When it comes to trade show planning, determining your exhibiting budget can be a little overwhelming. Here at Divinitas, we understand that staying within budget is vital to a successful trade show program. Take a look at the cost breakdown below of a how Trade Show Exhibit Budgeting allocation works (Source: Exhibitor Magazine’s 2013 Economic Outlook Survey)
- Exhibit Space – 36.5%
- Exhibit Design/Construction – 10.8%
- Graphics Design and Production – 6.0%
- Exhibit Shipping – 10.3%
- Show Services – 12.2%
- Exhibit Promotion – 6.1%
- Show Travel/lodging – 13.5%
- Other exhibit-related items – 4.6%
Here are few insider tips to consider while working with a meager budget and trying to accomplish a Herculean feat:
– First of all, you may assume that bigger is always better, but you would be wrong. Sometimes, “Smaller Can Be Better”. The size of your display will dictate the amount of space you need to rent and, in turn, the dollars you need to allocate to booth space rental. Get creative within your means, and you won’t need a bigger booth.
– The truth is that a well-planned, organized, and engaging design that communicates the brand’s message clearly and succinctly is really all that matters.
– Be creative develop a list of design guidelines for the look, feel and experience. Focus on what’s most important, like core messaging, attendee experience. Working with an experienced trade show exhibit designer can save in the long run, as designers can design exhibits that reconfigure, fit it all together — the booth design, the attendee experience, and the messaging.
– With only 3-5 seconds to capture your attendee’s attention, use of various interactive experience will help create last memories of the brand.
– Get control over your Shipping & drayage. Look at dates and locations on the calendar and see if you can keep your booth on the truck between shows. If you’re planning to attend two different shows in the same city, try to hold over properties in storage.
– Be mindful of two variables that can significantly impact costs: place and time. Labor rates vary considerably for different venues, ranging from $75 to $180 per hour. Time matters because if you start late, you may incur rush charges as high as 25% for design, production, and delivery of your exhibit.
To help with your Trade Show Exhibit budgeting and planning, please use our Trade Show Budget Planning Sheet as a guide to get you started.
With careful budgeting and the right combination of trade show exhibit design and marketing strategy, attendees will flock to your booth. You can take that to the bank!
To learn more about all we can do to help you, email us at info@divinitasnow.com or call 407.601.4606