A few weeks ago I jotted down some thoughts on COVID-19, it’s potential impact on the tradeshow floor and how we might coexist – see https://www.elitexpo.com/ts/home/blog/.

Since I shared that blog there have been other thoughts/ideas shared from my peers within the industry. For example, wider aisles on the show floor, signage directing traffic flow and/or the addition of buffer zones between exhibits to name a few.

Today, I thought I would take a moment to address the reality that as we plan for shows going forward, we will probably need to reconsider the size of the exhibit we will be taking to the event. I say this because recently there has been talk that in an effort to address social distancing requirements, we might very well see a reduction in the size of the individual booth space permitted on the show floor.

For some, this might be perceived as a problematic situation where your investment in a smaller booth has limited use with no future applications for growth. Well I am here to tell you that this is not the case. Yes, you can start small and still have the flexibility to expand to a larger footprint when restrictions are relaxed and the opportunity for large exhibits one again presents itself. Today’s modular exhibits afford you scalability and flexibility. And with trade shows facing a variety of restrictions, now more than ever, exhibitors are going to need to be flexible in order to adapt.

They say a picture is worth 1000 words, so I thought I would share two examples of how a modular system can be very versatile when size options are a priority.

As you can see in the above examples, when changing booth size, you can still have a consistent look and feel to your exhibit(s) and your overall brand presence on the show floor. In addition, in most situations you are able to re-purpose the same graphics for the different configurations. Also, it is important to note that this strategy applies to both purchase and/or rental properties.

So, as we all continue to navigate through these uncharted COVID-19 waters, keep this strategy in mind. As show organizers explore implementing a variety of social distancing practices and depending on the venue, you might find yourself having to rethink the size of your exhibit. Know that you have scalable options that will afford you the ability to adapt to different footprints and get more out of your exhibit.

Stay safe!

Chuck Michel

VP Trade Show Services
ELITeXPO
D: 847-324-3840
C: 314-667-3225
E: chuckm@elitexpo.com