Trade fair stand ideas and other trends

A lot has changed during and after the pandemic. Not just in my private life. There have also been some changes in our professional lives. Including in the trade fair industry. Since there have been few to no live trade fairs in the last two years, other solutions had to be found. What were these solutions and what has prevailed? Are these trends still valid today? 

In the meantime, a mix of various tools and channels has established itself, all of which have their raison d'être, but can and will never replace the classic live trade fair. However, it can make sense to include the new trade fair stand ideas in your trade fair planning in order to achieve a greater reach or better appeal to interested parties. The important thing here is to use and exploit the possibilities of trade fair stand ideas correctly. 

Virtual events as a “trade fair replacement”? 

As already mentioned, many trade fair exhibitors did not want to do without their presentation of the latest developments and products. As trade fairs were canceled, much to the annoyance of trade fair exhibitors, many turned to virtual events as an alternative. Of course, a virtual event cannot necessarily achieve the same atmosphere as a live trade fair, but a virtual event still has its advantages. Apart from the fact that it is corona-compliant, no one has to make a long journey. Which in turn is easy on the wallet and the environment. From a virtual showroom to present your products to a virtual tour of the trade fair, everything can be presented virtually. It all depends on the exhibitor's wishes. Here are a few impressions of virtual trade fair construction: Virtual event projects.

Hybrid events

The trade fair stand idea of the virtual event is still very popular today, after the pandemic and live trade fairs finally taking place again. The combination of the live trade fair and the parallel virtual event is known as a hybrid event. Companies are represented at the live trade fair and offer trade fair visitors the opportunity to obtain further information in the virtual space. This means that even customers or interested parties who are unable to attend on the day of the trade fair can still take part. Just virtually. In this way, the trade fair exhibitor does not lose anyone, can maintain a large area of your customer base and address an enormous range of interested parties.

Smaller trade fairs

It can also be observed that trade fairs have become smaller. Trade fairs are becoming more specific and targeted, meaning that the overall event area is becoming smaller and there are fewer exhibitors on site. Nevertheless, there is still a wide range of products on offer, as the smaller trade fairs offer additional highlights in the form of congresses, digital accompaniment, discussion panels, etc. This in turn attracts trade fair visitors. This in turn attracts trade fair visitors who want to listen to expert opinions or take part in live discussions. Smaller trade fairs also attract a more specific audience. Visitors are no longer overwhelmed by hundreds of offers, but know what to expect from the outset. The advantage for the trade fair exhibitor: they can better prepare for the target group!

Trend towards small exhibition stands

Trend towards small exhibition stands

The size of the trade fair naturally has an influence on the size of the exhibition stand. The exhibitor areas provided are also becoming smaller, so that trade fair exhibitors have to plan smaller exhibition stands. The trend here is towards 30 - 150m². But a well-planned and well thought-out small exhibition stand is nothing like a large exhibition stand, which may be more eye-catching. A small stand should be specific and provide an additional offer in the form of a virtual event. Interactions with the help of touch steles should also be integrated.

There are now stand builders who specialize in small exhibition stands and know exactly how to implement your exhibition stand idea to make it a success.

Rent an exhibition stand instead of buying one

Sustainability and environmental protection are high on the agenda for many companies. There is therefore a clear trend towards sustainability in exhibition stand construction. Some stand builders now offer rental models for exhibition stands. This means that the exhibition stands no longer have to be produced at great expense, purchased in their entirety and then disposed of later. The exhibition stands are rented as a whole so that the basic elements of the exhibition stand and the exhibition furniture can be used again. This means that far fewer extra items need to be produced and disposed of. Of course, individual concepts and designs can still be implemented in the exhibition stand rental concept.

Analytical trade fair stand idea: measuring success

“Is my trade fair presentation even successful?” Exhibitors ask themselves this question time and again. It is now possible to measure exactly that. How? With the help of sensors that are installed at strategic points on the stand. These are provided with the desired metrics and can then be measured live:

• How many visitors did I have at my stand?

• How long did the visitors stay where?

• When were most of them on site?

• Etc.

The measurability provides some information about the trade fair days. Correctly interpreted and analyzed, the data can be used to plan the next trade fair appearance or trade fair stand.

Trade fair visitors in transition

Another trend is the targeted selection of trade fair stands by trade fair visitors. In comparison to the past, visitors used to go to trade fairs at random and let themselves be overwhelmed by the exhibitors' impressions. As I said, today visitors find out in advance who is represented at the trade fair and then make a targeted selection of which trade fair stands they visit in order to obtain information. 
Which is not to say that the design of the exhibition stand is not important.It is still extremely important.Click here for an example of digital trade fair stand design.

Nowadays, trade fair visitors want to inform themselves at the stand.It therefore definitely makes sense to implement interactive touchscreens at the trade fair stand. Visitors can find information there and search specifically for the information they need.

Today's trade fair visitors want to be flexible. This is why many trade fair exhibitors, as described above, offer an additional way of obtaining information by offering a virtual event parallel to their trade fair presence.

What we say 

These exhibition stand ideas and trends will last for years to come. Of course, there is always the possibility of doing something very unusual. Then the questions arise: Will the concept be successful? 
Will it appeal to the target group?

Less is more also applies to exhibition stand construction.Even a small exhibition stand can have a few highlights. Ask your stand builder specifically about this.They will know which highlights make sense for your concept and where they should best be placed.