For any company that regularly exhibits at trade shows, selecting the right trade show booth builder can be a major factor in determining the success of your event marketing efforts. But what exactly is an exhibit house and what do they do? Simply put, an exhibit house is a specialized vendor that designs, builds, and often manages event displays and custom trade show exhibits on behalf of exhibitors.
Exhibit houses employ dedicated design teams, project managers, skilled fabricators, and logistics experts to handle all aspects of the exhibit process from conceptualization to dismantling. Some key services typically provided by exhibit houses include graphic design, custom fabrication, display for trade show, shipping & logistics, on-site installation/dismantle, and event staffing. They essentially act as your one-stop-shop for all exhibit needs, simplifying event planning and freeing up your internal resources.
With hundreds of exhibit houses globally and new ones constantly cropping up, choosing the right partner can feel overwhelming. Here are some important factors to consider when evaluating potential exhibit house vendors:
Experience & Portfolio:
Look for a house with a proven track record of successful projects across industries and event categories. Review case studies and client testimonials on their website.
Ask to view visual portfolios of past designs to get a feel for their aesthetic style and capabilities. Relevant experience working with companies in your specific industry is beneficial.
Design & Fabrication Talent:
Beyond years in business, consider the actual talent and credentials of their in-house design team. Are they staffed by qualified graphic designers, engineers, and CAD professionals capable of translating your vision into high-quality, code-compliant fabrication drawings? Request samples of designer resumes and fabrication drawings.
Budget & Pricing Transparency:
Get clear, itemized quotes upfront outlining all estimated costs – design fees, fabrication charges, graphics production, shipping, installation/dismantle labor, etc. Beware of hidden fees.
Fixed-cost packages provide better budget control vs time & materials billing. Understand any additional charges for post-approval custom trade show booth manufacturers changes too.
Project Management Process:
How will they manage your project from start to finish? Request timelines, deliverables schedules, and production deadlines in advance.
Look for project managers dedicated to seeing jobs through on schedule and on-budget. Understand change order approval procedures.
Logistics Expertise:
Consider companies proven in complex global shipping logistics to execute flawless just-in-time deliveries and installations worldwide. Opt for houses with owned shipping trucks and crews to avoid delays from third parties.
Sustainability Practices:
Some exhibit houses have sustainable policies around material sourcing and waste reduction, and exhibition booth design ideas recycling/reuse programs beneficial to your CSR goals and the environment.
Technology Capabilities:
Does the house offer competitive rental exhibit options incorporating LED displays, touchscreen interfaces and other engaging multimedia technologies to elevate your stand experience? What is their planning process for programming and engineering technology elements?
Industry Certifications:
Look for I&D-certified designers and Estructures-certified fabricators following approved construction safety codes for trade show booth design structural engineering. This ensures regulatory compliance and protects your company from liability risks.
Client Testimonials:
Read online reviews and contact provided client references directly to receive unbiased feedback on areas like responsiveness, quality, value, and post-project support.
Summary–
Leverage industry and association vendor lists as a starting point to find 30×30 trade show displays houses well-established in your vertical. Evaluate at least three options to compare approaches, portfolios, and pricing.
Conduct on-site visits if possible to view production spaces and chat with design/project teams in person. With thorough vetting upfront, you’ll ensure choosing the right trade show exhibit rental orlando to maximize your exhibit marketing successes for years to come.