5 Trade Show Stand Design Trends For 2024

It’s that time of year when we bring out our crystal ball and start to predict what the key trends could be for the year ahead that will influence trade show stand designs. 2023 has been a great year for exhibitions and trade shows: live events are firmly back in the marketing strategies of businesses of all shapes and sizes and with innovation in the exhibition design space, brands are finding it easier than ever to enhance their live brand experience.

We asked some of the Aboveline team what they think the industry is going to see next year in terms of exhibition stand design ideas and they had some great suggestions which you can watch on our TikTok page. From bold and eye-catching graphics to the emergence of even more technology in exhibitions, there’s a lot to be excited about.

But what about the less obvious trends? If you’re looking for exhibition stand design inspiration or looking to find out more about trade show stand design trends for 2024, here’s our take on five wildcard trends that we think might just disrupt the exhibition space next year:

5 Emerging Stand Design Trends For 2024…

#1 Immersive Soundscapes…

The general concept of immersive experiences has exploded in 2023 with virtual and augmented reality leading the way. The sense of hearing, however, is one of the least explored senses which means the creative use of sound within your exhibition stand design could be a very clever move.

Sound has the power to transport visitors in a different mindset and so audio elements such as the spoken word or a familiar soundtrack or music associated with your brand can help create a deeper immersive experience that mimics a 3-D experience for your stand visitors. Speakers can be incorporated into the overall stand design or for a more personal touch, think about a technology wall or a sound shower to deliver audio to a designated spot.

#2 Dynamic Kinetic Installations…

Staying with the theme of sensory stimulation, kinetic displays are quite literally art in motion. Through the incorporation of a motor or other electronics, or through design that incorporates movement, these installations are truly eye-catching. A well-designed kinetic installation can be a real wow factor within an exhibition space to stimulate the minds of delegates and provoke a reaction.

#3 Holographic Exhibition Displays…

With advances in AI and technology, holographic displays could be the next step on from AI and VR, creating immersive experiences that bring together whole groups of people rather than a single person. Using holographic technology, lighting, projection, sound and special effects, a holographic display could be an entire show within your exhibition stand, telling a story or bring a product to life in real time for your stand visitors.

#4 Creative Use Of Negative Space…

Exhibition stand design is often centred around maximising the use of every single inch of space, however sometimes less is more when it comes to making an impact. In an art sense, negative space is the term used to describe the space surrounding an object. For exhibitors, this translates into experimenting with more open space and simplicity that allows just one or two key stand elements to really shine. This minimalist approach can be both modern and impactful and is memorable because of its difference.

#5 Zero-Waste Giveaways…

Giveaways remain a popular way to attract visitors to a stand, helped by the fact they can be tailored to any budget and often easily branded. However, the prevalence of single use plastic in event giveaways means they can be at odds with a more sustainable approach to exhibiting. Exploring more environmentally friendly promotional items such as branded totes, drinkware or items made from recycled materials is a win-win for everyone: the recipient has an item that they can reuse, and your brand has a way of remaining in front of your target audience long after the exhibition has finished.

If you’d like to explore how you can use these trade show stand design trends in next year’s exhibition strategy then we’d love to help! You can talk to our friendly team by emailing here, giving us a call on 01270 848 650 or completing our quick online form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.