5 Tips to Finding the Right Trade Show Booth Vendor

January 17, 2015

Kristin Hovde

Kristin Hovde is the Website Manager and Blogger for Smash Hit Displays, an online trade show display company that has many booths, accessories, and flooring available.

Have you ever heard the saying, “you get what you pay for”? Just because you saved money, doesn’t mean you got the best deal. For example, if you found a used car for a great price, it could end up costing you more to repair the car than you actually paid for it.

If you are shopping for a new trade show display, the price may be important to you, but should not be the only factor you take into consideration when making your purchase decision. Instead, do your research on several vendors to determine which one will be the best fit for you. Before you decide which trade show booth vendor to work with, keep these 5 criteria in mind.

1.Speed of Response

If it takes what feels like an eternity to get a response back after you have attempted to call or email them, this could be a glimpse of how they run their business. Having a vendor you can depend on is critical, especially since you will most likely need your booth on a specific date. If they take their sweet time responding to your questions, concerns, or comments, I would be concerned on whether or not they take their time designing your booth.

2.Location the Booths are Manufactured

Display booths that are manufactured in other countries, such as China, will generally be less expensive because of low labor and materials costs. However, booths made from Chinese materials tend to be much less durable than materials that are manufactured in the United States. Not only are high-quality materials used, but the product also takes less time and money to ship.

3.The Variety of Products Available

Having a wide variety of products to choose from will give you plenty of options to choose from based on your needs. So choosing a vendor that has many different sizes, shapes, and designs to choose from is much more favorable than one that only offers a couple of different styles.

4.Product Knowledge

If you are a first-time exhibitor, you probably will have some questions for the trade show booth company. Hiring a company to design your exhibit that can’t even answer the simplest questions can be a huge red flag. The company you decide to work with should be able to provide the answers to all of your questions, while also providing enough information to help you make an educated purchase decision.

5.Schedule a Time to Meet with the Vendor

You will invest a great deal of time and money into the booth, so it’s imperative to know who the people are that are designing your exhibit outside of phone calls and emails. Schedule a time to either meet them face-to-face or, if they are not located near you, suggest having a Skype interview. This will give you an idea of how professional they appear to be. Also, if they are late for the meeting, who knows if they will deliver your booth in a timely manner. Scheduling this meeting will help calm your nerves and put your mind at ease.

Along with these 5 tips, do your research online to see what reviews you can find from previous customers. You are sure to find the perfect company to work with if these ideas are followed. Best of luck in finding the ideal vendor for your needs! 

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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