STAND DESIGNSTop tips on creating

a showstopping stand

THE UK’S

LEADING

WEDDING SHOWS

Why stand design is so important

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Exhibiting can be a large investment of both time and money; make sure you do it well! A distinctive stand presentation will ensure that all eyes are on you.

Stand design is the first impression visitors have of your business, but whilst this should be at the forefront of your mind, designing a show-stopping stand doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

This brochure offers our top five tips to help inspire your creativity, as well as some image examples to show you how it’s done.

Pictured on the right is everything that is included in your shell scheme package.

*Note stand fascia and carpet colour subject to change. Please check with your Account Manager.

Carpet

Shell scheme walls

FasciaNameboard

Top tip No.1: Commit to a colour scheme

A simple, cost effective way to add some colour and style to your stand is by using wallpaper and double-sided Velcro to hide plain walls.

There are rules as to what you can and can’t use on your shell scheme walls, so be sure to check your exhibitor manual!

We invest in premium shell scheme with wooden cladded fascia to ensure that this complements your stand designs, and creates a uniform, professional look to the show. Don’t worry about covering the outside of your stand - this is neither necessary, nor permitted.

Aisles need to remain clear, so do make sure you have booked enough space for your design to fit within your stand footprint.

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MARKETING MOTIVATION

Don’t be shy! Stand up, smile and engage in

conversation with the visitors. Don’t sit on your

stand and wait for them to come

to you.

Top tip No.2 Make your messaging clear to the visitor

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Potential customers should be able to tell what you do from a distance within just a few seconds

Try to incorporate some descriptive messaging into your stand design, letting visitors know what exactly you’re offering, especially if you’re planning to have some exclusive show offers.

This can both increase traffic to your stand and ensure the people talking to you are genuinely interested in your services.

MARKETING MOTIVATION

Make sure you collect both emails and wedding

dates, and do promote any competitions you’re

running in an eye-catching way

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Top tip No.3 Attention to detail

It’s not just florists and venue dressers who can have flowers on their stand! You should incorporate a ‘conversation starter’ into your stand design to draw some attention.

Dotting some flowers, stylish wedding props and accessories around your stand will help grab visitor’s attention.

We have lots of floristry contacts, so don’t hesitate to get in touch should you decide to bring in the professionals!

MARKETING MOTIVATION

As an exhibitor, you get 20 free tickets! We

recommend running a ticket giveaway pre-show to let people know you’ll

be exhibiting.

Top tip No.4 Feature furniture

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Attractive furniture that reflects your branding will make a stand feel welcoming and polished. Bring some nice pieces from your studio, home or venue to add some warmth. Think about how you can use this to engage with visitors and enhance your design.

Could the visitor sit down, chat with you and potentially make a booking? Would that beautiful cabinet you have in your living room work as a chic platform to showcase your products?

There is no storage on-site, so consider whether you need furniture to store stock, brochures or jackets!

You can also hire from our contractors at Thorns via your Exhibitor Manual.

MARKETING MOTIVATION

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter... let your followers know you’re going to be at the event and show them

what they’re missing when you get there! #getinvolved

#TNWS

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Top tip No.5 Play with lighting

Consider whether you need lighting on your stand, as this can really make a difference. Spotlights, fluorescent strip lights and power for bringing your own lighting are available to order.

Remember lights are not included as standard with our exhibitor packages. If you’d like to order some, that can be done via your exhibitor manual. You would choose how many spots you need and where you’d like them on your stand.

You might also consider battery-operated fairy lights to bring some added twinkle to your stand!

If you’re exhibiting at multiple shows it might be worth investing in lighting that can be reused. Please ask your account manager for further details.

MARKETINGMOTIVATION

Everyone loves a deal! Whether it’s 10% off or a

freebie, decide on a show-stopping offer and you’re

bound to get attention. (Tell us in advance

and we can also help promote it!)

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Bridal stands Building your boutique

Think about the space you have and the way you would set this up if it was a small boutique – changing rooms at the back, dresses around the sides, seating in the middle?

Think about the flow around the boutique and the bride’s journey from rails, to changing room, to viewing area. Do you have enough space for the bridal party to wait, and enough members of staff to accommodate?

There’s nothing that attracts a visitor more than some striking florals, and this also applies to bridal stands.

Consider whether you are going to bring your own rails to display your dresses, or order these from your Exhibitor Manual.

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Useful tools shopping list

Your exhibitor manual is the go-to place for all information about exhibiting. Please do refer to this for full details on your shell scheme do’s and don’ts (there are some materials that are not permitted to use on your stand), however you may find the below tools useful for creating a great stand design:

Do Use:

S-shaped hooks – useful for hanging pictures from the top of the walls

Fishing wire – clear wire to disguise how you’re hanging light items

Bull dog clips – useful for clipping anything to the top of your stand

Double sided Velcro – handy tool for sticking anything to the walls

Don’t Use:

Nails / Glue / Paint/ Screws (anything that might leave a lasting mark)

Get in touch

For further advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your Account Manager, or our dedicated Exhibitor Coordinator:

Erica O’Haraerica.ohara@oceanmedia.co.uk+44 (0)20 7772 8372

We have plenty of photos of exhibitor’s stand designs from past events which we’d be happy to share with you.