First Trade Show Display: Tent, Backdrop or Banner Stand?
For a first trade show display, choose by the venue and the budget. Indoors, a backdrop or a banner stand is the usual start, and outdoors a tent. A roll up banner stand is $146.99 to $322.99, a 10 ft backdrop is $499.99 to $649.99, and a complete 10 x 10 tent is $755.99.
Start with where the show is
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Read the exhibitor manual first. Indoor halls usually give you a booth space with a back wall or a table, and often limit what you can bring. Outdoor events, fairs and markets give you a plot and nothing else, so you bring the shade, the wall and the weights.
That one fact settles much of the choice. Our backdrops are made for indoor events. A canopy tent is made for outdoor ones, though it can also stand indoors where the venue allows it. Ask the organizer if you are not sure.
The banner stand: smallest and quickest
A roll up banner stand is the smallest purchase. The Standard 24 x 81 in is $146.99 and the Premium 36 x 80 in is $322.99, each with the printed banner and a travel bag. It sets up fast, stands beside a table and suits a short message or a web address. See retractable vs roll up banner stands for the differences.
The limit is size. A banner stand is a sign, not a wall, so if you want to brand the whole space behind you, step up.
The backdrop: a wall behind you
A backdrop gives you a large printed surface at the back of a 10 ft space. A pillowcase backdrop is $499.99 at 10 ft, a pop up backdrop is $649.99, and a step and repeat banner stand at 10 x 8 ft is $398.99. Read what size backdrop fits a 10 x 10 booth for the width.
The tent: shade and a branded structure
At an outdoor show, the custom canopy tent is the display. A complete 10 x 10 is $755.99, and you add walls, sandbags or stakes and a flag. If you want it in one order, the Booth Starter Kit is a tent, a 6 ft stretch table cover and an 11 ft blade flag for $1,076.99.
What to buy first, and what to add next
If you can afford only one piece, buy the one that fits the venue: a banner stand or backdrop indoors, a tent outdoors. Add a printed table cover next, because a plain table cheapens a good display, and then a second piece. A 6 ft stretch table cover is $189.99.
When you are ready to bundle, the 10 Ft Backdrop Display Package is a backdrop, a table throw and a banner stand for $794.99.
Right now the Trade Show Sale takes 15% off trade show displays through December 1.
Check our booth checklist before the show. Orders ship within 2 business days after you approve your proof and most arrive within 10 business days in the US lower 48, so tell us your show date when you ask for a quote.
Products in this guide
- Roll Up Banner Stands
- Straight Pillowcase Tension Fabric Backdrop
- Custom Canopy Tent 10 x 10
- Booth Starter Kit
- Shop all custom event gear
Every order includes a free digital proof, and nothing prints until you approve it. Ask for a quote if you need a size or quantity that is not listed.
Quick answers
- What should I buy first for a trade show booth?
- Buy what fits the venue. Indoors, a roll up banner stand or a backdrop. Outdoors, a printed canopy tent. Add a table cover next.
- Is a banner stand enough for a trade show?
- A banner stand works for a table top or a small space. For a booth with a back wall, a backdrop gives you much more printed surface.
- Can I use a tent indoors?
- Where the venue allows it. Check the exhibitor manual or ask the organizer before you order.
- Can I buy several pieces in one order?
- Yes. The Booth Starter Kit, the Pro Booth Kit and the 10 Ft Backdrop Display Package each bundle several pieces for less than buying them separately.
- How long does a first order take?
- It ships within 2 business days after you approve your proof, and most orders arrive within 10 business days in the US lower 48.
Questions on any of this? Email info@promomogul.com. We reply Mon to Fri, 8 to 6 Pacific.
