Using An Older Trade Show Stand? Things To Think About

A trade show stand is a long-term investment, but like any other product, it may need to be replaced. Before you replace your exhibit, consider if you can simply update it. You may be able to get a few more years of use of trade show installation out of an older unit.

Is The Trade Show Stand A Custom Size?

An exhibit isn't a one-size-fits-all product. Different companies have different needs and a reputable display company takes many factors into consideration when creating a design. Because of this, your booth may be a custom size, which can lead to problems when it's time to replace the graphics. If the stand is considerably larger or smaller than typical designs, it could cost a great deal of money simply to replace and personalize the graphics. If this is the case, it may make more sense financially to update the entire unit, not just the graphics before the installation.

Is The Design Outdated?

Trends come and go and trends in the display industry are no exception. If your booth was designed a long time ago, it might be time to upgrade to a new model. Today's designs take a lot of things into consideration and can be designed with a classic look in mind. If you're thinking of sprucing up your company's image at an event, talk to a display design company and ask for ideas. These companies are also experts in trade show installation so they'll be able to help design a booth that is easy to set up and take down.

Are Replacement Parts Readily Available?

What happens if your unit is broken during trade show installation? If you're working with an older model, it might be difficult or impossible to find a source for replacement parts. Check to ensure that each piece is in working order and see if replacement pieces are readily available.

If you've had a lot of pieces break, that could be a sign that the display is falling apart. Proceed with caution here! It does you no good to use an old booth if you'll be sending it away for repair after each and every use. The shipping costs alone can be very costly and you might even need to pay for a rental unit if yours is being repaired during an important event.

Is It Still Under Warranty?

A display usually comes with a warranty. These can be incredibly useful if a part of your display wears out or needs to be replaced. Some damage may be too extensive to repair and if this is the case, you'll need to plan to purchase a new trade show stand.

It can be tempting to save money and continue to use an older exhibit. Unless you adequately research every aspect of the exhibit, however, you could actually end up spending more than you're saving.

Chris Harmen is a writer for Skyline, a company that helps customers with trade show installation in New York. Skyline offers marketing solutions for everyone, including a custom trade show stand in New York.