What Happens to Your Trade Show Exhibit After the Show Ends?

The trade show may be over, but that doesn't necessarily mean your exhibit has reached the end of its life. For companies that exhibit at multiple trade shows throughout the year, an exhibit can be a valuable marketing asset. Instead of dismantling a booth, throwing components away, and starting from scratch for the next event, professional trade show exhibit storage and asset management can keep those materials organized, protected, and ready for their next show.  Take a look inside a trade show storage facility and you'll see that exhibit storage is much more than simply putting booth components in a warehouse. It is about protecting your investment and making your next trade show easier.

A Look Inside Trade Show Exhibit Storage

The video above provides a behind-the-scenes look at exhibits being stored in a working warehouse environment.

You can see multiple branded exhibit properties, including large-format walls, reception counters, graphics, display structures, monitors and other booth components.

These aren't simply boxes sitting on a shelf. They represent significant investments in trade show marketing, design, fabrication and branding.

Proper storage helps ensure those components are available and in good condition when the next show arrives.

Why Trade Show Exhibit Storage Matters

Companies that attend multiple trade shows often accumulate a surprising amount of exhibit property.

One show might require a 10x20 booth. Another might require a 20x20 island exhibit. A third event could require a completely different configuration.

Without an organized storage strategy, companies can quickly find themselves dealing with:

• Lost or misplaced booth components
• Damaged graphics
• Missing hardware
• Unnecessary replacement costs
• Multiple shipping locations
• Last-minute scrambling before a show
• Excess inventory that nobody knows how to use

Professional exhibit storage helps eliminate many of these problems.

Your Exhibit Becomes a Reusable Marketing Asset

One of the biggest advantages of storing an exhibit is the ability to reuse what you already own.

A custom exhibit may be designed for one particular show, but many components can potentially be repurposed for future events.

Graphics can be updated. Configurations can be modified. Furniture and accessories can be reused. Existing structural components can sometimes be incorporated into a new booth design.

That can make a company's overall trade show program more efficient and cost-effective.

Exhibit Storage Is More Than a Warehouse

The best exhibit storage programs go beyond simply providing square footage.

Asset management is an important part of the process.

A well-managed exhibit inventory should make it possible to determine:

• What exhibit components you have
• Where those components are stored
• Which graphics belong to which exhibit
• What needs to be repaired or replaced
• What can be reused at another show
• What needs to be shipped to the next event
• What should be retired

This becomes especially valuable for companies participating in multiple trade shows each year.

Instead of treating every show as a completely new project, your exhibit program becomes an organized system.

Protecting Your Trade Show Investment

Trade show exhibits aren't inexpensive.

A custom rental exhibit, branded graphic package, LED display, reception counter or large-format structure can represent a substantial investment. Leaving components in an office, garage, unsecured facility or temporary storage area can expose them to unnecessary damage.

Professional trade show storage can help protect exhibit assets from:

Damage
Large exhibit components and graphics need to be handled and stored properly.

Loss
Organized inventory makes it easier to know what you have and where it is.

Unnecessary replacement costs
If existing components are available and usable, there may be no reason to purchase them again.

Last-minute problems
An organized storage and asset-management process allows problems to be identified before an exhibit is needed at a show.

Make Your Next Trade Show Easier

Imagine your next trade show is six months away.

Instead of asking:

"Where did we put that booth?"

you can have an organized exhibit program where your booth property is already stored, accounted for and ready for the next step.

That means your exhibit partner can coordinate the logistics, prepare the necessary components and get everything moving toward the next convention center.

For companies exhibiting at major events throughout Chicago and across the country, this can save considerable time and reduce the stress that comes with managing exhibit properties independently.

From Storage to the Show Floor

Professional exhibit management creates a complete cycle:

Design → Build → Exhibit → Dismantle → Store → Reuse → Exhibit Again

That cycle is particularly valuable for companies with recurring trade show programs.

Instead of viewing your exhibit as something you use once, think of it as a long-term marketing asset.

The right storage and asset-management strategy can help extend the useful life of that investment while making future shows easier to manage.

Trade Show Storage in Chicago

For companies exhibiting at McCormick Place, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and other major trade shows in the Chicago area, having a local exhibit partner can provide an additional logistical advantage.

Your exhibit doesn't have to travel across the country between every show.

With strategically managed Chicago trade show exhibit storage, your exhibit assets can remain closer to many of the events your company attends.

That can simplify logistics, reduce unnecessary transportation and make it easier to prepare for upcoming events.

Your Exhibit Has a Life Between Trade Shows

The trade show floor gets all the attention—but what happens between shows is just as important.

Proper storage, inventory management, maintenance and logistics can help protect your exhibit investment and ensure that your booth is ready when your next event arrives.

The warehouse shown in our video is a reminder that there is an entire operation working behind the scenes to get exhibits from storage to the show floor—and back again.

Looking for Trade Show Exhibit Storage?

The Tradeshow Network provides trade show storage and asset management for companies that need a reliable way to manage exhibit properties between events.

Whether you're managing a recurring 10x20 program, a large 20x20 island exhibit or a custom exhibit program across multiple cities, organized storage can help simplify your trade show marketing operation.

Don't just store your exhibit. Manage it as an asset.

The Tradeshow Network can help you manage the entire process—from exhibit design and rentals to logistics, storage and future shows.