How to make your exhibition stand out

If you’ve ever been to an exhibition, you know just how challenging it can be to stand out from the crowd. With hundreds of businesses competing for attention in a busy hall, creating a memorable presence that draws visitors to your stand requires some serious thought.

At The Barista, we’ve spent countless hours at exhibitions across the UK. And, we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a good exhibition stand that consistently attracts a stream of interested visitors and a stand that gets overlooked.

Creating footfall to your exhibition stand needs more than just attractive graphics and promotional items. An experience that appeals to all the senses gives people a genuine reason to stop, chat and remember your brand long after they’ve left.

How to make your exhibition stand out

When we talk to our clients about their exhibition goals, everyone has the same challenge: they need to attract visitors to their stand – and have them hang around. It’s a challenge we think often has a simple answer, and that’s high-quality coffee.

Coffee is often the fuel that keeps attendees going through those long, tiring days. When word gets around that your stand offers the best coffee in the hall, it’s no surprise that usually translates to an increase in your stand’s footfall throughout the event.

“Quality coffee attracts visitors and starts conversations,” says Sam Fletcher, Co-founder and Director at The Barista. “It gives your potential clients a reason to pause at your stand and creates a natural opportunity for your team to start a meaningful conversation.”

Discover coffee for exhibitions

What makes a good exhibition stand?

While coffee is a powerful draw, creating a stand that genuinely stands out needs a carefully considered approach. Understanding what makes a good exhibition stand means considering these key elements:

Appeal to multiple senses

Most exhibition stands focus solely on what people can see. Creating a multi-sensory experience is a great way to draw visitors in. While your stand’s visual appeal is important, sensory elements like scent and taste create a more memorable experience that stays with visitors even after they’ve moved on.

Create a reason to stay

Getting visitors to your stand is only half the battle – you need to give them a reason to stay long enough for meaningful conversation. A professionally served coffee is the perfect excuse to encourage people to spend more time with you, without the interaction feeling forced.

Offer genuine value

Offering something with substance, like a cup of excellent coffee, gives attendees something of immediate value that they appreciate and associate with your brand. Our signature Northern Espresso blend, freshly roasted specifically for your event, ensures exceptional quality that leaves a lasting impression.

Encourage natural conversation

There’s just something about coffee that facilitates natural conversation. Whether it’s the shared experience or the slight welcome pause it creates in a busy day, we’ve noticed that stands with barista service enjoy more relaxed, productive conversations with potential clients.

Standing out from the crowd: what draws people in?

Looking for practical tips on how to make your exhibition stand out? Here are some ways to help your stand capture attention:

• Thoughtful stand design: Create a layout that’s open and inviting rather than closed and intimidating. Use clean lines and ensure your messaging is clear and visible from a distance.
• Strategic branding: Apply your branding consistently but don’t overwhelm visitors. Choose key areas for maximum impact rather than covering every surface.
• Interactive elements: Give visitors something to do – whether it’s a product demonstration or coffee to enjoy – to encourage engagement.
• Quality giveaways: Choose promotional items that offer genuine value rather than trinkets that will be thrown away. Quality coffee serves as both a refreshment and memorable experience.

• Professional staff: Ensure your team is well-briefed, approachable and knowledgeable about your products or services.
• Lighting: Well-designed, ambient lighting draws attention to your stand and creates atmosphere, helping you stand out in the often flat lighting of exhibition halls.

Understanding what makes a good exhibition stand means recognising that every element needs to work together to create a cohesive, memorable experience.

The Barista experience: what we offer for exhibitions

At The Barista, we’ve been providing professional mobile barista services to businesses and corporate clients for over 10 years. Our exhibition coffee service includes:

• Complete package: Everything you need for coffee at your stand with nothing else to arrange. We bring all equipment and supplies, leaving you free to focus on your exhibition goals.
• Professional baristas: Our team of trained baristas travel across the UK serving coffee and representing our clients’ brands with a smile.
• Freshly roasted coffee: We roast our signature Northern Espresso blend specifically for your event, for optimum flavour. All our coffee is freshly ground on demand.
• Seamless service: Our baristas arrive with everything they need, set up the coffee bar and begin serving. They learn about your brand to ensure they can welcome your guests in the right way.
• Comprehensive branding: Get your brand seen in as many places as possible – from cups, napkins and cappuccino stencils to coffee bars and barista aprons.

“Many companies overlook how the logistics of an exhibition can impact their performance,” explains Matthew Carr, Co-founder and Director at The Barista. “Having a professional barista service means your team can focus entirely on connecting with people instead of worrying about refreshments. It often makes the difference between a good exhibition stand and a great one.”

Learn more about our barista service

Creating a memorable exhibition experience

While everyone competes for visual attention, incorporating a professional barista service provides something different – the enticing aroma, taste and a moment of respite in a busy exhibition environment.

A busy stand creates its own attraction, as nothing draws a crowd quite like a crowd! The natural queue that forms for quality coffee gives you instant opportunities to engage with potential clients and let them know about your products or services.

By focusing on providing genuine value and engaging multiple senses, you can make your exhibition stand out in a way that not only attracts visitors but converts them into valuable customers. After all, it’s often the thoughtful details and genuine moments of connection that people remember long after the exhibition ends.

Ready to make your next exhibition stand out? Get in touch today to discuss how we can help increase footfall to your stand with delicious, freshly made coffee and exceptional service.