Anyone who's handled setup of a trade show display knows that it can be a difficult process. When you arrive at the convention, you'll likely be competing with others for parking around the unloading zone, forcing you to either leave your display unattended, or leave your vehicle unattended and parked illegally. Even if you use a type of exhibit known for portability, like a banner stand or tabletop exhibit, carrying it can be difficult. In order to ensure that you maximize efficiency of setup, plan ahead of time and think outside the box.

Problem #1: A Large Banner Stand Is Difficult To Carry

When the unloading zone is too crowded, many exhibitors will opt to park further away and carry in their exhibit. If your banner stand can be hand carried, this is a wise move: it will almost always get you into the convention and set up faster than waiting to unload. However, if you don't carefully plan the design of your banner stand, you risk creating something too large to move easily.

Solution: A Three-Part Banner Stand

Instead of using one very wide banner stand, try using a three-part exhibit instead. Combine three smaller individual banner stands, placing them side by side to create a single unified exhibit. This strategy opens up virtually endless design possibilities. You can use the center banner stand as a constant promotion for your company, but change out the other two panels as needed or simply as desired. The flexibility of this design makes it great for companies that require frequent updates to their convention presence, and it certainly has a strong visual impact.

Perhaps the most important feature of this exhibit style is how easily it can be carried. Depending on the dimensions you choose for each part of it, you can likely fit the entire thing into a suitcase with room to spare. Alternatively, some exhibitors will choose to simply carry parts of the exhibit over their shoulder, leaving a briefcase or small suitcase free for the various accessories that are always helpful at a trade show.

Problem #2: Leaving Your Exhibit Unattended Is Unwise

Although the crowds of people at a convention can be exciting, you don't want to leave your pop up displays where just about anyone from that crowd could reach them, move them, or possibly tamper with them. Yet if you're the lone exhibitor at your booth and you don't get extremely lucky at the unloading zone, that's exactly what could happen.

Solution: Focus On Something You Can Carry By Hand

Many exhibitors are surprised to learn that pop up displays can be hand carried with ease, even by a solo presenter. The key to ensuring maximum portability is to choose a design that features lightweight metal. Pop up displays can be made with a lighter-grade metal than a more traditional booth design because of the smaller weight load on a popup, but even lighter grades of metal may be available upon request.

After You Take Delivery, Do A Test Carry

Once you have the new pop up displays in hand, try carrying them as you would to the convention. You should mimic the exact circumstances as carefully as possible so that you won't be surprised on the day of the trade show. You'll know ahead of time whether your present suitcase just doesn't carry well, or if your planned briefcase is too small. Any issues you might have on the day of the show will be dealt with ahead of time, leaving you to enjoy convention day stress-free.