Scope first. Quotes second.
The right booth investment depends on your show calendar, brand stage, and what you actually need the booth to do — not a price chart. Here's how to think about it before you start collecting quotes.
Three formats. Each fits a different stage.
Rental
Light footprint, fast turnaround.
First-time exhibitors and one-off regional shows.
- You're testing a market or audience
- You exhibit once or twice a year
- Branding may change before the next show
Modular
Best long-term value per dollar.
Growing programs running multiple shows per year.
- You exhibit at three or more shows a year
- Brand identity is stable
- You want reusability without full custom cost
Custom
Anchor presence for flagship shows.
Brands where the booth drives the year's pipeline.
- One or two shows define your year
- You need bespoke experiences or demo bays
- You're planning 12+ weeks out
Four levers do most of the work.
How many shows the build amortizes across is the single biggest lever — more than materials, more than size.
Union labor rates and venue rules in tier-one cities shift the same build meaningfully versus secondary markets.
Lighting, A/V, demo stations, and hanging signs are where booths feel premium — and where quotes diverge most.
Comfortable timelines unlock competitive bids. Rush builds compress your options and inflate cost.
Ranges are starting points. Final costs vary based on design complexity, materials, AV and lighting, hanging signs, custom millwork, storage, refurb between shows, and show-specific services like drayage, rigging, and electrical. Premium builds for flagship shows routinely exceed the high end.
For a number tied to your actual show, scope, and goals, run a free ROI audit — we'll pinpoint waste and connect you with vetted builders for real estimates.
We turn your goals into a scope builders can quote against.
Most exhibitors overpay because they collect quotes without a shared brief. We write the scope with you, then introduce you to two to four vetted builders who quote inside your real range — no inflated tiers, no upsell theater.
Start your free audit- Scope brief sized to your show calendar
- 2–4 vetted builders, not a flood of cold outreach
- Quotes you can actually compare side-by-side
- No commission tax — builders pay us, not you
Common questions
Why don't you publish fixed prices?
Booth pricing is genuinely situational — the same 10x20 can swing 3–4x depending on materials, A/V, show city, and reusability. Anyone publishing a single number is selling you a story, not a quote. We help you scope first, then match you with builders who quote inside your real range.
Custom vs. modular vs. rental — which is right for me?
Rental fits one-off or first-time shows. Modular wins once you're doing three or more shows a year with consistent branding. Custom is for anchor shows where the booth is a core part of your annual pipeline. We help you decide before you talk to vendors.
What's usually missing from a builder's quote?
Show services (electrical, internet, rigging, cleaning), drayage, lead retrieval, freight insurance, and on-site labor are typically billed by the venue or general contractor — not the builder. Always ask for a line-item scope.
How do I know I'm not overpaying?
Get two to three quotes against the same written scope. Without a shared scope, you're comparing apples to oranges. Our audit gives you that scope as a starting point.