How To Use Display Tents

Trade shows, conferences, expos, and other events provide excellent opportunities to increase brand awareness, network with industry peers, and of course, improve sales.

One of the tools you can use to get better engagement during these events is a display tent.

This article covers everything you should know about display tents and how to use them correctly.

What is a Display Tent?

If you are new to the world of exhibitions, it might be a bit overwhelming to keep up with all the terms – booth, displays, display tent, and more.

Here’s a quick description of what a display tent is.

Display tents are movable frames made from thick fabric materials. Also known as outdoor or trade show display tents, these structural frames are usually compact.

In most cases, you can customize display tents with your company logo or brand graphics.

Good-quality display tents are durable and designed ready for any weather condition.

Why Should You Have a Display Tent?

Here are some good reasons you should consider display tents:

Protection from Inclement Weather

The weather can be unpredictable sometimes. And you don’t want to be caught unawares. Having a display tent will keep you and event attendees covered and protected from bad weather.

This means you won’t have to worry if there is a change in the weather, even if it is a light downpour.

Increases Brand Awareness

With a display tent, you can stand out from competitors and attract more visitors to your exhibit space using images, bold colors, lighting, and the right designs.

Plus, trade shows are typically packed with plenty of different booths all striving for visitors’ attention. Adding a display tent to your booth helps you stand out.

And because they are reusable, display tents encourage a consistent business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customers (B2C) image.

Complements Professionalism

In addition to being practical, display tents have aesthetic values as well. You can customize them and create a well-structured presentation of your company so that it enhances your brand personality.

You can also use them to promote your brand and general company culture.

These tents provide a good atmosphere to have some fun-filled experience by creating exploratory moments, showcasing and demonstrating new products, and making room for interactive participation from visitors.

This effort will not only make your brand unique but also make visitors rank your brand higher.

Where to Use Display Tent?

Display tents can be used in various settings or places, some of which include:

Festivals and Fairs: If you are planning to showcase your merchandise at a country fair, food festival, or seasonal street fests, a display tent is will help you make a huge difference.
Conferences and Trade Shows: Consider setting up a display tent at conferences and trade shows. This is the perfect place to meet and greet industry leaders and influencers. It will afford you a conducive environment to exchange pleasantries network with industry experts.
Conventions and Expos: Think of setting up a display tent as an opportunity to give the public an inside look into your company. You can use the chance at conventions and expos to build one-on-one customer relationships right inside your tent.
Community Events: Whether it is a parade, historical day, municipal holiday celebration, or craft fairs, display tents can be used at these events to promote your brand.
Corporate Sporting Events: These tents are a must-have when you have corporate-sponsored and community sporting events.
Product Launches and Premiers: If you plan to launch new products at trade shows, your best bet would be to use a display tent to carve out a special space to create awareness about the new products.

How to Set Up a Display Tent

Now that we’ve seen the importance of display tents, it is time to learn how to properly set them up.

The process may appear a bit complex, especially when you attempt it for the first couple of times. Thankfully, it is not too difficult to learn the ropes.

Here’s how to do it:

Bring the tent to the center of your setup area. Spread the frame out by grabbing two legs and extending them as you move backward. It is okay to leave the frame partially extended so it is easy to put the top on.
You will need a friend or colleague to assist you set up the top. Grab the top by the corners and throw them over the expanded frame. Now put the corners of the top over the frame corners.
Lengthen the frame to extend it further. To do this, push the top and bottom of the truss bar together as you move backward.
Wrap the straps around the sides to fasten the canopy to the corners. Next, attach the valance to the pieces at the top junction of the frame.
Now, you want to fully extend the frame by stretching it as far as it can go. Simply repeat the procedure in step 3.
Next, lock the frame in place. To do this, place your hands on the corner cap and push the leg slider upwards to lock the frame. You will know it’s in place when you hear a clicking. Remember to do this for all the sides.
Get a friend or colleague to help you lift one side of the tent (two legs) so that the bottom will slide out and lock into place. Do this for the other side of the display tent
Make any final height adjustments and your tent is good to go.

How to Decorate a Display Tent?

Visitors at exhibitions and trade shows are usually drawn to colorful and well-designed stands. This is why it makes sense to put some careful thinking when decorating your display tent.

Here are a few tips to help you get the best decorations for your tent.

Getting Ready

Getting a perfect design for your tent will require proper planning beforehand. Event days are the wrong times to start thinking of how to set up your tent.

Get your team members together to brainstorm and come up with a suitable, practical plan.

And if you already have a plan in place, creating a mood board will help your team understand it better.

On the off chance that everyone on your team is out of good ideas, you can invite an expert to look at your tent and your business so that they can provide suitable ideas.

Customize Your Display Tent

It is usually a good idea to customize your tent before adding any decorations. Once your tent is branded, you have a good foundation for the rest of your display.

Customization broadcasts your brand from afar off. You don’t want to use a bland or stark white tent that doesn’t communicate your business intent.

Keep in mind that display tents aren’t mere covers – they are advertising avenues, too.

Use Consistent Branding

Create an appealing and complimenting appearance with a consistent brand display. Consider choosing decorations and colors that work well with your brand logo.

Keep It Simple

Use balanced decorations – you don’t want to be too elaborate.

Although showing off your brand and logo are very important, you should ensure to keep them simple.

Give visitors some space to see your products and learn more about your business. Don’t get your tent all cluttered in an attempt to bring out the best tent design.

Include Your Contact Information

While customizing your display tent, provide your contact information in a conspicuous space – preferably at the front view. This will help visitors and passersby quickly know how to reach you.

Plus, people can easily connect with you at a later time if they don’t want to wait in line at a crowded tent.

Display Beautiful Products

Come up with a special display pattern of your products that will create a lasting impression on customers.

Use graphics, lights, and even plants to enhance your product display.

What to Avoid When Using a Display Tent

Having a well-organized display tent in a show is essential, but there are some design errors you should avoid.

The following will help you avoid some common mistakes.

Avoid Too Much Text on Your Display Graphic

This mistake happens at almost every show. Your display should be easy to read, straight to the point, and should not take more than three seconds to understand.

This means you should use less text and still pass across the intended message.

Even if you are super excited about your brand and want to tell everyone about it, your display graphic on your tent is not the right place to do so.

Your exhibit should be covered with not more than 20 percent text and this should include your brand name.

Avoid Poor Lighting

A dull tent does not encourage visitors. Adding some LED lights can create a spotlight on vital parts of your tent.

You can also consider a backlight display to boost your exhibition.

These lights are very affordable and can make a big difference, so don’t ignore lighting when decorating or setting up your display tent.

Little or No Space to Move Around

You should create enough space in the tent for easy movement, and this applies even if you have the smallest tent.

More space to move around in the tent will encourage people to come in and interact with your staff.

Conversely, less space gives a cluttered appearance and discourages visitors from coming to your tent.

Poor Tent Organization

Make sure every item in your tent has a purpose or function and is put in the right place. Even your brand message display should have a steady and neat consistent look.

Here are a few ways to do this:

Make sure your staff clothes match
Let your show information be in line with your tent information
Offer relevant giveaways – something that reminds people of your brand
Neatly arrange all giveaways, flyers, and exhibits

Don’t Add Barriers to Your Tent

Table and chair for your staff during a trade show can work against you sometimes. This is particularly the case if these pieces of furniture constitute a barrier between you and your customers.

Plus, when workers are seated, they may become lazy and reluctant to stand up and engage attendees in conversations.

Solve this problem by taking the sittings to the back and away from your exhibition tent. Advise your team to be active and stand to welcome visitors or get passersby to check out your tent.

Conclusion

Display tents are functional and can increase brand awareness when used correctly.

No matter the size of the event, having a display tent can make a huge difference in how visitors and attendees interact with your brand.

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