So, you’ve made the decision that your company would benefit from participating in a trade show. Now comes the hard part. Do you get a trade show booth rental or purchase one? There’s a lot that goes into answering that question and the decision that you make can have a significant financial impact on your business.

In this blog, we’ll review questions that you can review with your organization so that you can decide which is best for your company, renting or purchasing a custom trade show booth.

Is Your Company Planning to Rebrand Soon?

If your company plans to rebrand in the near future, it’s essential to factor this into your decision to rent or purchase a trade show booth. Rebranding often involves significant changes to your logo, colors, messaging, or overall design aesthetic.

With a rental trade show booth, adapting to changes is simple and cost-effective. Unlike permanent designs, rental booths offer unmatched flexibility, allowing you to update branding elements, layouts, or messaging from one event to the next.

Whether you’re launching a new product, rebranding, or tailoring your presentation to a specific audience, rental booths let you keep your display fresh and relevant without the expense or commitment of owning a booth. This adaptability ensures that your trade show presence stays dynamic and aligned with your evolving business goals.

However, with a purchased booth, making these updates can be more complicated. Alterations may involve redesigning structural elements, replacing graphics, and even reconfiguring the booth layout, which can be both time-consuming and expensive.

By anticipating your rebranding timeline, you can choose the option that best aligns with your future plans and ensures your booth consistently reflects your company’s evolving identity.

How Many Trade Shows Are You Attending?

The number of trade shows your company plans to attend each year is a critical factor in deciding whether to purchase or rent a booth.

If your company participates in numerous trade shows annually, purchasing a booth can be a highly cost-effective option. While the upfront investment may seem significant, it pays off over time as the cost is spread across multiple events. Owning a booth also provides consistency in branding and design, helping your company establish a strong and recognizable presence.

Additionally, a custom-built booth can be tailored to fit your specific needs, ensuring a unique and impactful experience for attendees. Over time, the savings from not renting repeatedly can free up resources for other marketing efforts, making booth ownership a smart choice for frequent exhibitors.

However, this approach only makes sense if your booth design remains consistent and aligns with the floor plan requirements at all the shows you’re attending. If each event requires a different booth size, layout, or design to fit unique spaces or target diverse audiences, renting becomes a more practical and flexible choice.

Renting also allows you to test different setups and strategies without committing to a single design, making it ideal for companies still refining their trade show approach. Carefully evaluating your show calendar and booth requirements will help ensure you make the most strategic decision for your company.

Do you want the same booth for every show?

When deciding whether to rent or purchase a trade show booth, it’s essential to consider how often you plan to use the same booth design. If your marketing strategy involves a consistent presentation across multiple events, purchasing a booth can be a strategic investment.

A unified design strengthens brand recognition, creating a memorable and cohesive experience for attendees. Additionally, owning a booth offers significant cost savings in the long term, as you eliminate recurring rental fees. For businesses committed to maintaining a strong, recognizable presence at trade shows, buying a booth is a practical and financially sound choice.

However, If your trade show strategy involves tailoring booth designs to suit different events, renting offers unmatched flexibility to adapt to varying spaces, audiences, and messaging. With rental booths, you can customize elements for each event, ensuring your display aligns perfectly with the theme or target audience without committing to a single, permanent design.

This adaptability is especially beneficial for companies participating in diverse events or exploring new markets. By understanding your needs upfront, you can make an informed decision that balances flexibility, branding consistency, and budget goals, positioning your company for success at every show.

How large of a booth do you want, and how custom do you want it to be?

Deciding on the size of your booth and how custom you want it to be plays a crucial role in determining whether to rent or purchase a trade show booth.

If your company requires a large, highly customized booth to make a lasting impression, purchasing can be a more cost-effective option in the long run. A custom booth allows you to create a unique, impactful design that showcases your brand’s personality and offerings, ensuring a strong presence at any event.

When the same design will be reused across multiple shows, the initial investment becomes more economical compared to renting repeatedly. Additionally, owning a booth provides full control over its design, modifications, and storage, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking to establish a memorable and consistent trade show experience.

On the other hand, Renting offers a more budget-friendly option for companies that need smaller or less customized setups, or for those seeking flexibility to experiment with different sizes and layouts across various events. It allows businesses to showcase their brand effectively without the high upfront costs of purchasing a booth, making it an ideal choice for companies with limited budgets or evolving trade show strategies.

Renting also provides the opportunity to test different configurations and designs, ensuring the booth aligns perfectly with each event’s unique requirements. This flexibility makes rental booths a practical solution for companies looking to maximize impact while minimizing commitment.

This clarity ensures the booth aligns with your trade show strategy and financial plans.

Closing Thoughts

IGExpress is your ultimate partner for all things trade show related. From fully customized booths to the convenience of pre-designed booths that you can customize later, we’ve seen it all. We’ve honed the craft of delivering designs that stand out on the trade show floor thanks to our decades of experience in the industry.

At IGE, we don’t just create booths; we craft immersive brand experiences. Our award-winning design team specializes in adding custom touches that elevate both purchased and rental booths, transforming standard trade show setups into unforgettable environments.

Whether it’s through innovative layouts, cutting-edge materials, or interactive elements, our designs are tailored to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. With IGE, your booth isn’t just a display; it’s a powerful extension of your brand.

Our commitment to excellence is what sets us apart. We understand that every company has unique goals and challenges, which is why we offer personalized solutions that align with your objectives and budget. Whether you’re a first-time exhibitor or a seasoned participant, IGE has the expertise and resources to make your trade show presence extraordinary.
With us, you’re not just renting or purchasing a booth—you’re investing in an experience that resonates with your audience and reinforces your brand’s identity.