Do all your trade show booths look the same? Are you starved for exciting, new trade show booth ideas? Are attendees bored out of their minds, and are sponsors experiencing worse and worse engagement?
As a conference or trade show director, helping your sponsors create a more engaging booth design will result in more event-day traffic for them, as eye-catching design is the number one factor leading to more leads.
Why booth design matters
Because 82% of trade show attendees have buying authority, you want to make sure you impress them. A boring booth might not stand out, which is why most companies spend at least two months preparing their booth ahead of the trade show.
That’s why your goal should be to encourage your sponsors to put time and effort into making their booths eye-catching, interactive, and unique. Your sponsors will see a better return on investment, and you’ll be able to keep them coming back (and even charge them more) for your next event.
Here are 35 creative trade show booth ideas to share with your sponsors to help them stand out.
Visual booth design ideas
Visual booth design is important because it’s usually the first thing visitors notice when they walk by. Studies even show that people will remember visual elements while forgetting the text written on them. Note these visual booth design ideas to ensure your first impression is strong!
1. Declutter your design
Design experts often say that white space is a very effective way to help your graphics and company logo really pop. Don’t try to include too many images or feel you have to go crazy with big screens. A simple, clean look with a few striking graphics will be more inviting.
Why event experts recommend this: Just as your copy should communicate your value in a few words, your design should focus on what matters most. Keeping things simple focuses your audience where you want their attention.
2. Choose crisp, clean, and consistent colours
A vibrant colour scheme that matches the brand colours can help draw eyes toward a booth, but beware of bright colour overload. You don’t want to distract from your message with crazy patterns or a rainbow of neon colours. Too many bright and saturated colours will overstimulate attendees’ eyes, straining their eyes and making them not want to look at your booth at all.
Why event experts recommend this: As with any event design, colours are a powerful communicator. A crisp, clean palette gives a professional air while catching people’s attention.
3. Backlit canvases
By backlighting a canvas, you can project brand-relevant imagery on the walls of your booth without worrying about getting in the way of the projector. While this requires specialised equipment, it’s a perfect way to make your trade show display stand out.
Why event experts recommend this: Backlit canvases are a perfect way to set up a flexible, unique booth display. They let you change your display depending on your needs or project branded video ads.
4. Large-scale installations & artworks
A large installation can be a great way to call attention to your booth. A mascot or work of art based on your branding can raise brand awareness while staying tasteful.
Why event experts recommend this: Large-scale installations are a built-in talking point and an advertisement. They also show you’re serious about your booth and willing to put your money where your mouth is.
5. Motion sensors & depth cameras
Motion sensors and depth cameras detect and respond to attendees’ movements in the booth. If you implement them correctly, you can create an immersive, attention-grabbing booth experience.
Why event experts recommend this: Motion sensors and depth cameras can create phenomenal booths that will have people talking well after the convention. They also let you show off your products in uniquely interactive ways.
6. Fog machines
They aren’t just for concerts! Fog machines can produce a dense, low-lying layer of fog that can add a dramatic effect to the booth’s overall look and feel. This can help attract more attention, especially from across the show floor.
Why event experts recommend this: A well-placed fog machine could introduce a sense of drama to your booth. As long as you use it tastefully, fog is its own advertisement.
7. Floor projections
Floor projections are customisable effects that allow you to display images or videos on your booth’s floor. They’re often interactive, so for example, you can walk over sand and see it sink beneath your feet or splash around in the projected water.
Why event experts recommend this: This doesn’t just add to your booth’s atmosphere, it can also help guide visitors through your booth or provide more immersive information in every direction.
8. Keep branded booth copy clear and concise
People are drawn to booths that either pique their curiosity or speak directly to something they’re interested in. In other words, trying to be too abstract or quirky can backfire. Encourage sponsors to come up with a short tagline or slogan that defines their brand and serves as an introduction to their products.
Why event experts recommend this: Branded booth copy is your advertisement to the rest of the attendees. With intriguing, precise copy that communicates your offer clearly, you can attract a much larger audience.
9. LED strip lighting
One of the most modern and popular ways to light up a trade show booth is with LED strip lighting. In addition to being bright and low-energy, LED strips are customisable, so you can change their colours and even programme movements to match your booth setup and branding.
Why event experts recommend this: LED strips are a simple, effective way to both light up your booth and add to the experience.
Interactive booth design ideas
One of the best ways to make sure visitors remember your booth is to incorporate interactive elements. These interactive booth design ideas will take your trade show booth to the next level!
10. Touchscreen kiosks
Touchscreen kiosks provide individual spaces for your visitors to interact with pre-programmed touchscreens. The touchscreens provide a more immersive brand experience and even let the trade show attendees choose what information, videos, or other media they’re most interested in.
Why event experts recommend this: Touchscreens let you engage your audience’s senses and individualise the booth experience for each of your potential customers. They’re highly interactive, customisable, and memorable.
11. Interactive contests & quizzes
Whether it’s trivia, a raffle, or even an app-based quiz, interactive quizzes and contests are becoming more popular with trade show booths.
Why event experts recommend this: By rewarding guests for coming to your booth and learning about you, you’ll get more visitors, and they’ll learn a lot more about what you have to offer.
12. Booth games
Let attendees have some fun! Build a game into your booth. It can be anything, for example, a ring toss funfair game or a prize wheel.
Why event experts recommend this: Trade shows can get a bit boring, so livening things up with a game will bring in a larger crowd and give your visitors a lasting impression of the booth.
13. Incorporate a cool offer or freebie
Whether it’s a charging station, free Wi-Fi, or a unique piece of swag, incentivise people to walk over to your exhibit booth.
Why event experts recommend this: Swag is popular because it works! People come home from conventions with T-shirts, pens, USB drives, and a variety of other branded knickknacks and remember the company they’re from because of them.
14. Customisable crafts
Crafts can vary from folding together some paper or glueing a model to etching or 3D printing some custom swag. Customisable crafts are a great way to make your exhibition booth stand out.
Why event experts recommend this: People are much more likely to keep items they’ve made themselves. After the convention, customisable crafts leave your visitors with a lasting memory and a branded item they’ll have a hard time throwing out.
15. Social media wall
A social media wall is a running feed of all social media mentions of your company or product. Attendees can use it to see what others think about the booth, and it also gives immediate gratification to people mentioning you on their social media accounts.
Why event experts recommend this: Social media walls have two key advantages: they reward social media mentions and prompt in-person conversations. According to one study, digital displays like social media walls increased the time people spent in shops by 30%, and they have similar effects in trade show booths as well.
16. Hands-on demonstrations
Demonstrations allow your visitors to get up close and personal with your product. They work especially well if you can show off an interesting mechanism or intuitive user interface design in new products.
Why event experts recommend this: Event experts recommend hands-on demonstrations because they help to create a more engaging and immersive experience for attendees. Typically, these types of demonstrations break down the walls between visitors and businesses, allowing attendees to experience and understand the product firsthand.
Social booth design ideas
Social booth design is fantastic because it encourages attendees to connect with each other, share their experiences, and build relationships. Here are some social booth design ideas to promote interaction and engagement:
17. Brand ambassador system
Train your staff to become brand ambassadors. Designate certain members of staff as authorities on the product and have them engage visitors in conversation.
Why event experts recommend this: Brand ambassadors provide an opportunity for booth visitors to get a better understanding of the product in a more informal setting. Ambassadors can also provide services like giving directions to lost attendees creating a positive brand image.
18. Open mic session
Encourage guests to tell testimonials, jokes, and stories through an open mic session. This will let them connect with each other in meaningful ways the moment they enter your booth.
Why event experts recommend this: An open mic session ensures that everyone at your booth has a chance to be heard. It also gives people the opportunity to connect with each other and build lasting relationships.
19. Collaborative team building workshop
Design a team building workshop that requires collaboration amongst booth visitors. This can be anything, from a treasure hunt to building something out of Legos – just make sure everyone has the chance to work together and have some fun in the process.
Why event experts recommend this: 63% of leaders find that communication improves after teambuilding exercises, and good communication is essential for success at any event. A collaborative team building workshop is a great way for people to interact with each other and your product meaningfully.
20. Networking events
Organise a networking event to bring together all the guests at your booth. This can be anything from hors d’oeuvres and drinks to an after-hours party.
Why event experts recommend this: Networking events are great for building relationships with visitors and creating a welcoming, inviting environment at your booth. They also allow attendees to learn more about each other and your product or service.
21. Group polls and voting
Run polls or voting activities to gauge visitors’ opinions. These can be anything from surveys about product features to contests for the best idea or story.
Why event experts recommend this: Group polls and voting activities give you real-time feedback from attendees and help create a fun, interactive environment in your booth. They’re great for engaging guests in meaningful conversations and gauging their opinions on relevant topics.
22. Guided walks
Organise a guided walk around your booth. It can be anything from a tour of your product line to detailed explanations of how something works.
Why event experts recommend this: Guided walks are great for helping attendees get an in-depth look at your product and learn more about what makes it so special. They’re also highly engaging and will likely keep people in your booth for longer.
Unique booth design ideas
23. Virtual reality tours
Virtual reality tours are becoming increasingly popular for trade show booths. Visitors get to use virtual reality to explore your product line and learn more about the features in a fun, interactive way.
Why event experts recommend this: Virtual reality tours provide a unique experience that will help guests get an immersive look at your product line and also spark conversations with your booth staff. They’re also great for engaging visitors in unique, memorable ways.
24. Musical performances
Live musical performances are highly effective at creating an exciting atmosphere and drawing in a large crowd. Whether it’s a full-blown concert or just someone playing the guitar, music helps to create a unique environment that keeps people engaged and entertained.
Why event experts recommend this: Musical performances help to make your booth stand out from the rest. They also create an energetic and exciting atmosphere that draws people in from a distance.
25. Outdoor installations
Large-scale outdoor installations are increasingly popular for trade show booths, as they allow for an engaging and eye-catching display that can be seen from a distance.
Why event experts recommend this: Outdoor installations provide immediate attention and draw people in with their scale and complexity. They’re also great for making your booth stand out from the crowd.
26. Clue trails
Clue trails are a great way to get people to explore your booth. Set up a treasure hunt with hidden clues throughout the space and let visitors work together to find them.
Why event experts recommend this: Clue trails provide an engaging experience that will keep your target audience entertained and also help them learn more about what you have to offer.
27. Augmented reality walls
Augmented reality walls are becoming more popular for trade show booths. Visitors can explore different images and videos in 3D, creating a truly unique experience that they won’t forget.
Why event experts recommend this: Augmented reality walls create an immersive environment that lets guests explore your product line in greater detail. They also help create a memorable experience that visitors will talk about long after the convention.
28. Meet-the-CEO session
To leave a lasting impression, why not have a “meet-the-CEO” session? This will give visitors an opportunity to connect with the head of your organisation and learn more about them in a personal setting.
Why event experts recommend this: Meeting the CEO provides guests with an opportunity to get to know the person behind the product and get their in-depth questions answered. It also helps to create an environment of trust and transparency that will help to build lasting relationships with visitors.
29. Use RFID at a booth for lead retrieval
Many conferences use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to automatically track ID badges. If you use RFID badges at your conference or trade show, consider arming your sponsors with sensors at their booths. This way, they can engage attendees in contests or other activities on-site and instantly add them to their database. It’s a powerful lead generation opportunity, and those in attendance will be impressed by the high-tech touch.
Why event experts recommend this: RFID sensors let you store lead information so you can follow up later. If you have multiple RFID sensors around your booth, you can even store personalised information about which booth displays interested certain attendees the most.
Easy booth design ideas
When it comes to trade show booths, sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones. Here are some easy booth design ideas that won’t break the bank or take very long to set up:
30. Comfortable seating
Make sure your booth has plenty of comfortable seating so that visitors can take a break, recharge their devices, and connect with each other.
Why event experts recommend this: Comfortable seating encourages people to stay in your booth longer and talk to each other. It also helps create an inviting atmosphere that encourages visitors to engage with your product or service.
31. Suggestions box
Put out a suggestion box so that visitors can easily provide feedback. This is a great way to get more detailed insights into how people feel about your product or service.
Why event experts recommend this: Suggestion boxes provide an easy way for visitors to give their input in an anonymous setting. They’re also great for gathering feedback quickly and efficiently.
32. FAQ flyers and brochures
Create FAQ flyers and brochures to give visitors quick answers and detailed information about your product or service.
Why event experts recommend this: FAQ flyers and brochures are great for providing detailed information in an easily digestible format. They also allow you to answer frequently asked questions quickly, which will help keep people in your booth for longer.
33. Mystery prize boxes
Create FAQ flyers and brochures to give visitors quick answers and detailed information about your product or service.
Why event experts recommend this: FAQ flyers and brochures are great for providing detailed information in an easily digestible format. They also allow you to answer frequently asked questions quickly, which will help keep people in your booth longer.
34. Ambient music
Play some ambient music to help visitors relax in an inviting atmosphere. This will also set the tone for conversations in your booth.
Why event experts recommend this: Music can directly affect our brains, causing powerful effects by releasing chemicals that change our moods. That makes it essential to make sure you choose the right type of music. Ambient music gives an inviting, peaceful atmosphere that will put people at ease and in no hurry to leave.
35. Photo walls
Set up photo walls for visitors to share their experiences. This can be anything from a physical wall covered in Polaroid photos to a virtual display of tagged images from Instagram and other social media platforms.
Why event experts recommend this: Photo walls create an interactive experience that enables your guests to share their experiences. They’re also a great way to showcase your products in action.
Keep Your Trade Show Booth Designs Creative
Help your paying exhibitors get the most out of their space at your conference by offering them these creative trade show booth ideas. Once they generate more traffic to their booth, they’ll be sure to join you again for the next event. Plus, you can make more money on your sponsorships once you prove how effective they are.
Of course, booth design is only one element of creating an engaging sponsor experience at your conference or trade show. For more on how to improve the sponsor experience at your events, check out our guide on how to get sponsored.
