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7 Ways to Revive Your Old Trade Show Display

Apr 9th 2025

7 Ways to Revive Your Old Trade Show Display

Is your current trade show booth becoming dated? Are there any signs of wear and tear? Do your trade show displays still attract attention from attendees? If these questions have you second-guessing, then you need to act now! ExpoMarketing has custom trade show display solutions!

The Disadvantage Of An Old Trade Show Exhibit

Father time is undefeated, and unfortunately, this includes our trade show displays. They are susceptible to damage and can decrease in quality. Eventually, trade show displays will come across as a used exhibit to our audience.

No matter how great your product is, human nature emphasizes first impressions. If you bring a used exhibit to your next show, your prospects and other exhibitors may not be interested. We want your business to captivate on the trade show floor!

However, attending trade shows and conferences can get costly. And while trade show displays have many benefits, the budget may not call for a new booth. If your trade show display has started to show wear and tear, you can save money by sprucing it up. This way, you can stay on budget and give new life to an old booth.

Restore Your Used Tradeshow Display

When looking to improve your old trade show displays, it is helpful to categorize aspects of a great booth. This will help you see what areas need to be improved the most and approximate the cost.

 

Trade Show Booth Design

  • New Graphic Designs—If you’ve had the same graphics for the past few years, you might want to give it a facelift with some new graphics. This would be a good time to test out new marketing messages or incorporate new design elements. Use display stands, graphics, and lighting to create a visually appealing booth
Trade Show Exhibit
  • Reprint and Replace Fabric Graphics—If your heart is set on your current logo and graphics, a simple reprint on new tension fabrics is a cost-effective way to instantly spruce up your used booth display with vibrant colors and high-quality printing. Many trade show booths are designed with interchangeable panels that can be easily replaced, making it an inexpensive way to give your trade show display an instant makeover
  • Interactive Digital Walkthrough- If you are a company with extensive inventory and many components that are not easily displayed at trade shows, then you should consider a digital walkthrough. Take the attendees through your website and a video presentation of your products and services. Make sure it requires engagement from them to hold their attention
  • Include a Theater Viewing Space—Most trade show booths are designed in a way that makes it easy to include additional trade show booth items such as large monitors on the back walls. This way, you can give your old trade show booth an instant update with presentations that go beyond the graphics of your display. For example, last year, an exhibitor at the IFT Food Expo in New Orleans did a popular social media presentation with the help of large computer monitors in their innovative theater viewing area

Trade Show Booth Layout

A good layout can have an incredible effect on potential prospects’ minds. Think back to a time when you were looking into a new apartment or a home. The layout of the kitchen mattered. The open space in the living room, and how the bathrooms and closets were laid out all mattered.

  • Incorporate New Furniture—Gone are the days of foldable chairs and plastic tables. If you are conducting meetings or hosting important guests at your booth, consider adding furniture to your trade show booth. Once you add furniture that aligns with your company’s aesthetic, your booth will have a sense of balance and comfort, enticing those who want to talk to you
  • Incorporate a Hanging Sign—Most attendees tend to look up when they walk onto the trade show floor. If you have an island booth or a peninsula exhibit, consider incorporating a hanging sign into your existing trade show display
  • Go Tall—If you don’t want a hanging sign or can’t afford one, a great alternative is to make your display taller. Larger displays are always the first to be noticed among smaller displays nearby, so consider adding a maximum-height tower to your display
  • Upgrade Your Flooring—Today’s trade show flooring options offer much more to exhibitors than they did in the past. Exhibitors can choose from a variety of flooring options, such as artificial turf, raised wood flooring, carpet, or even an eco-friendly option to give their booth a cohesive look and feel, as if the booth is an extension of their office

Selling Your Trade Show Display

If you decide there is no life left in your used booths and do not want to pay for its facelift, then get rid of it! Now, we do not mean for you to go toss the old trade booth in a dumpster, but resell it and put what you make towards a new display!

Understanding Your Trade Show Display’s Value

The resale value of a used trade show display is influenced by several key factors, including its condition, age, and current market demand. A well-maintained exhibit typically earns a higher price, while one that shows signs of wear may significantly decrease in value.

Additionally, the original investment made, the size of the display, and its overall marketability play crucial roles in determining how much a seller can expect to receive. On average, a used trade show exhibit can sell for anywhere between 10 to 40 percent of its original purchase price.

Understanding the depreciated value of the trade show display is essential for sellers, as it helps them set realistic pricing options and assess the impact on their budgets. By evaluating these factors carefully, sellers can maximize their return on investment.

Preparing Your Trade Show Display For Sale

We must emphasize that you consider your financial statements when deciding what to do with used trade show exhibits. Our commentary above is to prompt ideas that will best help you and your company. Most companies put in a lot of effort when creating their trade show displays and we want to make all options known.

Before approaching a buyer make sure you have removed any personal company logos, images, and information. There may only be some parts of the display that are worth reselling.

Another option we have not discussed yet is purchasing a used trade show display. Just like you can sell your used exhibits, used trade show exhibits can be rented or purchased.

Rental Trade Show Exhibit

Renting a trade show exhibit offers a great opportunity to test out a new design or layout. Companies can choose from various rental options, including custom rentals, used exhibits, and portable exhibits.

You have the option to rent an entire display or select only the components you need. This approach can still create a professional-looking exhibit but also proves to be a cost-effective solution for businesses.

It’s Your Expo

These are all viable options for you to have great trade show displays and stay within your budget. In conclusion, these are your displays and your expos. There is not one right answer as all options are quality. You choose the best fit for your business.

However, there are what we’d consider to be the right partners. ExpoMarketing specializes in ALL things trade shows. Contact ExpoMarketing and watch the sales funnel grow!