How To Determine Your Trade Show Exhibit Portability Needs - By: Chris Harmen

Most companies don't need a 100% portable trade show display. It's common for companies to travel for conventions, but that doesn't mean that they require the more expensive style of trade show booth. When the economy was more robust and businesses had more funding, picking the right level of portability was less crucial. Now, however, most companies are cutting back, and purchasing a less expensive trade show exhibit would be a welcome change. Although some businesses will still decide that a more expensive mobile unit is their best choice, many other companies may discover that they don't need as much mobility as they thought.

Question 1: How Often Do We Travel?

This basic question is fundamentally important for designing your display. If your company travels less than once a year, having a highly portable exhibit is much less of a priority. Even a less portable unit is going to be easily packed, shipped, unpacked, and reassembled; don't assume that you require mobility simply because you're going to ship it to a convention every so often.

In contrast, if you plan on traveling to multiple exhibitions every month, or even just for one weekend a month, reliably, you should absolutely look at more portable options. For you, the main question will be what size your display should be, because size is the variable that will impact cost the most.

Question 2: How Big Should My Trade Show Booth Be?

Whether you need a mobile unit or not, size is another big consideration. As you choose a larger exhibit, two things happen: the price goes up, and the portability tends to go down. Larger units can have a bigger impact, but the significant drawbacks make it worth reconsidering. If your company travels regularly, a large unit will require significant effort to ship, and will be significantly expensive to move. You should only invest in one if your company has the funds to support that kind of budget. If you've got any doubts, purchase something that you can easily ship anywhere for the foreseeable future. There's nothing worse than having a big, bold trade show exhibit that you can't use because you can't afford to ship it.

On the other hand, if you choose a small display, you're going to get something more portable by default. Some are even small enough that they can be folded up into a suitcase, or fold themselves up into a briefcase with a built-in handle. If you are traveling solo and focus more on presentations to clients than on an actual trade show booth, this option may be great for you.

Question 3: How Many People Will Be Setting Up The Trade Show Display?

The more people that set up, the more people you'll be paying for their time. A very extravagant booth can take a small army of people to get it ready, and it can take some time for them to get it done right. If funds are tight, a simple display is the best idea. If it can be set up by one or two staff members and still look great, this is ideal.

Making The Decision

Ultimately, you need to weigh each point that's been mentioned here, and then make the best choice you can. When in doubt, it is usually better to choose a less expensive and smaller option because it provides you more flexibility. You can always add a banner stand later if you're unhappy, or do some simple re-customization. Even if you decide to buy the larger trade show display that you were considering, you can still use the smaller one for select conventions, or to permit your company to present at two exhibitions simultaneously. No matter what you choose, you'll see benefits.

About the Author

Chris Harmen writes for Skyline, a leading Florida trade show exhibit producer. Skyline offers a low cost Orlando trade show display that will last for years.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Chris-Harmen/89665

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