ORLANDO — Today’s trade show booths are worlds away from those of a decade ago.
Exhibit design and trade show booth fabrication firm FX Design Group’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Gary Levitt says one of the biggest trends is the move toward prefabrication.
“The development of pre-fabricated systems, the use of silicone edge graphics and rising costs related to on-site services, such as material handling, labor rates, electrical and internet, have all driven exhibitors toward pre-fabricated booths,” Levitt said. “Companies including beMatrix, Aluvision and others provide lightweight, easy-to-install and sustainable options for exhibitors.”
Another option is for companies to go hybrid. “There are fantastic hybrid exhibits being used on the show floor, with designers blending the use of custom and pre-fabricated exhibit elements,” Levitt said.
Related. Sustainable by Design: Six Trends Reshaping the Trade Show Industry
FX Design has identified four additional trends for trade show booths in 2025:
- The use of eco-friendly materials — What a booth is made of now matters to buyers. Companies are seeking out exhibit systems that are environmentally friendly, along with being reusable.
- Minimalist design — The days of extravagant booths that looked like small buildings, with four walls and an entrance, are over. Rising costs have forced exhibitors to choose lighter-weight exhibit materials and simpler designs.
- Tech integration — Booths now cater to both in-person and virtual audiences by including AV hardware such as monitors and LED walls, along with the software needed for virtual and interactive immersion.
- Interactive features — Gamification and AR are today’s strategies for keeping visitors engaged. To showcase a new product, cutting-edge technology lets users interact with devices through natural body movements, such as hand gestures or facial expressions, without needing to physically touch the item.
As an example of creative use of interactive design, Levitt pointed to a space FX Design Group created for Kia (see image) to allow its dealers, attendees and visitors to experience the automotive brand and its products in an immersive environment.
“The use of LED walls and color-changing RGB LED lighting allowed the space to change based on the event and visitor profiles,” Levitt said.
By adopting these trends, brands can create trade show exhibits that feel modern, relevant and impactful.
“Staying ahead of trade show trends is crucial for brands looking to make a statement,” Levitt explained. “Our goal is to offer booth designs that remain fresh and relevant long into the future.”
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