We are often asked what information we require before we start to design an exhibition stand for our clients, there are no set rules, but there are some steps to bear in mind before you meet with your exhibition designer that will certainly make the process smoother!  This will give you some pointers to think about before you come up with your brief, however, if you need help with ideas make sure you ask as our team has lots of experience.

To understand your entire exhibiting calendar

Once you have chosen your shows and selected your exhibition space or spaces, make sure you list the shows you are attending and the different stand sizes you have for each.  At this stage it is worth deciding if you want to have a modular display that can grow or be reconfigured and change for each event, saving you costs in the long term – consider looking at your budget for your whole calendar of events, not just at each event in isolation.

To be given time

Plan to brief your stand contractor at least three to six months ahead (depending on the size of the project) as it will result in a better thought out stand design, with time for discussion and changes and less stress for all involved.

A concise design brief

The exhibition stand designer needs to know; what you want the stand to do and look like.  They will need ideas of the look and feel you are hoping to portray to your potential clients at the show, tell them what you like and don’t like about other stands you have seen and think outside the box on what theme you may want to create to attract visitors.  If you have clear objectives – tell them as they help with the stand design.

Make sure you provide information on products to be displayed or demonstrated on the stand so they can be incorporated into the design.

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If you have a brief – send it to us for a free stand design, with no obligation.

Brand materials

Remember the’ three-second rule’: three seconds is all the time it takes a visitor to walk past and sum up most stands. A successful exhibition stand will display graphics that inform the target audience of who the company is, what the company does and most importantly what the company can do for its customers, within those three seconds.

It’s useful to include some relevant company brochures or website links to give the designer a feel for your brand.  You may want to take a look at our guide to graphics and branding for tips on large format graphics and messaging.  Really think about the message you are hoping to get across.

Artwork, logos, images, graphics, corporate guidelines….the designer’s time is much better spent designing rather than searching the internet for images and logos.  You will need to consider high quality images as they will be printed in large format. Take a look at our information on exhibition graphics.

A realistic exhibition stand design budget

Be open and discuss your budget with your exhibition designer.  Designers find it easier to design to a budget, so please tell them what it is!   Even if you have a range it means they can incorporate the vital elements and then the ‘nice to have’ elements to help you make your decision.

Don’t forget…ask us if you need help.