Modular Vs Bespoke Exhibitions Stands: What Is Best For You?

Important doesn’t have to mean complicated though, as there are broadly only three types of stands to choose from:

• Modular
• Bespoke modular
• Bespoke

Unless you’re planning on a single event that needs to be delivered to a particularly tight budget, or you are restricted on space, modular exhibition stand solutions tend to lack the flexibility and longevity you can expect from more bespoke solutions and are likely to be a low-impact choice.  

In this blog, we’re going to focus on modular versus bespoke exhibition stands to help you understand what to look for in each type and what could, or should, be on your wish list as you look to commission one for your exhibition or convention.

Modular Exhibition Stand

For something to be modular, it simply means that it is a system that subdivides into smaller parts that come together to create the whole. It’s easy to see how this applies to an exhibition stand: there are component parts of a system that are connected together both physically and through design and aesthetics to build the whole stand.  

Here’s why we think a modular stand is worth considering:

• It’s sustainable. This kind of system supports a more environmentally friendly approach to exhibiting as you can re-use multiple times with minimal logistical and manufacturing impacts.
• As the system breaks down into smaller parts, it’s easy and compact to store.
• It’s a quick and easy system to build which speeds up your readiness to exhibit.
• It’s a highly flexible system that can be configurated in multiple ways to help your exhibition and event presence feel fresh each time.
• It’s a cost-effective option as part of a multi-event strategy.
• It’s quick and easy to update and replace graphic panels and simple to add or remove elements depending on the space you’ve got to play with.

As always, there are also a few points to think about that might not make this the best option:

• If you’re planning on using a large exhibiting footprint, the value of modular starts to decrease.
• They typically have a lightweight frame which can be problematic if you want to integrate or mount anything heavy as part of your stand design.
• Designs are limited to single tier (ie floor level only) as modular builds don’t have the supporting infrastructure to bear the weight of a second tier.
• You will also need to consider build costs to make sure your stand design is perfectly executed on site.

Custom & Bespoke

If two words ever screamed expensive, right?! But you’d be surprised at just how cost-effective and accessible it is to opt for a more bespoke stand to support your exhibition strategy.   

Bespoke means it’s a completely new and tailored to your needs. From the shape of the design to the graphics and supporting components, it’s all designed and manufactured to your specific brief with a guarantee that no other exhibition stand will be exactly the same.

Any good exhibition stand partner will struggle to give you a cost upfront as to how much a bespoke stand will cost, but we’ve explored the topic in this blog if you’d like to understand more of what’s involved from a budget perspective.

There are lots of reasons why a bespoke stand is a great idea to support your exhibition strategy; here are our favourites: 

• It’s unique. No other stand will have the look and feel that your bespoke stand offers, ensuring you create a memorable brand experience like no other.
• You can be more creative. Whether you’re going for height, tiers, curves or platforms, a bespoke exhibition stand design will allow you to bring your vision to life without limitations.
• It allows you to create a space that is truly reflective of your brand, regardless of the footprint you have to exhibit in – from a small booth to flagship space, you can make the most of the space available in a way that allows you to really deploy your event messaging.
• It gives you options. If you know what your future event strategy looks like, you can build a stand that will support your multi-event strategy without compromising on a fresh look and feel at each event.
• It can be as green as you need it to be. From materials to manufacturing, printing to promotional components, a bespoke exhibition stand can be designed and built to meet your sustainable ambitions.

There are also a few things to think about that may mean bespoke isn’t the way to go for a specific event:

• It is likely to be more expensive when compared to a modular stand.
• A good exhibition stand partner will want your partnership to really capture the vision and objectives for the design so you’ll need to invest your time and creativity to make the most of this.
• You’ll need to factor in stand build costs to make sure your stand looks perfect for your exhibition, as well as budget for storage and transport.

When you’ve committed to exhibiting as an essential part of your marketing strategy, it’s worthwhile properly exploring how you can make the most of the budget you allocate to ensure you get not just the commercial return, but the brand return these events can generate.

At Aboveline, we’re focused on working with you to deliver the right exhibitions stand strategy. We’ll work with you to understand what’s really important to you and walk you through the many options on offer to help you make an informed and educated choice about the best stand design and build for your business objectives. Whether it’s a bespoke modular stand or bespoke stand design, we can support your needs.  

Talk to us today and find out how we can help you deliver a more tailored approach to your exhibition strategy. Give us a call on 01270 848650 or fill in our quick and easy contact form here.