Preparation for 2027 trade shows has begun for many of our clients. We’ve also welcomed a few new clients who have never exhibited at a show before. If you or your organization is new to shows, here’s how the process goes. We’re always happy to walk you through what is a pretty complex ecosystem – just shot an email, fill out the contact form, or even better, give us a call. Yes, we pick up the phone and there’s a human at the other end, it’s part of the Image 4 experience.
What should you expect at your first trade show?
Your first trade show follows a defined sequence: a goals conversation, a priced concept, in-house design and fabrication, logistics and installation, the show itself, then dismantle and storage. Your team’s role is to show up ready to sell — not to manage any of the production steps yourself.
What happens first, once you decide to exhibit?
A conversation about your goals — what you’re selling, who you need to reach, and what you want your space to accomplish — followed by a concept specific enough to price and build against. Once approved, we tighten the budget and move ahead with the build.
How long does building your exhibit take?
It depends on your design’s scale and complexity: a smaller, simpler space moves faster than a large custom build with extensive fabrication. We give you a specific timeline once your concept is set, so you’re planning against a real schedule, not a guess. Roughly, allow 2-3 weeks for a simple portable backdrop, 4-6 weeks for a modular or somewhat customized 10 or 20-foot, and 8-12 weeks for a major build (20×20, 30×30 and larger)
Who handles your shipping and logistics?
We can if you wish us to. Many of our clients ship their portable displays themselves, and many of them with larger programs trust us to store and arrange all the logistics. Crating, freight, and coordinating your dock time at the venue are part of what we manage — your exhibit arrives ready for installation, and you’re not tracking shipping schedules on top of everything else on your plate.
What happens on your show floor?
Installation, the show itself, and dismantle. We’re on-site for install and available if anything needs to be solved on the fly, before it becomes your problem.
What happens after the show ends?
We manage dismantle and get your exhibit into storage, maintained and ready for its next appearance — so your program is ready to go for your second show.
Do you need trade show experience to exhibit for the first time?
No. We work with clients whose job focus is not marketing – engineers, sales staff, office managers, Marcom and digital marketing. We welcome clients who have no prior in-person event experience and guide them through every step. We exhibit at shows too, and we’re expert in helping our clients show their best.
