If there is one thing we could recommend to every exhibitor, it’s hard walls. It's no coincidence that most of the pins on our Best Booth Pinterest Board feature hard wall. Whether you rent them from Stronco, build them yourself or buy them from a fellow maker, they will provide a clean canvas that highlights your work and elevates your brand. Just keep in mind that any hard walls you bring will need to fit within your actual booth dimensions, so as not to encroach on your neighbours' space.

If a hard wall structure is just not in the budget, we recommend looking into a heavier drape that will add weight and substance to your booth. Make sure to bring S hooks to hang your curtains from the pipe structure, as it is shared with your neighbour, so cannot be draped into their space. Or try mixing a hard wall at the back with curtained sides for a polished but more budget (and storage) friendly display.

Whatever you choose, we advise that you stay away from grids. We know they can be tempting, especially when there is lot to hang, but soon grids will no longer be allowed in the show so you need to make alternative plans.

Last but not least, make sure your display makes the most of vertical booth space, but keep all display, lighting and signage within the 8’ height limit.

What you do for flooring is entirely up to you. Carpet, rugs, peel-and-stick and interlocking mats are the most common choice, and some opt for bare concrete. If you choose the latter, we recommend you invest in a standing mat to save your knees for the long days on your feet. Check out our Best Booth Pintrest Board to see different kinds of flooring in action at the show. Flooring is also available for rent through Stronco, if needed.

We dim the overhead lights in order to create an intimate shopping experience in our massive show halls, so bad lighting will make your booth stick out in the worst way. Don't believe us? Take it from your fellow exhibitors!

First, you’ll need to order electrical through the venue. Consider where your electrical outlet will be placed within your booth and make sure you can access the plugs and switches you will need to easily turn your lights on and off each day. Then, create a lighting plan that draws customers into your booth. We’ve heard it recommended that you use at least 1 light per foot of booth wall, but we encourage you to play around and figure out what best works for you. Lighting is available for rent through the venue, from clip ons to overhead spotlights, or you can buy your own lights like the ones suggested in this thread in the Facebook Group. Also consider the mood of your lighting—do you want a crisp white, warm yellow or light wash?

The best layout for your booth will depend on your products, so first let’s run through some basic questions you should consider, and then we’ll discuss best practices to make the most of your space.

• Where will transactions take place? Place yourself where you can be available but won’t impede others’ shopping experience when you are processing a transaction. And, as a safety precaution, make sure your transactions take place somewhere you can still keep an eye on your booth space.
• Where will customers enter and exit? Shoppers may pass you by if they feel like they will be trapped in your booth or cannot enter discretely. Make sure customers have the space to browse without engaging with you or your staff and that there is enough room for multiple customers to enter and exit the booth without being trapped.
• Who are your customers? Take into consideration any needs specific to your customers. If you sell products to new moms, ensure there is room to navigate your space with a stroller. If you will be sampling, make sure you create enough space to avoid roadblocks or crowding your neighbour’s space as people line up to try.

On that note, try to build storage into your booth space, for both your product and your personal belongings. Ideally, you should be able to hold a day’s worth of stock, but whatever you can spare will save you time. Onsite storage is available for rent, if needed.

Furnishing and fixtures will differ for everyone based on the products you are selling. Think of what shapes, sizes and configurations will put the highlight on your unique pieces. Then get crafty with sourcing options:

• Check out our Items For Sale unit in the Facebook Group to see if any vendors are selling fixtures that might work for you.
• Work with what you’ve got—borrow pieces from your home or pull out pieces from storage to create a well-rounded display.
• Get creative! Visit garage sales and pick up pieces that could be as good as new with a quick coat of paint.
• Join the masses who head to Ikea before the show each year to pick up cheap and cheerful furnishing to perk up their space.
• Or rent display pieces like tables or counters from our show decorator, Stronco, beforehand or at the onsite order desk.

Consider limiting your seating if possible, and able. We know that you will want the option to sit in your booth over the course of the show, so we recommend a stool, which will give you a place to rest but leave you ready to launch as soon as a customer enters your booth.