by
Uncategorised
18th June, 2018
“Reusing your bespoke exhibition stand can save on costs but how should you store your stand…?”
In this article, we’ll look at the questions you should ask yourself before you order your stand.
When arranging to exhibit at a show, there’s a long list of things to think about, but one thing that you do need to consider well before the show, is what is going to happen to your stand at the end of the exhibition?
It makes a lot of sense to keep your stand and reuse what you can from it, both in terms of cost savings and the environment. It makes even more sense, if you do a lot of shows, to have a bespoke stand that’s deliberately built to be reusable, but then you’ve got to consider how and where you’re going to store everything once the exhibition is over.
If you’re planning to store your own stand, here’s what you need to think about:
Obviously, the first consideration is where you are going to put your stand in between uses. Do you have a large enough stand storage space that’s not needed for anything else, or will you hire a storage unit?
This is a question you should ideally ask yourself before you’ve committed to getting a reusable stand. Quite often, a stand’s first use is straight from the factory or out of the back of a van. Then when the exhibition is over, it can become a bit of a burden – especially when you need to use the van!
Don’t forget that a collapsed stand can still take up quite a lot of volume, even though it’ll be a tiny fraction of its intact volume (most of which is air). Ask your manufacturer to give you an idea of how much room will be needed for when it’s boxed away. If you get good quality storage cases, your stand might be stackable, so it might not have a huge footprint, but it’ll still need storing.
If you hire a storage unit, you’re stuck with paying for that every month, so you need to balance the cost savings of a reusable stand against the storage costs.
While the cost savings and environmental benefits of reusing your stand may be appealing, if the stand takes up valuable space that could be better utilised for other purposes, it may not be the most convenient option for your business. Take the time to evaluate what is truly the best use of your space and consider alternative storage solutions if necessary. In some circumstances (e.g. a stand that you only use once a year), it might even make financial sense to have a single-use one, or have a reusable core with single-use components.
If your stand is taking up precious space that you really need for something else, storing your own stand might not be your best option. Consider what’s best for your business and what else you could be using the space for that might be a better use.
A lot of modern businesses have really cut back on their physical space recently, as more staff are working from home. Others have switched to shared offices and hot desking arrangements. Are you even allowed to store large amounts of equipment in your offices? That will of course come down to your individual contracts, but it’s something you should bear in mind.
It needs to be easy to get to your stand when you do need it, rather than spending hours climbing over and moving other things to get to your stand at the back of your storage space. You also need to ensure – before you try to move your stand in! – that your doorways and corridors between your entrance and the storage area are large enough to accommodate all the parts of your stand.
You might have the perfect spot that’s easy to get in and out of, and only used for storing your stand and your marketing collateral, and if so, that’s great. But if you’re struggling for space, there is another option apart from hiring a storage unit. Focal Exhibitions can not only store your stand safely, but we can deliver it to your next exhibition and set it up for you, too. For a full exhibition service from stand design and building to storage after the show, check out our Services page.
Depending on the materials used in your stand, it may be sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations. Consider storing your stand in a climate-controlled storage unit to protect it from extreme heat, cold or moisture, which can potentially cause warping, cracking or other damage.
To ensure the longevity of your stand, invest in proper protective covers or cases for delicate parts or equipment. This will help prevent any scratches, dents or other damage while in storage. Additionally, it is crucial to properly label and organise all the components of your stand, making it easier to locate and assemble when needed. Good storage receptacles, which are clearly labelled, will help you to keep organised.
Exhibition stands can be valuable investments, both in terms of financial cost and branding value. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the security of your stored stand. If storing at your own premises, consider investing in a reliable security system or taking necessary precautions to safeguard it. If using a storage unit, inquire about their security measures, such as surveillance cameras, access controls and alarms.
