Understanding Trade Show Exhibits & Services

Answers to the most common questions about trade show exhibit design, exhibitor services, event production, and our company from the Downing Displays team and our 60+ years of experience.

 

ABOUT DOWNING DISPLAYS

What does Downing Displays do?

Downing Displays designs, builds, and manages custom trade show exhibits and experiential programs for exhibitors, and provides event production services — including general contractor services and exhibit hall logistics — for trade show organizers and producers. We have supported both sides of the trade show floor for more than 60 years.

Who does Downing Displays work with?

Downing Displays serves two distinct audiences. For trade show exhibitors, we provide strategy, experiential design, custom exhibit design and build, program management, show services, logistics, storage, and international execution. For event organizers and conference producers, we provide event production services including trade show management, general contractor services through Sho-Link GSC, and exhibit hall logistics through Sho-Link Labor.

Where is Downing Displays located?

Downing Displays is based in Ohio, with exhibit storage, production, and staging facilities totaling more than 110,000 square feet. We serve clients across North America and support international programs in European and Asian markets through vetted in-country partners.

How long has Downing Displays been in business?

Downing Displays has designed and built custom trade show exhibits for more than 60 years. We also pioneered portable display systems more than 50 years ago. That depth of experience spans manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, technology, retail, industrial equipment, financial services, and government sectors — across hundreds of major trade shows and events.

CUSTOM TRADE SHOW EXHIBITS

What types of custom trade show exhibits does Downing Displays build?

Downing Displays designs and builds island exhibits (20×20 and larger), double-deck exhibits, inline booth systems (10×20 and larger), and international trade show stands. Programs range from single flagship events to large multi-show annual programs managed across dozens of deployments.

What is an island trade show booth?

An island trade show booth is a freestanding exhibit structure, typically 20×20 or larger, with aisles on all four sides. This open access allows attendees to enter from any direction, which enables more flexible engagement zone design, stronger visibility across the exhibit hall, and the ability to support multiple simultaneous interactions — demonstrations, meetings, and casual conversations all at once.

What is a double-deck trade show exhibit?

A double-deck trade show exhibit adds a second level to the exhibit structure, creating vertical space within the same footprint. The main floor supports open engagement, demonstrations, and attendee interaction. The upper level provides space for private meetings, hospitality, and executive conversations. Double-deck exhibits require structural engineering, permitting, and coordination with venue requirements — Downing Displays manages that process as part of the design and build scope.

What is an inline booth?

An inline booth is a trade show exhibit space arranged in a row alongside neighboring exhibitors, with attendee access from one side. At 10×20, 10×30, and larger multi-space configurations, inline exhibits can deliver structured, high-performing environments that guide attendee flow and support a range of interaction types. Inline configurations can also extend into corner and peninsula layouts for increased visibility.

Does Downing Displays handle international trade show exhibits?

Yes. Downing Displays coordinates international trade show exhibits for U.S. companies exhibiting in European and Asian markets. For most international programs, we recommend a custom rental solution sourced locally in-country, eliminating the cost, complexity, and electrical incompatibility of shipping a U.S.-built exhibit overseas. We work with vetted in-country partners who manage fabrication, installation, and show-floor execution directly — functioning like an extension of the Downing Displays team at every international show.

Should I buy or rent my trade show exhibit?

It depends on your program. Buying typically makes sense for organizations that exhibit at multiple major shows each year, need a consistent flagship presence, and want a long-term exhibit platform that can be refreshed and reconfigured over time — a capital expense that depreciates. Renting is often the better choice for organizations testing new markets, adjusting booth sizes or messaging frequently, or needing a high-impact presence without long-term asset management — an operating expense tied to specific events. Downing Displays supports both models and can help you evaluate which fits your program.

How long does it take to design and build a custom exhibit?

Timelines vary by size, complexity, and scope. Larger island and double-deck exhibits require additional time for engineering, permitting, and fabrication. Downing Displays stages every new or refreshed exhibit in our facility before it ships, so clients can review the build and confirm performance before it reaches the show floor. Contact us with your timeline and we will confirm what is achievable.

Can Downing Displays redesign or refresh an existing exhibit?

Yes. Many programs improve performance through structural reconfiguration, updated messaging, new finishes, or modular additions rather than a full rebuild. Downing Displays can redesign or refresh an exhibit built by us or one originally built by another company.

EXHIBITOR SERVICES

What are exhibitor services?

Exhibitor services are the strategy, design, program coordination, and operational support required to plan, execute, and optimize a trade show exhibit program — aligned so every element works together to deliver a consistent experience and measurable business outcomes. Downing Displays approaches exhibitor services as an integrated program, not a menu of options.

What is trade show strategy?

Trade show strategy defines which shows to attend, what each exhibit needs to accomplish, how success is measured, and how the trade show program connects to broader business and sales objectives. Without a defined strategy, every downstream decision — design, messaging, layout, staffing — is made without a clear reference point, and performance becomes difficult to evaluate or improve.

What is experiential design for trade shows?

Experiential design translates trade show strategy into the physical and interactive environment of the exhibit. It determines how space is organized, how attendees move through it, how messaging is communicated, and how the exhibit guides people from initial awareness to active engagement. An exhibit that performs is designed to guide behavior and support specific conversations — that does not happen by accident.

What is exhibit program management?

Exhibit program management is the centralized coordination of strategy, design, logistics, and execution across a trade show exhibit program. It ensures that strategy informs design, that design intent carries through to execution, and that all vendors and timelines are managed together rather than in parallel. For organizations managing multi-show programs or complex single events, program management is what prevents the fragmentation that undermines performance when coordination is left to chance.

What are show services for trade show exhibitors?

Show services cover the full operational scope of what happens on the show floor: freight coordination, installation and dismantle, vendor ordering for carpet, furniture, electrical, AV, Wi-Fi, catering, and everything else the exhibit requires to function. Every order is placed on behalf of the client, every vendor is managed through a single point of contact, and every invoice is verified and consolidated. The result is a show floor where the exhibiting team focuses on the show, not on logistics.

What is the difference between program management and show services?

Program management coordinates the entire exhibit program across vendors, timelines, design, and execution. Show services are the specific operational tasks managed on the show floor: freight, installation and dismantle, vendor ordering, invoicing, and on-site coordination. Program management encompasses show services as one of its execution layers.

Does Downing Displays handle exhibit storage and inventory management?

Yes. Downing Displays operates a dedicated 30,000-square-foot storage facility for exhibit assets, with an additional 80,000+ square feet of production, staging, and storage space. Every asset is inventoried, inspected on return, and maintained in show-ready condition between events. Downing Displays also uses a structured transition process for exhibitors moving their program from another provider.

What is multi-show exhibit management?

Multi-show management provides the coordination infrastructure for organizations exhibiting across a high volume of shows: centralized asset tracking, configuration management across varying booth sizes and show environments, self-service scheduling through a client portal, and program-level logistics coordination that keeps every deployment on schedule and every asset in show-ready condition. Some programs managed through Downing Displays involve more than 100 show deployments annually.

EVENT PRODUCTION SERVICES

What are event production services?

Event production services are the planning, coordination, and operational execution required to run a trade show or conference — covering everything from initial scoping and floor plan development to general contractor services, exhibitor coordination, installation and dismantle, and logistics throughout the event.

What is the difference between an event general contractor and an exhibit builder?

An event general contractor manages show-floor infrastructure, labor coordination, and installation schedules for the event as a whole. An exhibit builder designs and constructs individual booths for exhibitors. Downing Displays operates on both sides: we build exhibits for exhibitors and provide general contractor services for event organizers through the Sho-Link GSC cooperative.

What is Sho-Link?

Sho-Link is a national cooperative of exhibit service providers specializing in event general contracting, installation and dismantle, labor coordination, and show services across major U.S. markets. Downing Displays is a co-op member. Sho-Link operates as two distinct entities: Sho-Link GSC (sholink-events.com), which handles general contractor services, and Sho-Link Labor (sho-link.com), which handles installation, dismantle, and show-floor labor coordination.

What size trade shows does Downing Displays support as an event producer?
Downing Displays is positioned for small and mid-sized trade shows and conferences — typically in the range of 50 to 500 exhibitors — where professional production infrastructure matters and organizers need more attention than they typically receive from large general contracting firms. We support commercial trade shows, association conferences, corporate and brand events, government and public sector expos, and emerging industry events.

When should production planning begin for a trade show?

Ideally, production planning begins during venue contracting, so labor planning, dock schedules, and exhibitor timelines can be established early. For most events, planning six to twelve months in advance is standard. Earlier engagement allows more flexibility in floor plan design, exhibitor service system setup, and partner coordination.

What is an EAC form?

An EAC (Exhibit Appointed Contractor) form is a document every exhibitor using non-general-contractor labor must file with the show before the event. Failure to file means the exhibitor cannot use their contracted labor on the show floor and must pay last-minute general contractor labor rates in addition to the labor they have already arranged — a significant and entirely avoidable cost. Downing Displays manages the EAC filing process as part of show services coordination.