In the real estate industry, consumers regularly face the dilemma of whether they should rent or buy. The ultimate decision is based on what makes sense for their short-term goals, long-term ambitions, and budgetary needs, among other considerations.

In the exhibit industry, we see our own share of this dilemma, and it can feel a lot like the home-buying process.

As a marketing professional charged with managing your company’s trade show event schedule and balancing efficiencies with effectiveness, there are benefits to each scenario that are important to consider in your evaluation.

BENEFITS OF RENTING A TRADE SHOW BOOTH 

The benefits of renting apartments are clear: no upkeep duties like mowing the lawn or painting, no property taxes, and, for those who like a change of scenery every couple of years, renting is a nice solution. When it comes to renting exhibits, there are similar factors to consider, but we often hear the misconception that rental exhibits are too “cookie-cutter.” We beg to differ! You can bring your brand to life through unique and customized trade show rental designs that have the option to incorporate standardized accessories like branded demonstration counters, functional furniture, and engaging audiovisual, as well as custom integrations like bold graphics or product displays. In addition to eye-catching design, rental exhibits are functional and cost-efficient.

Here are a couple of supporting factors when considering rental exhibits:

INCREASED FLEXIBILITY

Similar to favoring the constant-mover mentality, the ability to change your exhibit properties can be a massive win for exhibitors. If your booth’s footprint changes from show to show, it can be not easy to accommodate with custom properties. Trade show exhibit rentals help eliminate that challenge by providing an option to rent components that integrate and adapt to your changing footprint and overall vision for the show. It also allows exhibitors to approach it with a mindset of “try before you buy.” Exhibitors have the opportunity to test out different rental styles, configurations, and sizes to see what best fits the needs and goals of their face-to-face marketing program.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS

Cost-effectiveness is often at the forefront of exhibitors’ minds when deciding whether to rent or buy. With an exhibit rental, there are no ongoing ownership costs, such as monthly storage fees, insurance premiums, or recurring maintenance. In fact, according to Exhibitor Magazine, ongoing repairs to an owned exhibit after each show can total approximately 3 to 5 percent of the exhibit’s total value.

Bottom line: With trade show exhibit booth rental, you can still earn brand equity without having to cover the costs of a variety of exhibit upkeeps. Plus, you can use budgetary savings to reinvest in other elements of your trade show, like customer experience activations or event sponsorships.

BENEFITS OF BUYING

When searching for your “dream home,” you could ask yourself the same questions as you would when exhibit searching: Is this a starter or am I looking for something long-term? How flexible is my budget? What type of experiences need to take place here?

If your goals and resources support it, here are a couple of benefits to buying your exhibit:

CUSTOM DESIGN

Nothing beats the opportunity to have something completely crafted just for you. Buying allows you to infuse your brand into every element without as many structural guidelines or restrictions that come from rental components. It’s like walking into an empty home and using it as a canvas to create anything you want. It also provides an opportunity during the design phase to build a long-term plan for your exhibit; a well-thought-out design will allow your properties to scale and flex as your company grows.

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

For exhibitors who attend multiple shows per year and are content with their design, buying could be the right decision. Think of a new home, perfectly crafted to your needs, the mortgage is signed, sealed, delivered. Each year of ownership sees costs depreciate as more equity is earned, compared to the evolving costs of renting. Exhibitors with a packed show schedule and strong exhibit design get the most bang for their buck with owning. And, like a home, you still have the ability to make cosmetic or structural updates when you feel the need, or when your brand or product messaging needs to evolve.

Bottom line: It’s an investment, not just a purchase.

Regardless of your decision, one thing must be present in both scenarios: a good partner who has the knowledge and experience in both custom and rental exhibits. A strong partnership will guide you through the process, evaluate your needs and budget, and ultimately find you the right exhibit property to enhance your trade show program.

Having trouble deciding which route is best for your program? Derse can help.