Adler Display E-Newsletter - Volume 2 - Issue 3 - Renting Vs. Purchasing Tradeshow Displays

Renting vs. Purchasing Trade Show Displays

In a “here-today-gone-tomorrow” marketplace, it comes as no surprise that companies must constantly seek new ways to reinvent themselves. If you don’t adjust to the always changing marketplace, as a company, you will pay the price.

Advantages of Renting Trade Show Exhibits vs. Purchasing

As opposed to custom made exhibit displays that may get outdated over time, rentals offer exhibitors the opportunity to reinvent themselves year by year. They enable exhibitors to adapt to the changing marketplace with the ability to modify their messages accordingly. Some of these advantages are particularly beneficial for start-up companies, who initially may require some time to stabilize the focus of their marketing message. Consider some advantages associated with renting trade show exhibits vs. purchasing:

■ Renting a trade show exhibit display allows exhibitors to change their look from show to show and to reinvent their brand as their product focus shifts.

■ Good rentals allow exhibitors to maintain a cutting-edge appearance in the short term without making huge capital investments that may haunt them in the long term.

■ Because of a lower one-time cash outlay and limited shelf-life, rentals allow exhibitors to feel more confident taking risks and thereby doing something different and innovative.

■ Renting a trade show display also means exhibitors don’t have to store it, insure it, handle it, or refurbish it.

Disadvantages of Renting Trade Show Exhibits vs. Purchasing

While renting a trade show display certainly has some creative and economical advantages, renting is not the right solution for every exhibitor. There are certain preventative measurements one must take in order to ensure a good quality rental, because if you can tell it’s a rental, it’s not a good rental!

■ If your company does several shows per year, the cost of renting is likely to be far greater than purchasing.

■ Often used as a last resort and mistreated by previous renters, rentals can be tired and weary looking. You need to be sure that what you’ll be receiving is in good shape.

■ Rental agreements vary from company to company so be sure you know what you are getting yourself into and any additional costs that you may incur, for instance in terms of set-up. Be sure to read the fine print.