Every company wants to have a trade show design that stands out on the convention floor and drives traffic right to them. This competition for the visitor's eye makes it tough for any one booth to command attention; in fact, many visitors end up confused by the sheer mass of trade show displays on the floor and can hardly decide where to go. By adding some simple elements to your trade show design, you can get a much bigger impact without a bigger price tag.

Tip 1: Feature Your Product High Above The Crowd

The fastest way to drive traffic to your booth is to show visitors exactly what they can do there. If you're debuting a new product, that product should be visible above the heads of the crowd. People need to see it before they get close to the booth. It needs to draw them in. This is a particularly effective tactic if your product has moving parts. If you can set up the product on top of your exhibit and let it actually move, you will be able to attract visitors from across the exhibition floor.

However, remember that you can't reliably project sound without the use of headphones. If your product is sound-based, don't count on it having enough volume to be heard over the noise. Trade show displays are usually set up in a very large building with high ceilings, very conducive to a lot of crowd noise. It is generally impossible to pick out one sound from the roar, even if you know what it is you're listening for. Visual statements are the best way to attract visitors.

Tip 2: Use Text Wisely On Trade Show Displays

Trade show design often features boards crammed with text in an attempt to communicate as much information as possible in a small space. Although this technique might seem attractive and may even be the conventional wisdom, you'll get better results from a more modern and spare organization. Your design should be structured around bullet points and short paragraphs of no more than a few sentences; otherwise, you will have people waiting too long to read the full text. Provide easy access to more information through brochures or website links, but ensure there is never a text overload on the booth itself.

Tip 3: Think Outside The Trade Show Design Box

Many marketing professionals think of an exhibit as a box where things can only be arranged around the edges. This traditional model will work, but it can be rearranged for more effective traffic flow. Consider who needs to move through your exhibit area. Can you construct it such that your visitors move through it like a museum exhibit or a timeline, where a lot of information is imparted quickly? Or would you benefit from having a number of terminals in the open area to feature your various products? In many cases, even purchasing additional design elements such as walls or freestanding pedestals can be more affordable than you would think.