How to Create an Engaging Exhibition Stand: 6 Fun Ideas You Need to Try

No matter what industry you’re in, exhibiting at trade shows and conferences is a great way to promote your business and products. But, when you find yourself in a large hall, surrounded by competitors, it can become quite overwhelming for your visitors!

In order to attract attention and foot traffic to your exhibition stand, you’ll need to consider what makes your brand unique and how you can use that to create a talking point of the show.

Whether you’re a seasoned organiser or exhibiting for the first time, these tips will help you create a fun, engaging, and exciting exhibition stand that wows your visitors and stands out from the competition.

1. But first, coffee

Nothing wakes people up quite like a cup of hot coffee or tea, so why not offer it for free at your exhibition stand? A pop-up coffee cart is a great way to attract the morning and afternoon rush of event attendees. Make it fun by hiring a custom branded cart to make your brand really stand out from the crowd. Creative Hire have a range of food and beverage carts as well as counters and custom signage options to help showcase your brand and create an engaging display to drive foot traffic.

2. Carts, Bars and Gelato

Nothing says “fun” quite like a sweet treat station, so why not bring in an ice cream cart, gelato bike or self-serve candy bar for people to enjoy? Make sure to provide a range of flavors to cater to different tastes and dietary requirements too. Consider also offering a special deal or discount on your stand for attendees who share photos of their experience on social media or sign up to your email list.

3. Free Merchandise?

Who doesn’t love free stuff? People will be drawn to your stand if they know they can get a freebie or two. In fact, 52% of people say their impression of a company is more positive after receiving a branded produce?(APPA, 2021). Practical items such as pens, stress balls, towels, and USBs are always a winner but just make sure your freebies are relevant to your business and where possible made from sustainable products.

4. Gamification: putting green or ping-pong

If you have the space, setting up a mini-golf course or ping-pong table is a great way to add some fun to your exhibition stand. People will love testing their skills, and you can use it as an opportunity to promote your business and get to know your customers. Encourage attendees to take photos of themselves playing mini-golf or ping-pong and share them on social media. This is a great way to generate user-generated content and promote your brand at the event or tradeshow.

5. Run a contest or giveaway

People love winning prizes, so running a contest or giveaway is a great way to add some excitement to your exhibition stand and provide some added value. You can do something simple like a raffle or make it an interactive spin-the-wheel game. This also provides the opportunity to capture new leads and nurture for future deals and revenue prospects.

6. Live Art, Message Walls and Photobooth

Art is an expression of interest that can be used to communicate a key message or simply provide beauty and entertainment. Incorporating live art or message walls into your exhibition gives visitors a reason to come back, as the canvas will develop and change over time. You could also compliment this with a competition for a visitor or attendee to win the finished product at the conclusion of the event.

Similarity, photo booths are a powerful tool to drive brand awareness and engage with your audience. They are also a great opportunity to gain new leads and data. Make it fun, interactive and digital. This is an opportunity for creativity!

Creative Hire can provide walling, lighting or custom signage to help you create a unique and eye-catching backdrop for your live art or message walls. Our team can also assist with the setup of your photobooth, ensuring it’s fully branded and integrated with your social media and marketing strategy.

Ultimately, there are numerous ways you can add entertainment and engagement to your exhibition stand. Remember, the goal is to make your space more fun so that people will want to visit and create a lasting impression long after the show has concluded.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box. Contact our event and exhibition specialists today to help you bring your ideas to life. With a little creativity and attention to detail on what would resonate the most with your audience, we can help you create a fun and memorable experience that attendees will love.