Budgeting for Trade Shows

Trade Show Planning and Budgeting

Never get stuck at a trade show again without the "stuff" you need!

Click here for your printable Trade Show Tool Kit Checklist!

Budgeting for Success

Typical Budget Breakdown | Trade Show Budget Worksheet

If you've ever planned an exhibit at a trade show, you know first-hand how quickly your costs can skyrocket. It seems at every turn, there is a new expense – bigger than the last – that is necessary to ensure your exhibit's success! While there will always be those expenses you didn't plan for, you can get a good idea of your budget by working ahead of time to plan for all of the details. And by starting a budget worksheet this year, you will be in a great position next year to fall within budget next year.

Below is a sample budget breakdown and a worksheet detailing many of the items generally found when planning a trade show. Your company's needs may vary.

How Most Trade Show Money Is Spent

To help you begin planning a budget for your trade shows, below is a breakdown of how most companies spend their trade show dollars (Source: The Trade Show Bureau).

Trade Show Budget Worksheet

Click here for a printable version of the Worksheet.

	Budget	Actual	Variance
1. Exhibit Space
Booth space	$	$	$
Staff registration	$	$	$

2. Display
Design & manufacture	$	$	$
Graphics	$	$	$
Shelves & containers	$	$	$
Lighting	$	$	$

3. Freight Transportation
Shipping	$	$	$
Drayage	$	$	$
Storage	$	$	$
Insurance	$	$	$

4. Show Services
Install/dismantle	$	$	$
Electrical	$	$	$
Furniture rental	$	$	$
Audiovisual	$	$	$
Photography	$	$	$
Telephone/Fax	$	$	$
Computer rental / Internet access	$	$	$
Security	$	$	$
Cleaning	$	$	$
Other labor	$	$	$
Utilities (water, power, gas & air)	$	$	$

5. Marketing
Pre-show promotion	$	$	$
Direct mail	$	$	$
Public relations – pre-show	$	$	$
Public relations – during show
Trade magazine ads	$	$	$
Show literature	$	$	$
On-site promotions	$	$	$
Sales calls	$	$	$
Giveaway items	$	$	$
On-line marketing	$	$	$
Post-show follow-up	$	$	$

6. Personnel Costs
Travel	$	$	$
Hotel accommodations	$	$	$
Meals & out-of-pocket	$	$	$

7. Miscellaneous
_	$	$	$
_	$	$	$
_	$	$	$
TOTAL TRADE SHOW COST	$	$	$