How Would MacGyver Use A Trade Show Display?
Secret agent Angus MacGyver had a knack for repurposing everyday objects to solve dangerous challenges. Aided by his trusty Swiss Army knife, duct tape, and whatever materials he could lay his hands on, MacGuyver could defuse a bomb, get out of a trap, or create a diversion.
Fortunately, you don’t need MacGyver’s resourcefulness to invent new ways to use a trade show display.
Trade show displays make a big visual impact and create an inviting environment so you can get attention and create a temporary work space. They have appealing structures, large format graphics, and are designed to set up easily. Those positive attributes have value in many places off the trade show floor as well.
Here are 20 inventive places trade show displays can add pizzazz and marketing workspace outside a trade show hall:
- Road shows
- Recruiting and job fairs
- Sales presentations
- Hospitality events
- Company lobbies
- Mall marketing
- Traveling museum exhibitions
- Buyer hosted events
- New product launches
- Charity events
- Television sets
Display used in an outdoor event and as a set backdrop
- Seminars
- Outdoor events
- Anniversary events
- Branded office interiors
- Conference rooms
- Show rooms
- Corporate events
Displays used for a traveling road show
- Press Conferences
- Sales Meetings
Trade show exhibit used at a mall to support a fundraiser.
You can stretch your trade show display investment by adding impact and memorability to these 20 events outside of trade shows. Or, by scheduling your display in those uses in the future, it may help you to justify getting a new display now. Or perhaps a job as a clever secret agent.
What other creative uses have you come up with for your trade show display? Share it with us in the comment box below. No duct tape required!
Many of these 20 display uses are for special events. To help yours succeed, get your free copy of The Event Marketing Idea Kit, 58-pages containing 15 articles on a range of topics along with checklists and worksheets to help with the logistics of putting on an event. Click here to get your copy.
Filed Under: Trade Show Displays
About the Author: Mike Thimmesch is Skyline Exhibits' Director of Lead Generation and Industry Relations, with over 20 years of Marketing and 
I haven’t done any of these yet, but it seem that you could use them for:
1- Reunions (school, military, causes, etc…)
2- Webcast Backdrops/studios (I know this should have been placed with television sets)
3- Live Theater Events (for sales, branding, or backdrop).
4- Movie Releases for branding or sales (Sundance Film Festival as an example).
I love the list you have here Mike!
We use a pop up floor display during our monthly company meetings which take place in our cafeteria. It creates a great backdrop for the filming and live feed to other office locations as well as blocking the view of the food service area.
That’s smart! Good idea! MacGyver would be proud.