Non custom trade show displays manufacturers (pop up booths) have pidgeon-holed everyone into cookie cutter booths. Custom trade show displays to be effective should be unique. Now create custom trade show displays that are unique and memorable. Design modular trade show display booths that are not cookie cutter curve popups. Custom trade show displays can create a unique image for your company. Don't settle for exhibits that are all alike--- now you can stand out by designing a custom trade show display. Design you own booth, it is simple. Start with a rough sketch what you want then any reputable display dealer can put together a CAD rendering of your booth. If they can't, then I wouldn't trust them to be able to provide your booth. The custom built booth is almost a thing of the past. Using modular components pre-made in almost any size and shape, you can now create a unique look that doesn't require every booth to be built from scratch. A reputable display company work out your design on computer from that point. Your idea slowly becomes a detailed CAD. Then you can add graphics to it; try different colors or textures; add shapes, counters, trade show kiosks, back lighted boxes, shelves or banners. Without wasting money on hardware!! We can usually come up will a design that is VIRTUAL in a few days, saving you a huge amount of time.
Custom Modular displays are a very attractive alternative to cookie cutter exhibits, and it allows the flexibility to have easy reconfigurability. Simply put offers you more features than a portable booth.
The better custom display manufacturers offer advantages. Look for panels that are connected with hidden slide clips resulting in a completely seamless look. To activate the clips, slide the panels together and they automatically lock into place.
Brilliant colors, vibrant textures. You should be able choose from dozens of finish options. Slatwall, backlit panels, storage doors, countertops, and monitor panels are only a few. Every trade show booth should give you the flexibility to use multiple colors and textures. Make sure to check that the exhibit's prices include covering both panel sides, not just one. Find out if as a money saving option they can sell these exhibits with a very inexpensive vinyl covering on the unseen side of the booth. You should be able save money by specifying the one side vinyl option.
In addition, your system of choice should offer the flexibility to create endless configurations simply by rearranging panels and components. systems offering the flexibility to adapt to various shows provide far more utility than those that don't. Smaller displays can be created from a larger display and visa-versa.
Lastly be sure that your custom modular display can be assembled - No tools needed!!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Banner Stand Display Systems - Which of the 4 Genres Fits Your Needs Best?
Today a banner stand trade show display system can cover a wide range of sizes, types, usages (outdoor/indoor), and a number of construction methods. All the different types seem to fit nicely into 4 different genres. 1) Roll able, 2) Retractable, 3) Replaceable and 4) Outdoor.
Roll able Banner Stands. Most roll able displays are constructed of extruded aluminum frameworks consisting of a top and bottom cross bar that the roll able fabric or laminated graphic is gripped inside. Most frequently the bottom bar attaches to a weighted base that provides the base of support and weight for the stand as well as the receptacle for the shock corded aluminum tube that provides the support to the top bar of the unrolled graphic when the stand is completely assembles. The pluses of this type of banner are that it is usually relatively inexpensive, small and light weight and provides a very cost effective marketing medium. Minuses are that the graphic is not protected when in transit and the system is very lightweight making some times a little unstable.
Retractable Banner Stands The retractable genre of stand is constructed of a tubular base that has a spring would retractable roller that the graphic is wound around such that when not set up the entire length of the graphic winds up around the core in an aluminum case. This provides 2 things, 1) and automated way to store the graphics that 2) creates a protective case for the graphic. Most of these aluminum tube bases have swivel feet on the bottom that are rotated to a 90 degree angle so as to provide the base of support for the stand. The top of the graphic has an aluminum extruded element attached to it that is place upon the top of a shock corded tube that hold the graphic up against the spring tension of the protective tube. Plusses and minuses of this type of system are: Plus- protective tube for graphic, automatic rolling up of graphic by spring loaded tube. Minuses are a more expensive stand, a little larger and heavier than the rolling stands.
Replaceable Banner Stands. The third category of banner stand is the replaceable graphic system. This is a retractable system with the graphic encapsulated in a spring loaded cartridge that slides in and out of the tubular base unit so as to make the graphic system easily replaceable. All other aspects of the banner stand are the same as the retractable ones. Plusses are that it does have a replaceable graphic making it more economical to have more that one message for the stand. Minuses are few.
Outdoor Banner Stands. Outdoor stands are similar to the roll able stands except that most of these are printed on a fabric material using UV inks to withstand the elements when being used out doors. The other major difference is that the vertical poles used to support the graphics are usually spring loaded on the bases so that they can sway in the wind an not cause the banner to tip over. The largest difference is in the base where the out door banner stand must have a larger and heaver base because of the wind. Most are molded plastic bases which allow the addition of sand to provide the necessary weight to make the display stable.
Depending on your particular needs there is a banner stand that could work in almost any situation.
Roll able Banner Stands. Most roll able displays are constructed of extruded aluminum frameworks consisting of a top and bottom cross bar that the roll able fabric or laminated graphic is gripped inside. Most frequently the bottom bar attaches to a weighted base that provides the base of support and weight for the stand as well as the receptacle for the shock corded aluminum tube that provides the support to the top bar of the unrolled graphic when the stand is completely assembles. The pluses of this type of banner are that it is usually relatively inexpensive, small and light weight and provides a very cost effective marketing medium. Minuses are that the graphic is not protected when in transit and the system is very lightweight making some times a little unstable.
Retractable Banner Stands The retractable genre of stand is constructed of a tubular base that has a spring would retractable roller that the graphic is wound around such that when not set up the entire length of the graphic winds up around the core in an aluminum case. This provides 2 things, 1) and automated way to store the graphics that 2) creates a protective case for the graphic. Most of these aluminum tube bases have swivel feet on the bottom that are rotated to a 90 degree angle so as to provide the base of support for the stand. The top of the graphic has an aluminum extruded element attached to it that is place upon the top of a shock corded tube that hold the graphic up against the spring tension of the protective tube. Plusses and minuses of this type of system are: Plus- protective tube for graphic, automatic rolling up of graphic by spring loaded tube. Minuses are a more expensive stand, a little larger and heavier than the rolling stands.
Replaceable Banner Stands. The third category of banner stand is the replaceable graphic system. This is a retractable system with the graphic encapsulated in a spring loaded cartridge that slides in and out of the tubular base unit so as to make the graphic system easily replaceable. All other aspects of the banner stand are the same as the retractable ones. Plusses are that it does have a replaceable graphic making it more economical to have more that one message for the stand. Minuses are few.
Outdoor Banner Stands. Outdoor stands are similar to the roll able stands except that most of these are printed on a fabric material using UV inks to withstand the elements when being used out doors. The other major difference is that the vertical poles used to support the graphics are usually spring loaded on the bases so that they can sway in the wind an not cause the banner to tip over. The largest difference is in the base where the out door banner stand must have a larger and heaver base because of the wind. Most are molded plastic bases which allow the addition of sand to provide the necessary weight to make the display stable.
Depending on your particular needs there is a banner stand that could work in almost any situation.
Trade Show Display Systems - Your First Display - Which Type is Best?
Trade show display systems come in a variety of different types. As an emerging entrepreneur you can't afford to make a mistake choosing your first trade show booth. Cost, impact, flexibility and value are all important to new businesses choosing their first display system.
The first order of business here is probably to determine whether a purchase is appropriate at all or whether a rental would be a better. The question that needs to be asked here is: As a business, do we know for sure that marketing at trade shows is an effective marketing method for us to use? If that question cannot be answered as yes, then rental is probably the best way to go until you know the answer to that question is yes.
Once it has been determined that marketing at a trade show is effective for your business the next determination to be made is what type of trade show displays will work best for you? The type of trade show display refers to the size, type, cost, accessories, etc. Will you be renting a 10x10 booth space or larger? Will the booth space be in line on and end or corner of a row etc? What type of product do you have? Will products be used at the show or only graphics?
For example, say a company does consulting to non-profit organizations about phone soliciting for donations and wants to rental the least expensive floor space at the show, a 10x10 in line. This business has no physical product, therefore a display with shelves and counter tops may be counter productive. Probably the best booth to consider would be a portable graphics dominated display. These types of booths can be had for anywhere between $700 for basic pop up trade show display with no graphics to $1800 - $3000 depending on the amount of graphic designed the company requires.
Take another example of a company that makes small injection molded parts for the auto industry. This company may want to bring samples of their moldings to the show that customers can pick up and examine. This would require a booth with shelves, counter tops or pedestals on which to set the products. Perhaps a truss display or panel display or popup display with shelves would work best for their needs.
In order to make the most of your trade show booth expenditure it is probably a good idea to work with a display company with some experience in this industry who can help from the display hardware perspective as well as utilized your own marketing department for themes and branding and actual graphics development. If you're a small company without a marketing department many of the display sellers have graphics help in house that can take your images and put them together in a coherent attractive trade show display.
The first order of business here is probably to determine whether a purchase is appropriate at all or whether a rental would be a better. The question that needs to be asked here is: As a business, do we know for sure that marketing at trade shows is an effective marketing method for us to use? If that question cannot be answered as yes, then rental is probably the best way to go until you know the answer to that question is yes.
Once it has been determined that marketing at a trade show is effective for your business the next determination to be made is what type of trade show displays will work best for you? The type of trade show display refers to the size, type, cost, accessories, etc. Will you be renting a 10x10 booth space or larger? Will the booth space be in line on and end or corner of a row etc? What type of product do you have? Will products be used at the show or only graphics?
For example, say a company does consulting to non-profit organizations about phone soliciting for donations and wants to rental the least expensive floor space at the show, a 10x10 in line. This business has no physical product, therefore a display with shelves and counter tops may be counter productive. Probably the best booth to consider would be a portable graphics dominated display. These types of booths can be had for anywhere between $700 for basic pop up trade show display with no graphics to $1800 - $3000 depending on the amount of graphic designed the company requires.
Take another example of a company that makes small injection molded parts for the auto industry. This company may want to bring samples of their moldings to the show that customers can pick up and examine. This would require a booth with shelves, counter tops or pedestals on which to set the products. Perhaps a truss display or panel display or popup display with shelves would work best for their needs.
In order to make the most of your trade show booth expenditure it is probably a good idea to work with a display company with some experience in this industry who can help from the display hardware perspective as well as utilized your own marketing department for themes and branding and actual graphics development. If you're a small company without a marketing department many of the display sellers have graphics help in house that can take your images and put them together in a coherent attractive trade show display.
Choosing the Right Truss For Your Trade Show Display
There are a multitude of trade show truss displays options for building an exhibit for your tradeshow effort. Truss has become very popular because of its versatility, ease of use, re-configurability, load bearing and look. The real question is, what type do you choose?
To make it simple you have two shapes to choose from: Square or Triangular. Square truss displays has a box shape (when looking end on) with four cords while triangular truss has a triangular shape (when looking end on). Both have high degrees of load-bearing, but square truss is simpler to work with because of its shape. Triangular truss gets a bit complicated when attaching piece by piece, especially at the connections and when making a bend. Square truss simply bolts on to the next pieces, without much concern when making a turn.
Most truss is powder coated steel, although aluminum truss exists also. We prefer a steel trade show truss system over aluminum because it affords more color choices, has greater load bearing and is usually less expensive to purchase. Also steel truss has no electrical restrictions, as you simply manage wires with nylon ties.
The most important consideration after choosing the truss display shape that you desire, is the size of box or triangle. Truss is sized based on the dimensions of the sides. For instance box truss can be 3,6,10 or 12 inches wide on each side, as can triangular. Larger truss sides result in a larger look and thus are generally used for larger displays. The most common is 6" and 12" (triangular also). We find that display larger than 10x20' usually afford themselves to larger 12" truss over 6".
Once you have chosen the shape (box or triangular) size (3,6,10,12 inch) then you need to determine the type of truss connection that will work best for you. This is critical! Standard trade show truss displays must be put together at each cord with a connector of some type. For instance box truss must be connected piece by piece at each of four cords by using an allen wrench or some other tool to tighten the connection at each piece. This can be very time consuming, but this type of truss is less expensive than the systems that offer a quick connect device. The more expensive trade show truss utilizes a bracket that allows each piece to be attached with a hand tightened wing nut, making set up take one fourth the time conventional truss takes. The increase in price is usually very worth the money when the cost of show labor is concerned. Also, this type allows for your own marketing team to set up the truss trade show booths without using show labor at all. Another consideration is that you don't have to worry about tools which are frequently forgotten or lost. We have found that the easiest most user-friendly box truss that exists today are the EZ six and EZ 12 systems offered by Midland Display Products.
Truss shape, truss size, truss material and truss connection system are the considerations most important to your trade show truss exhibit. We have found that (by far) the easiest and most flexible choice proves to be six or twelve-inch steel box truss using the no tools connection system. There are no other trade show displays on the market that are more straightforward.
To make it simple you have two shapes to choose from: Square or Triangular. Square truss displays has a box shape (when looking end on) with four cords while triangular truss has a triangular shape (when looking end on). Both have high degrees of load-bearing, but square truss is simpler to work with because of its shape. Triangular truss gets a bit complicated when attaching piece by piece, especially at the connections and when making a bend. Square truss simply bolts on to the next pieces, without much concern when making a turn.
Most truss is powder coated steel, although aluminum truss exists also. We prefer a steel trade show truss system over aluminum because it affords more color choices, has greater load bearing and is usually less expensive to purchase. Also steel truss has no electrical restrictions, as you simply manage wires with nylon ties.
The most important consideration after choosing the truss display shape that you desire, is the size of box or triangle. Truss is sized based on the dimensions of the sides. For instance box truss can be 3,6,10 or 12 inches wide on each side, as can triangular. Larger truss sides result in a larger look and thus are generally used for larger displays. The most common is 6" and 12" (triangular also). We find that display larger than 10x20' usually afford themselves to larger 12" truss over 6".
Once you have chosen the shape (box or triangular) size (3,6,10,12 inch) then you need to determine the type of truss connection that will work best for you. This is critical! Standard trade show truss displays must be put together at each cord with a connector of some type. For instance box truss must be connected piece by piece at each of four cords by using an allen wrench or some other tool to tighten the connection at each piece. This can be very time consuming, but this type of truss is less expensive than the systems that offer a quick connect device. The more expensive trade show truss utilizes a bracket that allows each piece to be attached with a hand tightened wing nut, making set up take one fourth the time conventional truss takes. The increase in price is usually very worth the money when the cost of show labor is concerned. Also, this type allows for your own marketing team to set up the truss trade show booths without using show labor at all. Another consideration is that you don't have to worry about tools which are frequently forgotten or lost. We have found that the easiest most user-friendly box truss that exists today are the EZ six and EZ 12 systems offered by Midland Display Products.
Truss shape, truss size, truss material and truss connection system are the considerations most important to your trade show truss exhibit. We have found that (by far) the easiest and most flexible choice proves to be six or twelve-inch steel box truss using the no tools connection system. There are no other trade show displays on the market that are more straightforward.
What Makes Trade Show Displays a Better Value Today Than Ever Before?
Chad Leiffert is the National Sales Manager for Midland Displays. They have been in the trade show displays business for over 28 years. Chad comments on changes he's seen in the industry in the last twenty years.
"This month marks the 20th year of my work in the exhibit industry. Over the course of the last two decades I have noticed dramatic changes in the size, style and technologies used in producing the modern tradeshow display booth. 30 years ago the most common type of tradeshow display was some sort of custom exhibit usually weighing a great deal, with difficult to apply graphics and even more difficult setup instructions. Usually the average exhibit was some sort of homemade monstrosity requiring several people at least half a day to try to put together. It usually was a series of panels bolted together (many times made of heavy plywood) that made the exhibit a danger to be around."
When Leiffert was asked about changes he's seen in graphics as well as displays he responded, "The graphics might be as complex as translucent photography or as archaic as handmade signs. Lighting was incandescent if it was used at all. These display booths traveled in large wooden crates weighing as much as several tons. They were expensive to produce an even more expensive to ship. Business people who were responsible for their companies' trade show exhibit effort usually approached the task with dread. Many shows were poorly organized, undermanned and offered few of the streamlined services you will see in today's modern exhibit halls. Lightweight materials, digital graphics, halogen lighting, looped digital presentations, plasma monitors and purpose driven structure were still in the future. This was simply a period of the primarily cumbersome, do-it-yourself exhibit booth. "
The days of the large, bulky, difficult to assemble display are gone. Today the norm for exhibit systems is: easy-to-use and easy to carry and large format graphics are now far less expensive to produce with the advent of digital printers.
All of that was soon to change as companies recognized the need to attend more and more "customer concentrated" exhibit events. They recognized that having so many potential customers in one place was a far more cost-effective means of not only telling their story but demonstrating their product via their exhibit. The tradeshow industry then entered a period of massive exponential growth. As companies sought more and more tradeshows to attend they required more and more complex and purpose driven exhibits. The old custom or homemade style display was to become a thing of the past.
"The first change was the modular folding panel booth exhibit," Leiffert said. "This consisted of a series of connected panels, usually covered in a Velcro receptive material that could fold up and fit inside a molded plastic case far more easily than anything that was bolted together. As these flat panels were of lightweight material that allowed companies to cut shipping costs, this helped their budget allowing attendance at even more shows. Graphics were now being printed and applied with Velcro as opposed to being custom cut and displayed as part of an (also custom) light box, etc. As these flat panel, folding systems became more prevalent more companies sprouted up as display manufacturers (of portable exhibit systems). The folding panel system was the precursor of all the portable displays now on the market today."
As tradeshow attendees look for lighter and easier to assemble exhibit systems the "pop-up" style exhibit entered the marketplace in the late 80's. Instead of bulky folding panels the pop up trade show displays were lightweight aluminum exhibit systems that could be assembled quite quickly from two small, easily shippable cases. A lightweight frame, with vertical bars attached to hold magnetically applied panels. It weighed half of what the portable flat-panel systems weighed, while still allowing a large, fabric, Velcro acceptable graphics area. The explosive growth of what is now known as the pop-up display continued through the 90s. Many unique features of custom exhibits became possible on these newer lightweight pop-up displays. Backlit headers, literature racks, large format graphics, portable podiums and audiovisual presentation all became more lightweight and portable. The cases they traveled in became podiums and the fabric faces that used to be utilized for Velcro applied graphics became "photo murals."
Pop-up displays soon were being made in different shapes, getting away from the formerly "curved frame " shape of the standard 10' x 10' booth. As we moved into the late 90s, the pop-up display changed again as the fabric surface( with Velcro applied graphics) became a full, preprinted graphic face with no assembly. All you had to do now was expand up and lock the frame and the trade show graphics were already on it. The 150 pound 10 x 10 flat-panel exhibit had moved to the 90 pound pop-up exhibit which then moved to the 20 pound pre-attached fabric graphic exhibit. You could now walk into the show hall with two gym bag sized cases and pop-up 20 feet of display with a full photo mural face in five minutes. No more large crates, no more large cases. Just 40 pounds of aluminum and fabric made up your 20 foot wide 8 foot tall exhibit.
In the early 2000's the banner stands started appearing everywhere. This amounted to a canister approximately three feet wide sitting on the floor with a retractable graphic inside that could be pulled up and locked at a seven foot height, much like the old style projector screens for 8/16mm films. These large, attention-getting graphic trade show booths weighed less than ten pounds and could be set up in ten seconds. A large, central, complex exhibit system could be flanked by a number of the small banner stands allowing for instant marketing facing any direction of the tradeshow traffic pattern. Banner stands were inexpensive to produce combined with low shipping costs. Now a 10' x 10' booth could have a full, 10' wide, 8' high photomural exhibit spanning the rear of the booth space, with (two) three foot wide seven foot tall banner stands flanking the rear exhibit to graphically dominate the entire exhibit area. The entire weight of all these trade show displays does not exceed 50 pounds, and could be set up by one person in about ten minutes.
Today the pop-up display has "morphed" into newer and more modern and complex shapes. The Alumalite, Linear, N-Line and Entasi are all examples of lightweight aluminum displays that originated with the expandable pop-up.
Another large change in the portable trade show displays industry involves truss displays. While truss has always been a great product to use in building exhibits, the complexity and labor involved in using it made it cost prohibitive. As with the custom exhibits that used to be the norm changed, truss evolved, too. New products like Trussworks EZ6 and Orbital Express have become lightweight, no tools solutions to making truss exhibits. As truss is reconfigurable, load-bearing, simple and has no electrical restrictions, its use is skyrocketing among tradeshow attendees.
"The days of the large, bulky, difficult to assemble display are gone" Leiffert said, "Today the norm for exhibit systems is: easy-to-use and easy to carry. Large format graphics are now far less expensive to produce with the advent of digital technology than the old exhibit systems that incorporated massively enlarged photography. It is now possible for two individuals to walk into an exhibit hall and put up a 30 foot wide photomural exhibit system in 15 minutes. What is even more impressive is the exhibit systems of today are not only easier to use and lighter in weight but the cost has also been driven down. As an example Midland Display Products, one of the largest exhibit producers in the United States marketing over the Internet, can produce the 30 foot wide exhibit system described earlier for less than $5000."
Banner stands, fabric faced pop-ups, no tools trade show truss displays, collapsible literature racks and a large variety of other lightweight, portable high-tech exhibit systems have made the old "bolt together" tradeshow display a dinosaur of the past.
"This month marks the 20th year of my work in the exhibit industry. Over the course of the last two decades I have noticed dramatic changes in the size, style and technologies used in producing the modern tradeshow display booth. 30 years ago the most common type of tradeshow display was some sort of custom exhibit usually weighing a great deal, with difficult to apply graphics and even more difficult setup instructions. Usually the average exhibit was some sort of homemade monstrosity requiring several people at least half a day to try to put together. It usually was a series of panels bolted together (many times made of heavy plywood) that made the exhibit a danger to be around."
When Leiffert was asked about changes he's seen in graphics as well as displays he responded, "The graphics might be as complex as translucent photography or as archaic as handmade signs. Lighting was incandescent if it was used at all. These display booths traveled in large wooden crates weighing as much as several tons. They were expensive to produce an even more expensive to ship. Business people who were responsible for their companies' trade show exhibit effort usually approached the task with dread. Many shows were poorly organized, undermanned and offered few of the streamlined services you will see in today's modern exhibit halls. Lightweight materials, digital graphics, halogen lighting, looped digital presentations, plasma monitors and purpose driven structure were still in the future. This was simply a period of the primarily cumbersome, do-it-yourself exhibit booth. "
The days of the large, bulky, difficult to assemble display are gone. Today the norm for exhibit systems is: easy-to-use and easy to carry and large format graphics are now far less expensive to produce with the advent of digital printers.
All of that was soon to change as companies recognized the need to attend more and more "customer concentrated" exhibit events. They recognized that having so many potential customers in one place was a far more cost-effective means of not only telling their story but demonstrating their product via their exhibit. The tradeshow industry then entered a period of massive exponential growth. As companies sought more and more tradeshows to attend they required more and more complex and purpose driven exhibits. The old custom or homemade style display was to become a thing of the past.
"The first change was the modular folding panel booth exhibit," Leiffert said. "This consisted of a series of connected panels, usually covered in a Velcro receptive material that could fold up and fit inside a molded plastic case far more easily than anything that was bolted together. As these flat panels were of lightweight material that allowed companies to cut shipping costs, this helped their budget allowing attendance at even more shows. Graphics were now being printed and applied with Velcro as opposed to being custom cut and displayed as part of an (also custom) light box, etc. As these flat panel, folding systems became more prevalent more companies sprouted up as display manufacturers (of portable exhibit systems). The folding panel system was the precursor of all the portable displays now on the market today."
As tradeshow attendees look for lighter and easier to assemble exhibit systems the "pop-up" style exhibit entered the marketplace in the late 80's. Instead of bulky folding panels the pop up trade show displays were lightweight aluminum exhibit systems that could be assembled quite quickly from two small, easily shippable cases. A lightweight frame, with vertical bars attached to hold magnetically applied panels. It weighed half of what the portable flat-panel systems weighed, while still allowing a large, fabric, Velcro acceptable graphics area. The explosive growth of what is now known as the pop-up display continued through the 90s. Many unique features of custom exhibits became possible on these newer lightweight pop-up displays. Backlit headers, literature racks, large format graphics, portable podiums and audiovisual presentation all became more lightweight and portable. The cases they traveled in became podiums and the fabric faces that used to be utilized for Velcro applied graphics became "photo murals."
Pop-up displays soon were being made in different shapes, getting away from the formerly "curved frame " shape of the standard 10' x 10' booth. As we moved into the late 90s, the pop-up display changed again as the fabric surface( with Velcro applied graphics) became a full, preprinted graphic face with no assembly. All you had to do now was expand up and lock the frame and the trade show graphics were already on it. The 150 pound 10 x 10 flat-panel exhibit had moved to the 90 pound pop-up exhibit which then moved to the 20 pound pre-attached fabric graphic exhibit. You could now walk into the show hall with two gym bag sized cases and pop-up 20 feet of display with a full photo mural face in five minutes. No more large crates, no more large cases. Just 40 pounds of aluminum and fabric made up your 20 foot wide 8 foot tall exhibit.
In the early 2000's the banner stands started appearing everywhere. This amounted to a canister approximately three feet wide sitting on the floor with a retractable graphic inside that could be pulled up and locked at a seven foot height, much like the old style projector screens for 8/16mm films. These large, attention-getting graphic trade show booths weighed less than ten pounds and could be set up in ten seconds. A large, central, complex exhibit system could be flanked by a number of the small banner stands allowing for instant marketing facing any direction of the tradeshow traffic pattern. Banner stands were inexpensive to produce combined with low shipping costs. Now a 10' x 10' booth could have a full, 10' wide, 8' high photomural exhibit spanning the rear of the booth space, with (two) three foot wide seven foot tall banner stands flanking the rear exhibit to graphically dominate the entire exhibit area. The entire weight of all these trade show displays does not exceed 50 pounds, and could be set up by one person in about ten minutes.
Today the pop-up display has "morphed" into newer and more modern and complex shapes. The Alumalite, Linear, N-Line and Entasi are all examples of lightweight aluminum displays that originated with the expandable pop-up.
Another large change in the portable trade show displays industry involves truss displays. While truss has always been a great product to use in building exhibits, the complexity and labor involved in using it made it cost prohibitive. As with the custom exhibits that used to be the norm changed, truss evolved, too. New products like Trussworks EZ6 and Orbital Express have become lightweight, no tools solutions to making truss exhibits. As truss is reconfigurable, load-bearing, simple and has no electrical restrictions, its use is skyrocketing among tradeshow attendees.
"The days of the large, bulky, difficult to assemble display are gone" Leiffert said, "Today the norm for exhibit systems is: easy-to-use and easy to carry. Large format graphics are now far less expensive to produce with the advent of digital technology than the old exhibit systems that incorporated massively enlarged photography. It is now possible for two individuals to walk into an exhibit hall and put up a 30 foot wide photomural exhibit system in 15 minutes. What is even more impressive is the exhibit systems of today are not only easier to use and lighter in weight but the cost has also been driven down. As an example Midland Display Products, one of the largest exhibit producers in the United States marketing over the Internet, can produce the 30 foot wide exhibit system described earlier for less than $5000."
Banner stands, fabric faced pop-ups, no tools trade show truss displays, collapsible literature racks and a large variety of other lightweight, portable high-tech exhibit systems have made the old "bolt together" tradeshow display a dinosaur of the past.
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