare design, its colorful and interchangeable elements and its united single front.

Pop up modular exhibits are amazingly versatile and can snap together to exhibit all sorts of different media.  They are more and more in evidence at business conventions and shows, because they are flexible, adaptable (even to the table you get in back) and have high impact, which is vital in a crowded exhibition.

The frames/skeletons for pop up modular exhibition stands are lightweight (usually anodized aluminum) and are easily packed up and transported by car, truck, plane or taxi to your business destination.  They are the modern answer to the pop-up stands of antiquity, quite folded up and stored in a suitcase the traveling salesman carried.  We’re higher tech now, but it’s the exact same idea.

There are several kinds of pop up exhibitions available, including those for graphic displays, such as the Linear Modular Graphic display, which needs rolling cases to transport its components.   These include LCD mounted screens (which fit on either side or in the center of the exhibit), and exoskeletons that snap together either as a single wall or in a “linear curve,” a type of structure that is much preferred as it doesn’t need quite so much in the way of support from sides or at bottom.

Many linear curve structures stand on their own without further support, and safely house whatever media or display your company wants to exhibit.

A third kind of modular display is the graphic panel.  Available in straight or curved models, this is a stand-alone footed panel that displays either printed graphics or projections; a “wire-panel” is a similar structure with a web of wires strung across it, to accommodate different smaller sized graphic panels or products.

Finally, there’s the graphic post, which holds literature, banners and even projected screens.

All of these models give you more bang for your buck, and more high tech exhibition power for your products and services.

So consider modular exhibition stands for your business; you just might wind up at the table in front next convention.

Exhibition stands have been around as long as mankind has advertised anything, but the new wave of 3d and graphics package exhibition stand designers are a relatively new thanks to advancement in tech, software and its availability.

It may be that the earliest caveman, drawing a picture of the mastodon he just killed, had a guy standing on the side telling him to make the tusks longer, but most designers today are a great deal more sophisticated, and certainly more technologically adept, than that.  And sophistication and technological savvy is what you want for any exhibition stands that put your business, and your name, out there.

There are horror stories about the profession, just as anywhere else, some of which might include your good name being misspelled on the banners, or the exhibition not being ready in time for the big convention (and then you get a happy call from the designer telling you that it will be ready the Monday after). You might even have graphic banners that peel and flake, right there on the convention floor. Oops.

So what do you look for in your designer?

First of all, you’ll probably find them online, which means they (should) already have what you’re really looking for online—a portfolio.  Check out their concept visuals and whatever designs they offer, or computerized renderings they may specialize in. Take a gander at any projects they managed or created as there should be a lot of successful ones completed, if they’re a trustworthy company.

Second, see how much versatility they offer, both in their stand designs and the subject matter they can encompass. Can they create, or have they created, design shows in the medical profession, in big business, in fashion, in real estate and the media?  Can they offer linear panels and walls in the wave or curve designs?  Do their exhibits fit together as one unit, and give the impression of solidity of design and purpose?

Third, and this may seem silly but it’s a worthwhile consideration – are the exhibition stands reusable? Your exhibit had better have some life and durability to it, because you need to get your money’s worth in the field, at all those conventions, shows and business gatherings. Can the stands they design be reconfigured for multiple shows and multiple venues? Can they be re-worked for smaller or larger spaces (always a scary variable in any trade show)? Are they portable enough to travel anywhere, yet give the look of permanence when they’re set up (which is quite a balance to achieve, but the best designers do it every day)?

Finally, do you like the look of them? Are the graphics an impactful experience, are the audiovisual elements eye and ear-catching, do you feel drawn to see what all the color and sound is about?

When you’re looking for that all-important designer, make sure you’re choosing one with visible products, long experience and the ability to maximize your business’s impact on the viewer in just a few seconds, which is all the time your exhibit has to catch the eye of the buyer.

The best of exhibition stand designers can do that, and the best is what you want.

Custom exhibition stands need only a small budget and a big imagination to make a whopping impact on your convention and trade show audiences.  And if you’re lacking in imagination, most of the exhibition stand contractors out there, both online and in your local area, have designers and artists with imagination to spare.

The whole idea originated with the traveling salesman, who whipped out his suitcase at your door or on the street corner, popped it open and had a ready-set display of his wares for perusal.  The custom built exhibition stand is designed to do exactly the same thing.  It comes as a series of “skeletons,” usually made of anodized aluminum which fold into your carrying case or onto a rolling cart for easy transportation to and from convention sites.

For those on a budget, once there, the stand literally unfolds itself.  The skeletons snap open, and any elements or media you want to hang onto them are slid or fastened into place in minutes.

It’s better, and more enticing, than a modular stand, because you (and the contractor you worked with), designed it yourself to curve, wave, stand up straight or otherwise invite the eye in a way that standard modular exhibits don’t.

And custom built means you designed it for long-term use and for multiple re-uses; you want to get the most bang for your customized buck out of this one.  That means designing for a model that will draw in customers at shows, showrooms, visitor and convention centers and marketing suites.

Still not sure?  Consider some of the elements of a custom built exhibition:

First, think of the design of your exoskeleton.  You can get the look of the “linear” wall (meaning the line that catches the customer’s eye, either in a “wave” (which replicates the curl of a wave) or a “curve” (which is even more attractive, especially if you want to create a unified effect with several together).

You can also get graphic panels (a footed perpendicular wall for hangings or screens) in straight or curved designs, which can hold banners or, in the more elaborate formats, screens for your LCD projector to cast images upon, to keep your exhibit alive and moving.

Second, consider the elements on the skeletons: banners, graphic panels, literature pieces, smaller items on wire panel stands, and the audio visual graphic post, a single pole that holds any number of media pieces.

You can even have a front counter, with you sitting, smiling and happy, behind it.  This can be custom designed in a curve, straight or elliptical form to grab the customers (not literally, now—settle down) and can sit in the prominent center of your customized exhibition as the interested people roll in to see your wares.  It’s better than the traveling salesman ever dreamed of.

So, consider looking into custom built exhibition stands, and the best contractor to create them, and get your business a name!

IAEE – Internation Association of Exhibition and Events

http://www.iaee.com/

ESCA – Exhibition Services and Contractors Association

http://www.esca.org/

ESSA – Event Supplier and Services Association

http://www.essa.uk.com/

AEO – Association of Event Organisers

http://www.aeo.org.uk/

TSNN – Trade Show News Network

http://www.tsnn.com/

Exhibitions.co.uk – Exhibition and Events Directory

http://www.exhibitions.co.uk/

Whenever you are given a chance to showcase your goods, services or your company in a trade show, go ahead and grab it! Participating in exhibitions is a great way to reach your potential clients, customers and investors as they will be given a hands-on experience on what your company offers.

In the United Kingdom and worldwide, exhibitions have been found to be a great way to turn your investments almost immediately into profits. Trade shows and conventions there have also proven that they have been effective selling environments due to the mass of people attending them. Studies have shown that 9 out 10 visitors have been more than convinced when they see, hear, feel and taste the goods and services doled out in an exhibition stand. However, before you start making your stand, you will need to remember a few pointers.

First, you have to be knowledgeable of the convention or event. Try to ask the organisers a lot of questions, especially the costs, how the event is to be promoted, the expected attendance (as well as last year’s, if this is a yearly thing), media coverage and, on a more technical standpoint, the measurements of the space to be provided for your stand.

Next, you might want to think of manpower, as this can be a pretty tiring experience. Appoint a show manager. He or she will have an overall responsibility of organizing the booth and your fellow exhibitors or staff. This could be you. You should also decide on a central objective. What are you trying to promote? A product? A service? Or will it be the company itself? This will help you gain a direction for your exhibition, thus making things a lot easier to manage.

Of course, all this preparation and work would not materialize without finances. Be sure that you are working within the bounds of a budget. Try to consider things such as security, transport, insurance and food costs. It’s good to add in a 5 per cent extra for unforeseen circumstances. If you’ve ticked everything in the checklist, then you can call in and book the site for the exhibit. Do this as early as possible and choose a great location in the show floor to get maximum coverage.

Consider Hiring Specialist Exhibition Stand Contractors

After doing this, you can craft your stand design or even hire exhibition stand contractors to do the work for you. Follow a single theme to create an image that will stick in the minds of the people easily. If you really want to stand out, have your own exhibition stand designed instead of using the typical booths that the trade show may provide.

Remember to plan ahead and to plan well. These are the things that you will have to do in order to have a successful exhibit and turn all that hard work into some well deserved profit or exposure.

Tips for Choosing Your Exhibition Stand Contractors

If you are planning your first exhibition or feel that the quality of your display at previous exhibitions was not quite as high as you would have liked, you may be in the market to hire exhibition stand contractors. With hundreds of firms competing for your business, it is important to know exactly what to look for to help you to narrow down your choice.

A great way to get an idea of what is available is to visit exhibitions and take time to wander around inspecting the stands. If you come across a design that you particularly like, ask the people running it for the contact details of the contractor that installed the display. Although you can simply search on the internet for details of companies who specialize in this kind of work, and see pictures of previous installations, nothing beats the first-hand experience of seeing a stand in action.

Exhibition Stand Designers

A lot of exhibition contractors will also often provide free consultation, quotes and more importantly designs. Meet them and provide an as in depth as possible brief of what you are looking for. If you like the designs, then you’re one step closer to them being the contractors for you as well as knowing they understand how to bring your goals to life.

A great-looking stand is one thing but it is even better if it has been put together by a team with a proven track record of increasing exposure and driving sales. If you find exhibition stand designers with a background of this kind of work, you will be on to a winner.

Experience and Services

Look for a contractor who has been established for some time and has a long track record in this sort of work. The more experience they have, the easier it will be for them to deal with any unforeseen problems that crop up before, during or after the exhibition.

Try to get added value by choosing a contractor with a wide breadth of knowledge. While some firms may excel at designing and constructing elegant displays, others can also bring a significant amount of marketing experience to the table.

Find out what sort of facilities the exhibition stand contractor you are investigating has on offer. If you decide to commission a large, modular exhibition stand that you can reuse, how much will they charge? Is transportation to the venue included or is that an additional fee. By ensuring you have as much information about the exact service they offer and the terms under which they do so, you’ll be able to compare quotes from rival firms on a like for like basis.

Find out whether your stand is covered by a warranty. Ideally you need either a warranty or exhibition stand insurance to save money in the long run. If a warranty is offered it shows that the contractor has faith in the products they are selling and that you are less likely to encounter any problems.

Once you have a shortlist of possibilities, speak to previous clients of the company to ensure they are fully reliable. There are all too many horror stories in the industry about exhibitors turning up at a venue only to find their stands are not ready, that the wrong graphics have been delivered or, horror of horrors, that the company name has been spelled wrong. By choosing a company that has a long track record of reliability, you can hopefully avoid any such nightmares.

Doing an exhibit and pulling it off successfully is quite a feat nowadays. You’ll need a lot of time, planning, resources and manpower in order to get the job done. Of course, this “difficulty” is all considerably heightened if you have competition from exhibitors in your chosen marketplace in the UK (or will have your exhibition stand put up there). Lucky for you, we have some pointers we could share in order to go toe-to-toe with some major UK competition while ensuring that your product reaches your target market.

First, what you may want to do is to check how much you or your company is willing to spend for an exhibition stand.  Take note that this money should be used with the growth of your business in mind, thus allowing you to have a mindset of not spending the money needlessly. This is where planning also steps in. Think of a great design or brief that will truly be attractive in the trade show or convention you’d be participating in. Making it so-so would be pointless, as visitors won’t bother visiting your exhibition stand if you don’t put an effort in making it – even if a thousands of people will attend.

You might want to choose a central theme for your exhibition design, so as not to make it look “scattered” or messy. Additionally, a single theme allows you to place a single message directed to your potential investors, making them remember a single idea as they throng through the multitude of exhibits in the convention. Try to make your design a memorable one so that it would stick in their minds. You could also supplement this by providing a really innovative flyer – one that they will want to look at again when they head home. This flyer should also be closely associated to your central theme, thus allowing your potential customers to remember your company better. Remember: single!

This theme may carry out to your next exhibition stands and company projects as well. As you stay consistent with one, effective theme for future endeavors or even future trade shows. Once customers see your theme stay consistent, they will readily identify you as ‘that’ company, which hopefully struck a chord in their minds. This can eventually lead to real sales and effective results after your exhibition.

In order to stand out, most companies nowadays utilize custom designed exhibits or stands. Having a custom built stand already puts you ahead of the pack – just make sure that your exhibit adheres to the different rules and regulations of the trade show.

To put the cherry on top of your exhibit cake, you may want to use a big and colorful yet professional looking signage on your exhibit stand. This makes it easily identifiable and already paints a picture on your potential client’s mind on what your company is all about, thus poking their interest. Just make sure to associate it with the theme. 

The Amazing Exhibitionists | Exhibition Stand Contractors & Exhibition Stand Design