The 411

Research and planning. Start early – even as far as a year out. Learn all the costs involved to identify a budget for the entire event.  Plan to spend about 30% for space on the showroom floor and 10-20% for a trade show display. Beginning early will likely reward you with better prices and location options.

It’s imperative to choose a team you trust to execute your vision on budget. While researching a potential partner, focus on experience, reputation and flexibility to execute what is required to meet your goals with your trade show exhibit.

After a trade show booth design has been approved, our team fully fabricates the final product in-house, using state-of-the-art equipment and CNC machinery. We have our own facility, which offers us complete control of the process.

A custom trade show exhibit is a display booth designed and constructed from scratch. Conceived and built to include specifically desired elements and features, the structure is the sole property of the purchaser. It is stored when not in use, transported to and from events, and occasionally refurbished with updated graphics. The average owned custom exhibit lasts about 5 years.

It isn’t an issue of one being better than the other, but more that each serves a different set of circumstances. Creating your own exhibit makes sense if trade shows are a significant component of your marketing strategy and your business will be exhibiting multiple times a year. If the shows you are attending are large, you want to make sure your booth attracts attention and has a better chance of standing out. Designing your own also ensures the display will meet all your needs, regardless of the event.

Because it is built specifically for your business, you have full control over how your brand image is presented.  Owning your own custom exhibit also means always knowing its dimensions, capabilities and limitations; there will never be unhappy surprises when you arrive at an event. Feeling comfortable and confident when attending a trade show results in being able to focus on why you are there to begin with: networking, education, and actually building your business.

The design and build of an original, permanent structure can be a significant cost. The average lifespan of a trade show booth is about 5 years, so the investment should be determined by evaluating how often it will be used and at what kinds of events. If shows are few and smaller in size, it might be smarter to opt for a rental instead.

Of course it varies depending on the size, but the general average is about 8 weeks. We request 2 weeks to design and 6 weeks to build.

After each use, inspect the structure inside and out before it is dismantled. Look for any tears in the fabric or potential issues beyond the usual gentle wear and tear. Relay concerns to your IGE Project Manager, who can help trouble-shoot any potential problems. A well-made exhibit shouldn’t require much maintenance if designed and built by a reputable team.

If you don’t expect the need to invest in a permanent structure but still want something tailored to your brand, we offer rental options that we can customize.

A rental trade show display is an exhibit or booth leased from existing inventory. Some rental companies (including IGE) offer customization services, such as branding and personalized graphics.

There are several reasons to consider renting versus purchasing a display. Foremost, rentals are good options for small and midsize businesses that have limited funds. When you’re done exhibiting at the event, a rental is returned to the trade show company, which avoids the cost of storage. Rental booths are also recommended for last minute shows and for businesses that only exhibit on occasion.

When using a rental, treat it as if it were yours, and notify your IGE partner if any components seem a cause for concern. Fortunately, a rental alleviates you from too much liability.

Anything other than the structure must be rented or supplied by the booth owner. This includes TVs, furniture, plants and so forth. If rentals are needed, clients can make arrangements on their own, coordinate with the event Show Services Manager, or contract with IGE to handle it.

A client can always contract with their own preferred carrier, or enlist IGE. We partner with trusted freight providers to make sure everything is delivered on time and in perfect condition.

No. The cost of the exhibit is only that. The expense of show services varies by event state, so these are always charged separately.

Typical options include working with the event Show Services Coordinator or hiring an independent provider. When we design and build your exhibit, you can also contract with us to handle the set-up and related services. IGE will plan, coordinate, organize, direct, control and leverage all the show services you need. These include: Onsite Supervision, Rigging, Installation and Dismantle, Electrical, Internet-Wifi, Audio-Visual, Cleaning, Security, Storage, Logistics and Furniture Rental.

Some companies have their own storage facility or rent one on their own. IGE has storage capabilities here in Denver, as well as in several other locations around the country.