What’s trending in exhibition stand design?

As we look forward to a new year, our exhibition stand design experts share what will be popular over the next 12 months when it comes to driving footfall and converting tradeshow visitors. 1. Smaller exhibition spaces Yes, for some exhibitors big is better, but that doesn’t have to be the case. We’re seeing more and more customers spend less money on floor space, and more on creating smaller stands that pack a punch. Maximising all the available space by using height, signage, suspended props, colour and clever technology, these stands are also easy to assemble, take down, transport and store. We’ve come a long way from the traditional pop-up banner when it comes to on-stand graphics for small spaces! Big ideas really can be found in small packages. For example, why not integrate a tower with a rotating sign that catches the eye? Just be sure to check if there’s a maximum stand height with the show organiser! Find out how our stand for Telesis was able to suit a space of 5m x 6m, but could also be re-configured to suit smaller areas including a 3m x 2m shell scheme. 2. Consistency The exhibition industry has always been international. But today, an increasing number of people are working across continents. Put simply, in a competitive global marketplace they go where the business is. In response, many companies can’t just exhibit locally if they want to generate new business. And, when it comes to exhibition stand design, the more consistent you are, the more likely it is that people will understand just what it is that makes you unique. So, while it can be tempting to use a different exhibition stand supplier in each country, this can have a negative impact on a brand’s consistency. Instead, we would recommend that, wherever possible, you use an exhibition stand partner that knows what it takes to work locally, nationally and internationally. Find out how our ViiV Healthcare exhibition stand was able to be used at two major HIV congresses, as well as being reconfigurable for additional future events. 3. Authentic exhibition experiences Over the last few years, visitor experience has become a crucial part of any exhibition strategy. So much so that at Apex we put it at the heart of our creative briefs. But, while providing added wow-factor remains popular, we’re also finding a growing trend towards delivering more realistic exhibition stand experiences. For example, to provide visitors with a real feel for your products or services, why not incorporate hands-on demo areas that truly allow your business to shine? This approach can be much more effective than just showing a video. And it will enable you to start valuable conversations with the people who are genuinely interested in what you do. Find out how our stand for NICEIC/ELECSA incorporated a retail area displaying merchandise, and individual information areas covering online certification, training courses, schemes, and technical stations. 4. Sustainable exhibition stands Sustainability is a hot topic when it comes to exhibition stand design. And, while this can throw up challenges, it is possible to have a greener exhibition experience while still creating a beautiful exhibition stand. From reusable and recyclable materials, to transport costs, digital signage and e-documents, improvements in sustainability not only result in greater efficiencies across the build, but they can also promote innovation and have a positive impact on your bottom line. 5. Personal exhibition experiences Personalisation is in vogue as businesses everywhere try to reconnect with customers on a one-to-one level. As such, exhibition aficionados are creating experiences that appeal to their customers – both on and offline. This includes creating shareable, immersive and disruptive experiences that put the individual at the heart of everything they do. One of the UK’s leading exhibition agencies, at Apex we are at the cutting-edge of our industry and know what it takes to create a successful exhibition stand – whatever your budget. To find out more about how we can keep you ahead of the competition, contact Apex today, or call on + 44 (0)1625 429370 to discuss your requirements in more depth.

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