Standing out against competitors and other attendees at a trade show is a challenge every company faces. You only have one chance to make a great first impression, and utilizing the latest design trends is key to differentiating your brand and getting noticed.
However, just because a design is trending doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for your booth. Every booth is different—trade show managers need to think about which trends will target the right audience and drive traffic.
Questions to Ask Before You Begin
When it’s time for a new trade show booth (or to revamp your old booth), you need to ask yourself what audience you’re targeting. Identifying the right audience for your brand is the number one way to figure out which design trends will work. For example, if your target audience is in the Millennial generation, consider implementing mobile and social media platforms into your booth’s design. Think digital signage that connects to visitors’ smartphones, posting tweets with your custom hashtag, and hosting a contest for a tech device giveaway.
Ask what your booth needs to send the right message and connect and engage with your audience. Do you want to showcase a new product or deliver a presentation, or do you need it to be an interactive symbol of your brand? Once you identify your main goal for the trade show, you can begin brainstorming design specifics.
A Look at 2016’s Design Trends
This year’s trade show booth design trends reflect the fact that we’re in the peak of the Digital Age. On top of the list for 2016’s current design trends are:
- Charging stations for visitors’ digital devices
- Interactive floor projections
- LED lighting
- Touchscreen digital signage
- Mobile technology
- Beacons
Beacons allow visitors to receive promotional messages on their smartphones via digital technology, based on their location. For example, when a visitor on the trade show floor comes near your booth, he or she can automatically receive a promotional message from your brand detailing what products you’re offering. Technology trends continue to reach new heights and levels of innovation at trade shows, wowing visitors with interactive digital experiences.
Remember, what’s right for your booth’s design depends on the contents of your booth, your target audience, and your marketing objectives. Custom-designing your booth is the only way to ensure it hits its mark with the right design trends for the right audience.
Need help designing a top-notch exhibit for your next trade show? We’re here to help! Rockway Exhibits is a premier trade show exhibit production company located in Orlando, FL. From the initial design to production and show floor services, we work with our clients every step of the way to ensure the experience is seamless.