Showcasing your brand at a trade show or exhibit is no longer just about having a presence; it’s about cutting through the noise and capturing attention to engage with the show’s audience.
With technology constantly evolving, digital displays have risen as one of the most impactful tools for companies to engage their audience due to their versatility and ability to capture attention.
In this article, we explore ten creative ideas for using digital displays and event tech at your next exhibit to make a lasting impression.
Here’s how you can use this tech to make your booth the talk of the town or, certainly, the exhibit hall.
Create Interactive Experiences
An Interactive Table can transform how attendees perceive your brand.
Imagine being able to walk up to a booth and physically interact with a product (virtually or for real) for a closer look at the product you have on display.
With an interactive table, you can display product information, videos, and images and even have a virtual try-on experience, which will not only engage the audience but also give them an immersive experience with your brand, engaging two of their senses: sight and touch.
These interactive features create a memorable and innovative experience that sticks with your audience long after the event has ended.
Use High-Quality Visuals on LED Walls
Bright or dull, captivating or boring—your booth’s visual appeal can make or break your first impression.
High-resolution images and videos displayed crisply on digital screens are magnetic to a passing crowd.
Ensure consistency in your color schemes, themes, and logos across all your visuals to create an instantly recognizable, cohesive brand message.
The grandeur of LED walls can transform your booth into a large, dynamic canvas. Whether you want to loop a video showcasing your product’s features or present a brand narrative, LED walls offer unlimited flexibility and can be seen from a distance, making your booth a beacon on the expo floor.
Size Truly Matters With Large Screen Displays
When it comes to visual impact, there’s truth to the adage “Go big or go home.”
As with LED walls, using large or multiple screens prominently displaying your messages can dominate the visual field, drawing in attendees from all corners of the exhibit hall.
Whether it’s a stunning, ultrawide short-throw projector or a 75-inch 4K LED display, choose the size that best fits your space and budget and tailor your display content to the right audience.
If you have a busy booth, large display screens can display important brand or product info, keeping your team free to focus on engaging with customers and prospects who visit your stand.
Use Portrait LED Screens
Portrait LED screens are the new pop-up banners.
These slim, towering giants are show-stopping and customizable like all good digital solutions should be.
Whether it’s a single image with in-booth presentation information, a branded message, or a scrolling display showcasing a portfolio of work, portrait LEDs are versatile and don’t just stand tall—they stand out.
Adaptability: Embracing the Hybrid Event Trend
The rise of hybrid events — a mix of in-person and virtual participation — has underscored the need for venues to be adaptable. This means having the technological infrastructure to support live streaming, virtual reality experiences, and other digital integrations to connect audiences worldwide.
Venues that cannot accommodate these tech needs may be at a disadvantage in the current event landscape, as even the smallest of events will still have an online community unable to attend in person, hungry to connect, and requiring digital engagement.
With the popularity of hybrid events, venues must be flexible and have the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies as they emerge to stay competitive and meet the evolving expectations of event planners and attendees alike.
This can further validate the effectiveness of your products or services and impress potential customers.
Interactive Games
Have you ever played Candy Crush or still have Angry Birds on your phone?
Even if you no longer play those classic games, gamification is a powerful engagement tool, and you could make room for this kind of fun at your next exhibit.
Consider a custom-designed game that’s related to your industry or product, and those who play could win a prize or discount. Not only does this foster interaction, but it also provides more opportunities to communicate your brand message in a fun and non-intrusive way.
Provide Exclusive Digital Content
Offering exclusive content—whitepapers, case studies, or access to webinars—available only to booth visitors can significantly boost your perceived value.
If, for example, you host an industry influencer talking about the latest trends in your sector, attendees can sign up for the session at your booth and receive notifications via email or social media when your post-event summaries or reports become available.
This drives traffic to your booth and adds value to their experience. Since attendees are likely to give you their contact information in exchange for such quality content, this allows you to continue engagement beyond the exhibit.
Capture Event Leads Digitally
Scrap the pen and paper for lead generation.
Utilize iPads or tablets with digital forms that attendees can quickly fill out or, better yet, enable them to submit their information via a QR code, which can be more cost-effective than expensive event apps.
You’re streamlining the process and showcasing your brand as tech-savvy and efficient, a message in itself. Plus, digital lead capture platforms can integrate with your CRM system, making it easier to follow up and track potential customers after the event.
Use AR or VR Technology
Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) are still relatively underused technologies in exhibits that can elevate your booth experience to the next level.
With AR, you can superimpose virtual objects onto a real-world environment, allowing attendees to interact with your products in ways they never could before. If you prepare properly, you could show your product in key prospects’ showrooms, offices, or off-site.
On the other hand, VR lets visitors immerse themselves in a 3D world for an unforgettable experience.
Both technologies provide a unique and exciting way for attendees to engage with your brand, making it more memorable and shareable.
Add an AI Photobooth
Who doesn’t love a good photo booth?
Take it up a notch and add AI technology to your traditional photo booth and create characters for your visitors.
With features like virtual props and background replacement, attendees can take photos with your brand incorporated into them, making for fun and shareable content on social media. Add a social wall to your booth and showcase the people who visited your booth in real-time to attract “people like me” audiences.
Measure Exhibit Engagement
Don’t forget to measure success.
It can be very easy to create the biggest, brightest and best exhibit you’ve ever dreamed of, but if you don’t track how long attendees interacted with each digital feature, or which content got the most leads, how will you know what worked and didn’t work?
An effective lead capture and analysis strategy can help you understand which products were most interesting or which areas of your booth or business have room for improvement in future exhibits.
By using data-driven analysis, you can continually optimize your exhibit experience and make informed decisions for future events, such as that provided by Explori.
How to Know What Tech is Right for Your Booth
Knowing which tech to deploy or which type of AV to use can be a daunting task, but it all starts with understanding your audience and their needs.
Consider the demographics of those attending the event, their interests, and what they value regarding technology or interactivity.
Additionally, you could speak to our SmartSource event tech team to ensure your exhibits are always cutting-edge and engaging for your audience.
Digital displays and interactive event technology is not a gimmick—it’s a strategic move for your next exhibit.
It’s about enhancing human connection through innovative technology and creating memorable and measurable experiences.
