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Outdoor Exhibit Design 101 – Where to Start
5 min read
In a perfect world, every outdoor event would be set in ideal weather conditions: on a bright and sunny day, with little to no breeze, and solid, dry ground to support your stunning company display. But let’s be realistic, there is a good chance that at least one of the natural elements might not work in your favor. When exhibiting at an outdoor event, it is crucial that you take extra steps to make sure your portable display can hold up for the duration of the event. You should take into account each of the following tips in order to get the most out of your branded, outdoor display.
Stability is key
One of the most significant differences between outdoor and indoor events is the lack of stability in an outdoor environment. The ground may not be stable enough to support a heavy display, or the wind might be too strong and carry away your banner signs. There are multiple ways that the outdoor elements can stop your exhibit from holding together the way it needs to.
Each component of your outdoor display or booth should be able to stand up to the elements, or have some kind of modification that will make it functional in an unpredictable atmosphere. For example, instead of opting for a traditional, collapsible banner stand, you should consider banner stands with weighted bottoms like the ones available from Iconic Displays. The weighted bases on these banner stands can be filled with water to give them increased stability, and the best part is that you can drain the water when you’re packing up, making transportation nearly effortless. As for the graphic back wall to your display, a large bulky design might be more susceptible to falls. Portable displays that are anchored to the ground or printed hanging graphic panels attached to outdoor tents are usually the best option for affordable, outdoor event booths.
Get noticed from afar
Brand visibility at trade shows depends on many things, including booth placement, neighboring exhibitors, and vertical space. At outdoor events, it’s no different. The open-air environment creates more opportunity for your brand to be seen from afar. It’s important that you stand out and that your booth grabs the attention of people walking by. Often there can be more distractions at outdoor shows, so it may be even harder to attract booth visitors. Obviously, banner signs are a great way of creating graphic space to share information about your company and images of your product. Printed back walls are also a great way to build a mobile, interactive space. You want to be sure that every exhibit component adheres to your design theme. Using the same color scheme throughout all of your branding and booth accessories will help grab visitors’ attention. Be sure you have all of your bases covered, including branded table throws and tabletop displays. Incorporating the latest outdoor display accessories in your booth will help you stand out from you competition and be the exhibitor that everyone will be talking about.
Protect your staff and inventory
Exhibiting and selling at events can be a long and exhausting process. A significant amount of effort usually goes into planning, packing, running, and cleaning up after an event. If you are setting up at an outdoor event, this process can be even more strenuous because of the exposure to the elements. Transportation is sometimes more difficult, supplies and boxes might get dirty, and both your staff and your booth inventory will be exposed to the elements. Even if your event takes place on a sunny day, the sun can be overwhelming over long periods of time. The best way to ensure the comfort of your booth staff and visitors is by investing in a branded pop up shade.
Outdoor canopy tents are a staple for all kind of outdoor events. They can protect from the sun and from the rain. Getting caught in unpredictable weather can be devastating to your company’s performance at a marketing or sales event. Investing in a tent is one of the smartest ways to ensure your brand’s success at outdoor events. There are plenty of attractive options available, including the ones offered by Iconic Displays in multiple colors. You can also choose to have your logo printed on the top and sides of the canopy, increasing your brands visibility. These canopy tents are durable and will last for many events into the future. If you can offer your visitors a break from the hot sun or shelter from the rain, they are much more likely to want to spend time learning about your company.
Many exhibitors are in industries that are largely based outdoors. Food and merchandise vendors often create point of purchase displays where they need to have the resources available to make sales at outdoor events. Sometimes there is a specific marketing event that your company just can’t afford to miss out on. In all of these cases, you should adapt your display to work outdoors instead of assuming any display design will do the trick. Working with a display design company can help you make sure your bases are covered and you’re not left out in the rain at your next outdoor show!