7 Common Exhibit Problems Rentals Can Solve

August 24, 2014

Justine Savage

Justine Savage is the Marketing Coordinator and blogger for Nimlok, designer and builder of custom trade show display exhibits and portable displays.

Before jumping into these 7 problems that can be solved by trade show display rentals, I’d first like to dispel a major myth about trade show exhibit rentals.

Some may equate rentals with boring or basic displays and imagine an attendee pointing and discussing how generic their booth is or how much it looks like that other rental over there.

Fortunately, rentals have come a long way, running the gamut from basic portables to practically custom exhibits. Used well, trade show rental displays can fit a variety of needs and solve some basic problems. Now, to the problem solving!

1. Your custom booth is aging

Years ago, your company decided to go all out and invest in a beautiful custom exhibit. It cost a pretty penny, so everyone took great care of it, and while you’ve made small updates over time, your fundamental needs are changing and continue to change year after year. If you can’t afford to redesign, you may be stuck with temporary “band-aids” on your existing booth.

Trade show rentals give you the freedom to make more frequent, temporary updates without added costs. Plus when you’re ready for something completely new, it takes less time and money to go a different direction.

2. You’re hoarding displays for individual shows

It’s not your fault you need a different display for each of the many shows your company exhibits at during the year. Different audiences call for different design and/or marketing approaches with your booth. While one show may call for AV, another may call for a private meeting space.  

Instead of holding onto several displays, you can rent what you need show-to-show, then at the end of the year you’re free to do something completely new for your shows the following year. Plus, if you have several larger options, you’ll likely be saving the cost of storing those booths all year long.

3. You keep buying expensive one-time use booths

This situation is the polar opposite of #2.  In this scenario your company only exhibits once a year with one large-scale exhibit and replaces it every other year. Those costs add up. Instead try renting a large-scale booth to fit all your needs, then change it up every year without the fear of being stuck with a booth you won’t use next year.

4. You have Exhibit Commitment Issues

Your company just can’t commit to one kind of display, and they change their mind constantly. Chances are, the frequent changes are adding up. Moving over to rental can feed the need to mix things up as often as you like without worrying about a large investment in one trade show display.

5. You jumped into a long-term solution, but it was the wrong choice

Forget commitment issues, your company saw the display booth of their dreams and jumped right in only to realize a few shows later that it wasn’t everything they thought it’d be. Sometimes you just don’t know if something is going to work on the trade show floor (for example integrated technology or a double-deck) until you try it. Most rental display solutions could eventually be purchased if you like, so why not try things out before taking a regrettable leap.

6. It’s not broke, but you want to improve it

Many brands will make updates and improvements to current booths (like mentioned in #1) to avoid the cost of an entirely new one. Instead of adding and adding, use rental as your unlimited source for the parts you want to add for example, technology kiosks, hanging signs, seating and more. Think of it like a library where you can check in and out without permanently taking on a new exhibit piece.

7. You needed a booth yesterday

Whether it was a last minute decision to exhibit or just procrastination (no judgment), your company needs a booth ASAP and it must at least create the illusion of being a custom solution. Starting from scratch with a designer and putting a custom booth into production takes time. Fortunately in the rental game there are plenty of unique kits that look custom. Since rental kits are pretty much ready to go hardware wise, you save a lot of days off the process because now only your graphics have to be produced. 

Has your company gone over to the trade show display rental side before? What made them make that decision? Share your experience!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact