Before you get to the trade show site, find out the dimensions of your display area, its location within the show itself, and the availability of essentials such as electrical outlets. This will help with giving you a rough idea of how you want to place your display items. It also helps to make sure you ship/transport necessary items and makes for a hassle-free setup once you arrive.
You don't want to overwhelm prospects with too much information. Narrow your focus to one or two key areas and design your display with those in mind.
If you have a new product line, focus on promoting that product. You can also pick a few of your top sellers and build your display around those. The point is to keep it simple. Trade show attendees are bombarded with hundreds of brands, products, and services; you want to be the one that stands out!
Keep clutter to a minimum. Larger graphic displays are more effective at drawing the eye than dozens of random objects competing for the viewer's attention. The layout, color scheme, and message should convey your ideas in a manner that is to the point and reinforces your main objective, helping to tie the entire display together into a cohesive unit.
You can make your trade show display more engaging by creating an attraction. Multimedia and interactive displays are a good way to grab people's attention and keep them at your booth longer.
You can create a DVD or Powerpoint presentation that profiles your company's products or services and play it on a loop for prospects to watch while you present to other customers.
Depending on available space, try to make your exhibit as inviting as possible. A sitting and presentation area off to the side or in the back of your main display is much appreciated by trade show attendees who have been walking and standing all day.
The most effective trade show layouts use the main display area to draw customers in and get their attention. Once you have their interest, you can take them aside and put them in a relaxed and responsive mood while you discuss your product or service. This will put your prospective customer more at ease and in a better frame of mind to say "Yes."