While there are many benefits to trade show rental programs, it still pays to do your homework in the process of determining; A – if renting is appropriate for your company and B – who will be your rental provider.

That being said, there are many factors that contribute to your decision-making process. And one of the most important areas to think about is trade show booth materials, structures and ancillary elements.

Know What Your Exhibit House Can AND Can’t Provide

While that might seem like we’re stating the obvious, you’d be surprised by how many client’s enter into trade show rental programs only to find out that materials, structures or other rental assets simply aren’t available to them.

Be sure to talk to your rental provider about what exactly they are able to provide, and what limitations may be in place due to inventory, timing or cost.

How Structure Can Make or Break Your Rental Deal

The structural elements your trade show rental booth provider has in stock or is willing to build/purchase can have a major impact on whether they are the right firm for you or not. In addition, asking questions related to their ability to mix and match assets, which your company may already own, with those that you’ll be renting is important.

Also, understanding if the specific exhibit system that your provider utilizes may make it difficult to integrate with other systems or custom components could be critical to the overall design you’re trying to achieve.

Be sure to ask the right questions about the availability and flexibility of your providers rental exhibit system before signing on the dotted line. It can make or break the success of your show!

Having Access to the Right Materials and Accessories is Important

Once you’re sure your rental exhibit provider can outfit your company with the appropriate structure – be sure they have access to the right materials, accessories and furnishings to top it off.

Do they carry the latest selection of tensioned-fabric frames and materials? How about a variety of finishes, color palettes and other options? And if a specific component isn’t in their inventory, are they willing to find and acquire it? And how much does that cost?

These and questions related to the availability of accessories, furnishings and lighting should all be answered.

At the end of the day, just as if you’re purchasing your exhibit, you have to do your homework and be sure that your rental exhibit provider will be able to supply your company with the structure, materials and components that will make your booth a show-stopper, and achieve your objectives!

Like to learn more about how ColorCraft can outfit your trade show rental property with the latest in structure and materials? Contact us today, and we’ll help turn your rental trade show program into a truly custom experience.

At DesignShop, now ColorCraft, we are proud of the exceptional, innovative projects we create for our clients. We love to work on museum exhibit design but one special project stands out for our team.

In 2012 DesignShop was chosen to help launch the Space Shuttle Pavilion at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum at Pier 86 in Manhattan – new home to NASA’s first space shuttle, Enterprise. The Enterprise was the 1976 prototype space shuttle orbiter that inspired the shuttles that followed. We were privileged to be included in such an important part of America’s achievements.

The Space Shuttle Pavilion consists of a 38-foot long by 17-foot high observation platform that allows guests to get up close and personal with this incredible piece of America’s history. DesignShop was honored to create the graphic pieces for the grand entry and exit walls of the observation platform.

In addition to the exhibit fabrications, DesignShop worked with the Intrepid Museum to

develop a “Sponsor a Star” donation wall with interactive kiosks that display special

animations for donors that support the Project Enterprise initiative – an effort to provide funding for programming surrounding the shuttle and to build a permanent home for the shuttle. To make a donation and be part of history, click here

From Assistant General Manager Wendi Ward, “Being a part of the team that brought the historic space shuttle Enterprise to the Intrepid Museum had an impact on me personally and professionally. As a Floridian, the space shuttle program had a significant impact on me growing up, as we were able to see each launch from our backyards. I remember watching them all in real-time, including the tragic Challenger launch and Columbia re-entry. Because of my love and awe of the accomplishments of the space shuttle program, being involved with making a piece of it a permanent part of our American history and facilitating the ability for others to learn about the accomplishments and significance of this important part of American and Florida’s history made me proud to be a part of the DesignShop team that made that possible.” 

The gratification our team felt can be summed up by Lauren Shure, DesignShop’s National Account Manager, “The Space Shuttle Enterprise Pavilion at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum was the first time a project I was involved in was broadcast on television for the world to see. It’s rare to touch so many people on such a grand scale with something I do every day at work. Knowing that people from around the world were going to celebrate and enjoy the immersive environment I helped to create to commemorate our first test flight into NASA’s Space Shuttle Program is an honor I will never forget.” 

Unfortunately, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum sustained damage during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Good news – the museum was able to reopen just six weeks later. Great news – the Space Shuttle Pavilion at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is scheduled to reopen July 10, 2013.

We encourage you to plan a visit if you are ever in New York.  Visit http://www.intrepidmuseum.org

You enter the trade show exhibit hall and are immediately overwhelmed with hundreds of exhibitors. You get the map. You know exhibitors will try to lure you in with samples, the smell of popcorn, a magician, comfy chairs, the dreaded prize wheel – but you have a plan. You will start at the far end and walk up and down the aisles. You promise yourself you will not get distracted.

And then after awhile it hits you – I missed an aisle – How did I end up here? I think I’m wandering aimlessly. Was it the colors of this booth or was I excited to see XYZ company? What happened to my plan!?

Relax, don’t be so hard on yourself. Maybe you weren’t exactly wandering aimlessly, maybe you were being guided. What? Yes, subconsciously guided by the patterns in the carpet……

Think about it. When you walk around the hall, you see the 24 foot hanging signs and they catch your eye but they are not the last thing you see when you approach an exhibit – you are probably looking right in front of you or down at the floor.

As an exhibitor, think about how you use the space you’ve paid for – all of the space – including the flooring. With dual-color contour cuts in the carpet, corporate identification and messaging in your carpeting, you can visually organize patterns to guide visitors and illustrate products.

Don’t just think carpeting – think custom trade show flooring – what about faux wood flooring? Synthetic flooring is durable, resistant to stains and versatile. You can get your flooring with a bit of backing to make it comfortable for your exhibitors who are on their feet all day. So thoughtful of you.

Just as you have guided visitors to your exhibit booth, you can offer a subconscious reminder that you are a step above the competition by using a raised floor to create that feeling. Raised flooring also offers you the practicality of running wires or plumbing under your exhibit – handy.

Now go back to your plan and walk up and down the aisles. Or don’t. Why don’t you see where the custom trade show flooring takes you?