With over 15 years of experience, we know how to transform bold ideas into exhibition stand brilliance at Tecna.
This guide is your ultimate resource to exhibition stand ideas, featuring 20 standout design ideas to make your stand the centre of attention, along with 9 practical strategies to take your event even further and drive results.
20 exhibition stand design ideas
What can you add to your exhibition stand to attract visitors and create a lasting impression that keeps your brand at the forefront of their minds?
Games & competitions
Games and competitions are an unbeatable way to create energy at your stand and attract a crowd. But to truly stand out, they need to be as engaging as they are creative.
- Digital fun: Set up a giant touchscreen game or virtual prize wheel where stand visitors can win branded merchandise, exclusive discounts, or product samples. Add a live leaderboard for a competitive twist that keeps people coming back to check their ranking.
- Hands-on challenges: Create physical challenges that align with your product. For instance, a fitness brand could organise an onsite endurance test using its equipment, or a tool company might host a speed-assembly contest.
Integrate call-to-actions
Call-to-actions (CTAs) are essential for turning visitor interest into meaningful engagement. They guide attendees to take the next step, ensuring your connection doesn’t end once they leave your stand.
- Strategic placement: Position CTAs in high-visibility areas like digital screens, printed banners, interactive kiosks, and takeaway materials. For instance, place a QR code near product displays to sign up for a discount.
- Clear messaging: Use strong, actionable phrases that leave no room for ambiguity. Examples include “Explore Our Full Range” or “Schedule Your Consultation Today.” Bold, concise language ensures your audience knows exactly what to do next.
Refreshments
Refreshments are a powerful magnet for drawing visitors to your stand. Done right, they can be more than just a convenience—they become an integral part of your exhibition stand strategy.
- Branded refreshments: Any type of food or drink creates a draw and an opportunity for conversation. These can be tailored to your brand, for example, fresh smoothies in a brand colour or cupcakes with a logo topper.
- Live food experiences: To take this method further, host demonstrations, such as a chocolatier crafting truffles or a barista showcasing latte art.
Get interactive
Interactivity is the key to transforming casual visitors into active participants. It makes your stand a place of discovery and connection, ensuring your brand lingers in their memory long after the event.
- Hands-on product demos: Create a station where attendees can explore your products. For example, let them assemble or try out a piece of equipment. This works especially well for attracting your target audience.
- Product exploration: Set up scavenger hunts or AR treasure hunts within your stand where attendees can scan QR codes to unlock hidden features or exclusive content about your product. Offer rewards like branded merchandise or discounts to increase participation.
Use movement
Motion captures attention like nothing else. In a crowded exhibition hall, incorporating dynamic elements into your stand can make it stand out again and again.
- Rotating displays: Use spinning platforms or conveyor belts to showcase products from every angle. This is especially effective for highlighting intricate designs or functional details.
- Motion-activated screens: Install digital displays that come alive with animations or personalised content as visitors approach.
- Video experiences: Consider an immersive video experience such as a robotic arm camera or photo booth that attracts a crowd and is shareable on socials.
Impressive lighting
Lighting is an art form that can set the tone for your entire stand. It’s not just about illumination – it’s about creating atmosphere and guiding the visitor’s eye.
- Thematic backdrops: Use LED walls to project visuals that shift and change, creating a dynamic and immersive environment. Think glowing gradients that transition with your brand’s messaging.
- Projections & holograms: Project an image onto a back wall or blank space to provide movement and eye-catching visuals or if budget allows you could use augmented reality or holograms on the stand to really engage passing traffic.
- Spotlighting: Highlight key products or areas with dramatic spotlights to draw immediate attention. Pair this with soft ambient lighting to make your stand feel welcoming.
Storytelling
Your stand isn’t just a showcase, it’s a stage where you can tell the unique story of your brand. Sharing your journey, values, and vision fosters emotional connections with your audience.
- Real-life replicas: Recreate environments like workshops or studios to demonstrate the craftsmanship or innovation behind your products.
- Customer stories: Feature video testimonials or written case studies of how your product has made a difference in real people’s lives.
Host live demos
Live demonstrations are captivating because they show, not just tell the value of your product. They add excitement and credibility to your stand.
- Displays: Use screens to show close-ups of your demo, ensuring the audience sees every detail, no matter where they’re standing.
- Timed sessions: Announce specific demo times to build anticipation and draw a crowd at key moments throughout the day, and include the timetable in your stand’s design.
Set the scene
Immersive environments help visitors understand how your product fits into their lives. Setting the scene invites visitors to step into your world, making your stand a destination they won’t forget.
- Lifestyle replications: Bring your product’s ideal setting to life. For instance, an outdoor gear brand could design a rugged camping setup with tents and virtual campfires.
- Seasonal atmosphere: Align your stand with the season. In December, a cold-weather clothing brand might design a Winter scene with artificial snow, warm lights, and a hot cocoa bar to emphasise that it’s the right time of year for their product.
Screens and TV displays
Screens make your stand dynamic, engaging, and informative, offering something for every type of visitor.
- Impactful visuals: Showcase high-quality videos of your product in action, highlight compelling customer testimonials, or use screens as dynamic digital posters to captivate and engage your audience.
- Interactive content: Offer touchscreens that provide a hands-on exploration of your products or services. They could browse a digital catalogue or customise a product to their liking.
Activate the senses
Nothing leaves a stronger impression than a stand that engages visitors through sight, sound, touch, scent, and even taste. A sensory approach creates an immersive environment that resonates deeply with your audience.
- Ambient sounds: Play music or branded soundscapes to create atmosphere and reflect your brand’s personality.
- Signature scents: Use fragrances that complement your theme, like fresh coffee for a café setup or lavender for a wellness brand.
- Tactile displays: Provide hands-on experiences where visitors can touch and feel your products.
Meeting spaces
Meeting spaces elevate your stand’s professionalism and provide a comfortable setting for meaningful, one-on-one conversations. These areas signal that you value your visitors’ time and you’re serious about building relationships.
- Seating and tables: Create a welcoming atmosphere with seating and tables. These spaces encourage relaxed conversations that can naturally lead to business opportunities.
- Private areas: If you’re planning to have consultations as the focus of your stand, space a few different seating areas around your stand so that your team can each pay close attention to their own conversations.
Use clear messaging
Your messaging should be so clear and compelling that visitors instantly understand what you offer and why it matters. In a crowded exhibition hall, clarity is your strongest ally.
- Bold headlines: Start strong with attention-grabbing headlines that distil your value proposition into a few impactful words. For example, “Revolutionising Home Energy” or “Sustainable Solutions for a Greener Tomorrow.” Make sure they’re visible from a distance to draw people in.
- Visual aids: Simplify complicated concepts with visuals like charts, infographics, and product diagrams.
- Consistent branding: Reinforce your brand identity by maintaining consistency across all stand elements, from colours and fonts to imagery and tone of voice.
Utilise colour theory
Colour is a powerful design tool that can evoke emotions, guide attention, and reinforce your brand identity.
- Brand consistency: Choose colours that reflect your values – blue for trust, green for eco-consciousness, red for energy.
- Contrast: Use bold contrasts to highlight key features and direct visitors’ focus.
- Mood setting: Tailor your colour scheme to the vibe you want to create, whether it’s calming, energising, or luxurious.
3D elements
Three-dimensional features add depth and drama, turning your stand into a visually compelling space.
- Living walls: Incorporate vertical gardens or planters to bring a fresh and eco-friendly touch to your space.
- Signage: Make a bold statement with 3D signs that visually stand out from the rest of your display and make your brand name the first thing visitors see when they look in your direction.
Educational features
Exhibitions are about learning, and by offering educational elements, you position yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Education builds trust and demonstrates your expertise.
- Draw curiosity: Include surprising facts or “did you knows” on your exhibition display to draw interest and curiosity about your product.
- Workshops: Build a section into your exhibition stand to teach attendees something valuable. The meeting areas already mentioned work well for this.
Hanging banners and gantries
A striking hanging banner can add to any size of stand create a sense of grandeur and focus to your exhibition space. Gantries add shape and a 3D effect to any stand and can really elevate stands, particularly if you have an island space.
- Branded designs: Use bold colours, logos, and taglines on your hanging banner to increase your visibility and reinforce your messaging. A well-designed banner ensures you’re seen from across the room.
- Lighting integration: Add LED strips or spotlights to your gantry to highlight key areas of your stand. Use colour-changing lights to create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.
360-degree stands
A 360-degree design ensures your stand is accessible, engaging, and visually stunning from every angle. It maximises your reach by attracting visitors from all directions.
- Central displays: Place your hero products or messages in the centre, making them a focal point that’s visible from all sides.
- Open layouts: Avoid too many barriers on a 360 degree stand. An open, welcoming design invites attendees to wander freely and engage with your stand.
Well-positioned features
Placement is everything when it comes to designing a stand that maximises visitor engagement. Strategic positioning ensures no opportunity is missed.
- Lead stations: Don’t forget the edges of your stand for lead stations like engaging interactive tablets to catch visitors as they walk past.
- Product showcases: Highlight your star products or important messaging in well-lit locations. Use pedestals, spotlights, or glass cases to elevate their visibility and importance.
Social media integration
Bring your stand into the digital age by incorporating social media elements that extend your reach beyond the event.
- Photo opportunities: Create shareable moments with branded photo booths, creative backdrops, or fun props. Encourage attendees to tag your brand on social media platforms and use an event-specific hashtag.
- Interactive feeds: Display live updates from your social media channels or posts from attendees on a screen at your stand to encourage engagement.
9 practical ideas to make your event a success
Innovative design features are a great way to stand out, but true exhibiting success requires a well-rounded strategy to support your efforts.
Here are some steps to follow before, during, and after your event.
Define your objectives
It’s important that you have a clear idea of your objectives before you design your stand. If showcasing products, prioritise shelving and demonstration areas. For generating leads, put more of a focus on engagement to make them stop and comfortable seating with tablets for easy data collection.
Prepare a sales strategy
Pre-show preparation sets the tone for success. Build excitement through teaser videos, “behind-the-scenes” setup posts, or countdown emails. Post-event, have a plan in place for tailored follow-ups, ensuring every contact turns into an opportunity.
Train your team
Your team should embody the energy and enthusiasm of your brand. Train them not just in product knowledge but also in engaging visitors naturally. Equip them with conversation starters, like prompts tied to the event theme or your activations. Encourage them to circulate – an approachable team standing at the edges of your stand will invite more visitors than one seated at the back or looking at their phones.
Create a newsworthy moment
Give people something to talk about. Launch a product with an interactive countdown clock or invite a brand ambassador to co-host your stand for the day. Amplify the moment digitally by livestreaming to social media or creating a hashtag campaign attendees can join.
Use the show organiser
Maximise the show organisers resources to expand your presence. For example, many organisers offer opportunities like featuring you in an event preview or on-site newspaper. These small investments can significantly increase your stand’s visibility and footfall.
Set up appointments in advance
Use email campaigns, event app integrations, or QR codes in your advertising to let attendees book time slots with your team easily. For large stands, create separate zones for pre-booked meetings to keep the experience personal yet efficient. A clear schedule helps maximise meaningful interactions.
Choose a great stand location
Location can make or break the visibility of your stand space. Aim for high-traffic areas like main aisles, food zones, or near popular attractions. If prime locations aren’t available, use your stand design to draw attention – install eye-catching signage, vibrant backdrops, or towering displays that make visitors curious enough to come over.
Follow up after the event
Timely follow-up can make all the difference. Use personalised emails referencing conversations or activities from the event. For added value, include a digital gift, like an exclusive eBook or discount code. Automating these processes ensures consistency while keeping the tone personal.
Create a sense of exclusivity
Make attendees feel special with experiences or offers they can’t get elsewhere. Create limited-edition products just for attendees, or provide access to exclusive online content. Exclusivity drives engagement and ensures your brand is remembered after the event.
Breathing life into bold ideas
Preparing for an exhibition? At Tecna, we specialise in combining bold ideas with precise planning and flawless execution to ensure you have an exhibition stand that exceeds your expectations.
Our modular exhibition stands are not just designed to impress – they’re built to maximise results. Combining creativity with practical innovation, our exhibition stands are reusable, reconfigurable, and adaptable to any space or event.
Our expert exhibition team can manage the entire process, from jaw-dropping creative stand ideas to flawless install, dismantle, and even storage for future events. Want to take control and handle the setup yourself? No problem – our self build exhibition systems are so intuitive and tool-less so you’ll feel like a pro.
Push the possible. Bring your ideas to life.
Questions? Let’s get you the answers.
How can I create a outstanding exhibition stand?
To create an impactful exhibition stand, start by making the most of your floor space – whether you have large exhibition spaces, or a small shell scheme, every inch should have a purpose. Open pathways encourage smooth visitor flow, while well-defined zones can showcase key features or activities.
To grab attention, incorporate bold design elements like vibrant visuals, dynamic lighting, and eye-catching signage. Interactivity is key; features such as touchscreens, product demos, or brand activations keep visitors engaged.
How do I attract people to my exhibition stand?
Attracting visitors is all about making your stand space a destination they don’t want to miss. Offer unique and memorable experiences, like immersive experiences, live product demonstrations, interactive games, or exciting competitions, to engage crowds and create buzz.
Providing refreshments, such as gourmet coffee or bespoke snacks, offers a natural opportunity for face-to-face engagement while they wait. Thoughtful use of your floor space also plays a big role – open, inviting layouts encourage visitors to linger and explore. Promote your stand ahead of the event through social media, email campaigns, and even teasers about exclusive giveaways to ensure attendees know where to find you.
What are some small exhibition stand ideas?
Small exhibition stands can still have a huge impact with the right design and creative stand ideas. Use vertical floor space by incorporating tall banners, shelving, or suspended displays that catch attention without taking up room. You can also opt for multi-functional elements, like counters that double as storage and product showcases, to maximise efficiency. Even a small interactive feature, such as a touchscreen demo or brand activation, can make your stand unforgettable. Focus on one standout product or service as the centrepiece of your design, ensuring your message is clear and compelling despite the limited space.
