February 17, 2025

How To Display Products in Exhibitions: 12 Tips

Exhibitions are perfect opportunities to make people see your product the way you want them to. The way you present your products influences how visitors perceive them and what they’ll do next.

A display that looks good but doesn’t push people toward a clear action is a wasted opportunity. Do you want them to try it? Ask questions? Picture it in their lives? Your display should make that obvious.

In this guide, we’ll share 12 tips on how to display products in exhibition settings so that your booth catches their attention and drives results.

1. Know your audience before designing your display.

The best product displays aren’t just well-designed—they’re designed for the right people. If you don’t know who’s walking into your booth, you won’t know how to grab their attention or make them stay.

Think about who your audience is and what they actually care about:

Technical buyers: They’re not here for flashy setups. Put product performance front and center. Live demos, detailed specs on interactive screens, and technical experts available for in-depth discussions matter more than aesthetics.
Everyday consumers: They need to see themselves using your product. Set up lifestyle displays where the product is part of a relatable scene. Let them try it, feel it, or imagine how it fits into their lives.
Corporate decision-makers: Efficiency and ROI sell here. Quick, clear demonstrations showing how your product saves time, money, or resources work better than drawn-out pitches.
Luxury buyers: Here, presentation equals perceived value. Use display cases, elevated platforms, and controlled lighting that draws attention without overwhelming the product. Keep the space open and the focus singular.

The goal is to display your products in a way that makes your audience believe they need them.

2. Focus on your best products, not all products.

Crowding your display with every product you have is the fastest way to lose attention. Exhibitions aren’t showrooms. They’re opportunities to spotlight what matters most. Your best products should speak for the entire lineup.

Pick products that spark conversations

Choose products that are:

New or exclusive: Visitors are drawn to what they haven’t seen before.
Proven performers: Bestsellers and award-winning products lend credibility.
Visually striking: Products that naturally catch the eye can pull visitors in.

Highlight key features clearly

Diplay the actual value of your products as it affects your specific audience. Use subtle cues like:

Placards with clear, benefit-driven messaging (not just technical specs).
Short demo videos that play in a loop, showing the product in action.
Real-life setups showing the product being used, helping visitors picture it in their own context.

Create a focal point

Make one product the centerpiece. A well-lit, elevated display draws attention naturally and signals importance. Supporting products should complement the main attraction, not compete with it.

When you focus on your best products, you’re shaping what visitors remember and talk about after they leave.

3. Use strategic placement to guide attention.

Where you place your products decides what visitors see first and how they navigate your booth. The right placement controls how visitors explore, interact, and engage with your products.

Position key products at eye level

Products at eye level naturally attract more attention. Place your top items within this range so they’re the first thing people notice. For seated areas, adjust accordingly so guests can view products without effort.

Maximize high-traffic areas

Spot the busiest areas—entrances, corners, or near interactive zones. Place eye-catching products there to draw people in. First impressions matter, and what visitors see first often shapes their opinion.

Guide movement with product flow

Arrange displays in a sequence that tells a story or demonstrates product progression.
Use clear walkways that encourage visitors to explore further without feeling cramped.
Highlight complementary products together to encourage upselling opportunities.

Use lighting to highlight focus areas

Good lighting directs attention. Spotlights, backlights, or contrast lighting can emphasize key products without additional effort.

Strategic placement isn’t just about filling space. It’s about creating a clear path that keeps visitors engaged from start to finish.

4. Create an engaging layout.

A good layout keeps visitors moving through your space without confusion. It should make exploring your products feel natural, not forced. The goal is to guide people without them realizing it.

Choose the right layout style

Open layouts: Best for larger spaces and casual browsing. They encourage visitors to move freely and interact at their own pace.
Guided pathways: Ideal when you want to control the flow. Lead visitors through a set path that highlights products in a specific order.
Zoning: Group related products together to create distinct sections. This makes the experience more organized and helps visitors focus on what interests them.

Make the space inviting

Avoid clutter. Empty space gives products room to stand out and keeps the booth from feeling overwhelming.
Provide seating or resting areas if the space allows—this encourages longer visits.
Use signage that’s clear but subtle. Guide visitors without bombarding them with instructions.

Think about interaction points

Place interactive elements where they naturally break up the flow. Product demos, touchscreens, or trial zones keep visitors engaged and slow them down in the right spots.

5. Incorporate interactive product displays.

An interactive display turns passive visitors into engaged prospects. People remember what they experience, not just what they see. Giving them something to do with your product makes the experience stick.

Let visitors try the product

Hands-on demos: If your product can be used on the spot, let visitors handle it. Seeing is good, but using creates a stronger impression.
Live demonstrations: Show the product in action. Let visitors see how it works, ask questions, and understand its value firsthand.
Test zones: Create designated areas where visitors can explore product features at their own pace.

Add digital interactions

Touchscreens: Offer more details through interactive displays—spec sheets, videos, or customer testimonials.
Augmented reality (AR): Let visitors visualize how products would look or work in real-world environments.
QR codes: Direct visitors to deeper content—brochures, technical details, or purchase options—straight from their phones.

Encourage feedback

Provide quick surveys or reaction stations where visitors can share impressions. This turns interaction into valuable insights.

6. Leverage lighting to highlight key features

Lighting directs attention, shapes perception, and emphasizes what matters. The right lighting setup ensures visitors focus on the products you want them to see.

Create focus with lighting

Spotlights: Highlight key products or features that need immediate attention.
Accent lighting: Subtly directs the eye to important details without overpowering the display.
Backlighting: Adds depth and makes products stand out, especially for tech or design-focused items.

Set the mood that fits the product

Warm lighting: Creates a relaxed, inviting atmosphere—ideal for lifestyle or luxury products.
Cool lighting: Works well for tech and modern designs, giving a clean, sharp look.
Dynamic lighting: Moving lights or changing patterns add energy and attract attention from across the venue.

Showcase functionality through lighting

Use lighting to demonstrate how a product works. For items with transparent parts, internal lighting can reveal unique features, drawing interest without extra explanation.

Lighting directs visitors’ eyes and influences how they experience your products. A thoughtful setup ensures that key features get the attention they deserve.

7. Tell a story with your display

“Storytelling” here doesn’t mean vague brand narratives or over-the-top themes. It’s as simple as structuring your display in a way that helps visitors instantly understand why your product matters and how it changes the story of their lives once they begin to use it.

Make the product’s role obvious

Instead of relying on descriptions, show how your product fits into a real scenario. For example:

Tech products: Set up displays that show the product solving a specific problem—like a home office setup for productivity tools.
Lifestyle items: Place products in relatable scenes. A travel brand could display luggage alongside travel essentials, hinting at convenience and style in transit.
Industrial products: Show the product at work—visuals, videos, or live demos highlighting key functions in practical settings.

Structure the display like a progression

Guide visitors through the product’s journey:

Start with the problem or context your product addresses.
Showcase the product as the solution.
End with the outcome—how it improves or elevates the user’s experience.

Highlight key messages without overselling

Use subtle signage with clear, benefit-driven statements. Let the product’s context speak louder than technical specs.

A good display is able to show your visitor why your product matters and how it fits into their world.

8. Maintain clean, uncluttered displays.

A cluttered display confuses visitors and dilutes the impact of your products. Space is as important as the products themselves. When displays are clean and intentional, each product gets the attention it deserves.

Prioritize space over quantity

Don’t try to show everything. Highlight only the products that best represent your offering.
Group related products together but leave enough room for each item to stand out.

Use display levels strategically

Tiered displays: Create visual interest by placing products at varying heights.
Isolated showcases: Give hero products their own space to signal importance.

Cut the noise

Avoid excessive signage. Keep messaging short and focused on the product’s main benefit.
Limit props to those that add context without stealing attention.

Make navigation effortless

Ensure visitors can move through the booth without obstacles.
Keep surfaces clean and displays minimal—this signals professionalism and confidence in the product.

The goal is simple: let the product speak. An uncluttered display shows confidence, making visitors feel they’re looking at something worth their time.

9. Use technology to enhance product presentation.

Technology can turn a static display into an engaging experience. But it’s not about adding flashy screens for the sake of it. The right tech should make understanding and engaging with your product easier and more memorable.

Make information accessible

Interactive touchscreens: Let visitors explore product specs, videos, and use cases at their own pace.
QR codes: Link to digital brochures, testimonials, or live demos visitors can access from their phones.

Create immersive experiences

Augmented reality (AR): Allow visitors to see how products fit into real environments—whether that’s furniture in a home setting or machinery in an industrial space.
Virtual reality (VR): For complex products or solutions, VR experiences can walk visitors through scenarios that would be impossible to showcase on-site.

Demonstrate product functionality

Use tech to show the product in action, especially for features that aren’t immediately visible. For example, a live performance dashboard for a tech product or real-time customization options for consumer goods.

Keep it practical

Technology should support the product, not distract from it. Every screen, code, or demo should have a clear purpose: helping visitors understand the product’s value faster and better.

When used right, technology makes the product easier to connect with and harder to forget.

10. Incorporate strong branding elements.

Branding here means the whole experience that relates to your brand and how visitors connect with you and your product. It doesn’t stop at putting up logos. It’s how everything from the colors to the messaging comes together.

Make branding part of the experience

Logo placement that makes sense: Visible but not in the way. On product stands, digital screens, or packaging—where it feels natural.
Consistent look and feel: Use your brand’s colors and materials that represent who you are. Sleek finishes for luxury brands, natural tones for sustainable ones—whatever matches the product story.
Clear messaging: Keep any text—whether on signs or screens—aligned with how your brand talks. Straightforward, friendly, formal—whatever your tone is, stick to it.

Turn branding into interaction

Brand-aligned demos: Let demonstrations reflect what your brand stands for—whether it’s fast-paced and exciting or slow and detail-oriented.
Relevant giveaways: If you’re giving something away, make sure it matches the brand vibe. No random freebies that don’t connect.

Create a consistent flow

Your booth should feel like one continuous experience. Visitors should get the same brand impression at every corner, from product displays to conversations with your team.

Branding done right doesn’t have to shout. It’s the thing visitors remember without realizing why.

11. Consider flow and accessibility.

A great product display means nothing if visitors can’t move through the space comfortably. The way people navigate your booth affects how long they stay, what they engage with, and what they remember.

Design for easy movement

Clear pathways: Make sure visitors can move freely without feeling cramped. Avoid dead ends and tight corners that disrupt the flow.
Logical product placement: Place popular products deeper in the booth to encourage exploration. High-interest displays near entrances can pull people in, but make sure there’s a reason for them to keep moving.
Entry and exit points: Design these areas for smooth transitions. Crowded entrances discourage visitors from stopping by, and confusing exits make the experience feel disjointed.

Accessibility for everyone

Comfortable viewing: Place products at heights that don’t force visitors to stretch or crouch.
Open layouts: Ensure wheelchairs and strollers can navigate the space easily.
Interactive zones with space: Allow room around demo areas so people can engage without blocking others.

Think about crowd management

Anticipate peak times and design spaces that can handle larger groups without bottlenecks.
Use staff strategically to guide traffic and answer questions without interrupting the visitor’s natural flow.

A display that’s easy to navigate keeps visitors engaged longer and ensures that nothing gets overlooked. The smoother the experience, the more positive the impression.

12. Test, adjust, and optimize on-site.

No matter how well you plan, exhibitions rarely go exactly as expected. The real test happens once visitors start engaging with your display. Observing how people interact, making quick adjustments, and optimizing on the spot can be the difference between an average booth and one that leaves a mark.

Observe visitor behavior

What catches their eye first? If visitors skip key products, adjust placement or lighting.
Where do they spend the most time? Highlight these areas even more or redirect traffic to overlooked spots.
Are interactive elements being used? If not, reposition them or provide clearer instructions.

Make quick adjustments

Shift product placements: Move high-interest products closer to the front if they’re generating buzz.
Tweak lighting: Adjust angles or intensity if certain products aren’t getting noticed.
Change messaging: If visitors ask the same questions, update signage or digital displays to provide clearer answers.

Gather feedback on the spot

Talk to visitors about what drew them in or what confused them. Real-time feedback helps you tweak the experience while it still matters.
Engage with staff for their observations—often, they’ll spot things you miss.

Optimize daily

For multi-day exhibitions, review each day’s performance. Minor overnight adjustments can lead to major improvements in engagement and conversions.

The best displays evolve. Testing, adjusting, and optimizing on-site ensures your booth stays relevant and engaging from start to finish.

Time to bring your product to the spotlight

The way you display your products at an exhibition shapes how visitors perceive them and what actions they take. With the right setup—tailored to your audience, strategically placed, and continuously optimized—you turn a booth into a space that drives real results.

At Lava Events, we’ve organized exhibitions and product activations for clients across various industries. We know what it takes to make products stand out and get the visibility they deserve—and we can do the same for you.

Visit our website and fill out a consultation form. We’ll get in touch to discuss how we can help bring your products to the spotlight at your next exhibition.