This October I attended my first big trade show installation and dismantle. I had an idea what I was in for, but nothing can really prepare you for the long hours and the experience of an exhibit setup during install. With forklifts zooming around, custom hanging signs and props being lifted into the air, trash covering the floor, and the miles walked back and forth, it is a unique place to navigate.
This year at The NACS Show we installed two booths: Barebells and Conagra Salty Snacks. We were tasked with creating two show-stopping displays, both with custom elements for their hanging signs that would make or break the booth.
Here are the top three things I learned at my first big Installation and Dismantle at NACS ’24.
Rigging is more than just hanging a sign.
When it comes to rigging, traditional hanging signs are no sweat. But when it comes to rigging custom elements in addition to a hanging sign, you need to know exactly what you want and how you want it to look. For Barebells, we created a large protein bar that hung from a circular sign, and the salty snacks booth had five custom pickle balls hanging from a square sign created for a new product launch. Both of these were the centerpieces and designed to stop people in their tracks and draw them into the booth. Months went into planning for these, and they had to be perfect.
What I learned:
- Don’t forget to pre-order rigging services! This can delay your booth build and cause major problems for your install.
- Always triple-check measurements and weights. You wouldn’t want something falling on someone or the sizes to be way off.
- Don’t be afraid to ask your riggers to change something for you. If something looks off or isn’t perfect, have them fix it. They want your booth to look perfect, too.
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- Barebells Hanging Sign
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- Conagra Hanging Sign
Don’t worry, you will get all of your steps in (plus more).
Walking from hall to hall to storage to cold storage to show services to rigging and back to your booth, there is no need to worry about getting in your steps. You will get in all of your steps plus more! Convention Centers are larger than you think and nothing is close.
What I learned:
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will regret it if you don’t.
- The show’s service desks and storage are not next to each other, so get ready to walk.
- Make sure you know where all of the desks are in case you are missing labels, packages, crates, etc.
You can go big at NACS!
Because Las Vegas show services are more affordable, companies can have more fun with their exhibits and play around with video tiles and features, large props, eye-catching hanging signs, etc. Flashy was the name of the game, and it was fun to see how creative and playful companies were.
What I learned:
- Don’t be afraid to go big at shows like NACS. That one eye-catching element is what potential buyers might be looking for.
- It is a fun show to walk around and get ideas for future exhibit setups.
- The flashy, custom elements may make your installation and dismantle more challenging, but they will be what makes attendees want to enter your booth rather than walk past it.
My first big install and dismantle at NACS 2024 was a wild mix of excitement and exhaustion. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the work and precision that goes into creating a perfect trade show booth in Denver and beyond! If you’re gearing up for something like NACS, here’s my two cents: plan like a pro and hire an experienced and confident team to install your booth. This will ensure your booth looks its best at the show.
Contact us to learn more about our installation and dismantle services and how we can help you look your best at NACS 2025!
