With only a few weeks left until ExhibitorLive, we are finally getting started on fabricating our booth.
Maybe now we won’t grumble so much when clients delay in sending us strategy and direction. We are, it seems, our own worst client.
Regardless, the booth must get built. The show will start at 9:00am Monday, March 13, whether we’re ready or not.
So we now move into engineering and production. These are areas our clients typically don’t see, so we thought we’d give you a glimpse into how we create exhibits.
Accepting the Challenge
As we noted in a previous post, we designed our booth to showcase our design capabilities, provide an inviting space to engage attendees in conversation, and immerse visitors in our brand. The booth made use of unusual, high-end materials, graphics and electronics.
That all sounds and looks great on paper, but the question then becomes, “How do we do it?” It’s the job of our engineers to answer that question.
Our first rule is we don’t limit ourselves. If it looks difficult on paper, we don’t nix it. We accept the challenge and try to make it happen.
Working from the designs, our engineers determine how the booth will be built. Not just built, but also crated, shipped, assembled, disassembled, and shipped again. They think about all the things engineers think about: material selection, weight, strength, structural integrity, coefficient of friction, and so on.
From there they develop engineering drawings and the job goes over to production.
Relying on Skill and Experience
Fabricating a trade show booth is a unique challenge. We’re not building widgets; almost every project is a one-of-a-kind. So our production crew has to rely on their skills and experience to solve problems and find a way to build the thing.
The first arrow in our quiver, and one of our favorite toys, is our CNC router. Controlled by computer, this smart machine cuts and shapes panels and components, going so far as to pre-drill holes, making for less work on the show floor.
From there, it’s all the skill, talent and craftsmanship of our production crew. Working together, they problem solve, build and create the booth in the same way a master carpenter might.
There’s not a set process here, as every booth is different. Just as a custom cabinet maker doesn’t know exactly how they will approach a job until they get into the kitchen, our fabricators have to deal with new challenges
Finding people with that kind of skill is rare, and we feel privileged to have such a good crew at Zig Zibit.
The engineering and fabrication of a trade show exhibit isn’t about strategy, branding, or marketing. It’s about problem-solving, skill, and craftsmanship.
There aren’t lessons to be learned here, or best practices to share. Our goal with this article was simply to pull back the curtain. If it seems like we’re bragging on our people here a bit, we’re guilty.
But we hope this gives you a deeper appreciation of what goes into the creation of a customer exhibit.
Key Take-Aways
If a design seems impossible, don’t scrap the idea. Challenge the engineers to find a way.
No two exhibits are the same. It’s the production crew’s job to figure out how to build it.
We are our own worst client, but don’t be like us -- try to give your exhibit company as much time as possible to plan and build your booth.
See Us at ExhibitorLive
If you’re coming to the show, we’d love to see you! Just drop by or contact us to make an appointment.
Key Account Manager