As with any design of a space, the use of space must be practical. Think carefully about where people will stand, both your staff manning the stand, and the customers visiting the stand. Good exhibition stands make the most of the space and the designer will create a space that is both useful and attractive to passers by.

If your budget allows, a custom designed exhibition stand allows greater flexibility for portable displays and different signage options such as pull up banners, pop up displays, and product displays.

If you have are using the basic ‘shell’ exhibition stands provided by the organiser, you can still involve a designer and ‘upgrade’ to help make maximum impact, and provide comfortable areas for staff to chat with prospective clients.  Most shell scheme exhibition stands have walls on three sides, with a wide open space in the centre.

One of the first objects to consider when designing your exhibition display is the amount of space allocated to your company at the trade show. Ensure you receive exact measurements and information about the placement of the exhibition stand within the exhibition centre from the trade show organisers.

If you have a corner stand, it could be a better option for you to remove the wall to the end, and create a more open spaced exhibition stand design. Once you have the information about the show stand arrangements, you can design an exhibition stand that serves your purpose.

You need to decide what the purpose of your stand at the trade show or exhibition will be. If it is just to provide information to prospective clients, you may want to focus on the banners, signage and posters.

Do you need to hire display stands to show your products to the best effect? Will you need extra lights or special light displays, such as a spotlight on your best product? Do you want rotating display stands or static displays?

If you plan to have brochures or give-aways for your prospective customers, you will need to consider where you will display and store these items within the exhibition stand. You may wish to hire a professional looking counter or display case for your exhibition stand.

If you plan to attract people to your stand through demonstrations of the product, you will need to create an open space around where you will show how your product works, for customers to watch the demonstrations.

Static displays can be good, but you may want to consider other options for a professional exhibition stand design. You can hire pop up displays, for example that will attract more attention than a static display. When designing the exhibition stand, allow room for the banners, displays, and for staff and customers.

Trade shows and exhibitions provide unique selling and marketing opportunities that can require specialised design in the stand. If you want to make the most of your allocated space, so that the area attracts attention, provides space for staff and customers to chat, and provides information in a variety of methods to passers by, you will definitely need to carefully consider how to design your exhibition stand.

Here are some things you can do using social media to attract and inform your potential customers;

1. Create a ‘Facebook’ page for your business then email your customers or prospective customers and invite them to become a ‘fan’. You can then post updates directly on to your page and reach several people at once. You could even post some kind of special offer to be claimed at the show if people sign up as ‘fans’.
2. Open a ‘Twitter’ account and again invite your prospects to follow you, You can keep people updated with the lead up to the show and even “Twitter” during the show so that people who may not be able to attend will still be able to keep up with any exciting new product releases or special events.
3. Start a company ‘blog’. It’s all about keeping your customers in the loop and providing information. With a blog site you can educate your customers a bit more as to who you are and what you can offer. You can write brief but detailed articles on individual products and provide clients with a link direct to the product which interests them.
4. Leave comment on other blog sites and articles which are aligned with your company or product in some way. You may be able to use the platform of a larger, more well-known company to plug a new product release or event. Be careful not to blatantly advertise though – it has to be of general interest to readers of the blog.
5. Film some product demonstrations or staff interviews explaining your product or service. You can use AV equipment on your stand to play these back. You can also upload the video to ‘You Tube’, post it on your blog site,  your ‘Facebook’ page and your own company web-site. Maybe take some video at the show itself.

Good Design

Easy Assembly
If you plan to travel with your exhibition stand and want to be able to save on install and pack down fees at different venues, you will need to take into account the versatility and easy assembly of your chosen stand package. A well designed stand should be easy and quick to install, saving you on-site labour costs.

Light Weight
Perhaps not the most obvious of considerations but you will save money on transportation if your stand is light weight. Also, install will be made easier if the actual components are lighter to move around. You could save on forklift costs if your stand can be erected by manpower alone.

Pack Down, Storage and Transportation
A good exhibition company will take care of all these things for you., but if you do need to pay for storage and/or transportation you want the stand to take up as small a space as possible to save on costs. Packaging should be sturdy and reusable too so that when you re-assemble your stand at different venues, it should look like new each time. Most exhibition companies will include upkeep and touch up paint in their costs.

Accessories
Get as many accessories as you think you may need as part of the initial package. For instance; lights, carpet or floor tiles, lockable counters and storage, even graphics. Furniture is generally an extra but you can still ask your exhibition company to add chairs, tables, plants, a bar setting, plasma screens etc. to your quote so that when you turn up at the show, you have everything you’ll need already there.

Graphics
Your exhibition stand package will probably come with graphic panels included. Don’t waste this opportunity. Get your own graphic designer or your exhibition company to come up with something that will best advertise your company. Many people use these panels as just ‘background’ images but this is all advertising space which you have already paid for so should be using it to its best potential.

Price
Probably your most important consideration when choosing an exhibition stand package. Obviously you will have some kind of budget to stick to so shop around. If you see a particular stand you like but out of your price range call the exhibition company and ask if they might be able to save any costs. They will be able to take out a couple of graphics that you may not need which will reduce the price, or they may be able to offer you a cheaper flooring option. Always give the exhibition company your budget and ask them to offer you something suitable.

A good exhibition company should always be able to adapt their product to your needs. Tell them what it is you are trying to achieve and ask advice on any issues you are unsure about. They are there to help you.

1. Check which Hall
Some exhibitions, such as the Good Food and Wine Show take up all six exhibition halls, but other trade shows are smaller. Check which halls the event you are booking is using, as this may have an impact on where you locate your stand. Check where people will enter and exit the exhibition, so you have an idea of whether your stand is in the middle, or will be one of the first or last the prospective customers see.

2. Use the Exhibitor’s Services
The Exhibition Centre offers several services for exhibitors that can make your exhibition stand better. You can book internet connectivity to show your website at your stand. If you need water or compressed air for your stand, you can book these features too. You can even book a phone line and equipment, so you can connect to credit card services for your customers. Outside Exhibition Hall 5, there is an Exhibitor Services Desk which offers accounts for the food and beverage outlets (for your staff), facsimile and photocopying facilities, gas bottle refills, wheelchairs for visitors, and internet access cards for the public internet facility. 

3. Loading Bays
Check with the event organizer for the times you are allowed to access the loading bays to move your exhibition stand and equipment into and out of the convention centre. The loading docks are located on Darling Drive and you will need to pass through a secure gate house for access to the bays.

4. Parking
There is no parking in the loading bays, but there is plenty of parking available in the exhibition centre car parks and public car parks in the region. You may have to pay a daily fee for parking. Since the Darling Harbour facility is well connected to public transport, you may suggest to your staff to use public transport for the event.

5. On Stand Catering
You may like to think about the option of having some on stand catering for your customers. Entice your customers with a gelato stand and see how many people stick around for your product demonstration while they enjoy a gelato. You can order sandwiches, barbecues, gelato, and coffee and tea stands. You can even order a breakfast platter. If you offer your customers a tea or coffee, you will be more likely to get your customers to stay at the stand much longer, offering your staff more opportunities to convert passers by into paying customers.

The Exhibition and Convention Centre at Darling Harbour is a great venue for your exhibition. It has won awards for occupational health and safety and for food service. Use the exhibitor services available to make the most of your exhibition stand at the trade show. If you are exhibiting at a trade show or exhibition in this centre, you will find it well equipped to make sure your exhibition stand is a tremendous success.

Here are some tips to make your exhibit at the Good Food and Wine Show stand out.

1. Samples or Tasty Treats
Most exhibitors offer people samples or tasting trials at this show. Obviously, if people taste your food and like it, you will make more sales. When you design your exhibition stand, consider what you need to provide edible samples of your product. You may need an electric frying pan and electricity for example to serve something hot. You need to order in small tasting cups or plastic spoons to serve your tasty treats to your prospective customers. You may want to consider what portion size you will serve. Usually a mouthful or two is enough to give your customers a taste of your product. Ensure you provide any food or drink in a hygienic manner to your customers. If you provide a tasting sample, don’t forget a plastic bin for people to put the rubbish in.

2. Product Bags
Another idea is to offer a “show bag” that customers will purchase with a number of your products together. If you offer show bags, provide a sturdy bag that people can easily carry all day, with strong handles. You may consider going shares with another company offering a product that complements your product. For example, if you sell delicious cheeses, you may want to add some crackers to your show bag or product bag. If you can get another exhibitor to sell the same show bag at their stand too, giving you a fair share of the sale price to cover the cost of your product, you could double your sales.

3. Demonstrations
Consider arranging your stand to enable a staff member to give demonstrations of how to make your product. If you are cooking something, don’t hide this at the back of the stand, but have the staff member up front giving an active demonstration of how your product works. You may want to schedule in several demonstrations over the three days of the exhibition. You can also plan to give theatre style demonstrations of your cooking or a wine tasting show. This is a terrific way to show customers all the benefits of your products. If you plan to give a show or demonstration in one of theatres outside of your own stand, you will need to book this with the event organizers.

4. Order Forms and Online Ordering
Not everyone will be able to purchase your product at the show. If you can provide online ordering and order forms for your customers, you may make sales for many months after the actual event. Make sure you allow space to take orders on the day and space for your order forms or brochures to give to customers who want to order online after the event. This increases your sales, especially as many people can’t carry too many things at this event, so allowing your customers to place an order for later delivery works well.

5. Sales on the Day
When you sell products at the Good Food and Wine Show, you need to design your stand to allow for space to store your products. This is particularly hard if you need cold storage, so you may have to hire fridges or freezers for the event. If you sell alcohol, it is easier as people can pick up the alcohol orders at the liquor shop at the end of the day. Check with the organizers about food storage areas that you may use during the event. Don’t forget to provide ways for people to purchase your product, paying via credit card, eftpos, or cash.

The Good Food and Wine Show is a practical event that always attracts a large crowd. Make it easy for your prospective customers to remember your product by offering free tastings, product demonstrations, and product bags or show specials. Make it easy for people to buy your product on the spot and also to order the product after the show.

If you are preparing to exhibit this year at CeBIT, you will spend this week making final preparations to ensure your stand is an outstanding success. Here are some ideas to make your CeBIT experience worthwhile.

1. Plan for 30,000 Visitors
Over 30,000 people will visit CeBIT in Australia this year, so make sure you have enough business cards, brochures, and give aways. You may need to restock your selection several times throughout the exhibition, so plan how to store and restock your marketing tools. You do not want to run out of your business cards on the first day of this event.

2. Plan to Network Extensively
While you will need someone to man your stand at all times, you should also provide enough staff to network through the crowds and to visit the other stands. CeBIT offers you the chance to network with the senior level executives across a wide range of industries. You need time to make contacts and time to network with the other people attending the event. It may work well to have one or two staff members roaming the event while others provide information at the stand.

3. Offer Something Different
While the majority of exhibition stands will offer technological stands, try making your exhibition stand different by offering the crowds something a little different. Think carefully about what makes your product or service stand out and offer your customers something that brings that to their attention. You may want to try having a gelato stand at your stand while you show a DVD of your product in action. Give your customers something they can genuinely use in their business – even if it is as simple as a pen or notepad (marked with your website address), so you will get return business later on. Mouse mats, coffee mugs, and other accessories for the business desk will work well as marketing tools too.

4. Prepare Media Statements
CeBIT is one of the few exhibitions that attracts so many media attendees. Prepare some media statements, such as press releases electronic media releases for your company. If you have these ready prepared, you may get more media attention than your competitors who have not considered what to say.

5. Ensure You Present a Professional Image
Remember that CeBIT aims at the senior level executives and government people as well as retailers and distributors. CeBIT is one exhibition where presenting a total package of a professional company is essential. Be prepared to talk about what your company offers the ICT industry as a whole, as well as the benefits to individual businesses. Look at every angle of your exhibition stand and make sure nothing is out of place. Ensure your staff look professional in appearance and present a complete image that enhances your marketing materials.

CeBIT is a terrific way to network business to business across the industry. Make sure you and your staff are prepared for the event, which could make you millions in business referrals.

The 2010 National Careers & Employment Expo is the largest event of its kind in Australia for anyone looking for information on;

• Full-Time & Part-Time Jobs on offer
• Graduate, Apprentice & Trainee Opportunities
• Employment and Training Seminars
• Leading Organisations, Local & Interstate

Organisers expect the exhibition to attract over 115,000 people all up including both prospective employers and employees alike. It is run over two days in each and every major city in the country and is essential to school leavers, graduates, people returning to the work force after an absence and even mature age workers.
The expo showcases many employment opportunities, and the friendly character of the show allows job seekers the chance of one-on-one interviews with leading employers and industry groups from Australia and Overseas in an informal environment.
As well as career opportunities, The National Careers and Employment Expo is also recognized as a key platform to find out about further education, apprentiships and employment training programs.

There are hundreds of courses, study options or new training and skills pathways for visitors to check out. Many exhibitors provide a hands-on environment for you to try a trade and make a more informed choice about your future.

On going support from local business, government and educational communities mean that the National Careers & Employment Expo has become a key stepping stone for anyone in the job market.

Before you go out spending a lot of money on materials, do your research. If you do an online search for ‘Trade Show stand designs’, you will find thousands of photos and articles of various stands from all sorts of industries. Spend your time going through these and take note of those that really catch your eye. What is it in particular that draws your attention?

Once you have discovered the look that you like, it’s time to start drawing up plans for your own stand. You don’t need to be an artist, or an architect, just a simple sketch is all you need so that when you start buying parts and getting to work you have an idea of what you want to achieve. However, working with an expert stand designer can be helpful and a cost effective way to make sure your design is right for your needs.

Don’t forget that whatever type of stand you build, it will need to be easily portable and sturdy enough to handle a lot of foot traffic and some bumps and collisions. Something else to take into consideration is that after the trade show is finished, if you are planning on keeping the stand until the next show, you will have to store it somewhere. You probably don’t want a large stand taking up your entire storeroom and preventing you from using it for other purposes.

Another consideration to keep in mind is that this stand will need to be transported, assembled and disassembled – probably many times. You don’t want the construction of the stand to be too difficult for you or your workers when they get to the trade show location. We’ve all spent many an hour trying to put together flat-pack furniture which claims ‘Easy-to-Assemble’ – there’s nothing worse. Some exhibition companies will help you with the assembly and disassembly of your stand, so it can be worth considering this option.

It is a great idea to check out the competition whenever you attend a trade show. Look at how they have designed/built their stands and think about whether there is anything you could adapt for use with your own. Trends change over time and you don’t want to be exhibiting with an outdated, tired looking display. This is another reason why hiring an expert in the field can help you make your business stand out. The experts in the industry know the latest trends.

Finally, when building your Trade Show stand you need to remember that it will be representing you, your business and your product at every Trade Show that you attend. Ensure that your stand is easily identifiable as belonging to you, by adorning it with your business logo and colours. Also, don’t be afraid to make alterations if, after attending a Trade Show or two, you identify changes you could make to your stand for convenience or ease of use, and always make sure that the stand is well-maintained.

Space for Staff
How many staff members will you have manning the stand at any point in time? Each staff member needs plenty of room to sit or to stand to talk to customers comfortably. Customers also need space to talk to your staff members. If space is at a premium, you may want to have fewer staff members manning the stand, even if that means customers have to wait a bit longer for service. A good rule of thumb is to allow at least 80cm2 for each staff member.

Space for Storage
Plan where you will store extra brochures, business cards, order forms, or giveaways. You won’t be able to have all of these items on display (most exhibitors hand out thousands of business cards in a single day at the trade show. Check whether you can store any items anywhere else with the exhibition organizers. An option may be to store a minimum amount of items in the actual stand and have a staff member go to the car or van to restock as needed throughout the exhibition.

Space for Signage
While signs may not take up much space, especially if you hang the signs on the walls of the exhibition stand, you still need to consider the space for signs. There is little point in hanging signs and then covering up the signs with things in front of the signs, so no-one can actually read the signs at the back of the stand. If you use banners or stands for your signage, you need to allocate that space accordingly in your exhibition design.

Space for Surroundings
Creating a type of ambiance in your exhibition stand is important. Sometimes, you may just want space to avoid the stand feeling cluttered and uninviting to customers. It is better to have some ‘empty’ space rather than to give the impression of clutter and mess.

Space for Products
Decide which products you will be promoting at your exhibition stand. If you want to highlight a particular product, you will need space for the product, space around the product so that customers can see the product clearly, and space for the lighting which will highlight the product in your exhibition stand.

Space will always be at a premium when you create your exhibition stand. You need to decide how best to use the space you have and how to avoid making your stand feel cluttered, messy, and unusable for the staff and customers.

Talk with your exhibition designer about the best ways to use the limited space you have in your exhibition stand. You should map out the stand and play with moving elements of the stand around on the map before you commission your signs, furniture, and other exhibition stand products.

Remember the adage that sometimes less is more when you are designing your exhibition stand. Remove the clutter and make every centimeter of your allotted space for your exhibition stand count.

While the majority of exhibitions indoors have some lighting in the exhibition hall, your particular stand may not have enough light to show your products properly. Relying on the lighting at the hall can be a costly mistake, especially if you turn up and discover the stand next to you has used material to cover the main lights and create an eye opening exhibition stand using special lights.

Here are five ways you can use lights to attract attention at your exhibition stand.

Feature a Product
A common way to use lighting effectively is to feature a particular product on your stand. Backlight your pop up display or use spotlights to showcase the newest product in your range. Spotlights on the floor can cause trip hazards for staff, so you might want to consider where you place the spotlights for the best effect while ensuring OHS issues are considered.

Use Coloured Lights
You do not have to only use plain old, boring white lights to attract attention. Neon lighting used judiciously can attract attention to your stand. Alternatively, use light to show up your theme colours by adding reflectors to the light globes in the right colours. If you have a light green colour theme, try using a green reflector light to enhance the atmosphere of your trade show stand.

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
This is essential if you want to use the stand to allow people to make a deal on the day of the trade show. You can use lights on the floor to subtly lead people into your stand or point people into the seating area. Look at your stand from every angle and see how the lighting makes your stand welcoming. Avoid lights that glare straight into the eyes of passers-by – or people will just pass by!

Light Up Your Signs
Use spotlights, downlights, and uplights to light up your signage. You can add small downlights to the top of your stand and light up the exhibition stand sign provided by the exhibition organisers. You use your signs to attract attention to your stand, so it makes sense to make sure people can see your signs. Lighting on a sign can really attract attention to your exhibition stand.

Create Shadows, Patterns, and Depth
Your exhibition stand is three-dimensional, so why not use lights to add depth to your space. You may intentionally want to create some shadows (where you can hide boxes of promotional products) and highlight particular areas in your stand with brighter lights (such as where your products are).

Pay attention to how you design the lighting of your exhibition stand and you will reap the benefits by attracting more attention to your stand.