Autumn’s here, which means exhibition season is in full swing. Across the UK, venues are buzzing, from local SME expos like the popular Doncaster Business Showcase to the big sector shows at The NEC or Excel. Stands are being dusted off, banners rolled out, and everyone’s jostling for those prime spots.
But before you throw yourself into a sea of lanyards and leaflets, pause for a brew. Exhibitions aren’t just about turning up, they’re about turning up well. That’s where a few smart exhibition stand tips can make all the difference.
The competition’s always fierce, and with so many people walking the floor, you’ve only got a moment to grab attention. The businesses that stick in people’s minds aren’t usually the ones with the biggest freebies or the flashiest graphics. They’re the ones with a clear purpose, a story worth telling, and a plan that carries on long after the stand’s been packed away.
Exhibition stand tips: start with purpose, not graphics
If your stand isn’t doing anything, it’s just expensive furniture taking up space. One of the most overlooked exhibition stand tips is this: goals first, graphics later. Are you chasing leads, raising your profile, launching a shiny new product, or simply keeping clients sweet? Get clear on that early and the rest; your stand, your message, even the freebies fall into place.
Think of it like driving. You wouldn’t jump in the car, start the engine, and then decide whether you’re heading to the seaside or the supermarket. Without a plan, you’re just burning petrol and hoping you end up somewhere useful.
Trade show tips: focus on your audience first
And let’s be honest, who’s actually walking those aisles? New customers hunting for answers? Industry peers snooping on the competition? Or big decision-makers weighing up their options? Once you know what makes them tick; their challenges, quirks, and wish-lists you can pitch your story their way.
Because here’s the truth: exhibitions are busy, noisy, and a bit overwhelming. If your message doesn’t land in seconds, they’ll be off to the next stand with a bowl of free pens and Haribo and you’ll just be left tidying up wrappers.
Exhibition planning: budget smart, with foresight and flexibility
Exhibition budgets have a habit of running away with you if you don’t keep a grip. It’s not just the stand and graphics; there’s the collateral, staff, logistics, hotels, trains, even the overpriced sandwiches at the venue. It all piles up quicker than you think.
Be realistic, but don’t just think about this one show. A modular stand or reusable kit might sting a bit more up front, but it’ll pay for itself if you’re doing the rounds. The best budget isn’t the cheapest, it’s the one that gets the job done and doesn’t leave you nursing a financial hangover on the train home.
Exhibition stand design: choosing the right type for your goals
Pop-up, modular, shell scheme, bespoke… there’s no magic “best” option. It all comes down to what you’re trying to achieve, what you’ve got to spend, and how often you’re dragging yourself round the exhibition circuit.
- Pop-up or fabric stands: Easy to lug about, quick to throw up, and won’t rinse the budget.
- Modular: Costs a bit more, but you can reuse and rejig it to fit whatever random space you’re lumped with next time.
- Bespoke: All the bells and whistles, guaranteed to turn heads, but brace yourself, your bank balance will feel it.
Think beyond the show right in front of you. The clever choice is the one that earns its keep across multiple events, not the one-hit wonder that looks good for a couple of days and then lives in a dusty corner of the office next to the broken pull-up banner.
Exhibition stand design that delivers
Your stand’s basically your shop window. It should shout who you are before anyone’s even stepped foot in your space. If your colours, fonts and tone don’t match up, people notice and not in a good way. Consistency is what makes you look credible, not chaotic.
Keep the layout open and welcoming. Nobody wants to squeeze into a cluttered cave of roller banners, or see staff slumped behind a table looking like they’d rather be anywhere else. And don’t forget the lighting. It’s not just so you can see, it’s theatre.
Point the spotlight where you want people to look and make the important stuff impossible to miss.
Exhibition graphics and messaging tips
Exhibition halls are noisy, and not just with people talking. Everywhere you look it’s logos, posters, and stands all shouting for attention. If your graphics aren’t bold, simple and memorable, they’ll melt into the background faster than yesterday’s coffee.
Bin the text-heavy walls. Nobody’s pausing mid-aisle to read War and Peace on your roller banner. Go for sharp headlines, clean visuals, and clever placement.
And don’t forget, you’ve got more to play with than just eye level; floors, ceilings, hanging signs… use them to pull people in before they wander off to the stand with the flashing lights and the free pens.
Exhibition engagement tips: how to draw people in
A stand that only shows information is a missed opportunity. Create reasons for people to stop, linger, and talk to you. Think demos, samples, comfy seating, or even just well-prepared staff ready for genuine conversations.
People rarely remember the flyer they stuffed in their bag, but they’ll remember how your team made them feel.
Exhibition stand tips: create connections with multi-sensory design
If your stand only talks to the eyes, it risks being forgettable. Bring in textures, sound, scent, or tactile giveaways. A branded notebook might get used daily; a fresh coffee might spark a chat. It’s these sensory touches that leave lasting memories.
Exhibition collateral tips: make handouts work harder
Your handouts shouldn’t just be stuff you dish out and pray someone looks at later. We’ve all seen the endless pens, mugs and stress balls; nobody ever signed a deal because of a squishy toy. Most of it ends up in a drawer or the bin by the exit.
Your brochures, flyers or downloads need to actually say something and tie back to your bigger story. Keep them consistent, clear and useful, not just filler.
But here’s the kicker: the paper (or digital) on its own won’t do the hard work. The real win is in the data you collect. QR codes, lead forms, badge scanners, competitions, or even the trusty clipboard and pen. Whatever you pick, make sure you’re bagging names, numbers and emails. Otherwise, your beautiful collateral’s just a very expensive one-way street… straight to nowhere.
Exhibition planning tips: don’t forget the logistics
The glamour of an exhibition vanishes fast if your stand doesn’t arrive on time, or you’re left with missing screws at setup. Plan transport, storage, and installation carefully. If you’re doing multiple shows, think about how to reuse components for efficiency and sustainability.
Trade show tips: measure success and follow up fast
This is the part most businesses forget. Exhibitions aren’t over when the stand comes down they’re only just beginning.
- Measure engagement: How many people stopped at your stand? How many worthwhile conversations did you have?
- Qualify leads: Not all data is created equal. Tag contacts by interest level so your follow-up is smarter.
- Follow up fast: A two-week delay kills momentum. Have emails, LinkedIn connections, or calls lined up to go out within days.
Exhibitions are expensive. If you’re not tracking ROI through data and follow-up, you’re leaving money (and relationships) on the table.
Exhibition support with Make a Brew
We’ve got you… we’ll sort the creative and the practical. From ideas and planning frameworks through to design and stand supply. Whether it’s a pull-up banner or a full curved display, plus all the matching collateral to tie it together. We’ll even help you map out a budget that actually works outside of a spreadsheet.
What we don’t do: AV and 3D rendering. If you want flashing screens or some fancy animation, that’s someone else’s gig. But don’t panic, we know good people who can help.
What we do best: cutting the faff. Clarity, creativity, ideas and brand strategy that makes sure your stand isn’t just a big box with your logo stuck on. It’s a proper tool that carries your brand, starts conversations, and keeps working for you long after you’ve packed the roller banners back in the car.
Exhibition halls are noisy, frantic and full of “look at me” stands. But with the right plan, the right design and a few practical exhibition stand tips, you can turn that chaos into one of the strongest plays in your marketing mix.
So if you don’t want your stand to be just another pretty backdrop, let’s talk. With Make a Brew, you’ll get a concept that’s smart, a plan that’s practical, and a design that’s bang on brand.
And yes, the kettle’s on. Fancy booking a brew?
