Interactive technology can add a whole new layer of interest to an exhibition stand and it’s a great way of encouraging visitors in without exceeding your exhibition budget.
Capturing attention at an event or exhibition is crucial and increasingly, businesses are moving away from static displays towards a more dynamic and memorable digital experience to capture and hold the attention of their visitors. By using interactive technology, we can turn a passive visitor into an engaged participant who’ll more likely interact with your brand.
Creating an all-singing exhibition stand isn’t in every business budget. Sometimes, when you don’t have the funds to create an awe-inspiring stand backdrop, you must get creative. So, with that in mind, here are some budget-friendly ways to bring your exhibition stand to life using technology.
Why should you adopt interactive technology?
Integrating interactive elements into your exhibition stand can transform how your audience engages with your business. Tools like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), touchscreens, and digital games create immersive experiences that attract and hold your visitors’ attention and enable richer interactions with them.
Customisable to reflect your brand’s identity and message, interactive elements are versatile, easily adapting to showcase a wide range of products and services. In a crowded event space, they provide a competitive edge, helping your brand stand out and leaving a lasting impression on potential customers.
What does interact technology involve and how can you use it?
Augmented and Virtual Reality
Augmented reality (AR) adds digital elements to the real world, allowing visitors to interact with virtual overlays within their physical surroundings, while virtual reality (VR) offers a fully immersive experience, transporting users to entirely different settings or scenarios. These next-level immersive experiences are perfect for showcasing products in interactive ways, such as virtual demonstrations or engaging 3D models. They are particularly effective in presenting complex products or services – visitors could virtually customise a product or navigate through a simulated environment.
- Virtual product try-on: Augmented reality is easier to set up than you think! Use an AR app for virtual try-ons or demos of different product options. It’s ideal if you don’t want to bring tons of inventory but still want a personal touch.
- Augmented reality posters: AR isn’t just for apps. Print some posters with AR codes linking to 3D models, videos, or animations. Visitors can scan with their phones and suddenly, your product comes to life in their hands—super memorable and easy to set up.
- Virtual Reality (VR) for immersive tours: Do you have a product or service that’s best experienced ‘up close’? Even a single VR headset can be a game-changer for your exhibition stand. Visitors can pop on the headset and explore your product in 3D—it’s especially useful for real estate, travel, or anything with a visual component.
Interactive touchscreens and displays
Interactive touchscreens and displays turn exhibition spaces into active hubs that invite visitors to explore your content with interactive product demos. Visitors can dive into product features, browse catalogues, or engage with multimedia presentations. They can also double as information hubs, providing access to product details, testimonials, or company information with a simple touch.
- DIY digital product demo: Set up a tablet or laptop with interactive product demos. This is perfect for visitors who like to explore at their own pace. They can check out different features or watch short videos without feeling pressured. Bonus: it lets your team focus on other visitors while people explore.
Social media integration
Incorporating social media into your exhibition stand can amplify your reach beyond the event itself. By featuring live social media feeds or event-specific hashtags, you encourage onsite and online engagement, broadening your stand’s visibility.
Encourage visitors to share their experiences on social media with your custom event hashtags, boosting your brand’s online presence. This approach attracts more visitors and helps create a lasting impact at the event.
- Event-specific hashtag printer: A hashtag printer adds a fun social element! When people post photos on social media using your event’s hashtag, this printer automatically prints them. It’s a great way to get people talking about your booth both at the event and online.
Digital games and competitions
Digital games and competitions will draw people to your exhibition stand and keep them engaged. They can be entertaining and tailored to subtly communicate your brand message and gather visitor information. Think about using interactive games like card matching, word puzzles, or codebreakers, customised to reflect your products or services.
- QR Code scavenger hunt: Create a QR code scavenger hunt around your booth (or even the whole exhibition hall!). Each code can reveal a surprise: a fun fact, a discount, or even a little challenge. People love interactive experiences; adding a small reward or exclusive content will keep them intrigued.
- Gamified engagement: People are naturally drawn to games. Set up something simple like a digital spin-the-wheel or a trivia quiz on a tablet. Offer small prizes, discounts, or even just bragging rights—whatever works well. It’s fun and interactive and gives people a reason to stick around.
LED and video walls
LED walls and video displays can bring a dramatic visual element to your exhibition stand, capturing attention even from afar. These vibrant displays are perfect for high-quality brand videos, which help tell your story in an engaging and visually striking way.
You could also use them to stream live event feeds, offering real-time highlights that amplify the experience. LED and video walls provide a creative platform for showcasing everything from product demos and customer testimonials to interactive brand content.
- Budget-friendly LED backdrop: You don’t need a huge LED screen to create a cool tech-driven look. Try an LED curtain display or backlit banner as a dynamic, eye-catching backdrop. It’ll give your booth that modern glow without stretching the budget too much.
- Digital selfie wall: Set up a selfie station with a branded backdrop, and watch people flock to it! Add your event hashtag and encourage visitors to post. It’s a fantastic way to get people to share your brand on social media.
Data collection and follow-up
- Digital business card scanner: A digital scanner app allows you to capture contact details in seconds. It also makes following up so much easier, as everything is already digitised and organised.
- Digital surveys and polls: Want some feedback or insights? Set up a tablet with a quick survey or poll or use a QR code that links to an online form. Visitors enjoy giving feedback, particularly if you offer a little incentive, and you’ll get valuable insights to take away from the event.
Adding interactive technology to your exhibition stand can truly elevate the visitor experience and make your brand stand out in a busy event setting. Tools like AR, VR, interactive touchscreens, digital games, and LED video walls transform traditional displays into vibrant, engaging spaces that capture attention.
As you prepare for your next event, consider how these innovative options could bring your brand to life and foster memorable connections. Each piece of technology can be customised to reflect your brand’s unique message and engage your audience on a deeper level – making your stand truly unforgettable.