May 3, 2022

Are you going to participate in one or more trade fairs or conferences with an exhibition stand? Perfect. Because it is precisely by participating in trade fairs that you come into contact with new customers. And you finally speak again – face to face - your existing customers.

Do you opt for a full service stand builder, or are you going to build the stand completely in-house?

Your stand is one of the success factors of your exhibition participation. A stand that fits your brand or company, and that appeals to your target group in the right way, is therefore super important. The question is what options - and alternatives - you have for realizing such a stand.

Do or have it done? I list the advantages and disadvantages for you:

Have a stand built by a stand builder:

With this option you brief a stand builder with your wishes, requirements and budget, after which the stand builder makes a (3D) design for you with a quote. You can then largely sit back, because the stand builder will arrange as much as possible for you, so that you hardly have to worry about it yourself.

Advantages of the stand builder:

• "Everything" is arranged for you
• A good one stand builder has knowledge and experience. Not only does this help you with a beautiful stand, but it can also help you ensure that your fair is a real success. Think of practical tips, but also of stock market marketing tips.
• Unlimited possibilities in terms of stand and stand construction. Almost anything is possible in stand construction. No design or wish is too crazy. As long as it can be conceived, it can usually be built.
• Stands are almost always rented. The costs of exhibition participation are therefore clear and can really be included as "costs" in your budget.

Disadvantages of having your stand built by a stand builder

• Costs. Stand construction is time-consuming and therefore not cheap. He will charge you for the hours that the stand builder works. A large part of the costs of stand construction is therefore in "man-hours". Do not only consider the hours for building up and dismantling, but also the hours spent on project management ("arranging"), planning, supervision, design and transport.

For whom is stand construction the best choice? (the advantages of a stand builder)

1. If "time" and "people" are scarce within your organization, and you therefore prefer to outsource business than do it yourself.
2. If you do not have enough knowledge and experience to participate in trade fairs
3. If you think a creative stand design is important
4. If you prefer not to invest in a "buy" stand, but opt for "rent".

Build your own stand?

As an alternative to a stand builder, you can of course also build your own stand. In-house. That has advantages, but also disadvantages.

Let's start with the cons:

Disadvantages of building your exhibition stand yourself

• You need the willingness and skill of your (own) people for this, they will have to build the stand and dismantle it again after the fair
• You have to arrange everything with the exhibition organization yourself. Think, for example, of applying for electricity, water, rigging, or approval for your stand design, risk assessment, health & safety statements, etc.
• You have to invest in your own exhibition stand. Invest in your own (mobile) exhibition stand only makes sense if you are going to use the stand more often. Think at least 3-4 times
• You must take care of the transport of your stand yourself. And after the fair you have to save it again until the next fair
• There are limits to the creative and technical possibilities of your stand. After all, your people are not experienced stand builders
• Building your own stand is therefore especially suitable for the somewhat simpler exhibition stands and smaller stand surfaces.

Advantages of building your exhibition stand yourself

• By yourself you build and set up an exhibition stand you save a lot on costs. After all, man-hours are a large part of the "stand construction" costs
• If you have your own exhibition stand that you use regularly and that you build yourself, the costs of your exhibition participation decrease considerably.

Conclusion

Participating in the trade fairs offers you every opportunity to get in touch with new and existing customers. Your exhibition stand plays a major role in this. You can completely outsource the construction of your exhibition stand to a stand builder, but you can also do it yourself. If you take the above points into account, you can make the best choice for your company.

Do you want to know more or do you need advice? Contact us!

Michel Rijnberg
isyfair Netherlands + author "Scoring with your exhibition participation"