4 trade show booth ideas for small budgets

By Stephanie Lamie

Trade shows and events are all about attracting interest for your brand. From your booth to your giveaways, creating an experience attendees will talk about and remember can generate interest long after the event is over.

While you want to make a great impression, preparing for your next trade show doesn’t have to break your budget. Check out our trade show booth ideas for small budgets, as well as inexpensive promotional items that can help you stretch your trade show dollars.

Make the most of your budget

Location, location, location

When it comes to trade shows, booth location matters. So team up to ensure you get the perfect spot. Exhibitors who share a booth space can take advantage of a great location—sometimes sold at a premium—while splitting the cost. For example, if you are a manufacturer, sharing a booth with one of your distributors could be a win-win for both organizations.

Eye-catching visuals

Signs and booth décor can help attendees spot you in the crowd. Create an evergreen message for your brand with a retractable display. Make it more budget-friendly by using it for multiple events. A literature display is a great way to create an inexpensive custom sign. Just print it on a standard sheet of paper. Pair your signage with inexpensive decor like a bunch of balloons to give your booth some pop.

Memorable giveaways

Selecting inexpensive promotional items that keep your brand top of mind is a great way to stretch your budget. The Advertising Specialty Institute® found that bags create more impressions in the United States than any other promotional giveaway. Totes or drawstring sportpacks are great trade show giveaway ideas, as they can be reused many times. Plus, new eyes see your brand every time the bag is used.

Technical connections

Trade shows are a great opportunity for lead generation. Give your staff a tablet and setup a digital survey using free software to gather valuable insights and contact information from show attendees. Thank them with a stylus twist pen.

We hope these trade show booth ideas for small budgets help you get ready for your next event without breaking the bank. Finding inexpensive promotional items that are effective in meeting your marketing goals and budget can create a lasting impression of your brand.

Stephanie Lamie

Stephanie Lamie is a senior merchandising category manager who has been with 4imprint for 28 years, including 21 years in her current role. She oversees several product categories, with her largest areas of focus being writing instruments and tradeshow displays. Stephanie enjoys discovering new products, tracking industry and retail trends, partnering with suppliers and learning more about sustainability. She began her 4imprint career as an expediter before moving into sales, claims and corporate programs—experience that gives her a broad understanding of the business. As an expert in all things pens, she uses her deep knowledge of 4imprint’s departments and customer needs to bring the very best writing utensils and tradeshow products to the market.