Attending a trade show is a great way to showcase your brand’s products and the services you offer, even if you are currently working in a highly competitive market and niche. Trade shows provide ample opportunity to network with potential partners, investors, and business associates while learning more about the audience and demographics you want to reach with your brand. Before attending the next trade show you have in mind, there are a few ways to prepare your trade show displays and your trade show design before reserving your spot and selecting your booth location.
The Importance of Branding
Trade show design matters whether your business is brand new or already successful. When attending a trade show, you only have one opportunity to make a positive and lasting impression on attendees and individuals who have a genuine interest in learning more about your business and brand. Think of a popular brand such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, or even Nike. Whenever you think of these brands, it is immediately possible to visually recall the logos used for these companies along with color schemes that are more prevalent with the brands. Establishing a brand for your business is imperative, especially if you are working in an industry that is rife with competition and growth potential.
Types of Trade Show Graphics
Trade show graphics vary based on the type of graphics you are interested in and the trade show booth layout and design you have in mind for the upcoming event you plan to attend. Some of the most common types of trade show graphics purchased by those who are renting a booth or floor space at events include:
- Banner Stands: Use banner stands to hold printed banner material (both horizontal and vertical stands are available).
- Hanging Signs: Hanging banners and promotional signs are optimal if you have a trade show booth location that allows for vertical display decorations,
- Lit Signs: LED signs and back-lit display setups ensure all visitors to your booth have the ability to read more about your business regardless of surrounding lighting.
- Fabric Signs/Graphics: Use fabric for more elegant signs and banners for your brand.
- Custom Dyes: Use a custom dye to create signs in the shape of your logo or into a shape that is relevant to your business.
Choosing a Color Scheme
Choosing the right color scheme for your trade show display is essential, especially if you are still working to build your brand’s reputation and place in the market and industry you represent. Select a color scheme that matches your company logo or the colors you most frequently use to promote your brand while spreading its message. Consider the role that color psychology plays in business before settling on a color scheme that is optimal for your business and the type of consumers you want to reach.
The Role of Color Psychology
Color psychology plays a major role in all businesses today, especially when launching new marketing and advertising campaigns. Marketers understand the significance of choosing the right colors, which is why it is essential to have a basic understanding of how colors are perceived by the average shopper. Some of the basic perceptions and interpretations of colors using in the advertising industry today include:
- Blue: Trusting, authoritative, professional, friendly, authentic, legitimate
- Red: Show-stopping, sexy, enticing, fashionable, attractive
- Yellow: Friendly, compassionate, communication, openness, happiness, light, welcoming
- Green: Envy, jealousy, money, shopping, motivating, trustworthy, financial
- Purple: Royal, classy, suave, formal, compassionate, high-end
- Pink: Loving, cute, young, peaceful, childish
- Orange: Creativity, uniqueness, communication, modern, chic
Anytime you are planning for an upcoming trade show event it is important to consider your ideal color scheme to best reach and represent trade show attendees and prospective customers. Selecting the right color scheme for your brand and its logo is one of the most important decisions you can make as a business owner and entrepreneur. Knowing how to effectively appeal to your intended audience through the use of color psychology is a great way to ensure your business and brand is on the right track to success.
Lighting
Once you have chosen a color scheme that is optimal for your business and your brand’s current logo, consider the type of lighting that is best for your trade show display booth. Lighting is not always provided by event locations, which is why it is imperative to review any electricity requests you may need to complete before finalizing your booth reservation. Clip-on lighting, battery-operated lighting, and traditional lit displays are all possible when reserving a trade booth space. Calculate the size of your trade show space along with graphics and display accessories you intend to utilize before choosing the lighting solution that is right for you.
Composition and Contrast
Consider how your planned trade show booth or section will appear to attendees and passersby who are not entirely focused on your booth’s setup. Is there enough contrast in your planned color scheme? Will your booth display appearance entice who are otherwise unfamiliar with your business and brand? What types of color schemes do you expect from competitors and booth managers nearby (based on their current business and brand’s industry)? Composition and contrast matter when choosing a color scheme that is right for your trade show graphics and investing in various trade show booth accessories. Without contrast or proper composition, it becomes increasingly difficult to appeal to passersby who do not find your trade show display, logo, and colors attractive and enticing enough.
Knowing what it takes to plan for an upcoming trade show and to create trade show displays that are attractive, modern, and relevant is essential anytime you are planning to attend an upcoming event in your market. With the right trade show location, layout design, and display graphics, maximize your reach and appeal to truly make a name for your business at each event you attend.
LISTEN. BRAINSTORM. DESIGN. DELIVER. IMPLEMENT.
Great graphic design can set your company apart from your competitors. Let Performance Driven Marketing help you create a successful concept from start to finish.
