What To Look For When Buying A Custom Island Exhibit
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Tips For Purchasing Custom Displays For Trade Shows
The good news is that there are now more options for the buyer. Even better is the fact that pricing on custom system exhibits is still much lower than start from scratch plywood customs. The challenge, however, is for you to figure out how to get the most exhibit for your budget (hopefully you have one) that will be functional, aesthetically pleasing and well branded. This page is designed to provide some clues as to what is available and as to how you might start.
One of the most important starting places is to figure out what you need to spend in order to make yourself noticed next to your competition. For this reason, some sample prices are included. To be clear, all of the links lead to my company's web site for two reasons; 1) Ours includes sample pricing and 2) Promotion. I admit that it is a little self serving. Please take this into consideration. I encourage you to also look at other web sites. I started out as a Credentialed Secondary Teacher (History) in California, and still enjoy the role of the teacher.
Are Custom Trade Show Displays Still Worth The Money?
Custom Displays Can Be Cool..... And Pricy
$14,800.00
It is quite common to want to stand out from the crowd. At the following link, you will see several cool 10 x 10 custom trade show displays, including this one for the iPhone.
This is not an island exhibit but it may help you to have a starting point. You don't have to spend this amount of money on a 10' exhibit. You can get by for a lot less. Still, if being cool is a part of your company image, it might be money well spent. Particularly when you spread the expense out over a few years. If having a booth that can ship via UPS is important, for $1200.00 you can ship in smaller cases.
Truss Displays Are Now More Portable
Trade Show Truss: A Nice Mid-Budget, Multi-Purpose Solution
$5-7,000.00
An exhibit category that didn't exist only a few years ago are Trade Show Truss systems. They are available in a variety of kits that include lights, graphic production, and shipping cases. Custom designs can be done.
Think you may be interested in truss? Truss provides an upgraded look from the less expensive Pop up displays, which has now been around for nearly 30 years. Truss is very functional, sturdy enough to hold large plasma screens and other products and at the same time display graphics very well. The pack out is not as convenient as a Pop up or simple panel system, but the more sophisticated your booth, the more likely it is that you are going to compromise the ease of shipping.
Truss is modular, meaning the components that go into a 10' system can later be incorporated in a custom island truss exhibit.
Upside: Sturdy looking, a step up from what most starter companies purchase. Functional. Good with graphics. Good choice if you need plasmas.
Downside: Set up is doable by one person but might be challenging. Shipping is more expensive than a pop because truss is heavy but comparable to the higher end customs.
Economical Portable Pop Up Displays
Prices Have Dropped To Under $2000.00, But It Still Delivers
$1200.00 to $2000.00.
Portable pop up displays remain a very viable option for both established companies like Amazon and for start up companies. They chould be listed in wikipedia.com as a definition of the word "portable". They pack into shipping cases that can ship via UPS, they set up in under 30 minutes (for most people) and, especially with mural graphic panels, they still excel at commanding a space and communicating a message. The popularity of the portable pop up display is also a down side. There will be a lot of them at a large show, making it more challenging to stand out in a crowd. Amazon uses them for smaller regional shows like those in hotels and smaller convention venues. Nonetheless, given that you can spend $1000.00 renting one from a show, they remain an excellent value if you are testing the trade show waters or building your business.
Custom Island Exhibits
Truss Exhibits versus Custom Exhibits
$40,000 and up
The place to start with a custom island exhibit is with a check list and a budget. You can waste a lot of your time if you don't provide an exhibit company with a list of the elements you need and a price framework. Next, figure out what you need in your booth. Do you need work stations, a presentation area, product display areas, storage, counters, high visibility, conference rooms. How is your product best displayed?
The less expensive way into an island is, again, with a truss island booth , which will save you about 1/3 or more of the cost of a custom laminate system.
Double Deck Exhibits: The Fun Of Going Up, Up, Up
Multilevel Exhibits Are Impressive Marketing Tools
They are not for every company. Not only is there the initial expense in purchasing a Double Deck Exhibit, but there will be the ongoing shipping and set up costs to consider. However, there is nothing quite like sitting at a conference table on the second floor and looking around the exhibit hall. It is darn impressive. The booth conveys a sense of class, leadership and, importantly, a willingness to stand out in a crowd.
Figure $100,000.00 plus.
