Exhibiting at a trade show is one of the fastest ways to generate leads and build brand authority — but the true cost of exhibiting is often misunderstood. Most companies budget only for exhibit space and a basic structure, then get hit with unexpected invoices: labor, drayage, shipping, electrical, graphics, and deadline penalties. This guide breaks down the real trade show exhibit cost, including rental exhibits, custom exhibit purchases, installation, material handling, and hidden fees exhibitors miss.
- Nationwide support
- In-house graphics
- Turnkey coordination
What Is the Average Cost of Exhibiting at a Trade Show?
Trade show budgets vary based on exhibit size, city, and whether you are renting or purchasing an exhibit.
Typical starting rental ranges:
- 10x10 Rental Exhibit: starting around $7,000–$10,000
- 10x20 Rental Exhibit: starting around $12,000–$13,000
- 20x20 Island Rental Exhibit: starting around $18,000
- 20x30 Rental Exhibit: starting around $28,000
Custom exhibit purchases are typically around double the rental starting price:
- 10x20 Custom Exhibit Purchase: starting around $24,000+
- 20x20 Custom Exhibit Purchase: starting around $36,000+
- 20x30 Custom Exhibit Purchase: starting around $56,000+
Many exhibitors begin with exhibit rentals before deciding whether purchasing a custom exhibit makes sense long-term.
Major Cost Categories Every Exhibitor Must Budget For
Exhibit Space Rental
Paid directly to the show organizer, not the exhibit builder.
Exhibit Structure (Rental vs Purchase)
Rental exhibits are ideal for single events.
Purchased custom exhibits become reusable assets for brands exhibiting repeatedly.
Learn more about our custom trade show exhibits.
Graphics and Branding
High-quality graphics determine whether your exhibit looks premium or generic.
Shipping and Freight
Freight cost depends on distance, timing, and show requirements.
Drayage / Material Handling
One of the most overlooked trade show costs. Convention centers charge to move freight from dock to exhibit space.
Labor (Install & Dismantle)
Labor rates vary significantly by city, especially in union markets.
Electrical, Internet, Rigging
Power drops, internet, and hanging signs are billed separately by venues.
Furniture, Storage, Lead Capture
Counters, seating, storage, and scanners add incremental cost quickly.
Hidden Costs That Catch Exhibitors Off Guard
Common surprises include:
- Drayage/material handling
- Overtime labor
- Electrical changes onsite
- Last-minute shipping penalties
- Storage and refurbishment
- Missed exhibitor kit deadlines
Turnkey planning reduces these surprises dramatically.
Is Renting or Buying Right for You?
Choosing between renting and purchasing depends on your exhibiting strategy.
Renting is usually best if:
- You exhibit once or twice per year
- You want flexibility across different exhibit sizes
- You want a turnkey solution without long-term storage
Purchasing a custom exhibit is usually best if:
- You exhibit multiple times per year
- You want maximum brand differentiation
- You need a exhibit built around your sales process
- You want a reusable asset that lowers long-term cost per show
Many brands also choose a hybrid approach: rental structures with custom finishes and upgrades.
How Exhibit Experience Helps Control Exhibiting Costs
We help exhibitors avoid budget overruns through:
Turnkey paperwork and deadline management
In-house graphics production
Transparent logistics planning
Modern rental and custom inventory
Installation and dismantle coordination
Request a Full Trade Show Budget Estimate
Cost of Exhibiting FAQ
How much does it cost to exhibit at a trade show?
Most exhibitors spend between $20,000 and $150,000 depending on size, city, and build level.
What is drayage?
Material handling fees charged by convention centers to move freight to your exhibit.
Is renting cheaper than purchasing?
Yes short-term. Purchasing often delivers better ROI for frequent exhibitors.
Do you handle paperwork and deadlines?
Yes. Turnkey deadline management is a core differentiator.
Find the Right Exhibit for Your Space
Explore trade show exhibit rentals by footprint, from compact inline displays to larger island and double-deck configurations.
10×10 Exhibit Rental Packages
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20×20 Exhibit Rental Packages
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10×20 Exhibit Rental Packages
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30×40 Exhibit Rental Packages
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Double-Deck Exhibit Rental Packages
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Affordable Exhibit Rental Packages
View PackagesTestimonials
Jessica Folino
Director of Sales-Golf at Boomer Naturals
"I never formally thanked you for all the hard work you put in to ensure the Boomer Naturals PGA Show exhibit was perfect… and it was! We greatly appreciate your prompt response time and dedication to our design… and patience. Thank you very much. We will certainly call you in the future when we need something for a trade show."
Brianne Ika
Co-Founder at Workman Success Systems
"Thanks so much for all your help with this event! It turned out amazing and we had everything we needed, including one of the best looking exhibits at the convention! I look forward to working with you again."
Merve Cardak
Operations & Event Marketing Coordinator at Leap Tools Inc.
"I wanted to send a note to thank you and your team for all your great work and support throughout the process. We had a great show, and everyone on my team was very happy how our exhibit turned out. Special shout out to Jason and his on-site team for delivering what we were expecting."
Talinn Jaramillo
L-Acoustics
My company is always on the late boat with planning and Exhibit Experience always executes our vision perfectly. They will be my choice again for InfoComm next year.
Gaye Kiel
Marketing at 3DT LLC
We were so happy to find that the carpets were vacuumed daily and the monitors were turned on and playing our video as we walked into the exhibit each morning. Please thank them for us! Thank you for your advice all along the way David, and for the careful follow through resulting in our exhibit being such a success!
Richmond
Philippines Department of Tourism
Thank you very much! I did not go to the show but so far feedback on the exhibit design was positive. I even heard that our exhibit looked like we would best the others if it were to be judged based on the design and lay-out.
Nancy Pollock
Trade Show Coordinator/Graphic Designer at Plasma-Therm
The entire operation – from concept to the end-of-show teardown – went extremely smooth. It was a stress-free experience. Our exhibit looked great too!
Nick Pitts
Events Marketing Manager at SOCi
Any time we asked for a new render, we received it quickly with zero qualms. Any time other exhibitors compliment my exhibit I willingly let them know about the amazing company and people behind it!
Chloe Twomey
BFree Foods
Living outside of America initially I thought the time difference might be a challenge, not with David . David goes above and beyond in terms of customer service, attention to detail and professionalism.
Tony Marx
Vice President & General Manager at Macnaught USA Inc
The installation team on site was first rate and took care of all pre and post show details. We received numerous compliments from the exhibitors and the look on our competitors faces said it all... and within a very reasonable budget. We exhibited in late October of 2018 and most assuredly will be using EE again in the future.
The Show-Floor Advantage of Going Vertical
Double deck exhibits create a more commanding presence while giving your team additional room for meetings, hospitality, demonstrations, and brand experiences.
Instead of using every square foot for one purpose, a two-level environment lets you separate public engagement from private conversations. The lower level can remain open and active while the upper level supports meetings, hospitality, or executive interaction.
Why Consider a Double Deck Exhibit?
Increase Visual Impact
A taller architectural profile gives the exhibit stronger visibility and creates more opportunities for elevated signage and branding.Create More Usable Zones
Separate meetings, hospitality, demos, and attendee engagement without forcing every activity into the same ground-floor area.Elevate the Brand Experience
Use architectural scale and distinct levels to create a more intentional, premium environment for visitors and invited guests.- Elevated branding and signage opportunities
- Private meeting and hospitality areas
- Better separation of public and private spaces
- Useful for high-traffic exhibit environments
- Configurable around venue and structural requirements
- Stronger long-distance show-floor presence
One Exhibit Package.
Fewer Moving Parts.
From graphics and logistics to installation and dismantle, our turnkey exhibit packages bring the major pieces of your trade show project together under one coordinated team.
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Graphics Built Around Your Brand Coordinate exhibit graphics, production requirements, artwork and finishing through one project workflow.
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Installation & Dismantle Coordination Plan labor, setup and teardown requirements around your venue, exhibit and show schedule.
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Freight & Exhibit Logistics Coordinate outbound shipping, show delivery and return handling without juggling disconnected vendors.
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One Point of Project Coordination Keep the exhibit, graphics, logistics and show-floor requirements moving through one coordinated process.
Elevate Your Presence: Double Your Footprint with a Two-Level Exhibit
With two levels of branded real estate, you’ll stand above the competition, draw more visitors, and make meaningful connections both upstairs and down. Embrace the vertical advantage and transform your exhibit into an unforgettable, multi-dimensional experience.
Boost Brand Visibility
Maximize the power of high-brightness, full-color LED hardware to make your messaging impossible to miss—even in the busiest convention halls.Optimize Parallel Engagements
Leverage multi-zone content capabilities to run product demos, social feeds, and live presentations simultaneously on one seamless LED canvas.Find the Right Exhibit for Your Space
Explore exhibit options by footprint, from compact inline exhibits to larger island exhibits and double-deck environments. The right configuration depends on your space, show goals, visitor flow, demonstrations, meetings, and brand experience.
10×10 Exhibits
Compact exhibit configurations for a standard inline footprint with space for clear branding, product presentation, and visitor engagement.
10×20 Exhibits
Expanded inline exhibits provide more room for product displays, demonstrations, storage, graphics, and conversations with show attendees.
20×20 Exhibits
Open island configurations create multiple entry points with more flexibility for meetings, demonstrations, technology, and prominent brand visibility.
30×40 Exhibits
Large-format exhibit environments provide space for hospitality, private meetings, demonstrations, product zones, storage, and high-impact architecture.
Double-Deck Exhibits
Two-story exhibit configurations create additional usable space for meetings, hospitality, presentations, and elevated brand visibility.
Affordable Exhibit Rental Options
Efficient exhibit configurations prioritize the features that matter most while keeping materials, production, and overall project scope focused.Explore Ideas in Our Gallery
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