Renting vs. Buying – Which Option is Best for You?

Incorporating tradeshows into your marketing strategy is crucial. No other marketing platform allows you to interact with your primary customers, potential clients, suppliers, and even rivals simultaneously and in person. Your goal is to leave a lasting impact and captivate the audience with your exhibit. Should you invest in buying or leasing your exhibit? Undoubtedly, this question holds great significance. Effective allocation of your event budget is crucial for achieving your company’s success. 

Before deciding on buying or renting an exhibit, take into account the following factors: 

The Power of Three & Event Frequency 

What is your intended frequency for exhibiting throughout the year? You may need to find out the exact number or have a complete show list compiled when making your rent vs. purchase decision. Generally, you can identify whether you intend to showcase at three or more events within the next year or two. In the tradeshow industry, it is commonly acknowledged that a tradeshow exhibit typically reimburses its acquisition cost by the third show, if not before. Therefore, renting your exhibit may be more economical if you intend to participate in fewer than three events. 

Budget 

In the world of tradeshows, it is widely accepted that the quality of the product or service is directly proportional to its price. In other words, you get what you pay for. It is true that exhibits of greater quality can often be obtained with higher budget investments, although impactful displays can still be obtained at various budget levels. If you have a tight budget, renting may be a good option for upgrading your exhibit for a single use. On average, renting an exhibit for a single show is usually less expensive than investing in its ownership, assuming all other factors are constant. It’s possible that you can use some of your remaining event budgets to incorporate additional features into your exhibit, including promotional items or enjoyable, unique experiences for attendees. Moreover, renting your exhibit for your upcoming one or two shows can help reduce or eliminate additional expenses associated with ownership, including storage and repair costs. 

If you enjoy being flexible and embracing change! 

In the world of tradeshows, it is widely accepted that the quality of the renting is the best choice if you enjoy altering things for every occasion. Although exhibit elements like graphics and furniture can be changed for various reasons, such as branding, marketing, or accommodating different booth sizes and orientations, some individuals prefer unique hardware and layout for every show. Opting to rent your exhibit provides excellent flexibility for your display. 

One … Two … Testing. 

Are you a marketer at your core? Do you want to understand better which exhibit will deliver the optimal results before you purchase and own your custom exhibit? Renting is an outstanding choice if you are in such a situation. Testing crucial variables like exhibit size and layout is possible. Once you have identified your ideal booth, the next step is to purchase.

The Benefits of Embracing Timing and Chaos 

Opportunities like trade shows can often come during significant change, just like any other aspect of life. Buying an exhibit may not be the most favorable option at a certain point due to significant changes such as rapid expansion and re-branding. Thanks to your impressive sales growth and increasing profits, you now have the opportunity to allocate a larger budget for upcoming trade shows and invest in a superior exhibit of greater size and quality. If you are currently experiencing a similar situation of chaos, it is crucial not to skip the essential exhibition. Instead, you can rent a custom exhibit that would suit your brand. 

Ultimately, the decision to rent or buy depends on your individual needs and circumstances. However, if you’re looking for a high-impact trade show display to help your business stand out, consider partnering with Skyline Exhibits & Design. Our experienced team can help you create a custom exhibit that fits your brand and your budget. Contact Skyline Exhibits & Design today to learn more.