Author: David

There are several key points to consider when you are planning your attendance at any trade show or exhibition. Whether it is a 1 day event or a 5 day trade show, you need to ensure you are fully prepared.

Trade shows can be a very competitive environment, often you are faced with your direct competition, so you need to work hard to stand out.

At Oaks Exhibitions, we have over 20 years experience and expertise doing just this. Our main objective at any exhibition is to make sure your business stands out, by creating show stopping stands, that capture attention. Our team will work closely with you and the event organisers to ensure a successful and worthwhile exhibition, Interested in getting started?

Below we have put together a list of hints and tips we have collected over the years to ensure a successful exhibition and a show stopping exhibition stand!

What do you do?

If this is the first question a visitor asks when they enter your stand, then I am afraid you have failed. Your stand should clearly show or state what your products or services are. If your brand isn’t well known, then you need to be clever with your messaging. If you manufacture hospital equipment then say that, but this is a wide and varied market, so go one step further. Show some images of the types of products you manufacture. If you are an I.T company, then list some of your key services. We understand that your graphics need to look professional however they are also a huge part of pulling in the crowd.

Above the belt (not below!).

As a rule of thumb, make sure your main messaging is above waist height. Visitors don’t tend to walk around looking at their feet (unless they have amazing shoes!). So make sure your messaging is clearly visible. Select a few key points displayed in a large clear font and hit them with it.

Nobody Likes Clutter

Whilst you don’t want a white box for a stand (unless you do). It is important to make sure the design on your graphics is not cluttered. Make sure there is space between messages and images. You do not need to tell them everything you do, just choose a selection of your specialisms and focus on that. The rest you can talk about when you get them on the stand!

So Fresh and So Clean…!

If you are using images on your stand, then MAKE SURE they are high resolution.

High resolution images are pictures or photos where the media has higher concentrations of pixels or dots, resulting in better quality and clarity of the image – as it contains more detail. By contrast, images with lower resolutions tend to have fewer pixels or dots and thus less detail. If you are using a graphic designer then they will know exactly what to do, they will also know if an image is not suitable. If they say, we can’t use this image as it is not a high enough resolution, then believe them and choose another!

Brand Consistency

Make sure that you keep your branding consistent, the more a visitor sees your logo, the more likely they are to remember you. It takes an average of 5-7 brand impressions for a customer to remember your brand. (Source Brandagility). If a visitor see’s your logo on your stand, and then collects a leaflet with the same logo and message on. If they then go on to find out more about you on your website, then this also needs to reflect the first, and then the 2nd time they saw  your brand. Are you keeping up? In summary, keep your brand and your messaging consistent! This may mean creating new marketing collateral and having some work done on your website BEFORE the show.

Show your True Colours

Colours have the power to influence our actions without us even realising it. This concept, known as colour psychology, looks at how different colours can affect behaviour and emotions unconsciously. Red is the colour of power. It gets people’s attention and it holds it, which is why it’s the most popular colour for marketing for example the word SALE is always red. When you want to be viewed as trustworthy, blue is the colour for you. Colour can provoke powerful reactions from humans both mentally and physiologically. So choose wisely!

Next Level Interaction

If you want to keep visitors on your stand, give them something else to do (other than talk to you). Competitions and games are always a draw for visitors. They get the chance to win a great gift in exchange for a business card or filling in a form. Please note if you want to use their data for marketing purposes after the show, then make sure they have ticked the opt-in form on your form!

At Oaks Exhibitions, we have over 20 years experience and expertise designing and building bespoke stands. Our design team will make sure your stand works for your  objective. Whether that is to launch a new product, brand or to introduce your business to potential new clients. Our main objective at any exhibition is to make sure your business stands out, by creating show stopping stands, that capture attention. Our team will work closely with you to make every exhibition your best. Contact us for details.

If you are planning an event this year maybe we could help? Contact the Oaks Exhibitions team on 01484 644 368 or email us on info@oaks-exhibitions.co.uk

At Oaks Exhibitions, we have certainly heard our fair share of stand design briefs, but what is the difference between a good design brief and a great one? We will share our top tips to help you get the best possible outcome from your stand builder and to make sure you are 100% happy with your finished exhibition stand.

If you are investing your precious Marketing Budget into a yearly event schedule, then you really need to plan each of the events perfectly. No matter what size and duration of the event, beforehand you need to set out your objectives… What is it all for? Whether you are looking to grow the business through new clients, or launching a new product or service you need to make sure your stand at each event reflects your marketing objectives.

So where do we start?

Ask yourself the question, “Why are we as a business attending this event, and what do we want to achieve from our time here?’ Talk to your internal team and get their opinions, each Director or Manager will have their own agenda. The Sales Team might want to meet existing clients, the Business Development Team will want to speak to potential new clients, the Purchasing team may want to catch up with suppliers or meet new suppliers, the Design team may want to showcase their new product or service. Together you need to establish what the main objectives are and turn this into a design brief for your Stand Builder.

From here you need to arrange a meeting with your stand builder and their designer to talk them through your Exhibition Stand Design Brief. To get a full picture of the business the designer may ask you about the following aspects of your business:

Event details, stand size, type

The conversation really should start here. The exhibition team needs to know when the event is taking place, to ensure a successful show the sooner you speak to your exhibition team the better, if you leave things till the last minute then you will limit the amount of help your team can give you, it may also limit the creativity of the stand design.

Give them all of the stand details, stand reference, what size and kind of space you have booked – Is it a shell scheme or is it a space only. This information will help the team advise you on the type of stand you need for the show.

Your company background and future plans

Whether it is your first project with your exhibition team or your tenth, you need to make sure they remember what your company stands for, where you have come from and what your future plans are. As an extension of your team you want to represent your business at the show as much as your internal team, fill the team in on what the bigger picture is for your business over the coming months.

What are the show objectives?

Yes you need to have some! Why are you attending that specific exhibition, you really need more of a reason than you just always have! An event is a reason to have something to shout about, whether it is launching a new product or service, or entertaining your top clients. You need to make sure it is not wasted time or money.

Launching a new product?

If you are launching a tangible product then you need to make this is the star of the show! Your exhibition team should ensure that this new edition to your catalogue is visible from all angles, seen from a distance and obvious that this is your brand new product! They might elevate using levels or a pedestal, they could even suspend or wall mount it. That obviously depends on what the product is and its weight and size. If you are a company selling combine harvesters then suspending it from the ceiling would not be a smart move!

Service based business?

If you are a service based business, then how can you encourage visitors onto your stand? How about having some interactive elements? If you are selling SAS then allow your visitors to have a go, try it out! Another fun way to get people to visit your stand is to hold a competition or a prize draw.

Let’s get together…

Are you planning on holding meetings on your stand? Then makes you have space to sit and chat, it could be as simple as a table and a couple of chairs at one end of your stand. It could be a separate glazed meeting room with AV capabilities. If you have several members of your team attending from different areas of the business, then you may need more than 1 meeting area. Exhibition halls can be noisy places, make sure your meeting area has some level of privacy, this could be a simple screen.

Keep it clean!

Exhibition stand rule 101… Make sure your stand looks neat and tidy. Stand staff have a habit of cluttering a stand with their coats, laptops and personal items. If you have a team then make sure you have a storage area to out these items. On a small stand this could be a simple cupboard or a couple of baskets and a coat stand! If you have the space then a walk in cupboard is a godsend for keeping your stand clean and clutter free.

Would you like a coffee?

Of course your client would like a FOC tea or coffee! Exhibitions are hard on the feet, allow your visitor to take the weight off and relax with a drink, it might just make the difference. Refreshments require space and planning, coffee machines require water and electricity. You also need to have a safe but accessible place to put them. If you offer cold drinks, then you might consider having a fridge on your stand. Make sure you factor this into your design, nobody wants to see boxes piled up in the corner.. Remember to keep your stand tidy!

Keep it on brand

Make sure your exhibition design team have your brand guidelines (if you have them). If you don’t then they will need at the very least your high resolution logo. From here your designer should be able to pull together a design that represents your brand perfectly.

If you have considered the above when you set your Exhibition Design Brief, then you are already paving the way to ensure a successful and well attended show! Planning is key (as well as working with the right Exhibition Design Company!). We can certainly help you make the right choice there!

If you are planning an event this year maybe we could help? Contact the Oaks Exhibitions team on 01484 644 368 or email us on info@oaks-exhibitions.co.uk

With an impressive 83% of attendees at trade shows having the ability to buy, and corresponding 79% ready to commit purchase decisions for their business (Source: Trade Show Insights Magazine). Then exhibitions and trade shows should still be a key component of a company’s marketing strategy.

If the exhibition is the perfect place for you to market your products and services with an aim to meet potential new clients, then it is very likely your competitors will be at the same show! So, how do you make your stand… stand out?

Start with YOUR Story

Forget the bland sales messages, special offer graphics and boring brand messages. Focus on telling visitors your story. This is unique to you, and can only be told by you. Story narratives are immersive, they require engagement from the part of the listener (in this case our delegate). From here, you can talk them through your story, bringing them up to current day.

We work with a Hospital Manufacturing Company and they are over 100 years old, so have had quite a few versions of their products. For one of their shows, we put together – 100 Years in Healthcare, showcasing how their products had changed over the years, leading up to current day and (yes you guessed it) their brand new product launched at the show. It really got visitors talking and making their way over to the stand.

If the budget allows, GO BIG!

You know they say bigger isn’t always better? Well when it comes to exhibiting a large and well designed stand, really does make the difference.  Large stands have much more visible impact, often these stands are central in the hall, so can be seen down the main aisles (as they often straddle 2 / 3 aisles). It also gives you the opportunity to have a ceiling mounted banner which again increases the exhibition stands visibility in the hall. These large exhibition stands are bespoke builds, designed and built by specialists exhibition design companies. If you want to be talked about at the exhibition by the visitors and the other exhibitors… go big!

Give Delegates A Reason to Drop By!

When you take part in a 3-5 day trade show, you need to feel comfortable on your stand. You will be spending a lot of time here so it needs to work for you. Your exhibition stand also needs to work for your visitors. Treat your stand as if it was your home and make it a welcoming place for your visitors to want to spend time and feel relaxed.

Seating plays a big part in this, if you can take the weight off for a short period of time and offer your visitors a seat then do it. Whilst they are there if you can, offer them a coffee or a cold drink. Most stands come with electric points now and as long as your coffee machine is PAC tested then you can have one on your stand. Simple creature comforts will ensure a pleasant and memorable experience for your visitors.

Take the opportunity whilst sitting to chat with your visitor, ask them questions, enjoy your time with them and hopefully they remember you and your company. You never know you might have just met a future customer.

The Element of Surprise!

Quite often the busiest stands at exhibitions have a unique pull. This could be a rooftop bar, food and drink offering, F1 simulator or even a VIP guest! (Yes we have done it all!). So think out of the box. The element of surprise can be achieved at most budgets. We have had clients with smaller budgets hire butlers in the buff and magicians to attract attention. One of our larger clients had a replica size F-15 fighter jet on their stand, that you could actually get into! This attracted quite the queue.

Best in Show…Offer!

We know we said, don’t plaster offers all over the front of your stand, but we didn’t say don’t offer any. A promotion or sales offer is the perfect quick win for a successful show. If you sell small, tangible products, then quite often these items can be purchased at the show (unless the organisers have rules around purchasing). If they do, then extend the offer to a week after the show ends, to ensure a peak in sales directly related to the show. Quite often at Interior design and home styling exhibitions the exhibitors sell off the products on the stand at a reduced rate on the last day. This allows them to make a quick profit from the show, as well as take less home!

Be NICE!

This should be a no brainer, however how many exhibitions have you visited and the exhibitors on the stand doesn’t even look sideways at you? They have unfortunately decided to catch up on their emails, or take a phone call. We cannot express how important it is to engage with as many visitors to the show as possible. These people are here specifically to find new suppliers. We have already mentioned that an impressive 83% of attendees at trade shows have the ability to buy, and a staggering 79% ready to commit purchase decisions for their business.

Your exhibition team is your secret weapon: the difference between leaving an event with a half-full database of cold leads or a calendar full of prospect meetings.

In many cases businesses send their product experts, because they obviously know everything about the products or services, it is important to have these people here. However it is as important to have staff that have had some kind of hospitality training, or are just fantastic at initial meetings and engaging conversation. So as well as your experts, send your most hospitable, friendly and welcoming staff and allow this team to deliver visitors to the experts.

Make sure your staff are fully briefed before the start of the show on the following:

• Establish the show objectives. Why are you there? Is it a new product launch, are you looking for new customers? Is it for Export purposes etc etc.
• Are the show staff fully trained on your products and or services being promoted at the show? Can they talk in length about your business, the history, the ethos?
• Do they know when they should be there, have the rotas been arranged?
• Is everyone presentable? Well turned out?
• Set up daily debriefs. Who spoke to who, any good opportunities arisen that day? What are the plans for the next day?

At Oaks Exhibitions, we have over 20 years experience and expertise doing just this. Our main objective at any exhibition is to make sure your business stands out, by creating show stopping stands, that capture attention. Our team will work closely with you and the event organisers to ensure a successful and worthwhile exhibition, Interested in getting started?

If you are planning an event this year maybe we could help? Contact the Oaks Exhibitions team on 01484 644 368 or email us on info@oaks-exhibitions.co.uk

Never be hesitant to ask a supplier questions. They shouldn’t mind, and they should be able to answer every question you have.

You’re about to spend your marketing budget on what can be a big investment, so it makes sense to have all the information you need to make a decision to suit your business.

Here are the top questions we recommend asking your stand builder:

1. How long they’ve been in business – it’s not the be all and end all, but you’d like to know what experience they have in this area.
2. What qualifications they have – again, this may not be super important to you, but you’d like to ask if the team working on your stand are builders, graphic designers and the like.
3. Ask to see their portfolio and price ranges – a reputable company will be able to show you past stands that they’ve created and will be able to show you what you get based on your budget.
4. Read reviews and testimonials – as with any company you’re looking to work with; it’s a good idea to read reviews and testimonials from past clients to hear opinions of the consumers.
5. What does their service involve – you may want your exhibition stand builder to do the whole lot (design, build, installation, storage etc.) so make sure you ask them the level of service they provide to make sure they’re going to suit what you’re looking to do.
6. Find out about their briefing process – this is super important as you want to make sure your builder is onboard with your vision and will take the time to talk through everything with you.
7. Will they fit in with your budget and timing – if you’ve got a set budget or an event coming up quickly, you’ll need to make sure your company can fit in with this.
8. Ask if they have in house designers and Factory – This is really important to ask as many stand builders don’t provide this service and outsource it. This ultimately means they’re factoring in additional margins on your costing and it may become more expensive than companies who provide this service. 

If you are planning an event this year maybe we could help? Contact the Oaks Exhibitions team on 01484 644 368 or email us on info@oaks-exhibitions.co.uk

When you have decided that exhibiting works well for your business, if you have not enlisted the help of an exhibition stand builder yet, then it might make financial sense to now bring one on board. If your exhibition schedule is looking pretty busy (3+ shows per year). You need to consider how you will present your business at each show.

Choosing the right stand builder for your project can be a tricky process. You need to consider a wide range of factors, from cost and design specifications to delivery timescales and assembly capabilities. With so many things to bear in mind, it’s easy to overlook important details that can make or break your event plan.

To ensure you make the best decisions when selecting a trade show partner, read on as we share our top tips for choosing the perfect stand builder for your project.

Go see for yourself…

If you’re looking for the right exhibition stand contractors for your business, start by attending an event. Put on your future exhibitor hat and look around for inspiring stands that standout, stands that can be seen from different areas of the hall and stands that are attracting a crowd. If you see an exhibition stand you like, then speak to the team (ideally the Marketing Manager). They will happily share their stand builder details with you, as they will most likely take the question as a complement!  You’ll probably hear the same names cropping up time and time again. Once you have found a few names, then start doing your research.

Arrange a meeting with a couple of companies and see how you get on. Making the right choice is important, once you appoint an exhibition designer and stand builder you start a long and lengthy working relationship. You will be working closely with this team so you need to be able accept them as part of your team. It is important to find out as much as possible about them at your initial meeting, make sure you ask some of the below questions.

How long have they been in business?

Ideally you want a company that has been designing and building stands for a few years at least. This way you can be sure that they have several exhibition stand builds under their belt. If they are relatively new to the business then find out who they worked with previously. Don’t be afraid to ask for references. Most exhibition designers and stand builders will give you details of clients they work with, you can then contact them and ask for a reference.

What team do they have in house?

This is an important question to ask. Any established stand builder will have an in-house team ready and waiting to work with you at every point in the process. All of the different elements of a stand design and build require different skills. Within a competent team you should have the following people:

Account manager – This person will know your business inside out, understand your brand and know what your yearly exhibition schedule looks like.

Stand Designer – This person will take a stand brief for each event you are taking part in and work out the stand designs, sizes and what is required for each exhibition. The designer will draw up the stands in 3D software (we use sketchup) so you can see what each stand will look like for each show. The 3D designs can then be signed off by the client, enabling the designer to create construction drawings for the workshop team.

Workshop team – Reputable stand builders should have their own team and manufacturing facility. If a stand builder has their own workshop they are in control of all materials, costs, time scales, detail and finish. They will also have their own skilled team of joiners, electricians and builders. Tread carefully if a stand builder is using a 3rd party for manufacturing, agree all costs and timescales upfront and get it in writing.

Project Manager – On larger stand builds, it is important to have some kind of project manager involved from the stand builders side. This person often works alongside the client and ensures the build process runs perfectly as well as the dismantling after the show.

Logistics – Can they actually get your stand and equipment from A to B? Stand builders should have large vehicles available to transport the sections of your stand to the exhibition halls.

Stand builders – The team that puts the stand together!An exhibition stand company should have their own team that assembles the stands in the halls. This highly skilled team may consist of joiners, electricians and general builders. They will build your stand in time for the exhibition open day and then take the stand down at the end of the show.

Previous Work

Before the meeting check out the company’s website and social media accounts, an active business should be posting regularly. They should also want to show you their best work at your first meeting. A reputable exhibition stand builder will be able to show you past stands that they’ve designed and built as well as show you work they have done based on your budget.

Reviews and Testimonials

Find out the opinions of others. When investing your precious marketing budget in a stand builder, you need to know they have other happy clients willing to share their experience with you. Ask the stand builder to give you contact details for a selection of their other clients, you can then speak with them and ask them about their experience with the team. Word of mouth is everything in this game, and although they might build amazing stands you need to hear that the team is also easy to work with, trustworthy and reliable. You need to be able to class them as an extension to your team.

Do they design, manufacture and build?

This should be a really important element to your decision. Ideally you want a one stop shop for your exhibition builds. Do they do it all? Stand builders that have all of these elements in house generally offer a better service as they are in control of all elements of the process including cost. If the stand builder is outsourcing the manufacturing or the build then ultimately this means they’re factoring in additional margins to your cost and it may become more expensive than companies who provide the full service in house.

Do they offer a variety of stands depending on the type of show?

Not all exhibitions are the same, they can range from small one day events to large scale events that run for several days. Your stand requirement will be differ at each show, for smaller events you may need a simple solution such as a pop up type stand. For medium size shows then a modular stand may be just the ticket. If you are wanting to make a statement and budget is available, then go big with a bespoke build. Flexibility is key when exhibiting and you need to make sure that your chosen stand builder can accommodate  your every requirement.

Are they on top of current designs and trends?

As well as the above, you need to be able to count on your exhibition stand company to be ahead of the curve when it comes to trends. Innovation in exhibition stand design is key to stand out and create showstopping stands. You need them to be talking to you about the latest LED trends, furniture styles and also movements in modular. At the end of the day, you want your stand to be the BEST IN SHOW!

At OAKS EXHIBITIONS, we do it all.

Oaks Exhibitions have designed and built bespoke, one-off stands and modular reusable stands at exhibitions across the UK and Europe for over 25 years! Our bespoke stands are made at our fully equipped workshop in Huddersfield and can be delivered and installed anywhere in Europe. We also offer highly flexible, modular/reusable stands which are ideal for multiple, slightly differently sized spaces at different events. So we are pretty well equipped for the job! Talk to us about your event schedule, let us be part of your team!

If you are planning an event this year maybe we could help? Contact the Oaks Exhibitions team on 01484 644 368 or email us on info@oaks-exhibitions.co.uk

First of all, congratulations.. You have taken the plunge and stepped into the wonderful world of exhibiting. Events and exhibitions are a powerful marketing tool. They provide a platform to promote your product or service to a group that may have little or no knowledge of your services. They also offer an opportunity to meet existing and potential customers.

It’s going to be fantastic… isn’t it?

The answer to the above question can only be answered by the actions you take before and after the initial booking, unfortunately, booking is the easy part (as long as you have booked the right space!!).

Location, location, location….

Often the best locations (at least from a foot traffic perspective) are near the hall entrance. There are several reasons for this. The first is that visitors feel “fresh” when they first step into a hall, meaning they’ll see your signage before anyone else.

For some particular reason, visitors often gravitate towards the right side of the hall when they enter. With this in mind, it may be wise to book a stand on the right side in order to get noticed. Additionally, try to get a corner exhibition stand. Corner stands are open on two sides so are easier for visitors to access.

GOAL!!!

So you have booked the perfect space, now it is important to plan what you will put there.

The design of your exhibition stand should be driven by your goals, why are you there, it is usually one of the below reasons:

1. Product launch: If the aim of your booking is to launch a new product, then the space needs to showcase the product to its very best and allow visitors to look and possibly interact with the product.
2. Networking:If the aim of your booking is to meet new connections, then you need to ensure visitors feel comfortable to access the stand, you need space on the stand for meetings.

(Need some images here: Product on stand / People on stand)

Know your audience

Different stands will appeal to different audiences. Your stand may need to feel very corporate or it might need to be extremely fun and interactive. Consider your audience carefully, if they are interested in your product or service and they feel comfortable to access the stand, then you have immediately acquired a warm lead.

What’s your type?

In a busy exhibition hall with so much on offer, your stand needs to be the one that stands out from to the crowd. In the early stages of planning, careful thought needs to be given as to what exhibition stands are on the market and what design will work best for you and your business.

There are several types of exhibition stands to choose from, depending on the nature of the event you are exhibiting at, how often you plan to exhibit and how much your central messages and themes will change, also last, but definitely not least… BUDGET!

Below are your options, listed in budget order (cheapest to the most expensive).

1. Pop Up: If it is your first time, you’re a small team and your budget is on the small side, then consider a pop up stand option. Pop up stands work really well at trade shows and exhibitions. They come in various sizes, are lightweight and compact, and fully portable.
   
   Fully reusable, these stands can be assembled in minutes by a single person. Simply build the frame then attach the graphics. The graphics attach to the frame with magnetic tape. Whether you have a shell scheme or you’re at an event in a hotel, pop ups are a cost effective way to display your brand.
2. Shell Scheme: If you have booked a shell scheme (as opposed to space only – Read our shell scheme vs space only stand blog for more details). Then a simple, effective and very budget friendly way to exhibit, is to have panels printed that directly fix to the shell scheme. The panels will need to be produced by a specialist printer, they are quite often installed using velcro, check with the shell scheme provider before installation. Often these panels cannot be reused so have to be discarded after the exhibition has finished.
3. Modular: Modular stands can take your brand to the next level… Designed to be fitted together in a number of different combinations to create a complete exhibition stand. They can often be reconfigured or sections added, so are the perfect solution if you plan to do several exhibitions on a budget. Offices and meeting rooms can be added to modular stands as well as shelving and tv displays. Unlike the above options these stands require assembly by a specialist exhibition team. At Oaks Exhibitions we quite often store modular stands for clients and then build them at the required shows.
4. Bespoke Exhibition Stands: If you are looking for a truly unique way to showcase your business and market your product, then bespoke exhibition stands are the perfect choice. With these custom-made stands, you can design every element to ensure that it reflects your brand identity and encourages visitors to interact with it.
   
   Bespoke exhibition stands provide an opportunity for businesses to create a truly unique experience for their customers. They allow you to showcase your products in the most creative and effective way possible. Not only do they help attract more visitors, but they also provide an opportunity to engage with them in a meaningful manner. We specialise in bespoke stands. Here are a few of our favourites.

Displaying your message

When designing your graphics or briefing your designer, then you must ensure a clean and clear message is easily understood from the graphics at a glance. Visitors do not want to stand and read reams of copy. If the visitor cannot ascertain what your product or service is with a glance at your graphics, then they will just walk on by… Keep it simple and they will come!!

The finishing touches

Once the stand is finished you then have the opportunity to make it your own. If you have the space, consider splitting your stand into zones:

Meeting zone – This might be a small table and 2/4 chairs.

Standing zone – An area you can stand and chat with passers by

Refreshment zone – If you are planning on having meetings on the stand or if the exhiiton is running over a few days, then consider including a small fridge / coffee machine on the stand.

Storage zone – Keep the stand tidy, make sure you have space to store leaflets, coats and bags.

Like anything, exhibiting gets easier the more you do it. If done correctly, exhibitions can be a very effective way to boost your company’s visibility and inturn increase business. However, it takes a good reliable team to get exhibitions up and running.  If you’re spending time and money on an event – including paying out for staff time and support materials.

Using expert exhibition stand builders will maximise the return on your investment, they will ensure every centimetre of space is used wisely and well. By hiring a stand builder companies can focus their time and resources on strategy while the stand builder takes care of all the practical aspects.

If you are planning an event this year maybe we could help? Contact the Oaks Exhibitions team on 01484 644 368 or email us on info@oaks-exhibitions.co.uk

It is easy to assume that setting up an exhibition is as simple as turning up on the day and putting the stand-up ready to go. This may be the case for some venues, but you will find that at many larger events, far more planning is required.

When taking on the responsibility of building a self-build stand, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your attendees and your staff. This means making sure that you have taken steps to prevent harm and to reduce any risk of injury during setup, breakdown and during the show itself.

Exhibition space comes in all shapes and sizes, it is easy to assume that if you have booked a 5m x 3m space that it will be easy to fill… A few pop up banners maybe? Large scale printed graphics possibly?

For you to get the most return on your investment (average exhibition space cost in the UK is £300-£350 per square metre) then you need to make sure what you plan to go in that space is going to help you do that.

Fancy yourself as a designer?

If you are planning a substantial stand, then the devil is in the details. Professional stand builders don’t just build the stands, they also design them from scratch. An initial meeting to cover the objectives should take place, at this meeting you will lay out your requirements. What you want on the stand, how you want the space to flow. Are you launching a new product? Then we need to make sure that is the star of the show. If you want to attract a crowd, then why not consider some type of refreshments area? 

The design of any stand is key, most exhibition companies will now produce a 3D rendering of the concept and full working technical drawings before manufacture (if required), so you know exactly what you are getting. If the budget is tight, then using a professional build team will really help, they often have modular systems they can loan and furniture / tvs at a fraction of the cost compared to hiring directly from the organisers. If budget is no object, then happy days! The sky’s the limit (quite literally) we have built quite a few double height exhibition stands!

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Project Management… AKA Spinning plates!

If you are planning a DIY Build then be prepared… There is a lot of admin to complete in the run up to the exhibition. The organisers will issue a handbook with relevant forms to complete, so be prepared to carry out a risk assessment! Risk assessments are documents that detail you have identified and analysed risks associated with your exhibition stand. You must assess all aspects of your event, from identifying health and safety hazards right through to fire risks and detail these in the form. Exhibition organisers do not like surprises and are pretty ridgid with rules. If you haven’t pre arranged for the ceiling banner to be erected and looked at the risks associated with that, then I am afraid you will not be able to have one.

There are several deadlines you need to meet, to ensure your show runs smoothly, the organisers have a lot to do so chasing you for forms is really not on their agenda. If you are planning on building your own stand then you really need to keep an eye on these deadlines. If the organisers do not receive the forms, then you will most likely be refused entry on the day.

DIY or not to DIY..

If you are planning a self build then you need to be prepared. Anyone that has spent time at an exhibition hall in the run up to the event knows it is (for want of a better word) chaos. If it is a large scale show, then you will have up to 500+ companies competing to get their stands complete before show day. Many organisers will not allow you to build the stand on the opening day, so you will need to make sure of the access dates to allow the stand to be constructed before the event begins.

Unless you are a qualified team of joiners, then the actual build of a stand is pretty complex, not to mention costly. Professional stand builders do this day in and day out, they have all of the tools and kit required to construct the stands in a safe and timely manner. Not to mention the relevant insurances and risk assessments in place.

Make sure you are fully aware of what you need to make that stand sing, project management skills are a key requirement when planning your own event. You will have a lot to manage in the run up to the big day.

Let’s talk logistics!

One of the main reasons that clients choose to work with an exhibition design and build company is the logistics. Even if you go with simple shell scheme graphics, they are pretty big. Realistically they are not going to fit in your hatchback! Think about how you are going to get everything onto the stand, furniture, lighting, not to mention all of your company literature, promotional materials etc. If you are working on the stand whilst the show is running, then you need to arrive refreshed not frazzled!

The last day on an exhibition stand is always a tricky one…We know how long the days are (how late the nights are). When the clock strikes 5pm and the exhibition closes its doors, then if you are doing a DIY job then you need to get your stand down, and everything out pronto, The organisers might give you 3 days to build the stand but they will want you out of the doors by 9pm latest! If you are in a hot country, they also turn off the air condition… lots of fun when you are heaving boxes about! Alternatively, you leave and the stand builder arrives… you could be sipping a celebratory glass of champers by 6pm!

So in summary if you are doing a DIY exhibition stand, make sure you have your list up to date and that you have checked everything twice. Make sure your stand design is on point, the layout meets your objectives and it flows. Don’t forget the forms! They are key to actually being able to exhibit. If there are risks associated with the stand build then make sure you have assessed and understood how you will build safely. Finally, GOOD LUCK, you are going to need it!! At Oaks Exhibitions, we have over 20 years experience and expertise building exhibition stands. Whether you are wanting a bespoke build, modular or simple graphics for your shell scheme we can help. Our main objective at any exhibition is to make sure your business stands out. We create show stopping stands for all budgets. Interested? Contact us to start your big build today.

If you are planning an event this year maybe we could help? Contact the Oaks Exhibitions team on 01484 644 368 or email us on info@oaks-exhibitions.co.uk