A great display is something to hold on to for many years. But are you stuck on your old trade show exhibit and missing out on new opportunities? Your old display could need replacement and you might not even realize it. These five common pitfalls stop many companies from replacing their trade show booths, although the replacement is desperately necessary.

Tip 1: The Trade Show Exhibit Is Difficult To Set Up Or Take Down

Part of a good display setup is how easy it is to handle. You should be able to easily manage the entire display without a lot of struggle. Connections should be easy to disconnect when maneuvered properly. In addition, it should be easy to connect the elements when setting up the booth. Overly loose connections are actually a sign of danger. The best way to determine if your trade show exhibit needs to be replaced is to keep a log of any changes in its setup from one convention to the next. Because conventions can be relatively infrequent, you might not notice that the setup process has changed over time. But if you keep notes of any changes, it is easier to keep tabs on the trade show booths as a whole.

Tip 2: The Trade Show Booths Show Wear And Tear

Your exhibits have their maximum impact when they look fresh, not worn. Yet many companies have difficulty determining whether their materials are discolored, frayed, or deformed because they see them as the process is happening. If your white banner is progressively becoming darkened just from use, it's difficult to see that. You must deliberately take a step back and examine the product with fresh eyes. It is helpful to do an intake description of your new booths, recording everything in detail. That way, if they begin to degrade, you have a point of reference.

Tip 3: A Major New Innovation Begins Dominating Your Field

Look at other trade show booths at your conference. Do they have features that you'd love, but just don't have in your own display? In that case, it's probably time to revamp. You might be able to incorporate the new development into your old system, but there have probably been enough innovations that it's worthwhile to do a complete update.

Tip 4: Structural Damage Is Visible

This hint is more than just a suggestion - it's a necessity for safety. If you see any kind of damage to the actual structure of your display, you must discontinue use immediately and replace it. Over time, older displays may suffer wear and tear, leading them to break. Check them every time you set up and take down, and ensure that you replace them as soon as any crack appears.

Tip 5: Your Display Uses A Structural Material That Is No Longer Produced

If you're setting up a display so old that its main frame material is no longer used, it's probably a safety hazard. You should consider choosing a replacement now, rather than waiting until later when you have no choice but to replace it. Older materials are less durable, less lightweight, and at a higher risk for breaking simply because of their age.

These tips, apart from tip 4, are more guidelines than hard rules. So long as your structure is safe, there is no pressing reason to update it. But you can reap a lot of benefits if you examine your trade show exhibit regularly to analyze what needs to be changed. You will ensure that your company always puts a great trade show exhibit on display.