Being on a trade show floor can be very expensive, even for a 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 booth. Just the real estate you stand on can cost over a thousand dollars depending on the show and placement. As you start adding tables, chairs, electricity, graphics, and giveaways the budget can sky rocket. This does not include the cost of freight or of the booth staff time.
Carpet or other flooring can seem like a great thing to cut to save some money but I believe carpet or flooring is an essential part of most booths. My exception to this is if the show is being held on dirt.
My Case for Carpet
- Most shows will require you to have some sort of flooring, especially if they are carpeting the aisles as well.
- It is softer to stand on than concrete. It is not much but that layer or carpet can help you booth staffs joints and feet.
- It defines your space and allows you to bring in your brand colors or accent your booth decor.
- It gives a polished look to your booth. Imagine two booths, both have a table, two high top chairs, and the banners hanging on the pipe. One has
carpet , the other is concrete. I am willing to bet you like the look of the booth with carpet better.
If I am in a budget crunch, I will often forgo the cheap giveaways and get the carpet. 85% of the people that will come grab your item will be trick or treaters. We have all seen these people, they look over a booth for what they can get for free, they are the ones that grab 8 pens – one for each of their grandchildren. I appease these people with a candy dish and keep my giveaway’s hidden to give to customers or true prospects