Photo: A professional island booth setup at a U.S. exhibition.
Before you start building your booth, clarify what you want to achieve at the show — is it
brand awareness, lead generation, or direct sales?
Each objective requires a different booth size, design, and marketing strategy.
In the U.S., trade show costs can add up quickly:
Space rental
Booth design & construction
Transportation & installation
Labor and union fees
On-site services (electricity, rigging, cleaning, etc.)
A 10×10 ft (3×3 m) booth may start from $10,000–$20,000, depending on the venue
and materials. Always include a 10–15% contingency in your budget.
There are several booth configurations in U.S. trade shows:
In-line booth – one open side, most cost-efficient.
Corner booth – two open sides for better visibility.
Peninsula booth – three open sides, semi-island exposure.
Island booth – open on all sides, maximum exposure.
Different booth layouts commonly used at U.S. trade shows.
Location is also key — booths near entrances, food courts, or main aisles tend to attract
more visitors, but they also come at a premium.
Every U.S. venue and show organizer enforces strict exhibit rules on booth height,
materials, hanging structures, and safety.
Common regulations include:
Inline booths can’t exceed 8 ft (2.44 m) in height.
Hanging signs are not allowed for inline booths.
All materials must be fire-retardant certified.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance for accessibility.
Rigging and safety checks at a Las Vegas convention center.
Always ask your general contractor (e.g., Freeman, GES, or Encore) for the Exhibitor
Service Manual before finalizing your booth design.
A successful trade show booth in the U.S. is not just visually stunning — it must
communicate your brand message instantly.
Here are key design strategies:
Keep messaging short and bold — use large fonts and simple taglines.
Highlight your logo at eye level or above.
Use lighting strategically to create depth and focus.
Integrate interactive screens, product demos, or AR/VR experiences.
Maintain a clean layout with plenty of open space (avoid clutter).
Interactive and modern booth design focused on visitor experience.
Building a booth in the U.S. involves multiple service providers, tight schedules, and
union labor. Planning ahead is critical.
Key steps include:
Book your shipping and customs clearance at least 4–6 weeks in advance.
Coordinate with official contractors for rigging, power, and internet.
Schedule your move-in and move-out times carefully.
Insure your shipment and booth materials against damage.
Keep an on-site toolkit and spare parts ready for quick fixes.
Logistics and installation teams preparing booths before show opening.
Exhibiting in the United States is an amazing opportunity to connect with global buyers
— but success depends on preparation.
From booth design and compliance to logistics and customer engagement, each step
matters.
If you need professional support for booth design and construction in the U.S., our
experienced team can help you handle everything — from concept to installation.
> Contact us today to make your next U.S. trade show a success!