Hi Exhibitor 👋

Good to have you here! If you’re stepping into the world of exhibitions for the first time, it’s normal to feel a little… overwhelmed. Floorplans, stand sizes, graphics, lighting, electrics, build, dismantle. it’s a lot.

Here’s the good news! you don’t need to have it all figured out right away. At Redblu, we help exhibitors like yourself go from complete beginners to seasoned pros in the events world. Turning both your and our creative ideas into stand-out spaces on the exhibition floor.

This guide will walk you through the first key steps to get you ready for your initial call with the Redblu team, so we can then hit the ground running and create something that works for your brand, your goals, and your budget.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Know your Space

Before our first chat, try to get hold of the floorplan for the event and your stand number. This allows us to:

  • Confirm your exact stand size and orientation (open sides, walkways, nearby features).

  • Spot any venue-specific rules or restrictions that might impact your design (height limits, access points, etc.).

Top tip from our Redblu Crew: You’ll usually find this information in your Exhibitor Manual or Exhibitor Console. These are goldmines of information about your space, deadlines, and rules.

Step 2: Define Your “Why”

Ask yourself: Why are we exhibiting at this event?

Your answer will guide the design direction for our main trusty designer Rob. After we fill out our initial brief, it’s then onto the design team to get rendering your creative ideas and turning them into exhibition stand reality.

So, the questions are:

  • Are you launching a new product? Let’s showcase it front and centre.

  • Are you raising brand awareness? We’ll make sure your stand can be seen from across the hall.

  • Generating sales leads? We’ll create an inviting, functional space that encourages conversations.

Step 3: Think About the Visitor Experience

Now, imagine yourself as a passer-by. What do you want people to notice, feel, or do when they see your stand?

Consider:

  • Stand features: Product demos, live activations, interactive screens, meeting spaces.

  • Look & feel: Bright and bold, sleek and modern, minimal and clean, industry-specific styling.

  • Branding essentials: What colours, messages, and visuals must be instantly recognisable? Stick to your brand guidelines!

Pro tip: Think about the flow of your stand. Aka, how do visitors enter, move through, and exit your space. This small detail can make a big difference in engagement and your passers by overall event experience with your brand.

Step 4: Know Your Audience

Not everyone at the event is your target – so who is?

Ask yourself:

  • Who are our ideal visitors?

  • What problem are they trying to solve in their day to day?

  • What will stop them in their tracks?

For example, a high-tech brand might benefit from bold digital displays, while a product-focused exhibitor might draw more attention with hands-on demo areas. It really depends on what your brand is, and what your usual customers expect to see from you. And of course something your customers will want to engage with. Having a coffee machine or a smoothie machine can hook your customers in.

Step 5: Get Yourself Show-Ready

While the Redblu team takes care of the stand build prep and logistics, there’s plenty you can do to prepare for a successful show:

  • Marketing your presence – let customers and prospects know where to find you with social posts, emails, or pre-show campaigns. Create a Buzz, let the world know you are attending said show!

  • Planning your stand activities – assign roles to your team and map out how you’ll engage visitors.

  • Prepping your sales material – brochures, product samples, business cards, and digital lead capture tools.

  • Organising giveaways or activations – make your brand memorable with fun or interactive elements.

  • Training your team – ensure everyone knows key messages, product features, and how to greet visitors.

While we’re on-site building your stand, you’ll be busy making sure you and your team are ready to hit the ground running the moment the doors open. That way, you’re not just standing there, you’re stand-ing out. Get it…

Step 6: Final Check and Review

It sounds simple, but this step can make a huge difference. Make sure all your event materials are ready and packed for the show day:

  • Business cards

  • Brochures or leaflets

  • Product samples or demos

  • Any tech or devices you’ll need, laptops, USB sticks, Tablets etc. Any tech that you will need to play your media on AV’s.

The goal is to have a stand filled with new leads and connections, not last-minute stress because you forgot something crucial. A little preparation here ensures your team can focus on engaging visitors and making the most of every opportunity that comes your way come show day!

Step 7: Enjoy the Show!

Once the show starts, it’s time to engage with attendees, gather leads, and showcase your brand. Remember, a well-prepared stand and a trained team are your best tools for turning visitors into lasting connections.

And of course, why would be doing all of this if we didn’t try to get some enjoyment out of it, yes it may be stressful on the lead up to event day. However, once the event is underway, drop the shoulders, put on your biggest smile and Enjoy!

Right, okay.. deep breath we are near the finish line.

Exhibiting for the first time doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these steps and of course the wonderful Redblu team guiding the entire process, you’ll be ready to smash whatever show you are attending.

Any more questions get in touch below!

✉️ Email: sales@redblugraphics.co.uk

📲 Phone: 0141 887 7378

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