Trade Show Help & Advice

Which Is Your Trade Stand Best Location ?

Choosing your trade stand best location can be a daunting task.

There are so many aspects to consider. I suggest that you start by looking at the section on Understanding the Floor Plan.

This will give you an idea of how to interpret the information so that you can make a considered judgment as to the trade stand best location for you.

On the floor plan that you will have been sent should be other information that you will want to consider when choosing your stand location:

Position of the Main Entrance. This is where the visitors will be entering the hall so you may prefer a stand facing the main flow of incoming traffic. You should certainly make sure that any hanging banner you may have faces in this direction so that people can spot you from across the hall.

Position of Feature Areas. These areas will certainly generate traffic but if they are too noisy they can sometimes make talking to your visitors uncomfortable. There may be particular areas in the show dedicated to your particular specialty of trade so this can be a useful location to consider. If this area has it’s own seminar center you should consider providing a speaker. The organizer won’t mind if you briefly mention your stand number at the end of the talk.

Public Washrooms and Toilets. Forgive me for being indelicate but when you gotta go you gotta go and at some point everyone will pass through these doors. I’ve got customers who always books a stand near these facilities because he knows that he is easy to find.

Location of other Exhibitors. Are there other companies in your industry that will attract large numbers of people you want to talk to? Are there people you want to stay away from? The organizer will usually give you a list of who’s booked where.

Top Tips. I have spent countless hours walking around shows trying to understand the dynamics of visitor traffic flow. There are a few things I have learned that you should weigh up when choosing your stand location:

1)  If you see a feeding frenzy at a show it is invariably in a narrow gangway.

2)  Visitors will not walk across big open areas. It’s true! I’ve observed it on many occasions and have never seen an exception. I have no idea why it happens. So do not take a stand facing a wide open area... or you could be very lonely.