What good planning looks like
Strong exhibit programs treat each show as a project with a charter, a budget, and named owners for design, marketing, logistics, and lead handling. The guides below operationalize each of those workstreams.
Planning by show
Planning by booth size
100 sq ft — costs, design & options
200 sq ft — costs, design & options
400 sq ft — costs, design & options
600 sq ft — costs, design & options
900 sq ft — costs, design & options
1600 sq ft — costs, design & options
From the blog
Deep-dive articles that expand on the playbooks above.
Stop exhibiting at shows out of habit. Score every show on these 7 criteria first.
The booth is just a stage. Staffing determines ROI more than design does.
Your floor plan position is fixed by the time doors open. Pick it deliberately.
Customs, ATA carnets, local builders, and the practical differences when you exhibit overseas for the first time.
What to do at month 12, 9, 6, 3, and 1 — a planning calendar that prevents most show-week emergencies.
Everything a first-time exhibitor wishes someone had told them before they signed the booth contract.
Realistic planning timelines for trade show booths — what to do at 6 months, 3 months, and 30 days out.
The five most expensive mistakes we see exhibitors make — and exactly how to avoid each one.
A practical, no-fluff guide for first-time trade show exhibitors. Avoid the most common (and most expensive) mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start planning a trade show booth?
12 months out for custom 20x20+ builds; 4–6 months for rentals; 8–12 weeks minimum for portable 10x10 displays. Earlier always saves money on rush fees and freight.
What goes in a vendor RFP?
Show + booth size + height limits, in-booth requirements (meeting rooms, demo stations, storage), brand guidelines, target budget range, key dates, and a single point of contact.
Who owns trade show planning internally?
Marketing usually owns the program; sales owns lead targets; product owns demo content; ops/finance owns budget and freight. A named program manager bridges all four.