« Back To Articles & Resources

5 Ways to Make Your Trade Show Table Top Display More Effective

Josh Axelberd - Displayit.com

Often an afterthought in most trade show and event marketing programs, the table top display should be an effective piece of your face-to-face marketing program. Whether your table top display is being used at smaller trade shows, recruiting fairs, college fairs, or local events, we have put together some ideas that we think will help you create a more effective display.

Select the right display for the job

There are many different styles of table top displays. It is critical to determine what type you will need to create an effective display. You must ask yourself what will the displays of the other exhibitors be like? Will they have impressive, larger table top displays with large impact graphics or will the event primarily feature smaller tri-fold style displays. A simple tri-fold style table top display may be suitable for some events, but if your competition is going to have large displays with beautiful full color graphics you are going to need a display that can compete in that environment.

You also need to make sure that your display is cost effective. How will you transport it, what type of shipping costs will be involved. If your event is local, will it be easy for your staff to transport and setup the exhibit. With so many styles to choose from, make sure you select the display that works best for you

Take the time to create the right visuals

You only have 3 seconds, to capture the attention of a visitor to your exhibit. It is important that you take the time to create graphics and visuals that are effective and communicate a message to your visitors. When it comes to most trade show displays, it is best to highlight large photos that convey a message and supplement those images with a logo and tag line. This rule is especially important when it comes to table top displays, because the displays are smaller and if you try to fill your display with lots of text or bullet points, the text will be too small to read and your prospect will become overwhelmed. When developing your message, try to create text or tag lines that communicate the most important message you are trying to deliver at that particular event. Think of your table top display as more billboard than brochure.

Limit the clutter

Just because your have a 6' or 8' table in your exhibit, does not mean you have to cover it with every brochure your company has ever printed. Keep your table top clear of anything that might distract from your display. Select a handful of your most important items and display them, if they don’t help you deliver the message you are trying to communicate to your prospects keep them out of view.

Add a printed table cover

It is highly recommended that you make use of a printed table cover to maximize your display area. Printed table covers provide a great opportunity to spotlight your logo or message. Many table top exhibitors, simply use the standard unprinted table cover that is provided by the show organizers and often these covers are old, ugly, or simply clash with the colors of the display. Printed table covers can feature simple 1 or 2 color logs or they can be totally printed with full color images that help your table top display deliver a message. Every table top display should have a printed logo cover to go with it.

Maximize the rest of your booth space.

Once you have finished your table top display with beautiful graphics and your table cover is fully printed, the job isn’t over yet. Don’t forget to take advantage of some of the other space in your exhibit. You can always add accessories such as printed banner stands, literature displays, and prize wheels. Retractable banner stands are lightweight and great for drawing a little extra attention to your booth space. Literature displays are a great way to show off your literature without making your display area look cluttered. Creative use of a prize wheel can help draw additional traffic into your booth space.

Each year, we are finding that more and more exhibitors are making use of table top displays within their face-to-face marketing programs. As the competition on the show floor gets tougher, make sure that you are doing everything you can to make your table top display as effective as possible.

« Back To Articles & Resources