Comparison by booth type
Comparison 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.
Use this list verbatim before signing any booth builder contract.
Half the 'builders' on Google are brokers. Here's how to tell — and when each is appropriate.
Cancellation clauses, IP ownership, hidden labor markups, and the booth builder fine print that costs exhibitors thousands every year.
A 10-question framework for vetting rental partners — most exhibitors only ask 3.
The 6 milestones every custom booth project moves through — and the 3 where most projects slip.
An honest comparison of the three modular booth systems most U.S. exhibitors will see quoted.
A practical RFP structure that gets you comparable quotes without wasting builders' time.
Eight warning signs that separate experienced booth builders from order-takers and high-risk operations.
A vetted question list to use in your first call with any exhibit booth company.
Side-by-side comparison of custom and modular booths across cost, reusability, lead time, and brand impact.
A practical framework for evaluating booth builders, with the questions that actually separate great vendors from average ones.
Frequently asked questions
Custom vs modular vs rental — which is right?
Custom = highest design control + best for 4+ shows/year. Modular = best for size flexibility. Rental = best for low-frequency or new-market testing. The right answer depends on your show calendar, not just budget.
How do I vet a booth builder?
Ask for 3 references at your booth size, 3 references at your host city, sample SOWs with line-item drayage/I&D, change-order policy in writing, and proof-of-insurance limits matching show requirements.
Should I work with one builder or multiple?
One primary for your hero booth + a rental partner for secondary shows is the most common pattern for exhibitors at 5+ shows/year. Single-vendor lock-in is risky long-term.