Exhibit Rental: Perhaps an Option You Should Consider

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exhibit rental

This blog was originally published in 2022. It has been updated for relevance and accuracy in 2024.

The idea of rental trade show exhibit is burdened with a past characterized by unremarkable, boring structures cobbled together with pieces and parts from a vendor’s warehouse. An abandoned counter from an old exhibit, the white wall panels that used to be a fixture in every rental exhibit, and yet another set of white walls called a ‘tower’ housing a closet for storage: these were the hallmarks of trade show exhibit rentals past. But times—and rental trade show exhibits—have changed. Extruded aluminum components—everything from wall systems to decks—fabric structures, and cost-effective technology such as projection mapping make today’s rental trade show exhibit a choice, not a last resort. When you decide on a rental exhibit, ask your exhibit management partner to create a design that can work in a number of configurations. Doing this upfront lightens the load for you as a face-to-face marketer.

7 Reasons to Consider an Exhibit Rental

Here are seven reasons you might want to explore renting your trade show exhibit, which you should discuss with your exhibit house partner.

  1. An exhibit rental might appeal to your financial team. Buying a trade show exhibit outright is a capital expense while renting an exhibit is not. Depending on how your budget is structured, exhibit rental might be an option that appeals to finance. The discussion is certainly worth having. Articulate the pros and cons, particularly if you are managing events for a company that has opted only for custom-built exhibits in the past. (You might have to explain that the heavy, out-of-date capital-expensed exhibit the company bought 17 years ago needs to be replaced.)
  2. An exhibit rental, particularly those featuring reusable extruded aluminum components and/or fabric, underscores your company’s commitment to sustainability. Not only is the recyclable nature of the exhibit environmentally friendly, but usually, freight and shipping charges are less than custom-built properties. If your company has a sustainability mission, this feature underscores that policy. The rental exhibit highlights that part of your brand promise.
  3. A rental exhibit allows you to change brand messaging from show to show. Using the same configuration with different graphics and messages is a cost-effective solution to promoting different products to different audiences. The transition from one brand to another is simpler when you have produced interchangeable graphics upfront.
  4. Rental trade show exhibits are scalable and can adapt to any and all footprints. Recognizable properties can be configured for any size booth, and working with your exhibit house to scale your exhibit is easy.
  5. Rental exhibits make sense for new companies because they can look good and make your company appear established. In particular, if your company doesn’t yet have an established revenue stream, a well-designed rental exhibit at an important trade show can communicate strength and promise.
  6. Rental exhibits can help you present a fresh look with a minimum investment. If you have a product launch or want to display a corporate franchise, for example, you already have the structure to update your look and product messages.
  7. Rental exhibits will help you meet the demands of the show. For example, when you know that you will be exhibiting at a small show with a targeted audience, perhaps you don’t need to have a double deck. On the other hand, you can pull out all the stops for larger shows with a more diverse audience.

In today’s fast-paced trade show environment, flexibility and adaptability are key. Exhibit rentals offer a perfect balance of customization, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, allowing your brand to maintain a strong presence without the long-term commitment of purchasing a custom-built exhibit. As your business evolves, so can your exhibit—adjusting messaging, scale, and appearance. By partnering with a forward-thinking exhibit house, you can leverage the latest technologies and design innovations to create impactful experiences that resonate with your audience and align with your brand’s goals. Rental exhibits are no longer a compromise—they’re a strategic choice for modern marketers.

Wondering whether an exhibit rental is the right option? Reach out to us — we’ll work with you to find the right exhibit solution to fit your needs. Contact Access TCA today.