Exhibit Experience is pleased to offer its’ guide to the ISA International Sign Expo 2023. We have worked with dozens of clients at this trade show and as a local Las Vegas exhibit house, we have some valuable tips and tools for making your booth at this show, a success. This show has been in existence since 1947 and welcomes over 20,000 visitors with 600 vendors. Over 20,000 of the world’s leaders in signage, graphics, and visual communications convene at the Mandalay Bay and the marketing behind the marketing brands are some of the best in the business.
The next show is April 12 – 14, 2023. ISA is a 2,300 member trade association comprised of users, manufacturers, and suppliers of signs, graphics products, digital imagery, and innovation in all areas of visual communication. All offshoots of these industries are also represented at the show including distributors, retail manufacturers, and service providers. Visual communication is one of the mainstays of traditional marketing, at the banalest level, but the innovations and advancements in this industry with the advent of AI and VR have made the ISA Show an attraction for marketers beyond ISA members.
Benefits of Exhibiting
According to Sign Expo site, supported by exit poll numbers from 2018, 98% of attendees would recommend the show to colleagues, 84% purchase products between 1-6 months following the show, and 90% of exhibitors report this show being an integral part of their business success. Some of the reasons attendees visit this show is to find new products and services for their brand, learn about industry trends, find new vendors and suppliers, interact with current vendors, and network with fellow vendors.
Who attends ISA?
ISA reports that at the last in-person expo 44% of attendees are local sign companies, 28% are nonprofit related and public sector companies, 18% are printers, 7% are direct sign companies, 7% are design firms, and 3% are end users for signs.
Travel and Transport
The official ISA Hotel Room Block is now open and offers travel packages and group discounts for attendees. Reservations are limited and it is recommended to book early to secure space. Las Vegas offers a wide variety of accommodations and the Las Vegas International Airport has multiple direct flights domestically and internationally to service this show. Ride Share Car services are permitted in Las Vegas and taxis are widely available along the strip where the tradeshow will take place. Exhibit Experience does not expressly endorse hotels, however, the Hotel & Travel page on the show’s website has a number of preferred vendors on its’ site.
Guide to Standing out among the Signs at ISA
Standing out as a brand, within a show that is comprised of entirely visual communication experts, is one of the biggest challenges in the trade show industry. Exhibit Experience has a variety of custom modular and custom booths within innumerable configurations to make your booth attract the audience your brand deserves at the ISA Sign Expo. We offer 20×20 exhibits in inline, peninsula, and island configurations that are very popular for this show. One of the biggest trends in trade shows, specifically at the ISA Sign Expo, is the LED Skins.
LED Skins are the pinnacle of visual marketing, offering tiles that transform backdrops into interactive stages for your visual communications. No longer are static graphics the norm for transmitting brand information to thousands on the trade show floor, the LED Skin can function as a large screen for any communication your company is looking to showcase. They are programmable to show VR video loops, high-level videos, 3d experiences, and any number of programs for the duration of your show.
Need a reliable booth builder for ISA International Sign Expo 2023?
Exhibit Experience is booking booths at record speed for the ISA 2023 Show in Las Vegas in April. If you have not booked your booth yet or contacted a local exhibit house to represent your interests and staff at the show, please contact us today. Even if you have already contracted an exhibit house or are managing your booth on your own, there are some critical elements on the floor and point people that should be considered at the International Sign Association Show 2023. Knowing who is in charge of what element at critical moments of trade show install and breakdown are essential to showing well. Baseline elements such as power rigging and staffing are just some of the areas that Exhibit Experience handles, but there are more nuanced elements of trade show preparation that should be considered as well. Below we have broken down some areas that are delegated and expectations that can be managed by certain parties to a trade show.
Convention Center:
Convention Center will handle materials, rigging, food, and power. In fact, we are not permitted to perform tasks within their purview. Our teams can troubleshoot within the convention center and be point people in charge of elements of the booth if something goes wrong on their end. For the ISA 2023 show the enforcement of signage technical specifications will be strictly enforced, so it is very important that your signage and graphics are in accordance with show rules. See here.
- What is the power supply and where is it located in proximity to my booth?
- What are the rigging requirements?
- What food is allowed and quantity per day?
- Load in and out time
- Point person for all operations questions (if you are handling your own booth)
Exhibit Experience has a full staff that provides the interface between your sales and executive staff and the convention center staff, in the event of an issue with either incidentals or baseline booth operations.
Your Exhibit House
As a preferred local Las Vegas Exhibit House, we operate within your event budget and pre-generate documents and handling charges so they are not unforeseen when forecasting your show. Such documents include the power supply, rigging requirements, and lighting specifications. Additional charges that can apply to your design are power charges and materials handling, which we take into account. We provide complete onsite concierge service and teams on the ground to manage your shows install, breakdown, and shipping, in addition to management during the show. Included, but not mentioned in our services are offsite build, the design of booth, storage, and shipping.
What to ask your Exhibit House?
- Handling Costs
- Power Supply
- Graphics Needed
- Recommendations based on the booth for sales and marketing teams
- How is the booth being installed and dismantled?
- Who is the point person for my booth?
- Is there staff assigned directly to my booth?
- Flooring special instructions?
If you exhibit house does not have answers or does not provide the services above, you should consider Exhibit Experience for turnkey solutions for your ISA 2023 trade show.
Your Team
Your team will need to provide all graphic designs, marketing materials, budget, sales team, marketing team, and executive team travel arrangements in place. We do not plan travel and it is a critical component for your team and should be planned well in advance. The graphics and marketing will depend on what your designs are, however, if you choose to do an LED Skin, you will need lead time for VR and advanced messaging.
- Travel Planning
- Marketing Materials
- Sales and Marketing Staff Plan
- Graphics and Marketing File Generation and Submission to exhibit house
- Accessories check
The Exhibit Experience team has over two decades of experience delivering custom exhibits and custom modular exhibits that see instant results. Our exhibit management services are all-inclusive, from design to delivery. We will deliver your exhibit on time, on budget, and following all safety protocols.
If you are looking for an ISA International Sign Expo 2023 trade show booth builder, look no further than Exhibit Experience! Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Dimensional Strategy: Selecting the Optimal Booth Size
Exhibit Experience offers customized solutions across a comprehensive range of booth dimensions to align with your specific marketing objectives, budgetary parameters, and venue requirements:
- 10′ × 10′ (100 sq ft): Entry-level presence with focused messaging
- 10′ × 20′ (200 sq ft): Enhanced linear exposure with expanded demonstration capabilities
- 20′ × 20′ (400 sq ft): Premium presence with significant impact potential in peninsula or island configurations
- 20′ × 30′ (600 sq ft): Extended engagement space allowing for multiple activity zones
- 30′ × 30′ (900 sq ft): Substantial presence enabling comprehensive brand storytelling
- 30′ × 40′ (1,200 sq ft): Commanding footprint supporting complex multi-functional exhibits
Each dimensional increment represents not simply additional square footage, but expanded strategic possibilities for engagement, demonstration, and differentiation within the competitive exhibition landscape.
Navigating Regulatory Parameters: Essential Compliance Guidelines
Successful exhibition strategy requires not only creative vision but meticulous adherence to industry regulations and venue-specific requirements. The following regulatory considerations represent critical compliance factors for all exhibitors:
1. Vertical Space Utilization & Height Restrictions
Linear/Inline Booth Regulations:
- Maximum 8′ (2.5m) height allowance at back wall
- Graduated height restrictions approaching the aisle
- 4′ (1.2m) height limitation within 5′ (1.5m) of aisle frontage
- Strict enforcement to prevent sight line obstruction
Perimeter Booth Regulations:
- Enhanced rear wall height allowance up to 12′ (3.7m)
- Maintained 4′ (1.2m) height limitation within 5′ (1.5m) of aisle
- Specific venue guidelines may apply to projection heights
Peninsula Booth Regulations:
- Height allowances typically between 16′-20′ (4.9m-6.1m)
- Potential restrictions within 5′ (1.5m) of adjoining exhibits
- Back wall finishing requirements when visible to neighboring exhibits
- Prohibition of competitor-facing logos on reverse surfaces
Split Island Booth Regulations:
- Height allowances comparable to peninsula booths (typically 16′-20′)
- Shared back wall must be finished on both sides with neutral coloration
- Branding must not intrude onto neighboring exhibitor’s space
- Typically requires coordinated approval of structural elements along shared boundary
- Specialized rules may govern sound projection toward the shared boundary
Island Booth Regulations:
- Maximum height utilization (typically 16′-20′ depending on venue)
- Ability to incorporate suspended elements with proper approvals
- Rigorous engineering certification requirements for multi-level structures
- Line-of-sight considerations for suspended signage
2. ADA Compliance Requirements: Creating Accessible Exhibits
The Americans with Disabilities Act establishes non-negotiable standards for exhibit accessibility:
- Universal Experience Mandate: Exhibits must provide substantially equivalent experiences to all attendees regardless of physical ability
- Pathway Requirements: Minimum 36″ (91cm) clear path throughout exhibit areas
- Elevation Transitions: Any raised platform exceeding ½” requires ADA-compliant ramping with specific slope ratios (1:12 maximum)
- Interactive Element Placement: Engagement features must be accessible from wheelchair height (maximum 48″ reach range)
- Audiovisual Considerations: Presentations should incorporate captioning when feasible
- Service Animal Accommodation: Sufficient clearance for service animals throughout exhibit spaces
Non-compliance with ADA requirements carries significant consequences, including potential removal from the event, financial penalties, and reputational damage. Professional exhibit partners provide invaluable guidance in designing fully compliant spaces that elegantly accommodate all visitors.
3. Spatial Boundary Enforcement
Exhibit footprints are contractually defined with zero tolerance for encroachment:
- All exhibit elements including product displays, literature racks, and furniture must remain completely within the defined booth space
- Projection of images, lighting effects, or sound beyond booth boundaries is strictly prohibited
- Suspended elements must be positioned within the vertical projection of the booth footprint
- Unauthorized marketing activities outside designated booth space (“guerrilla marketing”) may result in penalty fees or expulsion
4. Sight Line Preservation Protocol
Exhibition environments function through carefully calibrated visual accessibility:
- Structures exceeding 4′ (1.2m) in height are prohibited within the front 5′ (1.5m) of standard and perimeter booths
- Peninsula exhibits must consider neighbor visibility when positioning tall elements
- Transparent or semi-transparent materials are recommended for necessary partitions in high-traffic visibility zones
- Interactive displays must be positioned to prevent aisle congestion
5. Illumination & Electrical Safety Standards
Lighting design must balance impact with consideration for the overall exhibition environment:
- Directional lighting must be focused inward toward the exhibitor’s own space
- Strobe effects, flashing sequences, and moving lights typically require special permission
- Lighting intensity must avoid creating uncomfortable glare for attendees or neighboring exhibitors
- All electrical connections must comply with local building codes and certification requirements
- Cable management must eliminate tripping hazards through appropriate concealment or floor covering
- Power load calculations must be submitted in advance for verification against venue capacity
6. Intellectual Property & Audio Licensing Requirements
Content presentation within exhibits carries specific legal obligations:
- Music, video content, and other copyrighted materials require appropriate licensing documentation
- Performance rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) may actively monitor compliance at major events
- Volume levels for audio content are subject to specific decibel limitations
- Scheduled presentations must adhere to show management guidelines regarding frequency and duration
- Alternative solutions include royalty-free music libraries and blanket license arrangements available through show management
Location-Specific Compliance: Navigating Regional Requirements
Major exhibition venues maintain distinct regulatory frameworks that may supplement or modify industry standards:
- Las Vegas Convention Center: Stringent fire safety requirements with specific material certification needs and unique rules for multi-level structures
- Orange County Convention Center (Orlando): Specialized electrical codes and detailed rigging regulations for suspended elements
- McCormick Place (Chicago): Union labor requirements and specific loading dock procedures that impact installation timelines
- Javits Center (New York): Enhanced security protocols and specific weight-bearing limitations for exhibit components
- International Venues: Substantially different regulatory approaches requiring specialized knowledge of local standards and certification requirements
Professional exhibit partners with experience across multiple jurisdictions provide invaluable guidance in navigating these complex and constantly evolving regulatory landscapes.
Exhibit Experience: Your Partner in Exhibition Excellence
Creating impactful, compliant trade show environments requires specialized expertise that transcends standard marketing capabilities. Exhibit Experience delivers turnkey solutions characterized by:
Comprehensive Design Integration Our design process incorporates regulatory compliance from conceptual development through final execution, eliminating costly modifications and ensuring seamless approval processes.
In-House Production Capabilities Vertical integration of manufacturing and graphic production provides unparalleled quality control while accommodating compressed timelines:
- Direct oversight of fabrication processes
- Elimination of third-party communication inefficiencies
- Rapid response capability for last-minute adjustments
- Proprietary quality control protocols exceeding industry standards
Dedicated Installation Teams Unlike providers relying on temporary labor, our specialized installation professionals:
- Maintain intimate familiarity with our proprietary systems
- Execute with precision honed through repeated collaboration
- Provide continuity from project to project
- Deliver exceptional problem-solving capabilities on-site
Strategic Geographical Positioning Our operational presence in primary exhibition hubs delivers substantial logistical advantages:
- Reduced shipping costs and transit risks
- Enhanced scheduling flexibility
- Rapid response capability for unexpected challenges
- Established relationships with venue management teams
Conclusion: Elevating Your Exhibition Strategy
Strategic trade show participation represents one of the most significant marketing investments many organizations make annually. Maximizing the return on this investment demands not just creative excellence, but sophisticated understanding of the technical, regulatory, and logistical factors that determine success.
By partnering with Exhibit Experience, you gain access to specialized expertise that transforms these complex considerations into seamless execution—allowing your team to focus on what matters most: meaningful engagement with your target audience and the advancement of your strategic objectives.
Ready to elevate your exhibition strategy? Contact Exhibit Experience today for a consultative assessment of your trade show program and discover how our integrated approach can enhance your brand presence while optimizing your marketing investment.
