Portable Trade Show Displays have been around ever since the Pop Up Display was introduced of the first in the late 1970’s. These displays became popular because when compared to the heavy, plywood based exhibits of the time they were affordable, light, easy to set up and had the ability to display graphic images. During the 1980’s and 90’s, one lightweight panel system after another was introduced. The downside was that it became difficult to tell one from another because there was so much copycat design. However there was still much innovation going on during that creative period. The financial trouble of the early 2000's resulted in new product introductions being put on hold.

There has still been some great exhibit design but the focus has been on, as far as 10 x 10′ booths are concerned, producing customized looks that fall in the $10,000 plus price range instead of the more portable exhibit. This meant that lot of companies, particularly start-ups, with limited options. Sure, they could still purchase a pop up display but for those wanting to stand out from the crowd there haven’t been too many new options. Until now. During the last twenty-four months there have been several new portable trade show exhibit systems introduced in the important $5-10,000.00 category. Some have many options that allows designers to cumtomize. Optons like Plexiglas, laminate or graphic wings and header panels, fabric tension mural graphics on the backwall, plasmas and locking counters provide a lot of flexibility. All this and it still packs  into UPS-able shipping cases. Trade show exhibit design is becoming portable once again.

Perhaps you are planning on a new portable trade show exhibit for next year this would be a good time to begin planning. It is easy to make the mistake of creating a trade show budget without a clear understanding as to what your goals.  You need to set the goals and then to figure out show to accomplish those goals. It is a given that every company wants to get the most value for their exhibit investment. This can, however, create a conflict of interest. For companies whose larger focus is upon cutting costs instead of focusing upon what it is going to take to step ahead of the competition then perhaps trade shows are not the right way to spend your marketing dollars. So, here are two things you can do right now to get your new exhibit off on the right track. As far as creating a budget goes, plan on being in the top third in your exhibit category. It is always possible that you will be able to spend less and to bargain your way into a great deal, but you want to start out knowing that you have what it takes to compete. Next, create a list of the things that you want in the exhibit booth. Conference tables? Storage? Plasma screens? Work stations? Product dispays? This will come in handy and save a lot of time when it comes time to contact an exhibit company. These simple steps will help to stand out on the convention floor.