Renting vs Buying a Trade Show Booth: What’s Best for Your Brand?

Deciding between renting or buying a trade show booth is a key strategic choice that can impact your brand’s visibility, budget, and long-term trade show success. Each path has its benefits and trade-offs. Renting can offer flexibility and short-term cost savings, while owning a booth allows for full customization and potentially greater long-term value.

In this post, we discuss the pros and cons of renting vs. buying, including real-world cost comparisons, logistical considerations, and tips to maximize your Trade Show ROI no matter which route you choose. This guide will help you make an informed decision that supports your brand goals and your bottom line.

If you’re preparing for an upcoming trade show, you’re likely wondering whether renting or buying a booth makes more sense. Both options have pros and cons, so it’s essential to consider each before deciding.

One of the most appealing aspects of trade show booth rentals is their affordability on a per-event basis. With a range of cost-effective booth rental options available in various shapes, sizes, and finish levels, finding or designing a rental booth that fits your needs and budget is a breeze. This can be particularly advantageous for small businesses or startups with limited resources. Even for companies aiming to make a bold statement, there are elaborate rental booths that provide the best array of on-site tools for their sales team, maximizing the investment and outcome of their event.

Renting a booth also offers unparalleled convenience and flexibility. You can bid adieu to the worries of storing, transporting, and maintaining a large booth or display, which can be more responsibility than you desire. Instead, the vendor, such as DisplayCraft, will handle all these details, leaving you free to focus on other aspects of your trade show preparation.

However, renting a booth also has some drawbacks. For one, you’ll likely have fewer customization options than if you were to purchase one. You may also have a limited choice of designs and sizes, which may not perfectly match your branding and needs.
Additionally, renting a booth may be more expensive over time than purchasing one. Do you plan to attend multiple trade shows over a period of time? If so, investing in your custom trade show booth may make more financial sense. Not only can you use it repeatedly, but it can also be customized to meet your specific needs.

So, why purchase a trade show booth? One key advantage is the ability to customize your display to suit your brand and message perfectly. Your booth design can showcase your products and services in the best possible light and stand out from the competition.
Another significant benefit of purchasing a trade show booth is the potential for long-term cost savings. While the initial investment may be higher than renting, owning a booth means you won’t have to worry about the cost of renting a booth for each trade show, which can add up quickly. This financial security can be a compelling reason to consider buying over renting.

Ultimately, whether you decide to rent or buy a trade show booth depends on your specific needs and goals. Consider factors such as your budget, how frequently you attend trade shows, and the level of customization you require. With careful consideration, you can make a decision that sets your business up for success at your next trade show.

As you consider your options, several factors must be considered when deciding whether to rent or buy your booth. One consideration is affordability. An affordable booth rental can be an excellent option for smaller businesses or those attending only a few trade shows annually. Renting a booth can also be a good way to test the waters and see how well your products or services are received before committing to a purchase.

On the other hand, purchasing a trade show booth can be a worthwhile investment if you attend trade shows frequently or have a larger budget. Owning a booth gives you more control over the design and branding and can save you money in the long run by avoiding the recurring cost of renting.

Another factor to consider is the level of customization you want for your booth. While rental booths can be customized to some degree, owning a booth gives you the flexibility to create a truly unique exhibit that stands out from the competition.

Finally, it’s essential to consider shipping, assembly, and storage logistics. If you rent a booth, the rental company will usually handle these tasks for you. However, owning a booth means taking on the responsibility of shipping and storing it, setting it up, and taking it down at each show.

Overall, renting and buying a trade show booth have advantages and disadvantages. By considering your budget, customization needs, and logistics, you can make an informed decision that best suits your business.

Cost is always a major consideration when deciding whether to rent or buy a trade show booth. So, let’s examine the cost comparison between renting and buying.

An affordable booth rental is a popular option for many exhibitors because it offers flexibility, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. You can avoid the initial capital investment in a trade show booth structure by choosing the rental route. You simply pay for the rental fee and any additional services you may need, such as graphics, lighting, or furniture. Plus, you can change your booth design or size for each show without extra costs.

On the other hand, purchasing a trade show booth requires a larger upfront investment but can save you money in the long run if you plan to exhibit frequently. Buying a booth means you own it and can use it multiple times, reducing your overall cost per show. You can customize your booth to your brand’s specific needs and preferences.

When deciding whether to rent or buy, it’s essential to consider your trade show schedule and budget. Renting may be the better option if you only exhibit once or twice a year and have a limited budget. However, if you have a packed schedule and can afford the initial investment, purchasing may be the more cost-effective option in the long run. Also, renting can come with additional costs, such as transportation and on-site services. Make sure to ask your rental company whether it’s DisplayCraft or any other reputable shop for a detailed breakdown of all costs before committing to a rental.

Ultimately, the cost comparison between renting and buying a trade show booth will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. The cost of renting a custom trade show booth depends on several factors, such as the size, layout, design, level of finish, material choices, accessories, technologies, etc.
A general industry-wide rule of thumb for renting custom trade show booths is between $100 and $150 per square foot. However, an over-the-top design involving customizations and high-tech elements can exceed $250 per square foot. When rental booths are smaller than 20′ x 20’, the cost is roughly $275 per square foot. These costs are in addition to servicing, on-site expenses, creative services, and logistics.

Alternatively, the cost to build a custom trade show booth typically ranges between $175 and $350 per square foot or more, depending on the audiovisual technologies deployed, design characteristics, and the types of upgrades built into the design. Consider all the factors, weigh the pros and cons, and make the decision that makes the most sense for your business and budget.

Why purchase or rent a trade show booth if you’re not going to get the most out of it? Here are some tips to help you maximize your trade show ROI (Return on Investment) and ROO (Return on Objective):

1. Plan Ahead: Don’t wait until the last minute to start planning your trade show. The earlier you start, the more time you have to prepare and make necessary changes.
2. Make It Eye-Catching: Your booth should be visually appealing, branded, and designed to attract existing and potential customers. Use bright colors, lighting, graphics, and interesting designs to make your booth stand out.
3. Train Your Staff: Your staff is your front line at the trade show. Please ensure they are well-trained, knowledgeable about your products or services, and engaging with attendees. The attendees should never see sitting, congregating, and mobile phone use. Making eye contact with attendees walking the aisles alongside your booth is critical.
4. Offer Giveaways: Everyone loves free stuff! Offer branded promotional items to visitors who stop by your booth. Giveaways can help them remember your brand long after the show is over.
5. Snacks, Coffee, and Refreshments: The alluring aroma of brewing coffee, freshly baked cookies, and popcorn attracts attendees from all directions. Although hospitality is a big investment, the attraction value is usually well worth it!
6. Follow-Up: After the show is over, remember to follow up with the leads you collected. Send personalized emails or phone calls to stay top-of-mind with these potential customers.

By implementing these tips, you can ensure you’re getting the most out of your trade show booth investment, regardless of whether you rented

Now that you understand trade show booth pricing better, let’s examine the realistic costs of producing one.

Every trade show builder throughout the United States uses different pricing and service models. This can make it difficult to compare your options apples-to-apples and know how to utilize your budget best. Carefully read through proposals and quotes to see what you are paying for and what is not included. Ask a ton of questions, especially if you are unclear about something. Surprises in the trade show industry can be costly. To get a clear understanding, isolate the booth purchase or rental costs separately from on-site services, supervision, and shipping costs.

At DisplayCraft, we have a 25% service fee. The fee covers several costs, but primarily it supports our team’s comprehensive level of service without raising our overall rates. We closely handle and monitor, scrutinize, and reconcile all trade show services, greatly reducing your workload and exposure to overcharges. On your behalf, we’ll order your shipping, material handling, installation, and dismantle labor, electrical, internet, cleaning, catering, and more.

Other companies may charge little or no service fee, but their labor rates may be significantly higher or hidden. At the end of the day, DisplayCraft’s pricing structure has been honed over the years in our clients’ best interests—to help you remain focused on making the most of your budget and time while getting the all-inclusive service you require.