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What is a Good Quote for an Exhibition Stand?

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Good Quote

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance, like many, you’re not an event planner. Rather, exhibition stand planning has been dropped into your lap at the eleventh hour, and now you’re trying to figure out what a solid exhibition stand quote should look like!

The first thing you should know is that your exhibition stand can make or break your success at a trade show. A great exhibition stand does not just display your products, but communicates your brand identity, builds memorability, and generates leads!

But what actually makes a good exhibition stand quote? This question is not as simple as it may seem. For some, it may be the cheapest exhibition stand, while for others it might be the greatest value for money! What makes a quote “good” for your business will likely be influenced by your individual goals. In this blog, we will break down quotes for exhibition stands and compare the solutions.

Comparing Various Solutions

Pop-Up Systems

If you are not ready to invest in a more expensive stand, pop-up systems can make a decent budget-friendly option.

Pop-up stands are portable, light display stands that can be self-built for an exhibition or conference. These stands tend to be on the simpler side in terms of functionality and customisability, hence their lower price point.

The design process for these stands is fairly simple, however, you are unlikely to be working with an expert. Rather, the buyer receives a basic template where they can “insert” their graphics or media.

Benefits of Pop-Ups:

  • Budget-friendly: Pop-up stands tend to range from around £700 to £5,000, making them a budget-friendly solution!
  • Quick Installation: These systems are quick to set up and dismantle, making them fairly stress-free!
  • Portable: Pop-up systems are lightweight and compact so they’re easy to transport!
  • Reusable: The stands can be used for future events, bringing great cost-saving.

Disadvantages of Pop-Up Stands:

  • Limited Design Choices: Pop-up stands tend to be limited to preset templates meaning the design freedom is restricted!
  • Less Impact: While pop-ups are a good entry to the trade show industry, they are not as high-impact as bespoke modular or custom-build stands and may not generate as much traffic or as many leads.
  • Durability: Though these stands are reusable, their lifespan is limited. The stands are generally not as good quality as other bespoke designs and systems and so may not last for the full exhibition calendar.

Bespoke-Modular Stand

If you’re expecting a direct quote or set price for your bespoke design, you may need to alter your expectations. Leading modular exhibition stand design and build contractor, Quadrant2Design shares insights on their home site!

With a bespoke design, the price will change depending on your individual requirements like stand space, size and features. So, you could spend anywhere between £5,000 and £25,000! Of course, the design capabilities for modular stands will vary from contractor to contractor, depending on the system.

If a contractor can set a price in advance of your design, the likelihood is the design is not truly bespoke. Instead, a good quote for a modular design will be designed to your brief and will vary due to the number of features, lighting, showcases and customised pieces.

Not to mention, pricing will vary depending on which exhibiting model you choose. For example, Quadrant2Design offers three exhibiting plans, Free-Hire Pro, Buy-to-Self-Build, and Hire-to-Self-Build. 

Free-Hire Pro, the company’s most popular plan allows exhibitors to invest in the graphic panels, while “hiring” the necessary hardware free of charge. This plan includes the installation and dismantling, project management, full pre-build and logistics handling. Moreover, after the initial investment in graphics, reinstallation prices typically lower by up to 60%!

Good Quote

This sort of package brings value for money, which is worth considering when assessing whether you have got a good quote. Not to mention, because modular stands are reusable and reconfigurable, they can be used time and time again, in varying stand spaces, with free storage between shows. Alternatively, you can buy the graphics and structure to self-build or buy the graphics and hire the structure on an as-your-need-it basis! 

Advantages of Modular Stands:

  • Highly Customisable: A bespoke modular stand design allows much greater design freedom than a pop-up stand. Modular stands can host entirely bespoke pieces that complement a high-impact graphic landscape! Features like rotating headers can be added for dynamism, while showcases can be designed for your specific products! 
  • Maximum Impact: Bespoke stands are designed to stand out. With unique features, creative use of space, and attention to detail, these stands can make a striking visual statement that draws attention and helps you engage your target audience.
  • Pre-Build – As modular stands are reusable, exhibition stand contractors can and should provide a full pre-build. This is the ultimate quality check!
  • Tailored to Your Needs: A bespoke stand can be designed specifically to meet the functional needs of your event. Whether you need space for product displays, demo areas, meeting rooms, or interactive features, a custom design allows you to create an environment that works for your business.
  • High-Quality: Modular stands are designed to last, featuring durable, high-quality aluminium frames and high-quality graphic panels.
  • Reconfigurable: These stands can be completely reconfigured to suit different stand spaces or sizes allowing stands to look and feel new each time.
  • Brand Consistency: Where panels are reused, stands are perfectly colour-matched for each show. The reuse of panels creates consistency across an exhibition calendar and builds brand memorability.
  • Sustainability: These stands are truly the most sustainable exhibiting model on the market, as they are designed around reuse!
  • Cost-effective: Whether using Free-Hire Pro or purchasing a modular stand, modular stands are cost-effective. Enjoy minimal reinstallation costs, or make one large investment and use it to its maximum lifespan!

Disadvantages of Modular Stands:

  • Higher Initial Costs: The biggest disadvantage of modular stands is the initial investment. Though usually much less than a custom stand, you still have to make a larger initial investment than a pop-up.
  • Design Freedom: Though many Modular stands offer fantastic design freedom, bridging the gap between custom and modular, there are some limitations to the system.

Custom-Build Exhibition Stand

Traditional custom-build stands are typically the most expensive exhibiting model on the market, however, they offer the greatest design freedom!

A quote for a custom-build stand, like a bespoke modular stand quote, will typically vary depending on your design requirements. With these stands you are working with a completely blank canvas, as you would with a kitchen design or bathroom design. This means you could spend anywhere between £10,000 on something fairly simple, to £100,000 or more for something very complex.

Unlike modular stands, where installation could cost between £3,000 and £6,000, you have to rebuy the whole stand for every single exhibition!

Advantages of Custom-Builds:

  • Complete Design Freedom – With custom-builds you have a completely blank canvas to work with and no system limitations.
  • High-Impact Design – As all components are custom-designed, custom-builds can be high-impact stands.
  • Tailored to Your Needs – Custom-build stands are completely tailored to your individual needs.
  • Quality – Custom-builds tend to be made of sturdy materials like wood and acrylic, so they’re pretty sturdy.

Disadvantages of Custom-Builds:

  • Sustainability – Custom-build stands are the least sustainable option in the exhibition industry, generating vast amounts of waste. Even when using recyclable materials, these stands are not considered sustainable by buyers in supply chains.
  • Costs – Custom-builds are one use, meaning you have to repurchase for each show. This can quickly become very expensive.
  • Lack of Brand Consistency – When purchasing a stand for each exhibition, there is risk that branding will look inconsistent and unprofessional.
  • Dust & Building Risks – Custom-build stands are built on-site on the day of the event generating dangerous building dust!
  • No pre-build – There is no way to quality-check a custom-build before the event. If something is wrong on event-day you might be stuck with it.

Making the Right Choice for Your Brand

When comparing pop-up systems with low set prices to full bespoke design quotes, the decision ultimately depends on your business goals, exhibition needs, and budget. Here are some factors to consider:

●      Budget and Long-Term Investment

●      Event Objectives

●      Frequency of Exhibiting

●      Brand Identity and Visual Impact

  • Sustainability

Which Option Is Best for You?

I hope we have demonstrated that a “good” exhibition stand quote is not just a low price, but actually a quote that offers value for money, and aligns with your long-term exhibiting goals. Do you want a stress-free experience, with project management that caters to your entire calendar, or do you want an entry-level banner? Is sustainability important, or does the stand only need to make an impact? All of these factors should be considered when deciding if an exhibition stand quote is good for your business.

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