Inline trade show exhibits have existed since the very beginning of conventions. They are the classic booth design, and with good reason: they are low-cost, yet when properly set up, can have a huge impact on visitors. Choosing between these types of trade show exhibits, highly portable displays, and island units can be difficult. Understanding what exactly inline models have to offer is a crucial first step.

What Is Inline?

An inline unit is defined by the idea that it has a back wall at the rear of the display. This back wall is not necessarily a simple, straight backing, but it does exist and serves to give the unit a clear back side and front. This simple design has several advantages. First, it's easy to store things behind that back wall. Whether you are giving away items at the convention and want to store extras, or simply need to tuck away packing materials, having such a clear back wall is invaluable. In addition, the simplicity of the booth concept makes it easy for these units to be modular. If the back wall is built for strength, then other parts of the booth can be changed around it with relatively little trouble. The back wall acts as an anchor, making configuration changes much less difficult than in other display styles.

Cost Effective Trade Show Exhibits

Inline trade show exhibits are perhaps the simplest booths for any company to manufacture. They don't require the structural engineering of an island style booth, where so much of the underlying structure must be hidden to allow maximum room for visitors to move through the display unhindered. They also don't require the compact and lightweight build style of a mobile unit, which can be more expensive due to the materials required, even without considering the costs of a more complex design. An inline display has none of these concerns. It is simple to build, and uses typical materials that are durable and lightweight, yet cost effective.

Possible Pitfalls

Although many companies are quite pleased with inline displays, there are some key issues to consider. First, inline trade show exhibits are not designed to be highly portable. Generally, they are not meant to be set up by one person working alone, and they may take some time to prepare. As a result, they tend to be very suitable for add-ons and shelving that puts stress on the frame, but they are generally not suitable for someone traveling to conventions alone with no help for setup.

This display style has another pitfall: a possible monotony. Without a strong design, it can be easy for the inline style to become lost in a crowd. On the flip side, with proper consideration and attention from an expert, it can be a showstopper and a showpiece for your company. Ultimately, it just depends on what your designer can bring to the table. If you're concerned with the abilities of your experts, you could consider another type of booth, but you might want to consider switching professionals to a company that will match yours for innovation and creative spirit.