Exhibiting at a trade show can be an opportunity to connect with new clients, build brand awareness and network with other businesses. It is a valuable form of marketing, but it’s one that you do need to be prepared to invest in.
Just how much should you expect to spend on a trade show? Most businesses spend upwards of $10,000, however it depends greatly on a number of factors. Below is a breakdown of the costs you will need to budget for.
Booth space rental
The biggest cost of exhibiting at a trade show is renting space. Many trade shows charge $100 to $150 per square foot – which means a 10 x 10 booth costs $10,000 to $15,000 on average. Small local trade shows such as food fairs and craft fairs will often charge much less – you may only have to pay $200 to $1000 for a pitch for the entire day.
Exhibition stand
Standing out at a trade show involves having an eye-catching exhibition stand. You will need to look into exhibition stand suppliers and compare costs. Custom stands vary greatly in cost from $5,000 to $40,000 depending on how large and elaborate you want to make them. Modular stands tend to be more budget-friendly. At smaller local events, you may only need a side banner and table banner – which may only cost $200 to $500.
Shipping and handling
How will you get your booth to the event? Some companies will be able to handle shipping, assembly and disassembly for you, while others will require you to do it yourself. Basic banners may cost nothing extra to transport if you have a large enough vehicle, while custom booths can cost $500 to $3000 to transport and assemble depending on the size, complexity and location.
Hiring staff
Will you need to pay staff to man your stall on the day? How much you pay per hour is up to you, but at large events you should put aside at least $1000 – especially if you’re having to pay for transport, accommodation and food for employees too. Local events won’t cost as much to hire staff for. You may even decide to do it yourself and not have to spend anything on staff.
Promotional materials
Promotional materials include flyers, brochures, business cards and vouchers. You may even decide to sell discounted products at your event or give away food samples. Set aside a reasonable budget for these materials and items – the total cost could be $50 to $500.
Conclusion
Exhibiting at a larger trade show will usually cost an average of $10,000 to $70,000 to organize. It largely comes down to the type of booth you choose, how far away the event is and how many staff you hire to help out. Small local trade shows won’t cost this much – expect to pay between $500 to $5000. It is important to do your research to get an accurate idea as to the quality you should be aiming for.
