The World’s Leading Home + Housewares Show

March 2–4, 2025 | McCormick Place | Chicago, IL

The World’s Leading Home + Housewares Show
March 2—4 | McCormick Place | Chicago, IL

Exhibitor Marketing Kit

Booth Design Tips

Booth Design Tips

Well-designed booths create an impression with your customers. 

Show off your creativity in design, merchandising and messaging.

Maximize return on in-booth elements

Lighting

Is there a creative combination of work/task with ambient lighting, and appropriate use of light beams pointed on the product to best highlight the goods?

Prop Use

Do the props enhance the display to further tell a marketing story and message? How successful would the booth display be if the props were removed? (Litmus test demonstrating the strength of the prop within the stand)

Background Colors/Textures

Are the textures and colors a strong departure from the baseline of the booth package’s white and smooth texture? Or is the basic booth package leveraged in such a way that the company stands out from its neighbors within the same aisle?

Graphics

Do the text and images coordinate well with the overall marketing voice of the booth? Is there a sense of newness in the forefront of the presentation which educates the buyer within the first few seconds?

Display Fixtures

How is the furniture selection placed to best show off the goods to enhance an increase in sales, transactions and orders? Are there unique fixtures that best compliment the merchandise mix?

Product Placement

Is the merchandise placed strategically within the booth to highlight newness, and according to how orders are taken? Is the product placement understood by the buyer? Will they understand how it will merchandise in their store? Will they understand, through the way it is placed in your booth, if the product will move in their retail setting?

Cohesive Presentation

Do the company’s marketing message and the booth design speak with one voice? Does the display within the booth inspire the buyer to see what the items would look like in the store?

General Presentation

Are cords tucked in, no empty boxes showing, office spaces tidy? Is there a sense of following all show rules and demonstrating polite neighbor etiquette? Are company representatives greeting buyers with a smile?

Fundamental Booth Display Tips

Learn the Fundamentals of a Well-Designed Booth Display.
View IHA’s newly developed document that provides tips on creating a well-designed booth display. Fundamentals include tips on lighting, props, color, graphics, fixtures and product placement. These display tips are described based on exhibitors within the Show:

  • First-time exhibitors on a tighter budget.
  • Seasoned exhibitors who are returning and wish to heighten the look of their booth beyond the service offered through the Show’s vendors.
  • Charter exhibitors who may have the financial wherewithal and are searching for both artistic and increased sales inspirations.

Together with the Show’s Exhibitor Services Kit (ESK), these tips will help in heightening the look of your presentation within your trade show booth. For full details on Fundamental Booth Display Tips, please see below.

Booth Behavior & Trade Show Etiquette

Leverage your success at the Show! Booth etiquette and staff behavior is an extension of your company’s identity and brand. Without proper etiquette, no matter how beautiful your booth presentation, it may be overlooked if the attendee does not have a positive experience. Learn the “do’s and don’ts” of proper booth behavior and the expectation of business etiquette in the US.

Learn More About Connect 365!

View Connect 365 Tutorial

Exhibitors — Get Started!

IHA’s Connect 365 platform is now open to exhibitors to begin populating data. This instructional video will walk you through every step of the process – from managing your company-level information to creating brands, adding products and uploading digital assets.